Transferring Routes from iPad to C80

20dauntless

Has anyone figured out how to transfer routes from their iPad to their Raymarine chartplotter? The iPad is so much better for planning routes than my C80, but I'm struggling to figure out how to get the routes loaded on the C80 so the autopilot can follow them.

Here's what I've figured out so far. iNavX can export routes in GPX, KML, or KMZ format. This can be done via email or xtraverse. According to their website, routes can also be transferred via iTunes. I haven't figured out how to do this yet, but I need to since many of the places I use the boat don't have cell service. I emailed iNavX today to see how to do this.

Assuming I can figure out how to get the routes onto the computer, I still need to get them into a format the C80 can read and then get them loaded on the C80.

GPSBabel (http://www.gpsbabel.org/) supposedly can convert routes from GPX files into Raymarine Waypoint Files (RWF). But, from everything I've read, the C80 can't read RWF files. Instead, I need to open up the RWF file in Raytech Planner and then export it to a CF card in a format that the C80 can read.

Raytech Planner (http://www.raymarine.com/Default.aspx?site=1&section=2&page=1535) is an old, unsupported piece of software. Raymarine's website lists compatibility as Windows XP/2000. Hopefully it will work with Windows 7, otherwise I guess I'll have to track down a computer running XP. From there, it should be easy to import the routes from a CF card to the C80.

Now for the real question...has anyone figured out an easier solution?

chromer · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:41 pm Post subject:

i am waiting for an aggregator device that can take in all these Raymarine inputs, and route them into the dock connector of iPad. That way the iPad becomes the main display and i can scrap my C80.

tpbrady · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:52 pm Post subject:

My C-80 is relegated to radar and sonar duties only. Coastal Explorer does all the navigation work with an Iphone and Motorola XOOM as the back up. There were a couple of discussions on Panbo about using a tablet as a second display which I might play with later this winter. If the C-80 bites the big one, I'll part it out and go with a different radar that can integrate into Coastal Explorer plus a standalone sonar/fish finder.

Will-C

Like Tom we use Coastal Explorer software, free charts with updates integrated with active captain now. We use a laptop for planning and actual nav duties when cruising. Routes are saved as regular documents. We use chartplotters for radar duties with a chart overlay and other info. navigation and trip planning are so easy on a laptop and the program can be on up to three different computers. You can switch from a planning mode to the cruising mode at the drop of a hat. Now you can use a computer for navagation, fishfinder,and radar all interfaced thru Coastal Explorer software. Check them out at your next local boat show, pretty neat software. Life made easy.
D.D.

20dauntless · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject:

Chromer, that would be ideal. Too bad one isn't available.

I actually do like having a dedicated MFD. Its construction seems more "boat worthy" than the iPad or a laptop. And the physical buttons are easier to use in rough seas, I think.

Will-C, if I were putting in all new electronics I might consider that route. But I don't think there is any way to get Raymarine radar data onto a computer.

Interestingly, I may be able to get a device (http://brookhouseonline.com/imux.htm that puts NMEA data on a wireless network.

This thread (http://www.macsailing.net/fbb/showtopic.php?tid/1391/post/last/m/1/) indicates that it is possible for the iPad to drive an autopilot through a Brookhouse iMux.

Any experience with this? Would I still be able to use the C80 to guide the AP when I don't want to use the iPad?

tpbrady · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:42 am Post subject:

I would check to see if the Ipad app outputs the correct NMEA sentences for the autopilot. I didn't see any way to output NMEA from the Navionics app. After looking at the link in your post it looks like you would need to use that app instead.

I find manipulating Coastal Explorer in rough seas much easier than hitting buttons on the C-80. I use a trackball rather than a mouse or trackpad. Your hand is planted firmly in place and all you are moving is your thumb on the ball or forefinger on the scroll wheel.

20dauntless · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 1:00 am Post subject:

The Navionics app can't output NMEA data, but the iNavX app supports NMEA over TCP/IP. To do so you need a wifi compatible NMEA multiplexer and then the iPad and iNavX can send and receive data over the wifi connection.

At least that's what I've heard. I'm trying to figure out if this will really work before spending several hundred dollars on the hardware.

ghone · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:07 am Post subject:

Hi there if you're happy with the c80 and it's working for you I'd hesitate to ask it for anything more. Depending on year and month or week your c80 was built it may casue more trouble elsewhere. In 07 and 08 while working at west marine we saw upwards of 50 percent out of the box failures of c80. Many couldn't read navionics chips so I'd be leery of trying to put new info into the old system. Raymarine tech support may be a good source but sometimes not so much. Be careful. George