What differentiates the a, c, e, and eS-Series MFDs from one another

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

What differentiates the a, c, e, and eS-Series MFDs from one another

The a-Series MFDs, c-Series MFDs, e-Series MFDs, and eS-Series MFDs are primarily differentiated by the following features:

- Fishfinder sonar features:
--- ax7/cx7/e7D/ex7/eSx7 MFDs have internal 600W ClearPulse Conical 50/200 kHz Fishfinder Sounder circuitry

--- ax8, eSx8 MFDs have internal 600' CHIRP/DownVision Fishfinder Sounder circuitry

--- ax5/cx5/e7/ex5/eSx5 MFDs have no internal fishfinder sounder circuitry. Such features may be added to these MFDs by interfacing them to one or more of the following:

------ 600W ClearPulse 50/200kHz Fishfinder Sounder features: ax7/cx7/e7D/ex7/eSx7 MFD (or retired DSM30) w/compatible transducer

------ 1kW ClearPulse 50/200kHz Fishfinder Sounder features: CP370 (or retired CP300 or DSM300) w/compatible transducer

------ 600' CHIRP/DownVision Fishfinder Sounder Features: ax8/eSx8 MFD or CP100 w/compatible transducer

------ SideVision Fishfinder Sounder Features: CP200 w/CPT-200 transducer

------ High Power CHIRP: CP470 or CP570 w/compatible transducer(s)

- User interface hardware: a-Series MFDs - touchscreen-only (may be accessorized with remote keypad); c-Series MFDs - no touchscreen - keypad-only; e/eS-Series MFDs feature HybridTouch interfaced (touchscreen and keypad). Keypads generally recommended when operating under very wet and/or rough seas. The eS-Series MFDs feature bonded LCD screens; a-Series MFDs and eS-Series MFDs feature pinch to zoom touch screens

- Databar: c-Series MFDs feature a single row Databar; a/e/eS-Series MFDs feature a two row Databar

- Splitscreen: 6" & 7" a/c/e/eS-Series MFDs permit the screen to be split into panes to support displaying up to two applications simultaneously. The 9" and 12" MFDs permit the screen to be split into two, three, or four panes to support displaying up to four applications simultaneously. The screens of 6" and/or 7" MFDs may be split into two, three, or four panes if the system addition

NMEA 0183: Two NMEA 0183 input ports and one NMEA 0183 output port in all a/c/e/eS-Seires MFDs except for the 6" and 7" a-Series MFDs ... the latter have no NMEA 0183 communications ports.

- Video: The 9" and larger e/eS-Series MFDs feature an additional port supporting a second NTSC/PAL video input. The 9" and larger e-Series MFDs feature a VGA video output (permits the MFD to be interfaced to a TV or monitor). 9" and larger eS-Series MFDs feature a HDMI video output interface.

- GPS: all a/c/e/eS-Series MFDs except 16" feature built in 5Hz Fast Acquisition with WAAS/ EGNOS/MSAS and may be interfaced to an external Raystar 130 GPS Sensor (5Hz updates); the 9 & 12 inch a/eS-Series MFDs feature support for an external in 10Hz Fast Acquisition GPS with GLONASS, WAAS / EGNOS /MSAS w/optional external GA150 GPS sensor (10Hz update).

- Processing: lower processing capacity of 6"/7" a/e-Series MFDs prohibit autorouting with C-Map cartography ... unless the system additionally includes an eS-Series MFD or 9" or larger a/c/e-Series MFD. The eS-Series MFDs have been designed to replace the e-Series MFDs and fastest processing capabilities of the a/c/e/eS-Series MFDs.

- Adapter kits: flush mounting adapter kits are available to replace some C/E-Series Classic and some C/E-Series Widescreen MFDs with e-Series MFDs ... these kits are not available for a-Series MFDs

Note: the eS-Series MFDs have been designed as the replacement for the e-Series MFDs. The eS-Series MFDs have accordingly feature hardware design improvements (ex. bonded LCD screens, Multi-touch capability (supports pinch to zoom), improved environmental protection for chart reader, and more.

Note: Regarding ability to support LightHouse 3 software in the future, the lower processing capacity / memory of the a/c/e-Series MFDs may prohibit LightHouse 3 software from being installed on an used with these MFDs. However the greater processing capacity / memory of the eS/gS-Series MFDs may permit these MFDs to support LightHouse 3 software in the future.

RAYFAQ#