Standard Horizon has announced a free software upgrade for owners of the CP180, CP300 and CP500 range of chart plotters, along with the latest combined plotter/fish-finder, the CPF180i and CPF300i.
The existing software is already packed with user-friendly functions, however, the new upgrade supplies even more functionality, and some extra safety features. There are no less than 17 main enhancements, including language selection, GPS set-up, text customisation, route checking and a simulation package.
Probably one of the most obvious improvements is the ability to display two independent zoom levels on a chart when the plotter is in dual-chart mode. This enables you to not only observe the wide area surrounding your vessel but also to view close in chart detail on the other chart window. These windows refresh themselves by seamless scrolling, rather than by quickly redrawing a static screen. This gives a far more fluid feel to the navigation.
To add extra safety to your pilotage, a route check function will ensure that your course hasn’t overlooked any dangers. These include spoil areas, diffusers, shallow wrecks, isolated rocks, or even areas where no navigation data is available. If a problem is found, the software will highlight the danger area of your route in a different colour, and also indicate the problem on the list of hazards (in order to take advantage of this function, you will need to use up to date cartography).
To ensure Standard Horizon plotters appeal to a truly global market, the new translation package can supply on-screen information in 15 languages, including most European languages and even two versions of Chinese (one simplified).
Making the most of the sunlight-viewable screens is a new satellite function, which allows the placing of a satellite image as a base map beneath your chart so you can appreciate the geographical relief of landmasses. The time-offset menu now includes place names, so rather than trying to identify a time zone by its longitude, a relevant city or country will help instead. Another new function automatically allows for time differences where daylight saving is used.
The new enhancements also give the operator a much higher degree of customisation, especially with the way information is displayed. You can alter the thickness of the line of the route drawn on the plotter, and the font-size of place names on MAX charts can be changed between standard, medium or large. A dedicated FIND key allows the searching of an optional C-MAP NT+ or C-MAP MAX card for additional port information and hazard warnings. To increase visibility, the highway page now has a water-themed background behind the black and yellow rolling road. User icons have also improved, and are now in full colour.
Other enhancements include the display of a clear AIS list when in AIS-compatible mode (an AIS receiver is required), and when using tide functions, a cross hair in the tide graph shows the current tide height for the vessel’s position. The GPS module inside the antenna unit can also be customised with the type of differential correction required (WAAS-EGNOS or none) along with a setting for the navigation speed.
Responding to the demands of sailboat racers, the Olympic Route feature means that the starting point of a race can also be entered as the final destination, avoiding any possible confusion of the plotter being told to sail from ‘A’ to ‘A’, rather than ‘A’ to ‘B’, so you can now literally sail around in circles.
To get to grips with using a chart plotter, a clever simulation package has also been added, so operators can get in some useful practice whilst still safely tied up.
Obtaining the exciting new upgrades couldn’t be easier. Simply complete the online form at www.standardhorizon.co.uk and either fax or email it back to them; a £75 credit card deposit will be required, then the upgrade C-CARD will be sent to you completely free of charge. To download the enhancements, remove the old card, and reboot the plotter with the new one in place. The upgrade will be automatic. Only if the card is not returned within 30 days will a charge be made to your credit card.
The free upgrade will add a host of extra features to an already highly versatile and intuitive range of plotters, and ensure that current Standard Horizon customers remain at the very forefront of software innovation – for no extra charge.