Standard Horizon CP-170 GPS (Firmware Up-Grade)

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Author Topic:   Standard Horizon CP-170 GPS (Firmware Up-Grade)

into4sums posted 08-15-2005 10:22 AM ET (US)
I've had a Standard Horizon CP-170 chartplotter for a couple of years now, and the unithas operated flawlessly after some initial problems with antenna placement. Within the last month. however. it has become less reliable. Specifically when I turn it on now the status screen stays on for upwards of 20-30 minutes saying "ACQUIRING." It used to do that for about a minute then go to the chart and stay locked on with no problems at all. When it does finally go to a chart, it will work for a while then the dreaded "no longer able to fix position" message comes up on the screen. After a while it, too, goes away, and normal operation returns. I travel in the western end of Long Island and the waters of NYC and know them pretty well, but I still like to have my chart plotter working, especially at night. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, let me know what you did to correct it. The anyenna is and has been mounted on my radar arch since 2002. Nothing has changed up there (yeah, I know, something has or I wouldn't be having problems) anyway any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Guy
prm1177 posted 08-15-2005 11:17 AM ET (US)
The first thing I would do is check the condition of the antenna connection. Do you remove the 170 when not in use? You might check with your local supplier to see if they will loan you one to use in trouble shooting? If a spare antenna does not bring up a signal, it's likely to be the LNB.
Most satellite systems will use LNBs (low noise block amplifiers) with Gallium Arsenide powered amps to boost the extremly faint satellite signal. It is possible this part has failed since your control software appears to be functioning. This is in the control unit as opposed to some systems where they are in the antenna mushroom (Garmin, Raymarine, etc).
Jerry Townsend posted 08-15-2005 12:17 PM ET (US)
And remember the 3 year warranty that Standard has. Your message doesn't state when you bought the CP-170 or if the chartplotter was on a boat you just bought. The Standard warranty is very worthwhile and may help solve your problems. Also - call Standard, explain your problems and they may have the answer immediately for you. ---- Jerry/Idaho
Chuck Tribolet posted 08-15-2005 01:47 PM ET (US)
Try your chartplotter on a buddy's boat with the same unit
(150 and 160 may work too, and are more common).
I'm guessing antenna, or the connection to the antenna at the
chartplotter.

Chuck
White Bear posted 08-18-2005 08:41 AM ET (US)
Starting several weeks ago I developed the same problem with my CP150. My operating area is the eastern end of Long Island. Antenna attachment is unchanged from before.
A call to Standard Horizon turned up flat rate service fee of $75, so unit will be off for repair before the busy fall season when I'll really want it onboard.
White Bear posted 09-13-2005 08:20 AM ET (US)
A call to Standard Horizon technical support revealed the problem is not with Standard Horizon but with the C-Map program. A call to C-Map has some sort of updated software install on the way against a $50.00 "security deposit" refundable when the software is returned. Both Standard Horizon and C-Map are very familiar with the problem we are having and were [quick] in offering a solution. I will report results when the new software is installed.
jimh posted 09-13-2005 04:02 PM ET (US)
C-Map is not a program. C-Map is a company that produces digital cartography.
I believe what you are making reference to is a nice offer from Standard and C-Map to apply a firmware upgrade to your device by installation of a special C-Map cartridge.
The upgrade affects the operating system of the GPS device. It is software from Standard-Horizon which is supplied on a C-Map cartridge.
I recently applied such an upgrade to another model of Standard-Horizon chart plotter.
C-Map charges you a deposit, and you get most of it back when you return the cartridge. I find this to be an excellent approach to updating the Standard Horizon chart plotter device.
jimh posted 09-13-2005 09:04 PM ET (US)
[Move discussion to this TOPIC area.]
jimh posted 09-15-2005 10:35 PM ET (US)
Applying the firmware upgrade to my Standard Horizon chart plotter produced a couple of changes. One change was a reduction in the resolution of the base map. Perhaps the operating system code took up more memory and some of the base map--which was never very detailed--had to be removed.

