January 20, 2009 10:40
Hi Barry
I have a Raymarine C70 and Raymarine/Autohelm instrumentation. While it works well enough I would be reluctant buy another of their products.
- The C series uses Navionics Gold charts. These are corrupted so that they can only be used with Navionics/Raymarine PC software and kit.
- This means I cannot use my Navionics charts on my Mac using my standard card reader and running MacENC or GPSNavX.
- There are connection issues. I can use the GPS feed on my Macbook but it is a bit problematic. A simple Garmin handheld works better with the Macbook.
-I find it very frustrating to have suppliers try to dictate what hardware/software I can use with charts that I have legally purchased.
- The view, which I do not share, seems to be that if I want to use my Macbook I have to buy the charts all over again in a different format. It's no wonder people are tempted to get their charts from er.. other sources.
- I would add that Raymarine appear to have a bit of a cavalier attitude to older Autohelm/Raytheon kit. I had a radar fail at 8-9 years old on a very lightly used boat. The attitude seemed to be, well tough, buy new kit.
I've heard good reports about Furuno radar. It seems very popular with fisherman.
I have a Raymarine C70 and Raymarine/Autohelm instrumentation. While it works well enough I would be reluctant buy another of their products.
- The C series uses Navionics Gold charts. These are corrupted so that they can only be used with Navionics/Raymarine PC software and kit.
- This means I cannot use my Navionics charts on my Mac using my standard card reader and running MacENC or GPSNavX.
- There are connection issues. I can use the GPS feed on my Macbook but it is a bit problematic. A simple Garmin handheld works better with the Macbook.
-I find it very frustrating to have suppliers try to dictate what hardware/software I can use with charts that I have legally purchased.
- The view, which I do not share, seems to be that if I want to use my Macbook I have to buy the charts all over again in a different format. It's no wonder people are tempted to get their charts from er.. other sources.
- I would add that Raymarine appear to have a bit of a cavalier attitude to older Autohelm/Raytheon kit. I had a radar fail at 8-9 years old on a very lightly used boat. The attitude seemed to be, well tough, buy new kit.
I've heard good reports about Furuno radar. It seems very popular with fisherman.
Regard,
John Proctor
VK3JP/VKV6789
S/V Chagall
Sun Odyssey 37.2
John Proctor
VK3JP/VKV6789
S/V Chagall
Sun Odyssey 37.2