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DaveV

CP300 and E120 Classic Problems

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The Raymarine CP300 depth sounder / fishfinder module is advertised as being a direct replacement for my DSM300 that is unreliable and fails to communicate on SeatalkHS. I purchased and installed the CP300 with my E120 and even reversed the Software version of the CP300 to 3.28 to assure compatibility with the E120 Classic that is running the latest 5.59 revision. The CP300 is connected to a well known Airmar B744V triducer. I can read speed and sea temperature, the SeatalkHS Switch shows high speed data exchange with the E120.

But there is no depth data or computed depth information plotted. The screen shows a depth grid but no data is shown. After running into this problem I discovered searching the web that MANY people have had exactly this problem. I was told by a Raymarine tech to return the unit and demand a new CP370 replacement, but in checking the web the E120 Classic is specifically NOT supported by the new CP370.

Has anyone got any data to indicate if there is a solution? It appears Raymarine is selling under false pretenses that the CP 300 will replace the DSM 300 with the E120 Classic but I cannot find anyone who has actually solve this or gotten the two to work. ANY help on where to turn here would be really appreciated.

3 Replies

  • Where did you see that your E120 Classic is "specifically NOT supported by the new CP370"?

    The CP370 product page lists Compatibility as: aSeries | cSeries | eSeries | gS Series | C-Widescreen | E-Classic | E-Widescreen

    http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=11578

  • Ben-
    If you check on this page you will see that all of the other MFDs have hyperlinks but the E120 Classic specifically does not. http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=11578 then click Specifications and Order Info - only E120 does not have a hyperlink. True it is no longer made and may not have an advert page but Raymarine also claimed the CP300 was compatible. Having a blank hyperlink does not exactly give confidence this new version will be compatible.

    What about the CP300? Is it really toast? Should I pack it up and send back to Raymarine and request the upgrade?

  • Ben-
    Time for me to eat a bit of crow - you were right about CP370 compatibility with E120 Classic.

    I have just installed a new CP370 Fishfinder with my E120 Classic and B744 transducer. It worked first time out of the box and clearly has a far better, clean signal and bottom display than I ever had with the DSM300 previously. I sent back my brand new CP300 (that never functioned correctly) and requested a new CP370 as a replacement. To their great credit they did just that and sent me a new CP370. It worked immediately and all I had to do was basic setup to select the correct transducer.

    So my frustration with Raymarine has faded and I am very pleased with the CP370. I'd recommend it as a new purchase or as a retrofit with the E120 Classic.

    You were right - thanks.
    Dave