Connecting Standard Horizon CP180 to a laptop

[Steve C Cronin]

Wouldn't you do this to upload/download waypoints?

I have a chartplotter on my lappie, bigger screen than the GPS..I'd use the GPS to feed the position to the lappie.

To the OP,
You do need a USB/serial converter, but be picky about which one you get.
Some have an awkward box you connect the serial/usb cables into and it might even have a power supply.
More practical ones are integrated into a single cable with serial one end, usb the other. Electronics are hidden in one of the plugs.
If I find a link I'll post it here.

No need. My standard navigation process goes like this:-

Plonk the cursor on 1/2mile east of the Citadel at Corfu Town once clear of Gouvion Island and hit Goto. If this gives a clear line, put the AP on "track" to this point. When within 1/2mile do similar for Lefkimmi Ledge, the SE Corfu shoal and Gaios North entrance. Following morning do same for Levkas Canal entrance. Simple. No numerical input whatsoever. I do ALL my navigating that way. Can't see the point of doing anything else apart from keeping an hourly manual log of positions from chart table repeater and stand-alone basic set which feeds the GMDSS radio. It's all line of sight around there and in usually good vis. which is also why I don't have a radar which would just run the batteries down for very little assistance.

 

[SteveSarabande]

Well that went easier than expected. I wired the serial port into port 1 of the cp180, the same one going to the radio. When I fired up OpenCPN it was receiving gps info form the cp180, after a bit of faffing around I worked out how to transfer routes to the plotter.

So just what I wanted, I can maintain a list of routes on the netbook and transfer them to the plotter as required.

Next task is to move the cp180 in to the cockpit and find a way of fastening the netbook to the chart table for monitoring the position downstairs.

I am trying to find out if the CP180 will survive being outside. It is going above the hatch, sheltered under the cockpit cover. I can't find anywhere in the manual that says if it is waterproof, water resistant, or for dry areas only.

 

[gasdave]

I am trying to find out if the CP180 will survive being outside. It is going above the hatch, sheltered under the cockpit cover. I can't find anywhere in the manual that says if it is waterproof, water resistant, or for dry areas only.[/QUOTE]

It is waterproof enough to live happily where you intend to put it. That's where mine is. Only slight niggle is that screen can sometimes be difficult to see in direct sunshine.

 

[nigelmercier]

FTDI is one of the better chipsets.

FTDI and Moschip are good. I've got a couple of these.

Beware the eBay cheap ones, the drivers caused many a BSOD on my PC.

 

[Leighb]

I am trying to find out if the CP180 will survive being outside. It is going above the hatch, sheltered under the cockpit cover. I can't find anywhere in the manual that says if it is waterproof, water resistant, or for dry areas only.

I have a 300i and it is mounted on the coachroof but under the spray hood. It has been there several seasons and has no problems. I always disconnect it and put it down below when leaving the boat - for security mainly. The contacts can get a bit green but clean up OK.

I almost never have the sprayhood up when sailing, only if conditions are really vile, so it has survived salt spray and rain.

Glad you have managed to get your alternate solution working.