Need some help ......

I am attempting to download the emulator for my  Lowrance 520 c with no luck. I have windows Vista which seems to be the problem. I keep getting a "NPPtools" error. I followed the directions on Lowrance and Microsoft...neither worked. Lowrance says it is Microsoft s problem and vice versa.

Anyone else had this problem, and more importantly, how did you fix it or get around it??  >

Thanks,

Alan (bassnajr)

Yep, I cannot get any updates or downloads of any kind to work on Vista. I have an older set up that runs xp and everything works great. Don't know what to tell you other than to find an xp setup.

Went through this issue yesterday running updates for my 522.

Good luck,

Jack

I'm with you guys.  Eventually Lowrance will wise up to the fact that XP will eventually go by the wayside and revise their software to be compatible with the newer operating systems.  In the meantime, we will just have grin and bear it.

So...

The only way to use your unit is on the boat???

That doesn't seem right. $450.00 for the unit and no on line help?? that suc#%!!

I will keep plugging on. I just tried that "compatibility option". No go!!!

Call Linda Colt at Lowrance on Monday. She will know if anyone will.

If you need me to load a chip just let me know. I'll get it in the mail to you.

The emulator will not work with Windows Vista or Windows 7.

It works with Windows XP and Windows 98.

I have computers with all of those software versions.

Same here Wayne. You would think Lowrance would do something about this issue.

Lowrance has been screwed up since they became Navico

Lowrance has been screwed up since they became Navico

X2

I am calling Lowrance and Microsoft on Monday.

How about this.....is there software (free or paid) out there that can do the same thing that the emulator does? It sounds like MANY folks are having this problem and I find it hard to believe that someone hasn't created something to fix this, even for a price. The Navionics chip package actually says NOT to plug the card into any unauthorized (???) card reader and that it is not PC compatible. I am just getting more confused and aggravated!!!!!! :-/

Do you know what the LEI emulator program is?

It simulates the operation of the particular LEI product that is listed and chosen to be downloaded from the LEI website. The emulator is a Lowrance software.

 

The entire problem with any Microsoft version compatability is Lowrance's (Navico) alone.

Navionics mapping software is not a Lowrance product and Lowrance is only one of several GPS mfg that read that software. It is designed to be read by equipment that is compatable with it. An example is if you had a Garmin sonar/gps unit, you could not use Navionics mapping software as Garmin chose not to make their units Navionics compatable.

If you stick that Navionics card in a computer or reader just go ahead and kiss your money goodby. It has copywrite protection built in it and you will destroy it if you try it.

O.K.

Then here is the next question:

I was told that using the emulator on your PC, you can plug the Navionics card into your reader I have a reader built into my laptop), and the emulator will act just like the unit on your boat. You can transfer waypoints from unit to card and card to unit. You can enter points via longitude and latitude etc. Is this true? If you can't put the card in a reader, how is this possible?

AJR

Alan, you down load emulator to sd card from Lowrance website and plug that in the computer. Don't put that Navionics card in the computer.

Check your unit for the latest update. If I copy the emulator I will also copy the latest update and send that to you also. All you have to do is turn the unit on, put the chip in, and it will load in 10 seconds.

Jack

Call me. I pm'd you my number

Alan, here are the settings I run on my units. Try these and see how you like them.

Sensitivity 88-92

Colorline 84

Depth Line On

Manuel Mode Off

Color Palette 1

Noise Reduction Low

Surface Clutter Low

Enable WAAS Off

Heading Up

Look ahead On

Ping speed 19-20

Turn on Shallow water mode

I turn the fish id off, just my preference

The latest update (2.5) for the 520c is dated 7-29-09. I bought my unit in September and it still needed the update loaded. Check yours, I bet it has the 2.4 loaded in it and will need the install.

You can adjust from there.

Good luck,

Jack

I'll be in contact soon Jack

Thanks!!!!!

Update::: on another website, some have said the emulator/Vista compatability issue has been fixed. Give it a try if you have Windows Vista or Windows 7

I just tried it AGAIN...no go!!!

Can you PM me the site you read this from??

Thanks,

Alan

You have mail.

edited: I just downloaded an emunator on my Vista laptop and it worked.

I tried the 520c emulator and it didn't work. Maybe all the files available are not Vista compatable due to some being discontinued products and LEI feels the effort to update those is not needed. I suspect more current models are compatable.

I just tried it with the Vista system and it is still no go for me. I can download it with my XP system no problem.

Not sure what is going on, but after the XP download this morning it fails to open and run like it did last week. If they are tweaking files and/or operating hardware I wish they would get done with it.

I did rerun the update download for the 520 to an SD card again this morning on XP without a problem though.

Jack

I called Lowrance and spoke with a tech dude. He tried to walk me through it (doing what I had done before) and no go. He said that he would report it to the IT guy and said that Lowrance is a small company, so he will tell him personally and get this fixed.We'll see!! I also mentioned this site and told him many people were having this problem.

Bassnajr, I hope he wasn't just blowing smoke like they have done in the past with this same issue. It's been on-going since Vista was introduced.

I hope not either Wayne....

Vista and Windows 7 come in 2 versions 32 and 64 bit. You may want to post what versions you have to compare what one is working and what one is not.

To find out what you have  go to CONTROL PANEL then look for SYSTEM it will tell you in there.