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Author Topic:   Standard Horizon CP180i

TomB posted 08-13-2007 11:35 PM ET (US)
I've decided to buy a Standard Horizon CP180i chartplotter from BoatFix based on a number of factors, but haven't seen much info on it from users. Noticed tonight that where2 is using one (and know jimh swears by the CP150), so would appreciate feedback on it before I pull out the plastic. I'm using a separate Lowrance sounder and want a larger screen dedicated to the plotter to give my old eyes a break. It will be mounted on a 1979 Montauk used primarily in the Louisiana marsh, so am also interested in hearing from anyone using C-MAP cartridges for this area. Thanks...
Tom
where2 posted 08-14-2007 08:55 PM ET (US)
Sunlight viewable without a problem. Mine was one of the first batch made (ordered it through Consumers Marine after seeing the prototype at Miami International Boat Show, Feb. '06, they didn't start shipping to retailers until April/May '06, but Consumers was sitting on my order from February).
My CP180i actually replaced a CP150 which still works and uses the same plug on the dash. I simply swapped the C-map chip from the old CP150 to the CP180i, plugged it into the same cable on the console and mounted it to my removable mounting plate.
Things I love about the CP180i, the internal antenna (my father had rigged the external antenna to mount to the rear of the CP150 so it was all one piece, but 30' of cable was hideous on the back of the unit). Color! Having become accustomed to the B/W CP150, the CP180i is so much more striking with colors on the display. Size: it's not so big that it takes up the entire dash, but it's large enough that you should be able to see it without pulling out the reading glasses.
The interface is actually quite good, but it will take some getting used to initially. Remembering where certain functions are in the flow chart style drop down fly out structure is a little challenging at first, but you get familiar with it after a short time. Their warranty is excellent, as is their staff.
As for the charts: I have only ever used the charts around Palm Beach, FL. If you didn't get the chart you want already, the higher end electronics retailers catering to yachts sometimes have "burners" that they can use to burn the chart you need onto a blank chip.
TomB posted 08-14-2007 10:32 PM ET (US)
Thanks where2...You were a big help.
Tom
jimh posted 08-15-2007 12:00 AM ET (US)
Re the C-Map digital chart cartography: I have a C-Map NT chip for Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. I bought it a couple of years ago when the price dropped in half, a response by the market to competition and introduction of a lot of free charts or huge bundles of charts by the government or other digital chart makers.
Recently we were in some areas where we relied on the digital chart primarily but we had official printed charts on board. My printed charts are getting old, and some of them date from the early 1980's. (However, Georgian Bay is mainly rock and things don't change very fast up there. Some of actual surveys are from the 1800's.) I was very impressed with the C-Map charts. They had many aids to navigation on them which were not shown on the old printed charts. The C-Map charts also have additional data about aids to navigation that appears to be gathered from the List of Lights and other publications. So the C-Map charts provided a lot of valuable information in a convenient form. That's my experience with C-Map digital charts in the Great Lakes.
TomB posted 08-15-2007 08:09 PM ET (US)
Thanks for your feedback, jimh. I ordered the CP 180i last night and think I'll go ahead and get the C-MAP MAX card as well. I believe I need NA-M023 for US Gulf and Inland Rivers. They're only about $180 from BoatFix and are probably fun to play with.
Tom

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Author	Topic: Standard Horizon CP180i
TomB	posted 08-13-2007 11:35 PM ET (US) I've decided to buy a Standard Horizon CP180i chartplotter from BoatFix based on a number of factors, but haven't seen much info on it from users. Noticed tonight that where2 is using one (and know jimh swears by the CP150), so would appreciate feedback on it before I pull out the plastic. I'm using a separate Lowrance sounder and want a larger screen dedicated to the plotter to give my old eyes a break. It will be mounted on a 1979 Montauk used primarily in the Louisiana marsh, so am also interested in hearing from anyone using C-MAP cartridges for this area. Thanks... Tom
where2	posted 08-14-2007 08:55 PM ET (US) Sunlight viewable without a problem. Mine was one of the first batch made (ordered it through Consumers Marine after seeing the prototype at Miami International Boat Show, Feb. '06, they didn't start shipping to retailers until April/May '06, but Consumers was sitting on my order from February). My CP180i actually replaced a CP150 which still works and uses the same plug on the dash. I simply swapped the C-map chip from the old CP150 to the CP180i, plugged it into the same cable on the console and mounted it to my removable mounting plate. Things I love about the CP180i, the internal antenna (my father had rigged the external antenna to mount to the rear of the CP150 so it was all one piece, but 30' of cable was hideous on the back of the unit). Color! Having become accustomed to the B/W CP150, the CP180i is so much more striking with colors on the display. Size: it's not so big that it takes up the entire dash, but it's large enough that you should be able to see it without pulling out the reading glasses. The interface is actually quite good, but it will take some getting used to initially. Remembering where certain functions are in the flow chart style drop down fly out structure is a little challenging at first, but you get familiar with it after a short time. Their warranty is excellent, as is their staff. As for the charts: I have only ever used the charts around Palm Beach, FL. If you didn't get the chart you want already, the higher end electronics retailers catering to yachts sometimes have "burners" that they can use to burn the chart you need onto a blank chip.
TomB	posted 08-14-2007 10:32 PM ET (US) Thanks where2...You were a big help. Tom
jimh	posted 08-15-2007 12:00 AM ET (US) Re the C-Map digital chart cartography: I have a C-Map NT chip for Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. I bought it a couple of years ago when the price dropped in half, a response by the market to competition and introduction of a lot of free charts or huge bundles of charts by the government or other digital chart makers. Recently we were in some areas where we relied on the digital chart primarily but we had official printed charts on board. My printed charts are getting old, and some of them date from the early 1980's. (However, Georgian Bay is mainly rock and things don't change very fast up there. Some of actual surveys are from the 1800's.) I was very impressed with the C-Map charts. They had many aids to navigation on them which were not shown on the old printed charts. The C-Map charts also have additional data about aids to navigation that appears to be gathered from the List of Lights and other publications. So the C-Map charts provided a lot of valuable information in a convenient form. That's my experience with C-Map digital charts in the Great Lakes.
TomB	posted 08-15-2007 08:09 PM ET (US) Thanks for your feedback, jimh. I ordered the CP 180i last night and think I'll go ahead and get the C-MAP MAX card as well. I believe I need NA-M023 for US Gulf and Inland Rivers. They're only about $180 from BoatFix and are probably fun to play with. Tom