SPX5 with ES78

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum memornix,

General comment: When interfacing a SPX autopilot course computer via SeaTalkng to a Raymarine MFD, it is very important that each device which is or will be interfaced to the SeaTalkng Backbone be operating with the latest available Raymarine product software. Most devices having a SeaTalkng communications interface, including the SPX autopilot course computers, are designed be updated by a Raymarine MFD having a SeaTalkng communications interface which has also been interfaced as a spur to the SeaTalkng backbone.

Q1. What functionality this (the MFD's Autopilot Control feature) will give me.
A1. The Autopilot Control feature of the a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs will permit the MFD to command the autopilot into its primary modes (Standby, Auto, and Track) as well as to command dodging (incremental steering changes to port or starboard). The Autopilot Control feature is covered in detail within Chapter 7: Autopilot control of the LightHouse II Release 17 Operating Instructions.

Q2. should keep the ST6002 wired over seatalk or install a new p70s over seatalk ng
A2. If keeping the ST6002, then it would be recommended that it be disconnected from the autopilot course computer's SeaTalk port and that it instead be interfaced to a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter which has been installed within the SeaTalkng backbone. Doing so will maximize the amount of data available to the ST6002, as the SPX autopilot course computers were not designed to be SeaTalk to SeaTalkng data bridging devices. The primary advantage of the p70 autopilot control head would be aesthetics and a more user friendly configuration/command interface.

Q3. Will the fluxgate sensor attached to the autopilot work as a heading sensor so my es78 will display laylines?
A3. When interfaced to the autopilot course computer via SeaTalkng and both the MFD and autopilot course computer have been updated with the latest software, the MFD will have access to heading data and the MFD's Advanced Sailing features will be available to systems which have additionally been interfaced to sources of wind, speed through water, and GPS data.