Furuno software upgrade

[Tijereta]

I have a Furuno 1833C radar/chartplotter that I purchased new in march 2003.I understand that there is a software upgrade that will make the unit faster.When I take it to a Furuno dealer,how will he do the upgrade and while I am there is there anything else I could ask him to do that will make the unit work better.Is this service part of the warranty or should I expect to pay for it?

[Saltdog]

I have the same unit. You can do it yourself without removing the unit from the boat. Your dealer should be able to loan you a data card that you can put in the chart card slot to do the software update. Just stick it in, turn on the machine, and it will automatically load the updated software.

First check your version number (displayed at startup) to make sure of what you have and back up your waypoints to be safe.

If you take it to the dealer you bought it from, he might or might not charge you -- just depends. It is not considered a warranty item, so it is up to the dealer.

I'd suggest that if there is nothing operationally wrong, just get the card and do it yourself. The dealer should be willing to let you do that for free.

You might consider having a tech go to the boat and tune your radar -- that can make a big difference in performance, but of course can;t be done in the shop.

[edk]

Have you had the update done via the data card? I was told that it needed to be done from a laptop connected to the network port. I can do it just as easily either way, but my neighbor has much more limited access to the back of his 1833 - it would be much easier for him if he can use the card.

Ed

[dpdash]

I believe I was told at the Miami show that the Navnet's needed a service tech's laptop, not just inserting a card in the slot.

[Saltdog]

I hope I did not mislead anyone about using the data card, but that is what my dealer told me in December. I just sent him a note since we had agreed that he would wait and send it to me in March to do the update on my unit in case Furuno released a later version.

I should be able to get a definitive answer and I will post it.

[Wayne Tj]

Here's the deal, my 1823C unit is in the shop right now having it's software updated. BTW, my unit is less than a year old and it is 8 versions behind

Latest NavNet Software versions are:
C-Map - version 19
Navionics - version 15

The latest version of both increased the redraw rate by 150%, according to the Furuno tech that I spoke to last week.

According to my local Furuno dealer (New York Marine Electronics, Port Jefferson, NY), the software upgrade must be done by a certified technician or directly by Furuno. Some Furuno resellers, like the one I bought all my electronics from (Consumers Marine Electronics) does not have a certified tech to do the upgrade, so they recommend that you send it back to Furuno. However the local dealer, who doesn't know me from a hole in the wall, said that he can do it and as Furuno policy there is no charge for the upgrade While I was in his shop he also said that he will match anyone's price on Furuno equipment - guess who's getting all my future business.

[Saltdog]

Wayne is 100% correct, as I just learned. The upgrade can only be done by a PC connection so you do need a Furuno dealer involved. Funny part is that one of the software changes is apparently to allow future upgrades to be done with a data card.

[Tijereta]

Thank you for your responses,I will be calling Bethel Marine in Melborne,they have a certified technitian.I will post after it is done.
I had the radar tuned last year,mine was off 180*,it was worth the $70.The only problem that I have is that during storms, evrything paints red,and other boats and markers are not easily distinguished.I am going to make sure it is set in true color so that storms paint green and other echoes red.

[troll]

You can set multi-color echos in the Radar setup menu. Bear in mind however boats, markers, and heavy rain do not necessarily show up in different colors. The color only indicates the relative strength of the echo return. Expect drizzle and distant showers to be lighter. In nearby rain you will need to use the Rain A/C to help distinguish other targets from the rain.