Raymarine A4 User Manual

Page2 of 18

WARNING: NAVIGATION AID

This unit is only an aid to navigation. Its accuracy can be affected by many factors,
including equipment failure or defects, environmental conditions, and improper
handling or use.
It is the User's responsibility to exercise common prudence and navigational
judgement. This unit should not be relied upon as a substitute for such prudence
and judgement. Always keep a proper look-out.

CAUTION

Your chartplotter is an aid to navigation and should not be used as a substitute for good navigational
practice nor for official government paper charts. You should always check that a route is safe. Take
every opportunity to compare the displayed objects with visual targets, such as buoys and coastal
structures.

CAUTION

Always check that your route to a waypoint is safe before travelling towards it.

D6722_1

Page 3 of 18

Getting Started

The controls explained

Card No. 1

DATA

Pressing this button
displays the data
functions.

ACTIVE

When multiple windows are open:

- Press to select required window.

- Press and hold to maximise the
current window.

33.33% full size

FIND SHIP GOTO ROUTES... TRACKS... PRESENTATION...

PAGE

Press to scroll through available pages.
Press and hold as a short cut to page set
options.

WPTS/MOB

Press to display the waypoint soft keys.
Press again to place waypoint at your boat's

PAGE

ACTIVE

WPTS/

MOB

DATA

MENU

position.
Press and hold to place a Man Overboard
(MOB) marker at your current position.

MENU

Press to access the set up menus.
Press and hold to access the help

OUT

RANGE

IN

information.

Rotary control

Use to edit alpha-numeric values, and scroll

CANCELOK

through lists.
Turn clockwise to increase value.
Turn counter-clockwise to decrease value.
Press to move the cursor to the next
character when editing text.

Softkeys

Press to select the corres-ponding
function identified by the on-screen
label.

Power

Press once to turn ON.

Trackpad

Controls the on-screen cursor.
Also used to scroll through menu items.
Press the corresponding edge of the
trackpad to move the cursor horizontally,
vertically or diagonally.

Press again to access backlight
functions and scanner controls.
Press and hold to turn display OFF.

RANGE

Press to change the display scale so
that a smaller or larger area can be
seen on the screen.

Chart Card slot

Open the cover to install
CompactFlash cards.

CANCEL

Press to cancel the selected on-screen
option when editing data; also used to
return to the previous set of soft keys
or menu.

OK

Press to select an on-screen option, or return
to the previous set of soft keys or menu.

Where can I find out more about the controls?

Press and hold MENU to display help information for the currently displayed soft keys.

?

For more information on the controls refer to
Chapter 2 - General Operation and System Set Up of the C-Series Display Reference Manual

WARNING: NAVIGATION AID

This unit is only an aid to navigation. Its accuracy can be affected by many factors, including equipment failure
or defects, environmental conditions, and improper handling or use. It is the User's responsibility to exercise
common prudence and navigational judgements.This unit should not be relied upon as a substitute for such

prudence and judgement. Always keep a proper look-out.

D6723_2

Page 4 of 18

Getting Started

…

GOTO

…

FIND SHIP

…

TRACKS

…

PRESENTATION

ROUTE

Using the controls

Card No. 2

How do the controls work?

The controls for your C-Series Display can be separated into two types:
  Buttons
  Soft keys

Buttons - allow you to access various functions of the display, or change what you see on the screen.

Soft keys - There are five soft keys below the screen. When a specific button is pressed the primary

soft key options for the active application are shown at the bottom of the screen.
Pressing a soft key will carry out one of the following functions:

 - take an action.
 - select one of several options.
 - display on-screen information, dialog boxes or menus with new soft keys.
 - display further soft key options.

…

Soft keys sometimes interact with other on-screen controls, such as dialog boxes - to edit names etc,
menus to select options.

WPTS/

MOB

WAYPOINT AT

CURSOR

ERASE WAYPOINT SORT LIST

WAYPOINT AT

VESSEL

WAYPOINT AT

POSITION…

SET DEFAULT SYM

& GROUP...

