Standard Horizon CP-300 Chartplotter - what does non-upgradable mean?

[Babylon]

I'm looking at getting a Standard Horizon CP-300 (7") chartplotter at a discount price because it comes with the final software version (V16.220) which is non-upgradeable. (The normal priced version, for a seemingly identical unit, presumably comes with completely new software, which can be upgraded in future.)

What does this mean in practice? What sort of things will need upgrading? What extra future bells-and-whistles am I likely to need as the software engineers and marketeers evolve them? Will the chart-plotter cease to function if its stuck with this old 'final version' software?

BTW, does anyone have experience of SH chartplotters generally and/or C-map Max charts (which is what the unit will be bundled with)?

I particularly like the idea of interfacing my SH DSC-VHF with integral AIS to this chartplotter, so I can see the big boys more clearly and call them up in a trice.

 

[LadyInBed]

Standard Horizon CP-300i is what I have had for what must be getting on 7 years.
I've been very pleased with it and cmap megawide are excellent.
The only annoying feature is the power up warning that your charts are out of date.

 

[LittleSister]

We have a CP300i bought about 7 years ago. Excellent bit of kit. We have never yet upgraded the software. It works fine.

Maybe there are additional features we are missing out on, but i'm told if you do update the software, then it tells you every time you sweitch on your charts are out of date if you haven't upgraded them too.

The mapping we got with it (I think it's C-Map) is fine. We've used it from Norfolk to Devon, Brittany and the Channel Islands, and been very satisfied. (Though note I use the mapping as a 'guide', rather than assuming it directly represents reality!) The mapping is certainly much better than the one (can't remember brand) a friend got with his 'budget' plotter about the same time.

 

[Babylon]

Standard Horizon CP-300i is what I have had for what must be getting on 7 years.
I've been very pleased with it and cmap megawide are excellent.
The only annoying feature is the power up warning that your charts are out of date.

Good to hear this. Presumably one needs to update charts eventually - is this where one gets stung?

We have a CP300i bought about 7 years ago. Excellent bit of kit. We have never yet upgraded the software. It works fine.

Maybe there are additional features we are missing out on, but i'm told if you do update the software, then it tells you every time you sweitch on your charts are out of date if you haven't upgraded them too.

The mapping we got with it (I think it's C-Map) is fine. We've used it from Norfolk to Devon, Brittany and the Channel Islands, and been very satisfied. (Though note I use the mapping as a 'guide', rather than assuming it directly represents reality!) The mapping is certainly much better than the one (can't remember brand) a friend got with his 'budget' plotter about the same time.

I too intend to use the mapping as a guide - I've been old-school for the last ten years and don't intend not looking at paper charts, but am planning on single/short-handing the Channel Islands and North Brittany for the first time this year so the CP will be a comfort.

I don't like the appearance and menu-logic of Garmin plotters (their graphics look like they're designed for kids gaming!), and I do like the fact that Standard Horizon don't lock you into their own system like Raymarine.

 

[Martin_J]

hi...
I haven't caught up with you for ages... but if you're around Southsea next weekend, or any time after that, you're welcome to call in and see the CP300 working on board. Mine is connected to ais and to the vhf... been happy with all the SH kit..
In fact I have a working CP180i on board as well so you can compare screens...

 

[LittleSister]

am planning on single/short-handing the Channel Islands and North Brittany for the first time this year so the CP will be a comfort.

I find the CP300 brilliant for just that. Paper charts I find easier for passage planning and general overview, but if you can mount the plotter where you can see it while steering it transforms the way you sail and removes a lot of anxiety, especially in challenging places like that.

 

[nigelmercier]

It mainly depends if you are an upgrade freak (like me) or happy to run with possible bugs and lack of enhancements. I've upgraded my CP180 every time there is new software, but the hardware version is now no longer upgradable.

Ailsa at Standard Horizon UK is very helpful, I'm sure she will advise exactly what you could be missing.

 

[G12]

I have the CP300 and I find it's ok to use but no matter what I do I can't get the tidal flow setup correctly. It's always out by an hour or more. I've tried using the offsets, daylight saving time on/off and everything else under the sun. I also know someone else with the exact same problem on a CP180. It'd be a great feature if it worked. As I said, it is ok but I wouldn't buy another. There are plenty of better options out there at the moment with fully working features.
I'm actually in the middle of changing boat at the moment, the new one doesn't have a plotter yet and I could easily take the CP300 from the old one but I will only be taking the CMap Megawide cartridge to fit a new plotter yet to be bought. The B&G Zeus and Zeus2 looks like a good bit of kit if you're fitting it to a yacht....

 

[Champagne Murphy]

+1 for cp300

 

[LadyInBed]

Good to hear this. Presumably one needs to update charts eventually - is this where one gets stung?

I bought a new cartrage last year as I was going to Spain.
The one I went for was M-EW-M010 West European Coasts, which cost £269 inc vat. Not cheap, but it covers all of the Med and N Africa.
I don't use it as backup, I am happy to rock hop with it.

ED: List of CHARTs and prices are on pfd
http://ww1.jeppesen.com/documents/marine/light-marine/newsletters/Spring09ChartInformation.pdf

 

[Babylon]

It mainly depends if you are an upgrade freak (like me) or happy to run with possible bugs and lack of enhancements. I've upgraded my CP180 every time there is new software, but the hardware version is now no longer upgradable.

Ailsa at Standard Horizon UK is very helpful, I'm sure she will advise exactly what you could be missing.

Spoke to her: the main thing the new software does is enable newer AIS symbols (eg SART beacons) and extra AIS data.

 

[Hadenough]

How do you obtain the upgrade? Do you still send off the form asking for a disc?

 

[nigelmercier]

How do you obtain the upgrade? Do you still send off the form asking for a disc?

Yes, it comes on a card, which you use and return within a month. Or speak nicely to Ailsa

 

[Hadenough]

Thanks, I'll speak to Ailsa.

 

[LadyInBed]

Remember that any firmware upgrade will kill off any WPs you might have saved, so be sure to have a backup / hard copy.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I bought the CP300 when they first came out (8 years ago??). I have updated twice for free but i believe I have to pay for updates now; works very well and always reliable.

 

[ithet]

How do you obtain the upgrade? Do you still send off the form asking for a disc?

I called into their office and had the upgrade done (free) while I waited. Near J9 M3 at Winchester.

Isn't V16.220 the latest version, so it cannot be upgrade because there is nothing newer to upgrade to?