Downgrade Emesent Cortex

Updated
  • Updated on Sep 23, 2026
  • Published on Aug 24, 2026
  • 1 minute(s) read
  • Matthew Toohey
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This article explains how to downgrade Emesent Cortex on a Hovermap ST or ST-X.

 

What you will need

  • A Hovermap ST or ST-X with Emesent Cortex 3.1 or later. Hovermap 100 is not supported.

  • A USB drive.

  • The Cortex image file for the downgrade version.

  • A device with Wi-Fi and a web browser.

 

Downgrade limits

The oldest version available for a downgrade depends on the highest Cortex version that was ever installed on the Hovermap.

Highest Cortex version installed

Oldest version available for downgrade

3.1.x

2.7.23

3.2.x

2.7.23

3.3.0, 3.3.1, 3.3.2

Do not downgrade. Contact Emesent Technical Support Services.

3.3.3

3.3.0

3.4 and later

Contact Emesent Technical Support Services.

 

Procedure

Warning

Do not downgrade a Hovermap from Cortex 3.3.0, 3.3.1 or 3.3.2. A downgrade from these versions can make the Hovermap unusable. Contact Emesent Technical Support Services before a downgrade from these versions.

 

Step 1: Prepare the USB drive

  1. Use the downgrade limits table to select the downgrade version.

  2. Copy the Cortex image file to the USB drive (for example, hvm_st_3.3.3.img).

  3. Make sure that the USB drive has no other Cortex image files. The system can select a different file.

 

Step 2: Connect to the Hovermap

  1. Connect to the Hovermap Wi-Fi network.

  2. In a web browser, go to hover.map.

 

Step 3: Open the firmware upgrade

  1. Expand the DEVICE section.

  2. Click UPGRADE FIRMWARE.

 

Step 4: Insert the USB drive

  1. Insert the USB drive into the Hovermap ST / ST-X back panel.

  2. Wait until the LEDs show breathing blue. The system copies scans that are not transferred to the USB drive and moves them to the TRANSFERRED tab.

 

Step 5: Allow supported downgrades

  1. Set Allow Supported Downgrades to on.

  2. Read the warning, then click YES.

 

Step 6: Search for the upgrade image

  1. Click SEARCH. The system does not find a BSP upgrade image. This is correct.

  2. Click NEXT to search for a Hovermap upgrade image.

 

Step 7: Check the versions

  1. Make sure that the Hovermap Version and Upgrade Version numbers agree with the downgrade limits table.

 

Caution

Make sure that the downgrade version is correct. Each new Cortex installation permanently changes the oldest version available for a downgrade.

 

Step 8: Start the downgrade

  1. Click NEXT to start the downgrade.

 

Outcome

The selected Cortex version is installed on the Hovermap.

 

Additional information

  • For help to select a version, or for help with a downgrade, contact Emesent Technical Support Services at client.success@emesent.com.