SET UP DEFAULT
SYMB GROUP

UL

A

F

DE

P

U

T

SE

OU

R

G

B

M

SY

GO TO WAYPOINT

OPTIONS…

WAYPOINT

GROUPS...

T
P

REVIEW AND EDIT

WAYPOINTS...

EDIT WAYPOINT…

EDIT DEFAULT

More information...

?

Press and hold MENU to display help information for the currently displayed soft keys.
For more information on the controls refer to
Chapter 2 - General Operation and System Set Up of the C-Series Display Reference Manual

D6762_2

Getting Started

Inserting CompactFlash cards

Card No. 3

CAUTION

CompactFlash Card Installation

When installing CompactFlash cards ensure that the card is being fitted the correct
way around.
DO NOT try and force the card as this may result in irreparable damage to the
card.

Water Ingress

To prevent the ingress of water and consequent damage to the display, ensure
that the chart card door is firmly closed at all times during operation. This can be
confirmed by an audible click.

Card Removal

DO NOT use a metallic instrument such as a screwdrver or pliers to help you
remove a card, as doing this can cause irreparable damage.

Page 5 of 18

Card Writing

CompactFlash cards can be damaged if they are removed during either a read or
write operation. A warning is displayed during write operations. The unit is
continually reading the card. It is therefore essential that before removing the
card you follow the correct procedure.

How do I insert a CompactFlash card?

Narrow

Groove

Lip

To insert a card, refer to the illustration, and:

1.Check that you are using the correct type of 
 card. Raymarine recommend Navionics Chart 
 cards or SAN DISK CompactFlash cards.

2.Open the chart card door, located on the front 
 left of the display.

3.Insert the card as shown, with the lip of the 
 card facing inwards, it should position easily. If 
 it does not, DO NOT force it, check the direction 
 in which the lip is facing.

4.Gently press the card home.

5.To prevent the ingress of water and consequent 
 damage,close the chart card door and press 
 firmly until a click is heard.

More information.....

?

For more information on using CompactFlash cards refer to Chapter 2 - General Operation &
Sysstem Set Up of the C-Series Reference Manual.

D6724_2

Page 6 of 18

Getting Started

Removing CompactFlash cards

Card No. 4

How do I remove a CompactFlash card?

... with the unit powered down

To remove a card with the unit powered down,
refer to the illustration and:

1. Open the chart card door.

2. Grip the card and pull to remove it from its slot.

3. To prevent the ingress of water and  
 consequent damage, close the chart card door 
 and press firmly until a click is heard.

... with the unit powered

To remove a card with the unit powered, refer to
the illustration, and:

1. Press MENU. The Setup menu is displayed.

2. Use trackpad up/down to highlight CF CARD 
 REMOVAL.

3. Use trackpad right to select. The following 
 message appears:

System checking card access

Please wait until it is safe to remove card....

4. The system will now complete its checks, on 
 completion the following message will appear:

5. Open the chart card door.

6. Grip the card and pull to remove it from its 
 slot.

7. To prevent the ingress of water and  
 consequent, damage close the chart card door 
 and press firmly until a click is heard.

You may now safely remove your CompactFlash card.

Press OK or CANCEL when finished

Improper card removal

If you try to remove a card when the unit is powered, without accessing the SetUp menu, an error
message appears. Follow the instructions given in the message, and refer to the above section of
this card before proceeding.

D6725_2

Page 7 of 18

Getting Started

Setting up the display

Card No. 5

How do I select how the applications are displayed?

The applications are shown using a combination of
page sets, pages and windows.

There are four pre-configured page sets each
containing four pages with a combination of
windows and applications in each.

If these sets are not appropriate, you can use the
custom option to define the combination that suits

Page set

Page

(1, 2, 3 or 4

window options)

your particular needs.
Once you have chosen the required configuration, the same pages, windows and applications will be

opened each time. You can change these preferences as many times as you wish.

Window

How do I select the Page Set?

PAGE

Press

and hold

How do I select a Page?

PAGE

Press

The soft keys reflect the current page set.

The displayed page option is highlighted

How do I select a Window?

For pre-configured page sets:

OK

Press to confirm.

