Philips AP Navigator

[Katouf]

APN4

. . . and when you turn it on, it will probably come up with the message "Antenna Error".

I've got the same model and was advised by others on the forum that it's Decca based. The whip aerial looks impressive at the top of the mast but as the wiring goes inside and then out of the bottom, it's been more convenient to leave everything as it is.
I did speak with the Leica people but no one seemed to know anything about the old Philips equipment. I now use a Garmin hand held to confirm position and plot onto a paper chart. But then I am old fashioned!

Alan

 

[Gypsyjoss]

Possible even the earliest GPS models no good as not Y2k complient. But if its a later one...

I have the Phillips AP Navigator GPS, Model APN8 (so Mk8?). It's working fine, seems to compare well with my Garmin GPS72 and I love the large screen and ease of use. I have a defective spare (displays Antenna fault all the time).
So 2 qqs.
1. What's the Y2k problem about?

2. Does anybody service these?

Cheers

 

[contessaman]

I have the Phillips AP Navigator GPS, Model APN8 (so Mk8?). It's working fine, seems to compare well with my Garmin GPS72 and I love the large screen and ease of use. I have a defective spare (displays Antenna fault all the time).
So 2 qqs.
1. What's the Y2k problem about?

2. Does anybody service these?

Cheers

Hi, I bought my AP navigator off ebay about 4 years ago. I remembered my father had a magellan meridian GPS on his boat. Post Y2K it stopped working, something to do with clocks and downloading the almanac?

Anyway, as the AP unit I was intersted in looked old, I googled Y2k and GPS and found a list of popular units (sorry I didn't save a copy) with a tick or a cross if it was Y2k compliant(or not). Some of the earlier Phillips ones I remember had an 'x', the Mk9 had a tick so I bought it and it was fine. Most of the trimble units and micrologic ones were no good post Y2k I seem to remember. Father spent a lot of money on his magellan - a new EPROM. It sort of works now but it takes hours to lock on and keeps loosing its signal.

sorry I cant be of more help.

If both your units are the same I doubt its a y2k problem? the antenna is an active one I think so maybe its just broken.
I really agree with you on how nice and simple and easy to read the screens are. reminds me of the old navstar/B&G dinghy decca. Lat&long. 10 waypoints and a goto screen. what more did one need! Some old units are still good, the 1990 garmin gps 45 that came with my boat still works a treat...

 

[paulrae]

In addition to the Raymarine C70, I have one of these. It provides the GPS feed to my DSC radio, so I have no intention of binning it. Very clear screen and easy to use. No doubt there are loads of newer gizmos that do things better and faster, but this one was "free", as it came with the boat

 

[Gypsyjoss]

If both your units are the same I doubt its a y2k problem? the antenna is an active one I think so maybe its just broken.
...

Thanks for the info. Only one is faulty and displays 'Antenna error' (or some similar message). The socket is in good order.
I was hoping to find someone to check it out for me.

 

[capsco]

I have one of the GPS type MK 9 I think it was working fine now it says something like not updating, the antenna is OK any clues please.

 

[Quandary]

Sounds as if the memory battery might be done, they last 10 or so years. On mine it was the little flat shiny disc type, afraid I can't remember the number. Not hard to do once you get inside.

 

[Gypsyjoss]

I was hoping to find someone to check it out for me.

Ok. Now I know the history. This is off the MX Marine website -
"In 1994 Leica acquired MX Marine group from Magnavox and in 1997 acquired the Ap Navigator business from Phillips. On 29th April 2005, Brunswick New Technologies, Inc. acquired the MX Marine business from Leica Geosystems. MX Marine is currently owned by Navico, Inc., who acquired the business in March 2007."
So I'll enquire at their Service Centre in Soton about the old Philips models and let you know!
FYI there are models AP MK10 and AP MK12 produced by Leica/MX Marine

 

[longjohnsilver]

Just remembered I have my set at home as I'm re-wiring the boat at the mo. Heres what it looks like so if the set in question is like this -definately dont chuck it!

I still have one on our boat and use it every time we go to sea, has a few functions not available on our Raymarine E series, so definitely not junk, quite the contrary, a well made piece of kit.

 

[contessaman]

Sounds as if the memory battery might be done, they last 10 or so years. On mine it was the little flat shiny disc type, afraid I can't remember the number. Not hard to do once you get inside.

seconded. the lithium back up battery (its a CR2302) powers the memory that stores the almanac. If the battery is flat, each time you turn the set on it will have to wait to download the almanac (this tells is what satellites to look for in a given location at a certain time of day etc.) before it can even begin searching for satellites = ages to lock on. new battery pennies off ebay and an easy fit too.

Cant remember where I downloaded it from but I have a pdf of the owners manual for the Mk9 so if anybody needs it just PM me with your email and I'll get it to you.

 

[phanakapan]

where can I buy a suitable antenna

I've got the Philips AP Navigator mk 8, as others have said, great bit of clear, easy to use kit. However on firing up this year it shows antenna failure... there seems to be power through the cable to the mushroom.

So, where can I buy a replacement antenna; if I go into my local swindleries waving the mushroom and/or the instruction manual about will I get any joy- or am I faced with an exhaustive internet search; I know absolutely nothing about cables/connectors etc....

 

[philip_stevens]

Comar were the AP-Philips agents in the UK, and they may still be able to assist you.

The person to speak to, if he is available, is Peter Cotton.

 

[Bilgediver]

A bit more info on the unit .

Its a type APN4 . It has 5 buttons in a row under the screen . First button has arrow up , second arrow down , third arrow left and fourth arrow right . The fith button has the letter "E" on it .

Hope that info is sufficient to pin it down as to chuck or save .

Thanks

Blimey.....what does it take to convince you it is DECCA only good as an acurate digital voltmeter.

 

[samwise]

If you have the space, hang on to it. The very rapid turnover and development in electronics is causing big headaches to archivists and historians who are finding that so much early technology has already been lost forever. I know that Apple had problems tracking down some examples of the early machines when they finally got round to setting up an archive and museum. In about 30 years time the National Maritime Museum might be very grateful.

 

[Bilgediver]

If you have the space, hang on to it. The very rapid turnover and development in electronics is causing big headaches to archivists and historians who are finding that so much early technology has already been lost forever. I know that Apple had problems tracking down some examples of the early machines when they finally got round to setting up an archive and museum. In about 30 years time the National Maritime Museum might be very grateful.

I could have let them have mold Apple e has two 5" floppie drives external. and extra memory.... a massive 64K

 

[samwise]

I could have let them have mold Apple e has two 5" floppie drives external. and extra memory.... a massive 64K

That beats our ZX81