C80 GPS problem

SeaSpray · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:52 pm Post subject: C80 GPS problem

I was out Sunday trying out props. While monitoring RPM and speed my GPS just went away. It had no signal at all. The depth was working and the display seemed fine.

I checked the wiring from the GPS puck to the SeaTalk connector. I turned the C80 off and back on and it still did not work. I went back to the dock to change props and turned of the C80 for about 15min. When I turned it back on the GPS was working.

I went out again and about 40 min later the GPS stopped again. This time I turned it off for about 10 min. and then back on and it worked.

Called Raymarine today and the guy told me to send in the GPS puck. It is a 2004 model 120. It sounded like he had herd this problem before. He said they might just upgrade my GPS to the newer 125 model.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Steve

MOOSE · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:39 am Post subject:

To make a long and aggravating story short, yes. Raymarine did have some problems with the 120 GPS receiver, but that was before the date of yours. Before I would disconnect the whole thing, just give them the serial no. off of yours and they should be able to tell you if it is in a suspect batch.

But after many phone calls to Raymarine, I finally got, more or less, to the root of the problem. From my non-technical vantage point, I was eventually told that occasionally the GPS "brain" gets a bit scrambled and what is needed is to shut off the power to it briefly and then re-start. This means more than just switching the unit off. When this happens to me now, as it still does occasionally, I shut the unit down, switch off the main battery switch supplying power to the panel, and then power everything back up and I'm back in business. As I say, I don't totally understand it, but it works, at least for me, and I hope it does for you as well.

Al

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:38 am Post subject:

Hi Al!

Sounds like you're just shutting your 120 GPS down and, in the process of restarting it, re-booting the basic operating system program. Works for me on various kinds of computer stuff.

Too bad they can't just update the program with a newer, more bug-free program.

Stay warm back there in northern Minesota!

Joe.

SEA3PO · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:59 pm Post subject:

That was the problem I had with my old Raymarine unit.... the first thing they did was give me a new 125 puck... and it did not improve the problem... that thing had a mind of it's own....knew when I needed it to work and when I was just playing...... and always quit at the worst times.... in frustration I went to West Marine and they replaced the whole system... with the C80 ...my old Raymarine system was the ST70 ..that's why I spend the extra and buy from West Marine..yes it cost more but they have super customer service.

Joel
SEA3PO

thataway · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject:

Many times electronics have to have the power totally removed (disconnect the battery leads) to allow the microprocesser to reset. When the "off" button is punched, it powers down the display and some of the electronics, but the CPU may still be on. That is why switching off the battery works--But you should not have to do that. I would send it back and hope that they send you a new unit.

SeaSpray · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replys.

I sent the unit to Raymarine today and will see what they say.

Steve

SeaSpray · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

I got an ad email from Raymarine and they have added the ability to add the Sirius weather information the the C series displays. I think a few people have this with the E series.

It looks like a nice feature but at $30/month for the service I would not want it except when I was out for more than a week. Looks like you can also get the music part of Sirius at the same time.

Steve

thataway · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:15 am Post subject:

I believe that you have to buy the reciever and the antenna. The weather service starts at $29.95 a month and $6.95 for the audio. I was aboard a boat which had the Sirius weather on the E 12" moniter. It was impressive, but I don't think I woud spring for it. I can see thunderstorms in the sky, track them on the radar (even 16 mile range)--time the thunder and flash to see which way it is traveling and distance. If it is rough, I don't go offshore...

The sirius did have the offshore bouy reports, and if you wanted to find out what conditions were and you didn't have computer access this might be handy. Also it gives frontal boundries, lows etc--similar to weather maps.

Doryman · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject:

I sprung for the Sirius Weather because I am hearing impaired to the point that I cannot hear (understand) the weather radio or VHF. So I am always looking for ways to compensate. We will see how well the Sirius does for me...

Warren

thataway · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:33 pm Post subject:

Another way of obtaining marine warnings and NOAA weather data for hearing imparied is by Navtex. The Furuno Navtex 300 is $395 street price and no subscription costs. However it is just plain text, not color graphics etc. The Sirius will give much more information--The Navtex gives large area weather information and not quite the details of the local VHF.