Raymarine C-Series Upgrade to v5.04

[richardhula]

Has anyone installed latest v5.04 firmware on a C series MFD?

It installed without issue on my C80 but on replacing Caribbean Navionics card, all I got was chart outlines against white background. Did factory reset but issue remained. Tried several other cards with varying results. Some displayed ok then later didn't. The east coast US chart only worked after I changed cartography setup to "Extra detailed" but then failed to work with same issue - no cartography just outlines.

Re-installed previous v4.29 & all charts display correctly.

Still awaiting response from Raymarine.

BTW also noticed the radar overlay option was grayed out. With v5.04 this happens if there is no heading data (had instruments turned off at the time). Heading from GPS COG (>2kts) no longer accepted for this feature.

[Vasco]

I'm still using the original firmware plus one upgrade in 2004. Have heard of many problems when trying to upgrade.

[richardhula]

Thanks for reply Vasco. I don't have any problems upgrading. Have done it maybe six times without issues, gaining useful additions like AIS/Compass/Tide display, bug fixes etc.

My problem is with latest version after I have successfully installed it.

[scotte]

I haven't tried it on my C-70 yet (in fact I didn't realize it was available until I saw this). Looks like the radar overlay feature you ran into is intentional.

Here's the features list (cut and pasted, the typos are Raymarines):

v5.04 software features the following improvements and addtions:

Chart

• Chart orientation will default to using Heading data (if available) when using the vessel offset feature
• Cartography / chart data now available at latitudes higher than 78 degrees latitude
• Current arrows direction correctly displayed when using Head-Up mode
• Modified card sequencing to prevent display resets when using the Navionics 44XG / 46XG cartography

FishFinder

• Displays output speed as -.-- with no speed transducer connected to DSM unit

GPS

• Ground Trip/Log no longer increases when the vessel is stationary
• Corrected under reading Ground Trip calculation

Radar

• Corrected momentary 180 degree radar image shift
• Disabled radar overlay feature for MFDs which have not been interfaced to a heading data source (ex. autopilot, Smart Heading System, ST60 Compass, etc.). Previous C-Series Classic MFD software releases permitted radar overlay when interfaced to a COG (vessel had to have a SOG of at least 2 kts) or heading data source.

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)

• Corrected AIS TCPA calculation
• Improved processing of target data in areas with 100+ AIS targets
• Added alarm to monitor PSRT sentence generated from AIS500
• Default AIS target status set to NOT_DEFINED

SIRIUS Marine Weather (not available in v5.04 FEL)

• Increased memory buffer to improve SR50 module connectivity
• Marine Zone forecast areas updated

General

• Added support for 16GB CF devices
• Added support for uSD / CF adaptor

[richardhula]

Thanks scotte. Maybe you could let us know the results if you do upgrade to this new version.

No reply from Raymarine yet.

[richardhula]

After discussions with Raymarine have narrowed down problem to a single Navionics Gold XL9 (256MB) card which cannot be read with v5.04 firmware. My earlier XL3 (64MB) cards display fine however.

Raymarine suggested removing a file chartcat.xml which the C series automatically adds to any inserted Navionics card to speed up display. When I tried this it just removed chart outlines with plain white background & display was as if no card installed at all.

Although Raymarine staff were understandably suspicious of this single card, after re-installing previous v4.29 fw it displays fine.

I'm wondering if this is an issue with any Gold XL9 format card, but I only have the one.

Would like to hear from anyone with similar issue.

[NDH]

I use Navionics Gold, have updated to v5.04 with no problems

[defjef]

Is this firmware upgrade of significant value? What say you?

[richardhula]

Originally Posted by NDH

I use Navionics Gold, have updated to v5.04 with no problems

Thanks for reply but this issue is specifically with Gold 256MB XL9 CF card. Have you used that type successfully with new fw?

defjef see post above for changes.

[NDH]

Originally Posted by richardhula

Thanks for reply but this issue is specifically with Gold 256MB XL9 CF card. Have you used that type successfully with new fw?
.

Yes..

[richardhula]

Thanks for feedback. Seems that the issue is just with my particular card -Mid America & Caribbean CF/17XG.

Strange that it has worked for over three years & still does with previous fw. Also that older cards work with this new firmware.

Just heard from Raymarine - they are washing their hands of the issue, basically saying they only support current or recent cards.

[scotte]

Originally Posted by richardhula

Just heard from Raymarine - they are washing their hands of the issue, basically saying they only support current or recent cards.

Oh, well isn't that just wonderful!

[Vasco]

Not surprising. My experience with Raymarine support was not too satisfactory on the one occasion I called them.

[richardhula]

Originally Posted by NDH

I use Navionics Gold, have updated to v5.04 with no problems

NDH - sorry to ask but could you advise full product ID & version number(s) of Gold XL9 256MB cards you are using successfully with v5.04?

My issue is with CF/17XG v01.18 (I think the version type is relevant) & I'm the first to report this problem with Raymarine. They agree the card is not faulty but confirm its a Navionics library compatibility issue.

[scotte]

For what it's worth, I had no trouble on my C-70 after the upgrade. Chart chip is 12XG, version 02.19, 512MB...