Dave, A while back I noticed that my Raymarine SPX-5 autopilot did not have the most recent firmware, but at that time I did not rush to update as I had no mechanism, like you, to do so. To me it was not a major issue as the autopilot was working fine. I operated it as stand alone device which I would mainly use to maintain a course heading or to occasionally assist in tacking.
During it’s 4th or 5th year of use (after warranty), I started having problems with the autopilot drifting off course, then failing to recalibrate, and finally not working at all. I called Raymarine and a tech had me measure the resistance across several wires to check the compass and measure voltage at the wheel drive. After doing so, a tech stated that the problem was with the course computer, and that I need to send it in for repair. I sailed my 29 for another year without a working autopilot before removing it and selling the vessel after purchasing my Landfall 38. Shortly before splashing the LF38 after some refitting, I sent the autopilot computer to Raymarine to see how much it was going to cost to fix it. Over the phone, I was told that it would be a minimum of $99 for out of warranty repair work. About a week after sending it in, I started calling to inquire on the repair. The customer rep. took my contact info and told me they would contact me with a day or so. The very next day, the unit arrived via UPS fully repaired and with an updated firmware. I was expecting a pricey repair charge, but the only cost to me was the original USPS shipping fee to Raymarine. In your case, If the p70 firmware update provide important fixes or new must have functionality, you could look into sending it to Raymarine for the updating. My guess is that they will do it free of charge. I know it is not ideal, but at least it’s an option. I have to admit, it was mostly this experience with Raymarine that later led me to purchasing a Raymarine e7d chart plotter, a Ray depth transducer, and a Ray Speed/Log/Temp system over other brands. And recently an EV-200 autopilot (but with the octopus 1212LAR12 linear drive). - Paul E. 1981 C&C 38 Landfall S/V Johanna Rose Carrabelle, FL http://svjohannarose.blogspot.com/ > On Sep 21, 2016, at 8:57 AM, cnc-list-requ...@cnc-list.com 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
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