Press up or down

to highlight

required page set.

Selection reflected

on soft keys.

To customise a set:

EDIT CUSTOM SET

Press
and follow
on-screen
instructions.

From multiple to single windows?

PAGE

Press

ACTIVE

Press to

move high-

The active window is

bordered in red.

More information- Refer to the C-Series Display Reference Manual:

?

light to next

window.

Repeat process, to return to multiple windows

ACTIVE

Press

and hold

Chapter 1 - Using the Display
Chapter 2 - General Operation and System Set Up

D6726_2

Page 8 of 18

What can I see?

FIND SHIP GOTO ROUTES TRACKS PRESENTATION

Understanding the chart

Card No. 6

What does the chart show me?

The chart shows a high level of cartographic detail to help:
 - Interpret your surroundings.
 - Navigate to a specific point.
 - Monitor where you are going.
 - Record where you have been.
 - Build and follow routes.

Chart
range

4nm North-Up (Relative Motion) Local

Chart
orientation

Motion
mode

Portside

Chart
view

Status bar

Chart boundary

Gully Ridge

Route

Port point

Creek point

FIND SHIP GOTO… ROUTES… TRACKS… PRESENTATION…

OUT

RANGE

To change the scale and reveal more detail - use the RANGE button.
Press OUT to see a larger area of the chart and press IN to see a smaller area.

IN

To display additional information on a cartographic feature - move the cursor
over the object and press OK.

Cursor

Waypoint

Active waypoint

Current position

Cartographic object

Track

Soft keys

MENU

More information . . .

?

To change the level of cartographic detail displayed on your chart - press MENU,
select Cartography Setup and then toggle the appropriate feature to ON or OFF.

For more information on setting up your display refer to:
Chapter 4 - Using the Chartplotter of the C-Series Reference Manual

D6727-2

Page 9 of 18

FIND SHIP GOTO ROUTES TRACKS PRESENTATION

What can I see?

What can I see?

Using the chart ...

Using the chart ...

Card No. 7

Card No. 7

How do I find where I am on the chart?

If you cannot find your boat's position on the screen:

FIND SHIP

Press

How do I change the chart orientation?

FIND SHIP GOTO ROUTES TRACKS PRESENTATION

The screen automatically
pans to your boat's position.

The orientation of the chart refers to the relationship between
the chart and the direction that you are travelling in. It is used
in conjunction with motion mode (see below) to control how
your boat and chart relate to one another and how they are
displayed on screen.

The default mode for chart orientation is North Up (N-up). This
means that your chart is displayed with true north upwards. As

North-up

your heading changes the boat symbol moves accordingly.

If necessary, you can change the
orientation to Head Up (H-up) or

PRESENTATION...

CHART MODE AND

ORIENTATION...

ORIENTATION

H-UP N-UP C-UP

Course Up (C-up), using the
PRESENTATION soft keys.

Press

Press

Press

How do I change how my boat moves on the chart?

How your boat moves on the screen is referred to as the motion mode. The default setting for the
chart is Relative Motion. This means that your boat, (shown as ) is fixed on the screen and the
chart moves relative to your boat e.g.

If necessary, you can change the
motion mode to True (TM) or
Autorange (AR), using the
PRESENTATION soft keys.

More information ....

?

For more information on setting up your display refer to:
Chapter 4 - Using the Chartplotter of the C-Series Reference Manual

PRESENTATION...

Press

CHART MODE AND

ORIENTATION...

Press

MOTION MODE

TM RM AR

Press

D6740_2

Page 10 of 18

Basic Navigation

WAYPOINT AT

CURSOR

WAYPOINT AT

VESSEL

WAYPOINT AT

POSITION ...

GO TO WAYPOINT

OPTIONS ...

REVIEW AND EDIT

WAYPOINTS

Working with Waypoints

Card No. 8

What is a waypoint?

