Updating my own post for future searches... I called raymarine tech support and after a short hold was connected to a tech, to whom I explained the symptoms and the steps taken so far and he acknowledged that the issue with extreme compass deviation was most likely (pretty much certainly) software-related. The gentleman was well trained and familiar with the products. The fix requires the firmware to be updated in all of the related devices, and it requires one of Raymarines chartplotters to do so. He advised that the "classic" series chartplotter was not up to the job and strongly recommended a MFD running Lighthouse ii. Good news is that my local dealer has agreed to lend me a demo unit to do this update. So, its solvable but the entire thing remains disappointing. This is a lot of work to resolve a product quality issue, and it will need to be done periodically to keep current. I note that Raymarines site and documentation admonish that the firmware must be kept up to date, while also warning that firmware updates are done solely at the owner's risk. This, you apparently consent to by downloading the update, which as just mentioned they strongly encourage you to do, no doubt to fix the bugs they are aware of but keep on the down low....
Before investing in marine electronics it is well worth understanding any bugs that might be associated with the product and its software, and also on the process for updating firmware/software, since you will have to do it. End of the day, the raymarine autopilot and any other other ancillaries appear to have been engineered as and should probably be thought of as accessories to their MFD, rather than viable standalone products. Dave On Sun, 23 Aug 2020 at 20:16, Dave S <syerd...@gmail.com> wrote: > Thanks and yes - I will just not sure about timeliness of their response > and was hoping someone might know. (I have a window of opportunity to buy > this old beast.). > > For sure the dealer is another answer and I have emailed the local one if > he might have a demo unit to lend or rent, or would be willing to do an > update. > > I would really prefer not to have to disassemble the system simply to > correct the manufacturer’s software issues... however this may be the > only option. > > For anyone interested, after doing its linearization, the software reports > deviation of 181 degrees (lol - that’s wrong....). whereas when compared to > both my magnetic compass and a separate gps heading the max error is 37 > degrees. The mag compass and gps generally agree. > > Apparently a known issue with the early software, mentioned very quietly > in the back pages of their tech forum. This is an evolution autopilot > and the issue is with the deviation autocorrection software for the Ev-1 > sensor. > > Dave > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Aug 23, 2020, at 5:10 PM, Doug Mountjoy <svrebeccal...@gmail.com> > wrote: > > > I would check with Raymarine on the compatibility. You can also take the > course computer to a Raymarine dealer and he can upgrade the software. > > > > Doug Mountjoy > sv Rebecca Leah > C&C Landfall 39 > Port Orchard yacht club > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Dave S via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Date: 8/23/20 13:41 (GMT-08:00) > To: C&c Stus List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Cc: Dave S <syerd...@gmail.com> > Subject: Stus-List Raymarine autopilot firmware upgrade ? > > Have ranted here before about the need to own a ray mfd to upgrade the > (now known to be very buggy) firmware on my evolution autopilot. > > Had ignored this for awhile but now need to deal with it and have the > chance to purchase an older Raymarine chart plotter model A70b, which has a > SEATALKng port. > > Does anyone know if this unit can be used To perform the firmware upgrade > on the evolution pilot and associated bits? > > Thanks! > > Dave > Windstar 33-2 > > Sent from my iPhone > _______________________________________________ > > Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each > and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - > use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > >
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