I would like input from all of you. I have read previous threads and find it confusing trying to organize chartplotting, seatalk and a laptop. I thought I had it solved. I have just purchased a 2009 Hunter 38 with a Raymarine electronics package included. I selected the E-120 chartplotter for the helm, with fish finder, gps, radar, Navionics Platinum Charts and RayTech software for my laptop. The down Nav station has been wired for ethernet to connect my laptop. All are connected by seatalk as my plan was to be able to program my laptop at home and download at the boat. As well as having the laptop serve at the Nav station as a plotter. Now for my problem. My laptop is Vista and RayTech will not operate with it and the tech's advise there is no Vista version planned. The best scenario they can offer is my laptop will be a monitor with no functions, no radar depth or fish finding abilities. I therefore returned the Raytech software program. What are my options and what have others done? Do I buy another laptop with Windows XP? Are there other compatible software programs? Thanks to all for your assistance!
Electronics & computer tech inquiry
- Thread starter dspurgeon
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Kind of a toss-up. You can either replace Vista OS with XP or for close to the same price, get a cheap laptop with XP already loaded - just saw some on sale on the internet for $250 which is more than the software but the net result is a new laptop.
If you want to update your E120 program the data is on the Raymarine web site; however you need to download it and then copy it from your computer onto a SanDisk Compact Flash chip and insert this into the chart package slot.
Only a Sandisk will do and then only a module of less than 512 KB. Then again this needs to be formatted with FAT 16.
Unfortunately, and for some time now, Sandisk no longer make such a small module and also all their current modules are formatted in FAT 32.
We did manage to get hold of a 512 KB chip and reformat it to FAT 16 but it still was not recognised by the Raymarine E120.
Eventually we disconnected the E120 from the boat and took it back to the manufacturers (luckily only a 40 miles round trip from the UK head office). Raymarine upgraded it for us with the comment that our chip was too big.
Its not exactly old fashioned gear but Raymarine do not appear to be keeping up on the support side. Also evidenced by the non recognition of Class 'B' AIS vessels and their static data. These have been in use on leisure boats for more than 18 months now here in Europe and last I heard they were 'testing a solution'.
If anyone else has solved the upgrade problem please let us know as it seems likely that there will be other glitches needing to be corrected.
Only a Sandisk will do and then only a module of less than 512 KB. Then again this needs to be formatted with FAT 16.
Unfortunately, and for some time now, Sandisk no longer make such a small module and also all their current modules are formatted in FAT 32.
We did manage to get hold of a 512 KB chip and reformat it to FAT 16 but it still was not recognised by the Raymarine E120.
Eventually we disconnected the E120 from the boat and took it back to the manufacturers (luckily only a 40 miles round trip from the UK head office). Raymarine upgraded it for us with the comment that our chip was too big.
Its not exactly old fashioned gear but Raymarine do not appear to be keeping up on the support side. Also evidenced by the non recognition of Class 'B' AIS vessels and their static data. These have been in use on leisure boats for more than 18 months now here in Europe and last I heard they were 'testing a solution'.
If anyone else has solved the upgrade problem please let us know as it seems likely that there will be other glitches needing to be corrected.
Classic
Well Dspurgeon you can thank microsoft for giving you the latest greatest.
Since you have a "SeaTalk LAN" I would think your best bet is get a disposable computer as Don has suggested.
If you want to go with the Vista then the SeaTalk LAN and SeaTalk software are useless. You could pull the data in in MNEA format through a serial port and use some third party plotter software.
A disposable computer is not a bad idea. The boat environment can be pretty hard on computers.
Well Dspurgeon you can thank microsoft for giving you the latest greatest.
Since you have a "SeaTalk LAN" I would think your best bet is get a disposable computer as Don has suggested.
If you want to go with the Vista then the SeaTalk LAN and SeaTalk software are useless. You could pull the data in in MNEA format through a serial port and use some third party plotter software.
A disposable computer is not a bad idea. The boat environment can be pretty hard on computers.
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