Digital chartplotter compatibility

[Pavalijo]

I have a Raymarine C80 chartplotter at the chart table and have learned that I cannot have a repeater in the cockpit. So I visited the Raymarine stand at SIBS to look at the new plotters with ability to connect to an I Pad by blue tooth, with the I Pad being able to control the plotter functions. Sounded like a good idea and not overly expensive as I want to buy an I Pad anyway.

All sounded good until I was told that my radar would not be compatible with the new generation plotters and I would need to upgrade to a new digital radar. After the initial disappointment the prices seemed lower than I anticipated (digital radar with 10m cable for under £1k and would fit the existing mast mount) and the bonus is that old C80's apparently sell for £400 plus on Ebay to people whose plotters fail but who don't want the expense of changing the old style radar. Presumably the old radar would have some value too.

That sounded good, so off I went into the next quest.

It was only when I was halfway up the M1 that I wondered whether the rest of my networked system would have to be changed - ST60 mostly with one ST70 piece of kit. That would put me off and lead me to buy another C80 off Ebay just in case, and make do with the chart table plotter (which is fine for now in my local waters but when we set off south I would prefer something near the helm).

I hope/assume that as the other kit I have does not overlay the info on the chart then the digital issue does not affect it, and presumably the Raymarine rep would have mentioned that, but I have no knowledge to speak of in this field and so advice would be appreciated.

I did also wonder if I have to buy Raymarine kit to network with my existing Raymarine instruments - is it possible to mix and match? I have to say that the Raymarine plotter controls/buttons looked a bit naff/cheap! Not too concerned at the aesthetics, just the durability.

regards
Paul

 

[laika]

Your ST60s speak Seatalk. Your new plotter won't. It speaks seatalkNG. Fortunately you can buy a seatalk to seatalkNG converter kit. It's about £100 but maybe not ridiculous in the context of new plotter and radar.

 

[Pavalijo]

Your ST60s speak Seatalk. Your new plotter won't. It speaks seatalkNG. Fortunately you can buy a seatalk to seatalkNG converter kit. It's about £100 but maybe not ridiculous in the context of new plotter and radar.

Thanks - I am looking at £2k+ plus fitting, so that is a relief!

Edit - that's £2k plus after selling current stuff on Ebay!

 

[Elessar]

Thanks - I am looking at £2k+ plus fitting, so that is a relief!

I have a 1992 autopilot, a 2013 C120 and the instruments from 1992 through to 2010.

All works perfectly. Via the converter as described already. With the new iPad functionality its fab.

The digital radar is quite a step up. On a recent cross channel there were lots of squalls, which you can see of course. But you can see ships behind the squalls. I dont know how!

But to make the most of it put the plotter (waterproof) in the cockpit and a permenant 12v supply inside for the ipad.

Ps a cheap ipad 1 from ebay works. It can stay at the chart table no risk of leaving it at home.

Its a lot of money but it's a fabulous bit of kit.