Has anybody been able to solve, in a user friendly way an interface between PC at the navstation and the chartplotter, enabling an easy way to plan routes on the PC via a chartprogram and transfer it to the chartplotter without going  through

 - physically moving the chart back and forth to between "PC" and Plotter

- difficult import / Export routines

 

I had Raymarine with Raychart earlier.. with Raychart and C series. Seemless interface between PC and plotter outside.

 

 Now I bought a Hanse 540 with simrad at the nav station and helm, however have not found a good solution for my problem

 

Anybody have a good idea on what I need and how to do it ?

 

Thanks a lot

you need to add a Simrad AT10 nmea convertor + some wiring to your simnet bus, wire up a serial cable to this convertor and then can have PC interface. In the plotter you should be able to set it to import/export via nmea. You may also be able to use your old software if it supports transfer via Nmea

 

Good luck!!

 

Shawn

 

best regards

 

Anders

 

What software would you then run on the PC? I'm looking to set up a similar system but haven't done it before at all.

 

Thanks for your help

Steve

there are many software titles available. what's important is that you can get GPS / waypoint transfer facilities as this will also serve as a backup of your waypoints.

 

Different software also offer different charts and some software titles require some hardware to read the chart.

 

If you need more info send me a pm

 

Shawn

 

I am currently using Raychart 5.0. Will probably upgrade to 6.0.

Very pleased with the system when I had it all integreated with Raymarine Products. We will see the outcome vs Simrad

 

 

I have been using version 6 for over a year and was very pleased when all was Raymarine. We have to see with Simrad now  

 

Shawn

 

The ouput of waypoionts and routes on the Simrad CX Navstation will come on the standard NMEA 183 ports. So to transfer the data to a PC.

you have to connect the NMEA 183 port from the CX to the Serial port of your PC.

 

Tomas

 

I'm not sure i agree, i believe but not yet implemented, as i am at same stage as Anders, ie sourcing the optimal software.

Where i am today, is adding a AT10, as illustrated on Simrad config diagrams, to convert to nmea0183.

 

your question does raise a potential problem being the feedback of data from PC back to chartplotter?

 

i would aditionally have a Wireless LAN router with RS232 serial plug input.

this way, it's a cableless set up, having laptop on chart table , or more mobility.

 

As Simrad chartplotters run on C-Map, i'm thinking of going for SOBvMax software from Australia (Digiboat)-this mitigates the compatibity and librairy (costs) issues. 

All that is missing is the C-Map chart card reader for the PC .

 

i take back the nmea port comment on Cx44.

 

below is quote from simrad e-catalog "

 

I have checked a little more. You have to use the build in NMEA 183 port of the CX44. Because the AT10 only receive and transmit some specific NMEA sentences.

And the sentence with routes are not one of them.

 

Tomas

 

 

 

further reading of the user manual and optional connections, lead me to consult all xx44/55 accessories that include the following related to our topic:

AT44 active Tee – SimNet/NMEA0183 converter for XX44/54

NMEA (2) cable, 9 pin connector female, 1.5 m

PC Data Cable, 1,5 m, for XX44/XX54

RS5345

NMEA Buffer

got all winter to think this over anyway,...