Navionics charts on MMC

ribfreak · 03 June 2004, 09:07

hello,

I`m thinking about buying a Navionics clasic chart for my favourite ribbing waters (North- and Baltic Sea)- is it possible to make a safety-copy of them on a CD or something? It`s just because they really ask big bucks for`em and since saltwater and electronics will never team up I`d like to be on the safe side of the game.....

greetings,
Wolfgang

swginn · 03 June 2004, 09:47

In theory you should be able to, but you'll need one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...058486-5953254

Also if you have a Lowrance you can download your plotter software to your PC and use it to edit trails, waypoints, etc on the Navionics chart. Its exactly like using your plotter in the comfort of your own home instead of on board.

Andy · 23 March 2005, 14:48

I have tried making a backup copy .. however it just does not work? Any ideas ... are there hidden sector keys on there or something?

Simon666 · 23 March 2005, 20:36

They are copy protected
I also tried to make a backup copy in case my £230 quids worth of maps gets zapped.
There is a possibility THIS software may copy them. It is the software people use to make personal backup copies of copy protected Nokia N-gage MMC games.
You must have a identical blank MMC card size, then goto disc tools, then clone disk (ctrl-D)
Ive not tried it yet, but would be keen to know if it works.

Of course i never would condone making illigal copies of navionics cards, but you are within your legal right to make a personal backup copy.
If this thread is a bit dodgy, please remove it admin.

Andy · 24 March 2005, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon666

would be keen to know if it works.

I tried this and I think I created an identical MMC however it does not work ... so I couldn't have ... any more ideas?

IanE · 29 March 2005, 21:12

I was wondering if they record the media's serial no??

Simon666 · 30 March 2005, 00:54

I dunno

Ive been scanning other forums and it looks like no-ones sussed it yet.

Andy · 30 March 2005, 10:08

I think they have the card id number encrypted into the charts. The box wont read the chart in unless the decrypted id matches the physical device number .....

OR the whole thing is encrypted using the id number as a partial key.

And so I think we are buggered unless we also fiddle with the id number on the physical card.

I am not sure the effort is worth the hassle, however as I have over £500 of charts I really did want a backup!!! Guess any loss would be an insurance claim.

Simon666 · 30 March 2005, 19:11

Yeah good idea Andy.
Do you know how we can view the card id number or change it?

jlanng · 30 March 2005, 19:34

First thing to do would be to compare the data portions of two 'identical' cards.

Andy · 30 March 2005, 19:40

Or 2 empty cards. The id must be there somewhere.

Andy · 30 March 2005, 22:03

I found this:

http://www.configsys.com.hk/images/THL/PDF/mmc.pdf

Its the manufacturers manual for an MMC card. It states that the Card Identification Number ... CID, can only be written once into the card data register. This is done by the manufacturer prior to shipment to sales outlets. Each CID is unique. The CID can be read with the correct software.

I think we are definately scuppered. Either the Chart Plotter will need a software hack to allow it to decode the charts no matter if the CID did not match the CID encryted into the charts ... or we need software to decrypt and then encrypt back again using the destination CID.

I have given up this quest, too much effort and highly illegal if done. Just not worth the effort for a personnal backup.