Proplan 5
 

Having just installed Navbox Proplan 5 on my PC. I have noticed that whenever a route is plotted and expanded nav log selected, the database drop down list disappears !!! also, if you then wish to exit and you click on File, the word 'alt' appears instead.

Anyone else had this problem ?

I wonder if Navbox will release a fix for this ?

A rather dissapointing start for version 5

Send them an email at [email protected] :)

What's new in version 5? Worth an upgrade from version 4...? It's only £20 to upgrade... which is a nice change :ok:

Most importantly, as far as I am concerned, lots of topography, obstructions etc.

W

The Expanded Nav Log problem you describe doesn't happen here. Did you buy v5.0 at the PFA Rally? If so, there is a fix already available (was within a week of the Rally) at Navbox.nl (Select 'Free Downloads'). According to the site, this was because v5.0 didn't display airspace labels, and brings the version number to v5.01, which is the same as the CD sent out to database update subscribers.

The 'Exit' becoming 'alt' characteristic you describe does occur after selecting Expanded Nav Log with v5.01. However, the 'Exit' functionality is still there - it's just a mis-labelling. Quirky, but hardly a major "disappointment" IMV.

As WCollins says, the terrain and obstruction info is a major improvement. APart from that, the following is from the "What's New" file that comes with it:



NavBox ProPlan News in version 5, compared to ProPlan 4:

- New waypoint types:
Runways - with final approach fixes
Air sport sites - parachute drop zones, hang gliding etc.
Obstacles - with altitudes and heights.
Cables - with altitudes and heights.
High natural spots - with altitudes.

- Terrain database:
Contains about 33,000,000 square kilometers with elevations
to cover all of Europe. Elevations can be made visible on
the ProPlan maps by selecting terrain colors.

- Automatic MSA calculation in the expanded navigation log:
Minimum safe (terrain and obstacle clearance) altitude.
The user enters a proximity distance and an altitude to
add to the heighest elevation found.
ProPlan will then calculate the MSA, taking into account
the terrain database, published airfields, beacons,
obstacles and cables.

- Import/export route (club flights):
The user is now able to save the current route to disk in
file 'OurRoute.nbr'. The file can then be distributed to
other NavBox ProPlan or QuickPlan version 5 users.
This file assumes that all route waypoints are available
in the database of the receiver, otherwise the receiver
will get a warning that the waypoint will be skipped.
Notes:
- QuickPlan 5 does not support the ProPlan IFR database
(airways, intersections and runways).
- Temporay waypoints will be accepted.
- User waypoints will not be accepted, unless the receiver
has the same ID and position in memory.

- Better airspace drawing.




I still think it's an excellent product, and if a suggestion I've had from Navbox themselves bears fruit, it's about to become a lot better still sometime in the Autumn. :D I'll leave it to Navbox themselves to tell you what, if they find their way to PPRuNe and choose to do so. (I'm just a happy customer).

Sounds good, just ordered my upgrade. Jepp, will let you know if I have problems

Thanks Evo

The program as a whole is excellent, it's just let down, in my point of veiw, by what I described in my post.

BTW my version is 5.01

Jepp

The upgrade has just arrived (complete with the label "Flight critical information affecting air safety Please Do Not Delay" - the postman knocked and asked about that one :) ) and I see the same problems. I'll send them an e-mail. Apart from that a useful upgrade :ok:

BossEyed

How do I do this? I've only spent a couple of minutes playing with it, but couldn't find the option... :confused:

Ah, good question Evo - took me some time to work that one out as well.

The function is there, though, even though I was convinced for a while it wasn't. :confused:

Go to 'Map' on the menu bar and select 'New Map'.

THen, on the right hand side of the selection window, above the map scale radio buttons, is a clickable selector marked 'terrain'. Hit that, and the @land' box changes to elevation colours. Then Robert's your mother's brother. :ok:

Hope that helps.

Ah, well hidden :) But it works, thanks :ok:

I've got Proplan 5.1 as mailed on CDROM and have tried to follow B-E's instructions for terrain:

However when I get to the appropriate box, the word 'terrain' is in grey and clicking on it produces no response.

So I cant get terrain.

Anybody got any quick ideas before I e mail Navbox.

TIA

Cusco

Just been fiddling:

A box has come up saying 'warning: EUREL.NBI file is locked, terrain elevation will not be available.'

Nothing from [email protected] yet:

Can any body tell me what EUREL.NBI is and can I fix it or is my copy of Navbox 5.1 flawed

Cheers

Cusco

Hard to beleive Proplan released this new version with so many flaws :sad:

Jepp

PropPlan 5.0 installed for me with not problem.

On the other hand I have used JeppView for years, and it's still terribly buggy, inefficient and unintuitive.

At least Navbox listen to their customers and learn, leading to ever improved product.

W

Cusco, the EUREL.NBI file is a 62Mb monster, and will therefore be the terrain database itself, I suppose.

First thing I'd do would be to uninstall the program from your hard drive and then re-install, and see if that fixes it. If not, request a replacemnt CD from Navbox. My experience with their support email is that it's quick and fair, so good luck.

I haven't got my CD with me, but another option might be to see if the EUREL.NBI file is visible when looking at a file list of the CD. If so, the solution may be as simple as copying it across to the PP50 directory on your hard drive.

Jepp, I remain at a loss to understand your concerns. The items you mentioned having experience of are minor niggles at best. Cusco's problem is rather more serious, but does not seem to be representative of user's experience based on chats here and elsewhere (completely unscientific, I know). MY guess is that his difficulty is an anomaly, either in the instal process or on his particular CD copy.

I really hope your Username doesn't reflect a vested interest, as that would be a great shame.