Raymarine C-series dual stations again.

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Graham_Wright

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It has been suggested that a second station could be provided by having a slave display (i.e. one which shows exactly what is on the master station). Although obviously not as versatile as two independent staions (like the E-series) it would solve my problem. However, there seems to be no video output from C-series displays although the manual refers to a variety of others most of which I don't understand.

NMEA Output - User selectable APB, BWC, BWR, DBT, DPT, GGA, GLL, MTW, RMA, RMB, RMC, RSD,TTM, VLW, VHW, VTG, WPL and ZDA
SeaTalk Output Cursor data, guard zone and navigational data bridged from NMEA.

Anybody cracked this one or have any suggstions?
 
Hi Graham,

THe NMEA outputs do not transfer chart information as such but just as examples off the top of my head they're something like this:-

APB - autopilot control sentence
BWC, BWR - Bearing to WPT, by Great circle or Rhumb line respectively
DBT, DPT - Depth
GGA, GLL - GPS receiver sentences, Lat/Long COG, SOG etc
MTW - Water temperature
RMA, RMB, RMC - Recommended Minimum Nav sentences. Basically Lat/Long etc
RSD - Think that's MARPA radar target position
TTM - Time To Mark (next WPT, I guess)
VLW - Can't remember
VHW - Speed through water
VTG - Can't remember
WPL - Next WPT details, name, Lat/Long etc
ZDA - Local Time

Seatalk is proprietry to Raymarine and is basically an equivalent to NMEA, but with added features.

None of the above will transfer charts I'm afraid.

IIRC your last thread suggested swapping a chart card between 2 displays. I suspect you will get fed up with this. I can't remember exactly, but I suspect the chart disappears soon after you take the chart card out. It certainly will after a zoom or other screen update (like if you have soft key auto hide on, or if your boat moves off the chart.

Another idea, if your budget can stretch to it is to use 1 ESeries display and a separate (non Raymarine display) repeater display in the cockpit. The ESeries does have Video output (unlike CSeries). You could then get a remote control keyboard for the ESeries for use in the cockpit. Not sure what this would all add up to, nor can I recommend a repeater display.

Another thought is to use an ST60 Graphics display which will give you, amoung other things, a rolling road display if you have a route enabled, or got wpt enabled on the Nav system, as well as BRG and DIST to WPT. Not sure if you think this is enough.

Hope this helps
 
There are two different ways of networking 2 displays:
- one is to have networked terminals where you can from one display read the card which is on the other.
In fact, you can do any action indifferently from each terminal.
- an apparently simpler solution could be a terminal with video output and a plain video display as a repeater.
In this case, the repeater only shows a replica of the master screen, all actions need to be done on the master unit.

Unfortunately, both solutions are available only in top-of-the-range equipment (i.e. expensive), and neither is available in the C-series.

What you can do on the C-series, and it may be acceptable to you, is to share a single GPS receiver between the two, use either one to display the local chart cartridge and use the other as an instrument repeater. If you want to swap roles, you need to swap the chart cartridge, though.

If you want a cheap(ish) solution, you may want to consider the RL70/RL80 units which are currently on sale: they are absolutely good products, networkable (hsb2 bus), running on C-MAP NT+ cartography which is still quite OK, only out of fashion.
You can buy 2 terminals for the price of one last-generation networkable unit.

If I can add a comment, I found that I tend to use the chartplotter function more in the cockpit (as a real-time aid to the helmsman) than at the chart table, where there is the paper chart available (with positions stencilled on from GPS data)
 
Thanks;- that's really helpful.

The E-series below and a repeater in the cockpit is certainly a possibility. I don't know if a suitable repeater is available; I suppose a waterproof LCD TV would suffice if such a beast exists.

The desire is to use the cockpit display for harbour entrance and pilotage and for radar in fog.
The station below would allow for comfortable route plotting etc.

I suggested to the Raymarine staff at the LBS that I move the plotter between the two stations. They were not keen but could offer no reason why not. This would allow control of radar from either station (not possible to control from both with C-series). It is a messy solution though.

(Could be a good move from the point of security having a plotter which is designed to be easily removed;- by the owner not the thief!).

Perhaps if I went E-series with one plotter, as the price reduced (or fortune smiles benevolently and financially on me) I could add another.

Thanks for all the info. Still can't understand why Raymarine apparently went backwards from the previous series.

I do have a maxiview which can display digitally anything present on Seatalk but obviously not chart info.
 
Cockpit display...

I think you'll find it difficult to find a waterproof display which has enough brightness for easy viewing in sunlight, without spending a fortune.

As regards needing a second station for "comfortable route plotting", all I'd say is that the C/E Series are so easy to set up routes on that it takes very little time. Also remember that if you had 2 C Series you'd need to download waypoint/route info on to a card to transfer it from one display to the other.
 
Re: Cockpit display...

Having just spec'd a boat I went the dual RL70C route... both can display the charts, only one cartridge needed, both can display the radar etc. and they both work the same way, so no learning to use two different plotters (even if from same manufacturer). Cost was about the same as one C series. Plus if one breaks I have an identical backup (tho if no power, no plotters!)
 
Re: Cockpit display...

I can't think of a rational reason not to go RL70(C). Just a desire to be up to date I suppose. The only real objection I have is that they are portrait not landscape (med sailing not North Sea). Certainly very attractive financially.

Can radar be controlled from both stations?

How long will they be supported by Raymarine?

If C-series is deficient in this intertalk respect, how long will C-series be supported?
 
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