Raymarine C80 and AutoPilot

[feeez]

I have a Raymarine C80 MFD, SmartPilot SPX course computer, and an ST70 AutoPilot Controller.

Problem:
After I create a route with the MFD and start to follow that route I want the Autopilot to join the party. According to the manual for the Autopilot we set the autopilot on "Auto" and the MFD following a route. When this is all happening the next waypoint becomes visible on the autopilot screen. When I press "Track" on the autopilot it beeps (very annoyingly) and displays the error "No navigation data". It seems they are talking to each other as the waypoint shows up on the autopilot.

I foresee some trips this season with some relatively long straight runs so this would be a good thing to have working.

As always thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.
Fraser

[bud37]

Fraser did you ever resolve that......

[feeez]

No I have not..... annoying for same reasons you outline

I am relocating my MFD this year, I will check all the easy stuff and try to get a better understanding of the set up.

I will post what I find.

Fraser

[Viper]

I wonder if the ST70 is picking up the GPS sentences. Will it display positional data as the vessel moves?

[bud37]

Qr Bbpost No I have not..... annoying for same reasons you outline

I am relocating my MFD this year, I will check all the easy stuff and try to get a better understanding of the set up.

I will post what I find.

Fraser

That would be great, I have the C 80 as well and the more I can learn about it, the better......its all up to you now....

[feeez]

Qr Bbpost I wonder if the ST70 is picking up the GPS sentences. Will it display positional data as the vessel moves?

This is the strange part of this. When I have the MFD following a route the waypoints are showing up on the ST70 but when I press "Track" it just comes back with the no navigation data error.

Fraser

[Viper]

Yes but getting a waypoint is different than needing gps/heading data to get to that waypoint. Check the simple things first like all the connections and system setup.

Has this unit ever worked for you?

[feeez]

Qr Bbpost Yes but getting a waypoint is different than needing gps/heading data to get to that waypoint. Check the simple things first like all the connections and system setup.

Has this unit ever worked for you?

No it has not worked since I owned the boat. I will do the connection check when I move the MFD this season. We all know that with electronics sometimes an un-plug and re-plug can solve a myriad of malfunctions.
I also want to get my VHF hooked up to the system properly this year also..... the never ending array of projects when boating......
I see what you mean about the waypoint. Although the ST70 is getting "a" waypoint if there is no heading data coming with it the "no navigation" error would be justified.

[feeez]

Qr Bbpost I wonder if the ST70 is picking up the GPS sentences. Will it display positional data as the vessel moves?

Viper,
From what I have seen the ST70 is functioning properly. When engaged it holds the boat at a constant heading that matches the GPS and the SOG data is consistent with the GPS.