Dave,
Thanks for the info. I have my new Raymarine EV-100 autopilot sitting
in a box at home waiting to be installed - I too got the email
indicating there was a wonderful software upgrade, with better course
management etc etc etc. I looked into the info far enough to see that I
didn't have the right gear to use the update and gave up.
In my case the boat only has speed and depth (from the 80's) -- I
figured that Raymarine is the most likely ecosystem as I add future gear
- so the Raymarine auto pilot made sense.
I agree with the frustration of proprietary systems - but it seems we
don't learn these issues until we've already paid to play. One thing
I've learned from other listers here is that I'm better off with one
manufacturer rather than trying to mate together systems.
Mark
There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.
- George Santayana
On 2016-09-20 11:44 PM, Dave via CnC-List wrote:
Graham/all - to be clear, to me the issue is not so much being able to update
one Manufacturer's firmware from another's device, it's about not being able to
update it at all, without a MFD (hence the 'accessories to MFD subject line').
Raymarine could easily have elected to permit updates by some other means at
the network level or at the device, but didn't.
Read the manual before buying? Just dug them out and here's what it says in
my pristine p70 autopilot controller manual:
'- software revision
Raymarine regularly updates product software to add new features and improve
existing functionality. This document covers lighthouse version 3.xx which
should be used in conjunction with ev... Blah blah
Check the raymarine website to ensure you have the latest software and user
manuals.'
That's all it says, and I'm a bit surprised. They address that software
updates are part of ownership, and (rightly) offer and encourage the happy new
autopilot purchaser to update their software, even helpfully directing them to
the website. (Sounds great, here's my money!). One minor detail seems to
have been omitted...
It been an interesting topic to explore, with interesting perspectives. I'll
figure out a way to sort it. I like the raymarine instruments and their
people were accessible and courteous. The more I dig into it though, the more
convinced I am that their approach to this is unethical, irrespective of how
one might feel about their broader strategy. (The manual ices it.). Anyway,
now we know, as will others who read the discussion.
I didn't hate them, but I'm starting to.
Mic drop... ;-)
Dave
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2016 00:02:16 +0000
From: G Collins <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Stus-List Raymarine exits the instrument, vhf and
autopilot business!
Message-ID:
<bn6pr14mb163426959a8cb182952654ecd8...@bn6pr14mb1634.namprd14.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
You Ray haters kill me... just kidding! But sometimes it pays to read
the manual before you buy, and they are all available online these days.
That Garmin thing is a cool solution, I like it. The Navico (B&G)
version doesn't seem to be available anywhere, so that may have been a
possible route to firmware updates but no longer...
I guess my conclusion early on was to get a MDF that goes with the big
electronics on the boat, so my a75 MDF can update my EV200 autopilot.
And IMHO it makes sense to have the same brand of anyway, so that you
are sure they will work together as best they can. My wind/speed/depth
system, since it is B&G, is essentially orphaned. I'm not so concerned
with that. And I am quite happy with my Raymarine gear, whereas I've
had two Triton displays malfunction on me in the same 3 seasons.
As to why you can't update one companies gear from another companies
MDF, I can't see any company signing up for that - say I update my B&G
firmware over my Ray MDF, and next thing my Triton displays are bricks -
who do I call to get it resolved? That would not be a fun day.
Graham Collins
Secret Plans
C&C 35-III #11
_______________________________________________
This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like
what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are
greatly appreciated!
_______________________________________________
This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like
what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are
greatly appreciated!