A waypoint is a position marked on a chart, radar or fishfinder screen to indicate a site (for fishing, diving
etc), or as a position to go to. You can place a waypoint at the cursor position, your boat's position or at
a specified position (using Lat/Long or Loran TD co-ordinates). Waypoints are represented in chart or
radar applications as an 'X' - this can be changed if required and by a horizontal line labelled WPT in
Fishfinder. The details of each waypoint is stored in a waypoint list which can hold up to 1000 waypoints.
Infrequently used waypoints can be archived to a CompactFlash card or transferred to another NMEA
compatible instrument. Waypoints can be renamed, edited, grouped, or erased, as necessary. To make
full use of waypoint features, ensure your display is receiving heading and position data.

How do I place a waypoint ...

... at the cursor?

Move cursor to

required position

using trackpad.

WPTS/

MOB

Press

WAYPOINT AT

CURSOR

Press

... at the vessel?

WPTS/

MOB

WAYPOINT AT

Press

CURSOR

Press

... OR

WPTS/

MOB

Press x2

How do I navigate to a waypoint ...

... using the cursor?

GO TO WAYPOINT

Place the cursor over

the appropriate waypoint.

... using the waypoint list?

WPTS/

MOB

GO TO WAYPOINT

OPTIONS

...

Press

Press

More information ...

?

For more information on waypoints refer to:
Chapter 3 - Working with Waypoints of the
C-Series Reference Manual

Press

GO TO WAYPOINT

Highlight

required

Press

waypoint

CAUTION
Always check that your route to a waypoint

is safe before travelling towards it.

D6729_2

Page 11 of 18

Basic Navigation

SHOW/HIDE

ROUTES

FOLLOW ROUTE

OPTIONS

BUILD NEW ROUTE

TRACKS

REVIEW AND EDIT

ROUTES

How do I get to a point?

Card No. 9

What is a route?

A route is made up of a series of waypoints. These waypoints can either be placed specifically for that
route and/or you can use existing waypoints. You can save a route for future use or follow it immediately
(Quick Route).

Routes can be named, edited, erased and archived. After routes have been created you can choose which
ones are displayed on your chart.

If a route is being followed, i.e. the active route, the current leg is shown as a dotted line and any
previous legs are removed from the screen, although any waypoints will remain displayed.

How do I build a route by placing waypoints on screen?

OUT

RANGE

IN

ROUTE...

BUILD NEW

ROUTE

Move cursor into
appropriate area

Select a

suitable scale

BUILD NEW

ROUTE

Move cursor to

required position

Press

for first waypoint

SAVE ROUTE

PRESS

If you place a waypoint in the incorrect position,
press UNDO WAYPOINT.

Press

Move cursor to required

position for next waypoint.

A dotted line appears

between previous

waypoint and cursor.

OK

PRESS

UNDO WAYPOINT

Press

PLACE WAYPOINT

The dotted line

will change to

a solid one.

More information ....

?

Press

For more information on routes refer to:
Chapter 4 - Using the Chartplotter of the C-Series Reference Manual

D6730_2

Page 12 of 18

What is around me?

VRM/EBL

Understanding the radar

Card No. 10

What does the radar show me?....

Data bar

Range

Range
ring

Boat's
position

3nm

Orientation

Head-Up Relative Motion Rings ½nm

Motion mode Range ring spacing

TARGET

TRACKING

GAIN TARGETS PRESENTATION

Icon
confirming
radar
connection

Ship's
heading
marker

Surface
vessel

Landmass

VRM/EBL… GAIN…

TARGET

TRACKING…

TARGETS

DISPLAY…

PRESENTATION…

Waypoint

Typically your boats position is at the centre of the display, and its dead ahead bearing is indicated by a
vertical heading line, known as the Ship's Heading Marker (SHM).

Remember that the radar picture may vary from visual observations that you make; a nearby small object
may appear the same size on the screen as a distant large object. However, with experience the
approximate size of different objects can be determined by the relative size and brightness of the echoes.

More information ....

?

For more information on Radar and how to use it refer to:
Chapter 5 - Using the Radar of the C-Series Display Reference Manual

D6731_2

Page 13 of 18

What is around me?

VRM/EBL

TARGET

TRACKING

GAIN TARGETS PRESENTATION

Using the radar....

Card No. 11

How can the radar help me avoid a collision?

