What is going on with Nobeltec?

mightyhorton · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008

Greetings, All - My Nobeltec software ran fine on my Vista machine until I downloaded Service Pack 1. Now Nobeltec gets stuck early in the launch cycle and freezes up my computer so even control-alt-delete won't work. I have to pull the battery and reboot to get my computer back. Anybody else had this problem?

Also, is it true that Nobeltec is going to, or already has, modified their program so that we won't be able to use the free downloadable ENC charts?

Thanks. Ian

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008

I'm so glad I have a Mac.

Might want to check the Nobeltec site to see if they have a patch for the software and Vista SP1.

mightyhorton · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

what i could find on Nobeltec's website was a) nothing at all about issues related to SP1 for Vista. b) They do have an upgrade from V 9.2 to V 9.3, which might solve my problem but it doesn't say so. This upgrade, says Nobeltec's website, removes the ability to use S57 charts. After upgrading, it appears that you will have to buy all your charts from Nobeltec. They aren't cheap. Not sure if this is an Apple/PC sorta thing, seems more like Nobeltec has lost its mind. Boeing owns them now, and maybe they are thinking more about airplanes than boats. Luckily I have Coastal Explorer on my PC, too, and can just forget about Nobeltec. CE seems to be pretty nifty and happily supports S57 charts. Or maybe I'll roll back the SP1 install and see if Nobeltec starts working again. I don't get user friendly vibes from Nobeltec anymore, like I did in the old days when the founders still owned it.

So nobody else has spoken up yet about whether they have had issues with Nobeltec after installing Vista SP1....... Hmmm. I'll check back later.

mightyhorton · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

I uninstalled Vista SP1, and the two updates that came after it, and viola! my Nobeltec launched properly and runs fine. There must be some conflict between my V 9.2.2218 and the Service Pack 1.

Before updating your Nobeltec, read their FAQs about V 9.3s lack of support for S57 charts.

SVCetacea · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightyhorton

This upgrade, says Nobeltec's website, removes the ability to use S57 charts.

Wow. Nice "upgrade".

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008

Just FYI, from the Nobeltec site:

Quote:

Q: What will happen to my S57 charts that I loaded previously?

A: The S57 charts that you may have imported will be deleted or otherwise rendered unusable by Nobeltec Admiral or VNS by this software update.

In the past Jeppesen Marine has occasionally encountered anomalies in public S57 data. When these anomalies occur it is beyond Jeppesen's control to verify that the conversion of S57 data into the Nobeltec System ENC (SENC) is performed correctly. Therefore, Jeppesen Marine has chosen not to support direct importing of public S57 charts into our marine navigation software products.

Please also remember that electronic charts are an aid to navigation designed to facilitate the use of authorized government charts, not to replace them. Only official government charts and Notices to Mariners contain all the information needed for safe navigation.

Basically, they're saying they don't want to do the work it takes to read a ENC-type S-57 chart. They're also saying that only official government charts and corresponding NOTM are all that are needed, but apparently, the NOAA official ENC charts aren't good enough.

Quote:

Q: I applied the software update and my chart data has disappeared. What do I do now?

A: As stated, this software update will remove all S57 chart import functionality and any ability for Nobeltec Admiral or VNS to display previously imported S57 charts.

If you are in a situation where you no longer have viewable charts in your Admiral or VNS software, you may contact Jeppesen Marine to describe your situation and qualify for free data unlock codes to our Nobeltec Passport World Folio vector data product.
Please contact us at:

Jeppesen Marine Worldwide Customer Support
1-800-946-2877 Toll free in the U.S.A.
1-503-579-1414 Outside the U.S.A.

Q: I use only S57 charts with my Nobeltec software. What charts can I use after the software update removes all my S57 charts?

A: Jeppesen Marine offers world wide chart coverage with high quality Passport World Folio charts. Please contact us and we will be glad to introduce you to our line of electronic charting products and walk you through how to get started.

If you're in the middle of nowhere and truly screwed... we'll give you the data unlock codes for free, but you'll be paying for all future updates... sounds like your typical drug dealer... the first fix is free... once you're hooked and dependent, they can nail you for everything you've got.

Quote:

Q: I have applied the software update and would like to undo or roll back the update. Can I do this?

A: There is no ability to back out the software updates. Once the software updates are applied they become one and the same with the Nobeltec software that was previously installed on the system that was running Admiral or VNS.

Yes, you can re-install the software, but we're not going to tell you that, since we'd rather have you hooked on our proprietary charts. If you were using the free government charts, that just too damn bad. They were cutting in to our profit margins, so we're screwing you, our loyal customer over, long-term.

Have a nice day.

Nice company... apparently, their programmers are having some issues that other programmers at other companies aren't... MacENC, the navigation program I run on my Mac, may not do as much as Nobeltec, but they don't screw over their customers the way that Nobeltec does either. They actually have a link to where you can get the NOAA ENC and BSB charts. Seems to be the difference in mindset between Mac companies and Wintel companies.

mightyhorton · #7 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008

Thanks, SD. I suspect that if I asked Nobeltec about my Vista SP1 issue they would tell me to upgrade to their Version 9.3, which would mean I'd lose my S57 charts.

Some ex-Nobeltec guys and some ex-Microsoft guys have started producing a nice nav program called Coastal Explorer - software geeks that love boating. Under the "Tools" menu is a direct link to the NOAA chart website. The CE guys don't own a chart company, as does Nobeltec. Remember the kid that owned the football saying play my way or I'm taking my football home? Well, Nobeltec seems to be saying pay us good money for our charts or you can't use Nobeltec. I like my CE program and am looking forward to downloading version 2, which is in beta now and should be officially released pretty soon.

Ian

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008

Horton-

Vote with your wallet... if enough people do...the companies will eventually get the message.

akfisherman · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2011

Yes, you are running into the common dilemma in this world.More and more it seems like profit outranks customer service. Nobeltec is good charts but lousy on everything else. I had to upgrade with a new computer and it was espensive. I have heard of coastal explorer with other boaters and commercial fisherman and will never use nobeltec again due to the fact that they are just trying to profit off everything.