Chartplotter Upgrade question

DDD

DDD

New Member
Oct 27, 2012
268
Tampa, FL
Boat Info
2008 45
Engines
Diesel
I have the Raymarine C80.
Has been giving me Loss of Position Fix lately.
I replaced the battery in the receiver- I think it's a 130- and still not improvement.

Thought about replacing the entire system, but between pulling the boat out, buying a chart plotter, new transducers, labor cost, etc, I am looking at a good chunk of change.

I do NOT have radar.
I do NOT have auto pilot.
I do NOT have a fish finder.

My questions:
Could I buy something a bit more modern- e.g., a97, or something even newer, and use the existing wiring, transducers, VHF, etc?
That is, could I just remove the old C80 unit, and replace with something newer from Raymarine for the simplest, cheaper, do-it-yourself fix?

Thanks much!
I have manifolds and risers to do this summer, and need to save the cash where I can!
 
Thanks!
Is there a way to update the software in the C80?
No idea if you can, or how to do that...
 
DDD said:
Thanks!
Is there a way to update the software in the C80?
No idea if you can, or how to do that...
Click to expand...

Yes, get a 128MB Compact Flash Card and download the new software (I think 5.16) then plug it into the C80. Then, for updated charts, buy the $99 upgrade from Navionics.
 
Tried to download the update software, but the computer could not open the file.

Anyone have any ideas on the swap-out I first mentioned?
 
Nobody knows money is tight better than me. Am there, Doing that!!!! IF you have a tablet, I would go the iPad route. I already had an iPad. I added a puck GPS antenna, and blue chart and a holder for under $200 Total. It is extremely accurate and the charts for the area I normally boat in is very reasonable (<$40). An old laptop with Polar View would be a viable alternative as well. There are a lot of alternatives that are a lot less money than dedicated marine GPS/Chartplotters. I read a story of a couple using a ToughBook and PC nav software as their main computer on an extended trans oceanic cruise. IIRC, they were experienced sailors and the computer was to validate their paper chart calculations.

Any GPS unit will suffice as a nav tool until you can afford a new dedicated marine unit. I was able to score a Standard Horizon 190 for a good price and now use my iPad as a dedicated backup.


One thing you may want to look into is how much longer is Ray going to support your current system before you throw money into it.


My 2 cents.
 
Most tablets can run the navionics app just make sure it has built in GPS. You can get a 7" nexus for under $200 used on eBay for $125 (2013 gen 2has GPS) Ipads will run you more the Garmin bluecharts app is great also these will act as a great back up to your Raymarine if you question the accuracy on it. I was thinking a Raymarine dragonfly small but has a transducer and sonar (chirp) with built in GPS antenna as another alternative.
 
Gotcha.
I will use the ipad for now...

But, can I replace my old Raymarine C80, with a newer Ray model, but use the existing wiring and Transducers?

That is... Remove the old unit, and slip in a new?
 
Is your transducer sending depth info to your plotter or smartcraft?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
DDD said:
Tried to download the update software, but the computer could not open the file.

Anyone have any ideas on the swap-out I first mentioned?
Click to expand...

Your computer can't read them. Take the two files and transfer them to the Compact Flash. No FOLDER! Then plug the card in and turn on the C80. It will open an update window
 
almostenuff said:
Your computer can't read them. Take the two files and transfer them to the Compact Flash. No FOLDER! Then plug the card in and turn on the C80. It will open an update window
Click to expand...

I was just going to say that. You may have to unzip the file before you transfer it.
 
I don't know about the existing transducer but if you do go Raymarine they currently have rebates.
 
I do not have a full answer to your question, but with some quick internet research and my memory of Raymarine products when I worked a marine supply store, I can say the following:
Your C-80 unit has sonar module connected to it to supply the fishfinding capabilities. It is either the DSM250 or DSM300. They vary in the power output of the transducer and frequency capability. Your transducer plugs into the DSM unit and then has a cable that runs to the C-80. The DSM units can work with Raymarine’s C – Series and E-Series units. I am not sure, but do not believe that they will work with the new a97 display. If you know where the DSM unit is mounted in your boat, you should try to locate the transducer cable and see if you can find the Raymarine or Airmar number on the transducer cable. That number will identify which transducer is in your boat. With that number, and the numbers from the DSM unit, a good marine electronics supplier, like BOE Marine (this sites sponsor), can help you determine what other Raymarine (or another manufactures products) should work for you.
The same process would be needed for the GPS antennae. Getting the model number of the antennae will allow the supplier to determine which units it will support, assuming you do not go with a unit that has a built in GPS antennae.
I hope this helps.
 
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