I just installed the new Navionics Gold CF chip in my Raymarine C80 plotter and the unit will not boot. I remove the chip and the unit will boot. Do I need some type of firmware upgrade or is there a chip compatibility issue?
Navionics Gold chip Doesn't work in C80 Chartplotter
- Thread starter 320Bob
- Start date
StevenA
Member
- Aug 27, 2007
- 195
- Boat Info
- 2005 320 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 GPS & Radar
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc V Drives
I am assuming this is a new as in virgin chip. I had this problem last season because they had tried to use a chip that was already paired to another c80 and it would not take to my unit. Other than that, make sure it is for the C series and not E or other, because it will not boot up and not work. Always tech support from here... Good luck.
tobnpr
New Member
The Gold chart works on C and E series so you have the correct format.
Curious- did you try inserting the chart AFTER the unit is up to see if it recognizes it?
It should after a few seconds- and switch from the built-in map to the more detailed chip.
You should be running V4.29 which is the most current firmware update. Your chip should be working fine without it, tho...
You'll need a blank CF card (which you need anyway to backup your wapypoints and routes), download's avail at Raymarine.com.
Curious- did you try inserting the chart AFTER the unit is up to see if it recognizes it?
It should after a few seconds- and switch from the built-in map to the more detailed chip.
You should be running V4.29 which is the most current firmware update. Your chip should be working fine without it, tho...
You'll need a blank CF card (which you need anyway to backup your wapypoints and routes), download's avail at Raymarine.com.
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- Feb 4, 2007
- 7,251
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA, TNT, Caribe dink w/15hp OB.
- Engines
- 3126 427HP TD transmissions
I had the same problem with my lowrance plotter. I had to upgrade the firmware in the unit in order to use the new chip. Actually I had to upgrade the antenna firmware and then the unit firmware. Give navionics a call, they were very helpful.
I put the chip in with the unit off. It never occurred to me that Unit would be "plug and play." I'll be sure to mention the unit was off when inserted when talking to Navionics.
tobnpr
New Member
The unit should boot properly with the map chip installed- I was just curious if you had tried it that way.
It's either a defective chip, or a problem with the plotter. My first call would be to Raymarine. I don't think Navionics can be much help here- if RM can help troubleshoot the display and determine it's working properly, I'd call Jim and arrange for a replacement chip.
I know that some dealers (like West Marine)used to burn the chips to order, perhaps it's just a bad one.
You might also try a Master Reset on the unit- that often works when something gets "hung up". Just be sure you have your data backed up onto a card first as it will wipe the memory. If the unit can read/write to a blank card, you know it's not the card reading port...
It's either a defective chip, or a problem with the plotter. My first call would be to Raymarine. I don't think Navionics can be much help here- if RM can help troubleshoot the display and determine it's working properly, I'd call Jim and arrange for a replacement chip.
I know that some dealers (like West Marine)used to burn the chips to order, perhaps it's just a bad one.
You might also try a Master Reset on the unit- that often works when something gets "hung up". Just be sure you have your data backed up onto a card first as it will wipe the memory. If the unit can read/write to a blank card, you know it's not the card reading port...
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I talked to the Navionics and they were pretty sure that my firmware needs to be upgraded to 4.29 to have the chip work properly. I downloaded the version 4.29 software upgrade from the Raymarine site which has a VB autorun file on it. I have a CF card reader from a Sony camera that I can transfer it to a blank CF disk that I need to buy somewhere. Once I put the disk in with the upgraded firmware it should install itself hopefully.
Thanks for all the help but I am not surprised I had this problem. The PO never put a chip in and my Sea Ray dealer salesman was also unfamiliar with putting navigation chips in Raymarine plotters so I could not rely on them either. This is reminicient of a problem I had with an aftermarket blue tooth devlice I have in my car. When Apple came out with a new operating system upgrade for my iPhone, it wouldn't work until I installed a firmware upgrade for the blue tooth device.
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StevenA
Member
- Aug 27, 2007
- 195
- Boat Info
- 2005 320 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 GPS & Radar
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc V Drives
Hope the firmware upgrade does the trick for you. In my case my Sea Ray dealer MarineMax just swapped out another chip for me from service at N/C. In my case for whatever reason, it was the first chip that was the problem. It just re-booted, over and over unless I took the chip out. With the replacement chip it came right up.
The perpectual rebooting is exactly the problem I have. When the chip is removed, the unit comes right up. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of purchasing the chip from my Sea Ray dealer so if it's the culprit, I will have to send it back to Jim (BOE Marine) or deal directly with Navionics for a replacement. My first suspicicion is firmware since the boat is now in it's 5th season (my first with it) and the previous owner was not tech saavy.
twade36577
New Member
It's the firmware. I had the same problem. There are quite a few posts on the board about this. The trick to the upgrade is you MUST use a low capacity CF card to do the upgrade. They are hard to find these days. I searched everywhere and finally found a 2G card at a Rite Aid drug store. Other than that it was very straightforward. Downlaod the upgrade from Raymarine. Load it on a low capacity CF card. Stick it in the unit. Turn it on. The upgrade will autorun. Turn the unit off. Insert the gold chip and you will be good to go.
