C-Map Max

[samwise]

Can't believe this question has not been asked before, but does anyone have a clear idea about what plotters will run the new C-Map Max and what mods need to be done to slightly older plotters. Our Navman Tracker 5600 was bought about six months ago. Dare I hope that it is just a simple software upgrade or are we stuffed and obsolete? We have also bought a C-Map NT link for the PC, does the same rule apply? I am thinking how many paper charts we could have bought for the same money!

 

[philip_stevens]

From what I can gather, the 5600 will run C-Map Max, but the 5500 will not - but don't quote me on that!!

I have an email from Plastimo/Navimo, but it is on the other computer. When my son allows me to get back on my own computer, I will quote the email on here.

 

[toad]

Afraid not,I asked Navman this at the boat show and its to do with the screen size,dots or type not software.

 

[steverow]

None that I know of at present.
AFAIK, it is only available on cartridges.
Dont think any laptop plotter software can run it either.
Dont know about upgrades....does look good though, although by the look of it suited more to the PC than standalone plotters.

Steve.

 

[yachtbits]

Plotters that support C-Map MAX.

Navman 6600

Simrad CP31TFT 6" screen Chartplotter

Simrad CX and CXE NavStation systems 7", 10" & 15"

kevin

 

[trouville]

It seems to me there are just to many standards.Im looking for somthing to use with seaclear, i have cmap which although good charts cant be seen unless i spend £700 on a veiwer!!!

 

[rickp]

Is the Simrad CX range replacing the CR range, or will the CR range remain available?

Rick

 

[pvb]

C-Map MAX on laptops...

C-Map say they are "updating their popular PC-Planner program to support MAX. It will be possible for existing PC-Planner users to upgrade to the new version."

For those running NT+ on PCs, C-Map say "For customers with PC Navigation programs that use our much respected NTonPC charts, C-Map will release MAXonPC giving them the power of MAX on their PC. Customers should talk to the manufacturer of their navigation software, as they will need to get an upgrade of their navigation software, as well as new or updated MAXonPC charts."

 

[yachtbits]

CX is replacing the CR as the basic colour chartplotter/radar system.

The CXE is the version with echosounder built in.

the RA range of Radar only are still available

The CX(E) systems have much more processing power, this is to speed it all up and so it can handle the C-Map MAX charts.

The pricing has been revised considerably as well. A CX44 Radar chartplotter system can, work out at a similar price to a Raymarine C120 sysytem.

Simrad for some reason under sell their displays though. A CX44 is quoted as being a 10" display. It is in fact 10" horizontal measurement. All other manufacturers quote diagonal measurements. My point s a CX44 is infact as big if not bigger than a C120!

Kevin
Simrad Dealer

 

[bendyone]

Seaclear will read KAP charts with not problem.

 

[pvb]

How strange...

Wonder why Simrad would now start to quote horizontal screen dimensions, when everyone else quotes diagonals? Especially as Simrad quote their screens as diagonal sizes on other models, such as the 44/54 series.

 

[philip_stevens]

This is the email I had from Navimo/Plastimo

"Hi Phil

At this time we have no news regarding an update for the 5500. The specification of the new NT Max is such that it really best suited to the higher priced units with larger screen resolution. For example, the photo images on the NT Max database require 256 colour management and more resolution. For example if you had the Simrad CP31/33 unit it will indeed run NT max but the resolution is such that pictures and cartography would not appear as it should. Select a photo image from the chart and the picture would fill the entire screen because the resolution of the plotter is the same as the photo.Also without 256 colour management the screen presentation on features like the photos will look pretty poor. If you check the specification of our 5000 series you will see that it would not just be a software review that's required but also some hardware enhancements.
NT Max is currently best suited to the higher priced products like our 6600 which will only require a software update as soon as NT Max is released.

I suspect that rather than just upgrade units manufacturers will release start to introduce another generation.
Regards"

 

[yachtbits]

Re: How strange...

just scaled off the drawings and I think Simrad have some duff info in their trade manual.

I'll get one out of its box this afternoon and actually measure it. I could be very wrong, it wouldn't be the first time!!

 

[yachtbits]

Re: C-Map Max Opps! wrong again!

Simrad dealer manual show dimensions as horizontal, Just measured on and it is actually Diagonal!!

Just proved all that's printed isn't always right!

kev

 

[rickp]

Thanks, thats handy to know.

Rick

 

[Oldhand]

New information advised to me yesterday on C-Map Max:

1. Chart sizes will be "Wide" or "Mega Wide". No "Superwide" and many plotters can't handle "Megawide".

2. In a couple of weeks when Max becomes available, C-Map on CD for PC will only be available in Max, thus only above sizes and no more NT+ at all.

Its thouroughly chaotic. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[branko]

Regarding C-map Max I have contacted C-map Italy and receive info that Raymarine plotters do not support C-map Max.
It looks that Raymarine push out C-map from list of their partners and their customers who buy SL or RL series are cheated!

 

[rickp]

Cheated? How so? As far as I am aware, none of the manufacturers are offering a software upgrade to use the C-Map MAX functionality because it requires a change in screen resolution and probably requires more CPU power than is available on the current hardware.

Raymarine have also gone with Navionics (I think?) for their new kit. I can't see them going back and updating the hardware and software on their 'old' RL/SL series kit especially to use a format of electronic charts that they don't use anymore.

Rick

 

[pvb]

This does raise an intriguing question though...

This does raise an intriguing question for owners of newer Raymarine kit. If we assume that Navionics follow C-Map's lead and introduce more features to their charts, will the current generation of Navionics-based Raymarine radar/plotters be rendered obsolete? Having just fitted a C-series display, I'd be interested to know what the plans are.

 

[rickp]

Re: This does raise an intriguing question though...

Check out the Osborne story on why pre-announcing your plans is a bad idea. Raymarine, C-Map, Navionics, Simrad etc. will be quiet on their plans in order to prevent the 'wait for the next version' syndrome.

The thing that would concern me is how long I can continue to get chart updates for my chosen format. C-Map seem to have a reasonable history of keeping their older formats available. I've not been aware of Navionics, but I'd hope that Raymarine wouldn't have chosen them if they were going to drop the format in 2 years time.

Rick