GPS Question

[Pcguru_gary]

2003 380 Sea Ray Dancer

Equipment
- RL80C PLUS PATHFINDER CHARTPLOTTER W/RADAR ARRAY
- RN300 GPS
- ST7001 AUTOPILOT CONTROL HEAD
- SMARTCRAFT DISPLAY
Don’t currently know which transducer is in the boat for depth or sonar. It is original to the boat.

SCENARIO:
1. GPS is connected to RL80C for satellite fix.
2. Radar, Autopilot and fishfinder data is displayed on the RL80C

ISSUES:
1. RN300 GPS screen burn in & not readable. Unit cannot obtain a satellite fix. Want to replace.
2. RL80C interfaced with RN300 GPS – neither GPS or RL80C can obtain a fix.

Questions:
1. I’m looking for a unit that has an internal antenna to replace the RN300 GPS. The replacement units primary function will be to provide satellite fix using it’s internal antenna and to interface with the RL80C. Does Raymarine have a solution that will allow connections to the RL80C so RL80C will still provide working radar, fishfinder and autopilot functionality?
2. What upgrades, if any, will be required to make all the systems work?
3. Will my current C Maps from the RL80C work with the unit you suggest?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Gary,

Questions:
Q1. I’m looking for a unit that has an internal antenna to replace the RN300 GPS. The replacement units primary function will be to provide satellite fix using it’s internal antenna and to interface with the RL80C. Does Raymarine have a solution that will allow connections to the RL80C so RL80C will still provide working radar, fishfinder and autopilot functionality?
A1. Please note that should the installation location of the new display having an internal GPS sensor not afford it an unobstructed view of the skies overhead, then it may not be able to acquire a GPS position FIX. In such cases, the device would then need to be interfaced to a compatible external GPS sensor (ex. Raystar 150 GPS Sensor, etc.). Should the proposed installation location not afford the new display an unobstructed view of the skies overhead, then it would generally be recommended that the RN300 be disconnected from the system and that a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor be interfaced to the system in place of the RN300's passive antenna. Please click here to view a FAQ addressing how this would be accomplished. However, should installation location afford the new display an unobstructed view of the skies overhead and/or should you want to remove the RN300 from the vessel, then it would be recommended that an Axiom 7 MFD be installed in place of the RN300 should space allow. The Axiom 7 MFD may be adapted (with a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Kit) to be interfaced to the currently installed RL70C and ST7001. However, it would be necessary to have you specify the model of autopilot course computer which is installed onboard to indicate whether the Axiom 7 MFD would be compatible with it as well.

Q2. What upgrades, if any, will be required to make all the systems work?
A2. It is quite possible, depending upon the model of autopilot course computer installed, that addressing the NO FIX condition may be remedied by simply interfacing:
- a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor and SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converter Kit to the system, or
- an Axiom 7 MFD and a SeaTalk to SeaTalkng Converte Kit ... may be necessary to also install a Raystar 150 GPS Sensor should the MFD's installation location not afford it an unobstructed view of the skies overhead.

Q3. Will my current C Maps from the RL80C work with the unit you suggest?
A3. No. None of Raymarine's currently manufactured products are designed for use with C-Map cartography which has been programmed onto C-Map C-Cards.