[CA] [CA11] upgrading from e210 classics to axiom pro -- ac20 autopilot?

[dkwhit]

Hi --

I'm considering upgrading from a system with two e120 classics, to a pair of Axiom Pros. Two things I'm uncertain about:

To make it simple this year, I'd replace the old DSM300 with a CP370 so that I can continue to use the old Airmar M260 transducer. Can I use my old Seatalk HS switch to connect between CP370 & Axiom Pro? If not, I guess I need a special adapter cable to connect directly to one of the MFDs?

Also, the old system relies on a Simrad AC20 based autopilot with AP26, RC36, RPU80 & using NMEA0183 to talk to the e120's. Can I continue to use the old autopilot with the new displays & NMEA0183 on the Axiom Pro? AC20 also has NMEA2000 capability I believe; would that be a better choice, or is there some reason the old pilot will not work?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum dkwhit,

Q1. Can I use my old Seatalk HS switch to connect between CP370 & Axiom Pro?
A1. Yes, the SeaTalkhs Network Switch and SeaTalkhs cable continue to be used with the new equipment. The currently installed SeaTalkhs cables may be adapted to be used with the Axiom Pro MFD and CP370 by installing an A80160 SeaTalkhs (F) to RayNet (F) Adapter to the end of the SeaTalkhs Cable which will be interfaced to the MFD and to the CP370 respectively.


Q2. Also, the old system relies on a Simrad AC20 based autopilot with AP26, RC36, RPU80 & using NMEA0183 to talk to the e120's. Can I continue to use the old autopilot with the new displays & NMEA0183 on the Axiom Pro?
A2. Yes.

Q3. AC20 also has NMEA2000 capability I believe; would that be a better choice, or is there some reason the old pilot will not work?
A3. There would be no performance or feature advantage to interfacing the third party autopilot to the Raymarine products via NMEA 2000 vs NMEA 0183. That said, interfacing the third party autopilot via NMEA 2000 communications should work as well. Please click here to view a FAQ addressing the LightHouse 3 Autopilot Controls feature and autopilots other than Evolution autopilots.

[dkwhit]

- my old system uses an M260 connected through a DSM300. My understanding is that I'll need to replace the dsm300 with a cp370 in order to keep using the m260. Is that correct? If so, then I would connect the cp370 to the HS switch with the same adapter cable you mentioned before?
- To add a Quantum 2 radome, also connect to HS switch through the same adapter cable?
- Looking at a link you'd posted on another thread, I didn't see an adapter plate to fit Axiom Pro into dash where E120 now sits. That suggests I'll need to make something myself, or am I overlooking an option?

Dave

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Dave,

Q1. My old system uses an M260 connected through a DSM300. My understanding is that I'll need to replace the dsm300 with a cp370 in order to keep using the m260. Is that correct? If so, then I would connect the cp370 to the HS switch with the same adapter cable you mentioned before?
A1. Correct & correct.

Q2. To add a Quantum 2 radome, also connect to HS switch through the same adapter cable?
A2. I recommend installing an Digital Radar Cable for to Quantum 2 radome to support communications and supplying the radome with power. The Digital Radar Cable will be adapted to be mated to the SeaTalkhs Network Switch via an A80513 RayNet (M) to RJ45 (M) Adapter.

Q3. Looking at a link you'd posted on another thread, I didn't see an adapter plate to fit Axiom Pro into dash where E120 now sits. That suggests I'll need to make something myself, or am I overlooking an option?
A3. Raymarine recently introduced the A80565 C120/E120 Classic MFD to Axiom Pro 12 Adapter Plate. Raymarine's webmaster will be notified to add this an other missing adapter plates to the Adapter Plates tab of the Axiomâ„¢ & Axiomâ„¢ Pro Accessories web page.

[dkwhit]

Awesome! thanks again Chuck.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

You're welcome.