Wanted to buy: Lowrance memory card reader

[nwoods]

I have a Baja540c that i cannot use because I can't find a stupid proprietary memory card reader for the stupid proprietary mapping software.

I have cards that both the GPS and my computer can read, but because there are not serialized by the stupid proprietary memory card reader, the mapping software won't write to it, rendering my 540 useless.

I have tried to buy them from the LEI site, but my transactions never go through, and they don't answer their phone. Been trying to get one of these for a few months now, and it's getting tiresome.

Anyone got one they are willing to part with?

Thanks,

NW

 

[Bergger]

I love my Lowrance GPS but the software and customer support stinks. When I bought mine a few years ago I loaded the whole state of CO on the card. I now have a new computer with Vista and went to load several more states on a new card. Won't work. I can't get the computer to recognize the LEI card reader. I even tried to do in on a computer that does not have vista and it still won't work. I've long since given up on the customer support as nothing they've told me has worked. I just dropped some money on a new Garmin Nuvi with topo for my car and truck and will just use my Lowrance for hiking and 4wheeling in Colorado. You may have to just buy one of the new Freedom EX Maps that are preloaded on a sim card. They cost about $100 each and cover 6-8 or so states I believe. Sorry and good luck.

 

[adventureduo]

Yeah, i have a mac and i just use the Freedom Map pre-loaded SD Card. Works awesome and is very detailed. Only problem is, if we travel outside of the 4 states it covers, i need to switch out the card. Other than that they work flawless and i never need to use a computer.

 

[nwoods]

So I sucked it up today and waited 2 hours on hold with LEI, and ordered the damm thing over the phone.

I waited another 30 minutes for a software guy to confirm it was compatiable with Vista, who told me that it wasn't, but that there was a patch, and then walked me through it. Turns out, he was the head engineer there, and was full of useful info. Found out where the 5 card max limit came from. Seems that the entire contents of the mapping database will fit onto five 1GB memory cards, so they figured that's all you need. This includes Hawaii and Alaska!


In a week or so, I should have my card reader, and then the journey begins...

Bergger, here is how to make your card reader Vista compatible:

1. Browse the DVD, look for the Setup.exe file in the main (root) folder, right click on it, select properties, choose compatibility mode "XP Service Pack 2", then click the checkbox: Run as Administrator.
2. Go through the rest of the prompts, but say NO to installing card reader drivers
3. Browse the DVD again, in a folder called USB2, again, right click on the Setup.exe file in this subfolder, select properties, choose compatibility mode "XP Service Pack 2", then click the checkbox: Run as Administrator, just like you did previously. Accept all the prompts
4. Go to http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/MapCreate-7-Windows-Vista-Update/ and download the latest patch to make MapCreate work better with Vista (including SP1).