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Author	Topic: Standard Horizon CP-170 GPS (Firmware Up-Grade)
into4sums	posted 08-15-2005 10:22 AM ET (US) I've had a Standard Horizon CP-170 chartplotter for a couple of years now, and the unithas operated flawlessly after some initial problems with antenna placement. Within the last month. however. it has become less reliable. Specifically when I turn it on now the status screen stays on for upwards of 20-30 minutes saying "ACQUIRING." It used to do that for about a minute then go to the chart and stay locked on with no problems at all. When it does finally go to a chart, it will work for a while then the dreaded "no longer able to fix position" message comes up on the screen. After a while it, too, goes away, and normal operation returns. I travel in the western end of Long Island and the waters of NYC and know them pretty well, but I still like to have my chart plotter working, especially at night. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, let me know what you did to correct it. The anyenna is and has been mounted on my radar arch since 2002. Nothing has changed up there (yeah, I know, something has or I wouldn't be having problems) anyway any help is appreciated. Thanks, Guy
prm1177	posted 08-15-2005 11:17 AM ET (US) The first thing I would do is check the condition of the antenna connection. Do you remove the 170 when not in use? You might check with your local supplier to see if they will loan you one to use in trouble shooting? If a spare antenna does not bring up a signal, it's likely to be the LNB. Most satellite systems will use LNBs (low noise block amplifiers) with Gallium Arsenide powered amps to boost the extremly faint satellite signal. It is possible this part has failed since your control software appears to be functioning. This is in the control unit as opposed to some systems where they are in the antenna mushroom (Garmin, Raymarine, etc).
Jerry Townsend	posted 08-15-2005 12:17 PM ET (US) And remember the 3 year warranty that Standard has. Your message doesn't state when you bought the CP-170 or if the chartplotter was on a boat you just bought. The Standard warranty is very worthwhile and may help solve your problems. Also - call Standard, explain your problems and they may have the answer immediately for you. ---- Jerry/Idaho
Chuck Tribolet	posted 08-15-2005 01:47 PM ET (US) Try your chartplotter on a buddy's boat with the same unit (150 and 160 may work too, and are more common). I'm guessing antenna, or the connection to the antenna at the chartplotter. Chuck
White Bear	posted 08-18-2005 08:41 AM ET (US) Starting several weeks ago I developed the same problem with my CP150. My operating area is the eastern end of Long Island. Antenna attachment is unchanged from before. A call to Standard Horizon turned up flat rate service fee of $75, so unit will be off for repair before the busy fall season when I'll really want it onboard.
White Bear	posted 09-13-2005 08:20 AM ET (US) A call to Standard Horizon technical support revealed the problem is not with Standard Horizon but with the C-Map program. A call to C-Map has some sort of updated software install on the way against a $50.00 "security deposit" refundable when the software is returned. Both Standard Horizon and C-Map are very familiar with the problem we are having and were [quick] in offering a solution. I will report results when the new software is installed.
jimh	posted 09-13-2005 04:02 PM ET (US) C-Map is not a program. C-Map is a company that produces digital cartography. I believe what you are making reference to is a nice offer from Standard and C-Map to apply a firmware upgrade to your device by installation of a special C-Map cartridge. The upgrade affects the operating system of the GPS device. It is software from Standard-Horizon which is supplied on a C-Map cartridge. I recently applied such an upgrade to another model of Standard-Horizon chart plotter. C-Map charges you a deposit, and you get most of it back when you return the cartridge. I find this to be an excellent approach to updating the Standard Horizon chart plotter device.
jimh	posted 09-13-2005 09:04 PM ET (US) [Move discussion to this TOPIC area.]
jimh	posted 09-15-2005 10:35 PM ET (US) Applying the firmware upgrade to my Standard Horizon chart plotter produced a couple of changes. One change was a reduction in the resolution of the base map. Perhaps the operating system code took up more memory and some of the base map--which was never very detailed--had to be removed.