There comes a time (planned obsolescence) when it makes sense to step up to new tech. My electronics work... charts are oldish.. but the network is NMEA183. The next level is N2k which is what is the current state of the art for marine electronics networks.

I suppose the next gen will be wireless... bluetooth or wifi or similar and there will be no need for a wired network. That has to be coming... but when? If my tech were failing I would be forced to do an N2K system... and with all the bits and pieces it would be spendy, My present tech is more than adequate for where and how I sail... so I am dodging the bullet for now.

 

Just to be clear, I'm not planning to upgrade any hardware - only the charts, and any associated software upgrades.

 

I was at the boat show and stopped in at the Raymarine booth to discuss possible upgrades to my then 8 year old electronics. (Was thinking of adding radar). I had already done my research and knew that there were several units compatible with my mfd, and was hoping to discuss them, but the Raymarine guys simply said my electronics were too old and I would need to replace everything! I knew they were lying to me in the hopes that I would throw down a wad of cash for a new system.

There is nothing wrong with older electronics as long as they are still working. There is no reason to replace them unless there is some feature or functionality that you can't get on the older system.


Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk

 

Warning, proceed with caution. I just tossed an E80/E120 system in the trash. It started crashing at arbitrary times, usually in the fog (it knows when you need it). Raymarine refused to support it, "beyond useful life." It was installed in 2009. I thought maybe I could fix it by downloading new software, but was advised by people in the business of installing marine electronics not to, that I'd be liable to "brick it" completely.

Switched to Garmin out of spite. I guess I shouldn't expect more than 12 years out of electronics built into my boat; however, it was fine for my purposes. It was replaced because it failed.

If it were my boat, I wouldn't touch it. I'd leave it alone until it hard fails, no upgrades, etc. And hope that isn't soon. 2 new MFD's and a new radar dome later.....

I hope you can replace the chart kit without upgrading software. I'd try that before I risked anything else.

 

My C80 is still working way past its expected lifespan. I have other plotters but this mfd is the radar display... So the next MFD means a new radar,,, I'd like the display in the cockpit.

 

just closing this discussion - at least for the moment... I managed to locate a 2 MB northeast CF card, and dropping it into my E80 worked fine. You can't buy cards for my MFD commercially any longer, but ebay had one. So, I think I am all set for the time being. The chart is obviously out of date, and I'm thinking that I will rely on Navionics and my iPad whenever I have doubt.

 

If going with iPad look into AquaMap. Free USA Charts and if you spring for the $10 annual fee you also get soundings and can display AIS.

 

A good way to have a current chart for reference is to install Navionics on your smart device. You can use old charts... but you should be checking your boat's position on the mobile device with Navionics.

I suppose if you are navigating in waters with lots of underwater hazards, shoals and so forth current information would be important. For sure when you are in unfamiliar waters...up to date charts are important.

We've come a long way is plotting/navigation in the last 30 years.... A current chart on a mobile device should keep you out of trouble,

 

Has anyone else had issues with WiFi range on the Axios 9+? My chartplotter is in the cabin, midship, and when I connect an iPad to it then walk to the cockpit, it loses signal by the time I get to the helm. Is there an easy fix for this? I thought a wifi extender might work but am having trouble finding one that is D/C only.

 

My old Axiom 12 Pro was in the cockpit and I found the WiFi to my iPhone to be unreliable, particularly if I took it down below. It would work at times and drop/freeze at times. No making sense of it all. I didn’t find the app all that useful, as a result. However, I’m sure there is a better way, perhaps even hard wired, that some use to connect laptops.