Raymarine C80 tracks to routes

[homer]

I have used a C80 plotter for some years but yesterday tried the option to convert tracks to routes for the first time. It made a complete mess of it, setting all the waypoints in a random array within half a mile of the last point. I assume this is another software bug - or is there some secret I don't know? Anyone else come across this?

 

[omega2]

I have used a C80 plotter for some years but yesterday tried the option to convert tracks to routes for the first time. It made a complete mess of it, setting all the waypoints in a random array within half a mile of the last point. I assume this is another software bug - or is there some secret I don't know? Anyone else come across this?

you need to save the track first, then you can store it as a route. If there were lots of tracks in the memory I am not surprised it went awry.

 

[homer]

Track was saved and I only had 8 tracks saved. I am guessing I may need to update the software.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I don't understand why the plotter has a problem. The algorithm for doing this kind of thing is well-known and straightforward (the Douglas-Peuker Algorithm). It isn't even subject to a patent, and has been around since the early 80s at least; probably even earlier.

I too have a C80, but I've never used this facility - I'd rather place waypoints manually, as this technique will eliminate subtle curves in a route, which might be important for safety.

 

[homer]

Thanks for info. I will fiddle around with it some more and see if I can determine any circumstances under which it does work. As an ex software engineer, I am well aware that it is quite possible to introduce a bug even if the algorithm is well established! Having not used it before myself in 3 years of continous liveaboard cruising, I guess that this is a seldom used feature of the plotter.

 

[GandJ]

Had the same problem. We had trouble with our log so have using tracks to maintain mileage record, unfortunately, number of tracks is limited so tried saving as route to 'extend' storage capacity and then spent a LONG time deleting what seemed like hundreds of waypoints which had been generated.
I guess this is due to the sensitivity setting of the Track recording every twist and turn. Reducing the sensitivity may work better but haven't had the patience to try it yet!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Thanks for info. I will fiddle around with it some more and see if I can determine any circumstances under which it does work. As an ex software engineer, I am well aware that it is quite possible to introduce a bug even if the algorithm is well established! Having not used it before myself in 3 years of continous liveaboard cruising, I guess that this is a seldom used feature of the plotter.

Having implemented this algorthm several times myself, it is most likely to be a data handling issue. The most elegant way of implementing the algorithm is as a recursive subroutine; of course, there are circumstances where it can run out of memory. Not a problem on computers with virtual memory, but I guess it could be in a machine with no disc or equivalent external storage.