[CA] [CA11] Axiom Pro - OK Button on Rotary Dial Not Working Properly

[Type1]

We recently replaced our e-series MFDs with three new Axiom Pro MFDs, two 12" and one 9". The centre "OK" button on all three MFDs only works about 75% of the time,which is very frustrating as we operate the system with the touchscreen locked out. We are running version 3.8.105.

Is this likely to be a hardware or software issue?

Thanks

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Type1,

If the symptom reported were not intermittent and could be reproduced via a particular command sequence, then it would very likely be attributed to a software issue. However, should the symptom reported be intermittent in nature and the OK button be pressed in a manner that was not also causing the D-pad portion (cursor control) of the UniController to be pressed, then the symptom reported may be indicative of a problem with the UniController of the MFD(s). Should you suspect that a MFD's UniController has suffered a failure, then it would be recommended that the MFD be sent to Raymarine’s Product Repair Center to be bench checked / serviced.

[Type1]

The issue is not intermittent, it occurs on all three MFDs and mostly in the radar app when there are a lot of button presses in quick succession, e.g. when we freeze the VRM/EBL, range out to check for traffic then range back in and reactivate the VRM/EBL (6 separate button/dial actions). Waiting for a second or two between button presses appears to reduce the likelihood of the button not responding. It is almost as if the system needs more time to catch up with the demands.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Type1,

Actions such a you have described (i.e. initiating multiple commands in succession before the MFD has responded to commands) may indeed be responsible for symptoms such as you have reported. If you are not already doing so, it is recommended that one wait for the MFD to complete a command prior to initiating another command. Open dialogs may also block certain commands / controls from being used.

[Type1]

Just to further clarify, we experience ineffective button pushes during the multiple menu selection actions (not commands) which are necessary to re-activate the VRM/EBL using the hard buttons and rotary dial after ranging out and in. There doesn't appear to be any other way to accomplish this basic action. Using touchscreen commands there doesn't appear to be any latency, however we don't operate in touchscreen mode. Is this something that could be addressed in a future software upgrade? Thanks!

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Type1,

Should you supply a specific command/control sequence which produces the reported symptom, then we will attempt to duplicate the reported problem. Upon duplication of the problem, a problem report will be logged accordingly to seek correction of the problem within a future LightHouse 3 software update.

[Type1]

In the radar app with the VRM/EBL #1 active in edit mode and the range at say 3/4 or 1.5 miles, we will typically range out to 1.5 or 3 miles to check for traffic every few minutes. We will then range back in and reactivate the VRM/EBL.

The button sequence is:

Press the back button to freeze the VRM/EBL and enable the range out function.
Range out to 1.5 or 3 miles with the rotary knob on the uni-controller.
Range back in to 3/4 or 1.5 miles with the rotary knob.
Move the curser off the vessel with the directional controls on the uni-controller to enable the appropriate popup menu.
Press the OK button on the uni-controller to bring up the menu
Move down to the bottom of the menu to "more options" using the rotary dial or the directional controls (many more button presses).
Press the OK button again to bring up another menu including both VRM/EBL controls.
Move down to highlight the option desired (Adjust EBL/VRM #1) using the rotary knob or the directional controls (more button presses).
Press the OK button to select VRM/EBL #1 in edit mode.

This is the point at which the OK button often does not work on the first try, requiring several pushes or a long pause before it works. Sometimes it will not work at all and we need to back out of the menu system and restart the sequence to reactivate the VRM/EBL.

We normally have all three MFD in operation. The two 12" displays are at the forward nav station, one on chart and the other on radar. The 9" display is at the aft coxswain's station. We operate in dual range mode with the aft screen in split screen chart/radar mode. Range in/out operations can occur simultaneously on forward and aft displays.

Hopefully this will help to troubleshoot the issue.

Thanks!

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Type1,

I have been unable to duplicate the reported issue using the procedure supplied. However, I will submit the problem report to allow the engineering team to attempt to duplicate the problem.

[Type1]

Thanks.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

You're welcome.