Raymarine C70 Plotter questions

[cpedw]

We just bought a new boat fitted with a Raymarine C70 Plotter. It has a Navionics 46XG (West Europe) CF card which isn't much use here on the west coast of Scotland. I already have a 28XG MSD chip which I would like to use in it. I could of course spend £190 on a CF version of the 28XG but I prefer not to if that's feasible.

I suspect that the C70 has an old version of software but I'm not sure.

I understand that I could get a CF to MSD adapter but that will only work if the software is version 5. something or later.

So the questions are:
How can I find out what software version is in the C70?
If I can find a small CF card (I believe it should be 32MB or 128MB max - different websites give various stories - for early version software) then I could download a software update if I also get a CF card reader for the PC then I'd be able to use my existing 28XG MSD with a CF to MSD converter. I think all those bits will be cheaper than getting a CF chart. Is it worth all that hassle?
Is there an easier way to get a useful chart into the C70 without huge expense?

Thanks for reading this far.
Regards,
Derek
PS Be warned, there are many more questions lurking in this new boat. I will be back for further help.

 

[RichardS]

If you go into System / Info or something like that on the screen you will find your firmware version. It's obvious once you start to look for it.

If it's not 5.16 you can upgrade to that with the upgrade file from the Raymarine website. You need the sub-128MB CF card, ideally Sandisk, but it's easy once you have that.

Will the MSD to CF adapter give you a finished card which is the same size as the CF card? If not, you might not be able to close the waterproof flap. If it fits it's worth a try. I assume that your MSD maps are Navionics?

I don't think there is any other way of getting your current maps into the C70 Classic.

Edit: If you can't get hold of the right card just PM me and you can borrow my Sandisk card with the correct file already on it. Mine's actually for a C80 and I know it works 'cos I've used it. I think the 5.16 firmware is the same for C70 / C80 and C120 but you can check that on the website. You can borrow the card if you need to put a different file on it as I can always put the 5.16 back if I ever needed to. Although I can't think why I would!

Richard

 

[MikeCC]

How old is the 28XG card? If it's done reasonable service, you could update it on to a CF card for £100 or so.

The different card sizes indicated are dependent on the software version running with earlier ones limited to 32MB.
Updated a 4.something unit recently using 128MB card. Software update is probably worth doing anyway though.

 

[jordanbasset]

Not entirely sure but would this be what you want
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raymarine...939767?hash=item568420f4b7:g:QHAAAMXQrNtRyvfT

 

[cpedw]

Thanks for the detailed advice from all.

Will the MSD to CF adapter give you a finished card which is the same size as the CF card? If not, you might not be able to close the waterproof flap. If it fits it's worth a try. I assume that your MSD maps are Navionics?

The type that JordanBasset linked is what i have in mind. It looks to end up the same size as a CF card so it should fit. My card is a Navionics one.

I'll check what software I have currently then consider options. I'm tempted by your kind offer of the loan of the update card. I'll be in touch!
Regards,
Derek

 

[cpedw]

I checked the software and it's v5.16, the latest, so all I need is the MSD to CF adapter and I should be in business I believe. Now I have to find out how to work it.

Many thanks again for the assistance.
Derek

 

[cpedw]

It's all sorted now, though not entirely straightforward.

I bought this adapter but the plotter ignored it so I bit the bullet and spent £50 (including postage) on the Raymarine official version and it worked straight away.

I've also been able to transfer my waypoints using GPSbabel and Raaytech Planner in sequence. It seems there's no direct route between gpx and .fsh files, at least without paying.

Derek