C-Map Reader and Standard Horizon Chart Plotter

[Seashoreman]

I must admit to total frustration and bafflement in the understanding of these useful aids to navigation. If anyone has actually tried sailing and learning how to use a SH 180 single handed, or sat at anchor/mooring (not moving) with handbook to hand which is full of either/or's or strange tech language. I have just spent hours with the C-Map reader on my new Win7 machine, thought I got it all worked out. Now half my points and waypoints and marks and routes are locked up. Is this because it is a translation from Italian via America and used for numerous other machines? I truly wish I had the wherewithall to write the blinking correct manual that relates these machines together and makes life simple to use for a solo sailor. Its really not such a problem as I can sail by sight, charts and local knowledge for what I do. But, has anybody got the time to write a simple handbook for these things. The Jeppesen device is like something from the Dos days? No online tutorials I can find, no alternative guides. Argghh.
Just keep pressing buttons and maybe I will get to use a part of what these things are capable of and for the significant cost there seems to be no help lines, etc.
Please don't be rude, I have done my best to keep up with technology, but this is not user friendly language and I cant figure out why not?

 

[nigelmercier]

I sent a list of waypoints to my CP180 without a C-Map reader, if that is what you are trying to do.

 

[SteveSarabande]

I sent a list of waypoints to my CP180 without a C-Map reader, if that is what you are trying to do.

I wanted to find a way of downloading tracks, it's a shame you can't do that via nmea

 

[Leighb]

I wanted to find a way of downloading tracks, it's a shame you can't do that via nmea

You can save them onto a C-Map user card, and then display them on the reader, I found this very disappointing though as it simply showed a track, with no track point information such as course speed etc.

 

[rosewood]

I sent a list of waypoints to my CP180 without a C-Map reader, if that is what you are trying to do.

Sorry to but in but how did you do that please?

 

[nigelmercier]

I wanted to find a way of downloading tracks, it's a shame you can't do that via nmea

I think you can, see below.

[sent a list of waypoints to my CP180 without a C-Map reader]... how did you do that please?

From the CP180 Manual:
"2.10 PERSONAL COMPUTER CONNECTIONS
The GPS Chart Plotter can be connected to output Marks, Routes and Tracks to many PC programs available. To send or receive User Points the PC Program must be able to receive NMEA WPL and RTE sentences."

I started with a Word document of the waypoints, then used Find and Replace to set the correct format, as detailed in the remainder of section 2.10. Then I made a text file and used a terminal program (such as HyperTerminal or PuTTY) to send the file.

 

[SteveSarabande]

What did you use to get tracks off the cp180 and onto a pc. I can't find a txt track route on the cp180.

The only way I know is to copy the track onto a c-map user card and then use the special card reader and software, too expensive for me.

I remember using Opencpn to transfer waypoints to the CP, can't remember if it worked for routes

 

[rosewood]

I think you can, see below.


From the CP180 Manual:
"2.10 PERSONAL COMPUTER CONNECTIONS
The GPS Chart Plotter can be connected to output Marks, Routes and Tracks to many PC programs available. To send or receive User Points the PC Program must be able to receive NMEA WPL and RTE sentences."

I started with a Word document of the waypoints, then used Find and Replace to set the correct format, as detailed in the remainder of section 2.10. Then I made a text file and used a terminal program (such as HyperTerminal or PuTTY) to send the file.

Blimey sounds a bit too technical for me but thanks for that

 

[nigelmercier]

What did you use to get tracks off the cp180 and onto a pc...

Same idea, but the other way. It's in the manual as above.