Northstar Explorer 660 firmware/maps update

akis

Recruit
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
3
Hello,

I have recently bought a 2009 boat with a Northstar Explorer 660 chartplotter and would like to know if it might be possible to update its maps/firmware? The manual states it uses special C-MAP cards - maybe I can get new charts like that?
 

akis

Recruit
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
3
Belated thank you! Not sure if I had seen your reply. I had to look at an old photo to determine what GPS system I had on the boat, and that lead me here.

Last summer the transducer's wire got caught / transuder got knocked in the shallows, the fish finder stopped working and the depth meter is playing up.

Plus I was not able to update the maps which show some very, very dangerous shallows (rocks) at the long place, about 200 yards out!! Almost crashed!

I wanted to buy a new GPS system that I will be able to download/update the maps, good depth meter, and good screen in the sun light. I do not care about fish finder but all I can see is fishfinders.

Could you suggest anything to me please?
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,319
If Belated thank you! Not sure if I had seen your reply. I had to look at an old photo to determine what GPS system I had on the boat, and that lead me here.

Last summer the transducer's wire got caught / transuder got knocked in the shallows, the fish finder stopped working and the depth meter is playing up.

Plus I was not able to update the maps which show some very, very dangerous shallows (rocks) at the long place, about 200 yards out!! Almost crashed!
Doubt the rocks where in the “wrong” place. Sand bars move, obstructions sink, etc. but rocks done move…..More than likely the datum reference was wrong
I wanted to buy a new GPS system that I will be able to download/update the maps, good depth meter, and good screen in the sun light. I do not care about fish finder but all I can see is fishfinders.
Not sure what your looking for.
You want a unit with good depth meter (sonar) but don’t want a unit with sonar (fish finder)?

A “fish finder” is simply a unit that includes with a graphical display of the water under the boat. A very valuable navigation tool when running in unknown waters

If you are insistent upon a secondary source of sonar readings, there are lots of chart plotters (w/o sonar) called Multi Function Displays (MFD). The Garmin GPSMAP series w/o SV or XS are plotting only units.

Simply biting the bullet and going with a “fish finder” is the most practical and economical solution to your problem.
 
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