Good Luck,
Tommy
Good Luck,
Tommy
StevenA
Member
- Aug 27, 2007
- 195
- Boat Info
- 2005 320 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 GPS & Radar
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc V Drives
@ 320Bob
Hope this works for you, I did not have to upgrade my firmware, but could be if I have last years chip, maybe this years requires the new firmware, don't know for sure. I do remember hearing the c80's are particular on the CF card size for firmware update purposes, I believe as others have said you do need a 2GB or less in size CF card. Do also remember them saying Sandisk is the best to use. Other's may have had luck with other brands, that I cannot confirm. Maybe the dealer who sold you the chip might have the firmware on a CF card they could send you and you return it back to them afterwards. Please let us know how the firmware update goes and if it takes care of the problem.
Hope this works for you, I did not have to upgrade my firmware, but could be if I have last years chip, maybe this years requires the new firmware, don't know for sure. I do remember hearing the c80's are particular on the CF card size for firmware update purposes, I believe as others have said you do need a 2GB or less in size CF card. Do also remember them saying Sandisk is the best to use. Other's may have had luck with other brands, that I cannot confirm. Maybe the dealer who sold you the chip might have the firmware on a CF card they could send you and you return it back to them afterwards. Please let us know how the firmware update goes and if it takes care of the problem.
Steven,
Last years Navionics chip had only the Central US. This years chip has the whole US on it for the same price as last years chips but no fishfinder freebee chip. I asked my marina service manager if they could upgrade the firmware and he said they would send the unit back to Raymarine to do it because of concerns about viruses.
Last years Navionics chip had only the Central US. This years chip has the whole US on it for the same price as last years chips but no fishfinder freebee chip. I asked my marina service manager if they could upgrade the firmware and he said they would send the unit back to Raymarine to do it because of concerns about viruses.
The marina is about 60 miles from Chicago right off of I55 in Wilmington IL. I am guessing it would be about 20-25 miles from Orland Park since it is a lot further south than my house.
This is a very simple process; all you need is a blank Compact Flash card. Download the latest firmware revision from the RayMarine website; copy it to the CF card. Power off the C80 and remove your Nav. card and put the CF card with the loaded firmware in. Power up the C80 and it will auto load the new firmware. DON’T TURN OFF the C80 during this process. You can get a 2GB CF card for less than 10 bucks nowadays.
That is unless Scott is looking for an excuse to get out of the house!
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StevenA
Member
- Aug 27, 2007
- 195
- Boat Info
- 2005 320 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 GPS & Radar
- Engines
- Twin 350 Merc V Drives
Ok, I want to update mine to the latest just because now. The Raymarine site wants info that I can only get from my boat 1 hour away before I can download the file and transfer to my CF card. Is there a Rapid-share type link with the 4.29 firmware anyone has found, etc. Otherwise have to wait until after this weekend to get the info from my unit, then another week to do the upgrade, (no internet on boat). Just wondering if someone has a direct link for the actual firmware download. Either way, Thanks...Steve
Steve,
I was able to download the file to my laptop the other day with no hassels. You might try enrolling in their customer group which gives you a login. If not PM me with an email address and I can send you the files which are 6 GB if your email system can receive this size file. I can also zip it if that helps the process.
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tobnpr
New Member
Here is the link for the 4.29 update:
http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1§ion=3&page=1446
Just download to your PC, transfer to the card, then to the C80.
You MUST have a card, anyway- to backup all your waypoints and routes as I mentioned earlier. If you don't- well, you know what happens with your computer when you have a corrupted or lost file and no backup. BACKUP, BACKUP!
If you haven't done so, you'll need to register your unit with RM and become a member of the VIP club (FWIW- no cost involved...).
As was said above, it doesn't get any easier. I have no idea what your marina service manager was talking about with "viruses"- he has his head up his a** or just didn't want to mess with it...
If you like to do planning off the boat- check out the "Waypoint Transfer Utility" program (it's free, also). Allows you to input waypoints on your PC in Excel format, then converts them to the proper format to allow you to transfer to the "C". I find it's much easier to input them on my PC than the unit...especially if it's a bunch of them.
http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1§ion=3&page=1446
Just download to your PC, transfer to the card, then to the C80.
You MUST have a card, anyway- to backup all your waypoints and routes as I mentioned earlier. If you don't- well, you know what happens with your computer when you have a corrupted or lost file and no backup. BACKUP, BACKUP!
If you haven't done so, you'll need to register your unit with RM and become a member of the VIP club (FWIW- no cost involved...).
As was said above, it doesn't get any easier. I have no idea what your marina service manager was talking about with "viruses"- he has his head up his a** or just didn't want to mess with it...
If you like to do planning off the boat- check out the "Waypoint Transfer Utility" program (it's free, also). Allows you to input waypoints on your PC in Excel format, then converts them to the proper format to allow you to transfer to the "C". I find it's much easier to input them on my PC than the unit...especially if it's a bunch of them.
Good news guys, it was the firmware not the chip. Ordered a 2 Gig Sandisk blank Compact Flash disk from Staples over the internet. Used my wife's CF disk reader from her digital SLR camera to copy the firmware update on. Went to the boat and popped it into the C80 slot and 90 seconds later it was installed. Removed the disk and then rebooted the unit, pushed the "OK" button and put the Navionics Gold chip in the slot and it found my location in the marina on the Des Plaines River within 5 seconds. Kudos to Raymarine for making the process so easy and almost fool proof.:thumbsup:
You can come show me how to move the boat sideways and there's always a traveling trombone recital.:smt043