You can set up your C-Series Display to sound an alarm when anything comes within a pre-set range of
the boat. This will allow you to take any necessary action to avoid a collision.

Guard zones

A sector or circular zone fixed with respect to the Ships Heading Marker (SHM). As the SHM moves or if
the centre is offset, or the range scale changes the zone moves accordingly.

MARPA

This function is used to track and analyse the risk of collision of up to ten individual targets.

What does a guard zone displayed?

SHM

SHM

IMPORTANT:
A guard zone will only operate when a whole
zone is displayed on the screen, or is displayed
by offsetting the centre. A guard zone is also
inactive for 10 seconds after it is placed or re­sized, to avoid inappropriate alarms.

Sector Zone

Circular Zone

How do I set up a circular guard zone?

1. Select guard zone function:

TARGET

TRACKING...

Press

2. Select guard zone option:

SECTOR CIRCLE

Toggle to

required type

NOTE: You can also set up a sector guard zone.

MONITOR

IN ZONES...

ZONE 1

OFF ON

Press Toggle to ON

SET INNER

Turn to set

Press Press

inner boundary.
Press to accept.

SET UP

ZONE 1

Press

SET OUTER

ZONE SHAPE

Press

OK

Press

Turn to set

outer boundary.

More information....

?

For more information on setting up and using guard zones refer to:
Chapter 5 - Using the radar of the C-Series Reference Manual

D6732_2

Page 14 of 18

What is around me?

MONITOR
IN ZONES

ACQUIRE TARGET MARPA LIST MARPA OPTIONS

Using MARPA....

Card No. 12

What is MARPA?

Mini Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (MARPA) functions are use for target tracking and risk analysis.
MARPA improves your standards of collision avoidance by obtaining detailed information for up to 10
targets, and provides continuous and rapid situation evaluation.

MARPA tracks the selected targets and calculates target bearing, range, true speed, course, Closest Point
of Approach (CPA), and Time to Closest Point of Approach (TCPA). Each tracked target can be displayed
with a CPA graphic depicting the approximate target speed (vector length) and course (vector direction).
The calculated target data can also be shown on the screen. Each target is continually assessed and an
audible alarm is sounded if a target becomes dangerous or is lost.

How do I set up the MARPA functions?

TARGET

TRACKING...

MARPA

OPTIONS...

OK

Press

Press

How do I acquire a MARPA target?

Move cursor over

target to acquire

TARGET

TRACKING

Press

ACQUIRE TARGET

Press

How do I view details of MARPA targets?

MARPA LIST...

Press up/down

to select option.

Press right to

Turn to

alter option

value.

select value.

Repeat to
acquire further
targets (10 max)

Selected target

now acquired

How do I cancel MARPA target(s)?

CANCEL TARGET

Press

Press

Tracked targets with data listed.

More information.....

?

Move cursor

over target

For more information on MARPA functions refer to:
Chapter 5 - Using the radar of the C-Series Reference Manual

Alternately, use MARPA LIST
to cancel all or selected
MARPA targets.

Press

D6733_2

Page 15 of 18

Where am I?

FIND SHIP GOTO ROUTES TRACKS PRESENTATION

Monitoring a course....

Card No. 13

How do I monitor my course?....

With your display receiving accurate heading and position information, you can use the Course Deviation
Indicator (CDI) to monitor your course and accurately steer to a target waypoint.

What does the CDI show me?....

The CDI gives a graphical representation of your boat's course. This 'rolling road' format represents
a width of sea equal to the Cross Track Error (XTE) limits that you have specified in the Setup menu.
As you travel towards the target waypoint, the checkered pattern moves down the screen to
simulate movement at a rate proportional to your boat's speed.

Status bar

'Rolling road'

3nm North-Up Relative Motion Local

Direction to
next waypoint

Target waypoint

FIND SHIP GOTO… ROUTES… TRACKS… PRESENTATION…

Correction

arrow

Boat

What do the steering instructions tell me?

On course

XTE

0.000nm

Target

waypoint

0ff course

On course

line

Data bar

XTE

0.027nm

Boat on center line.
Zero XTE

More information.....

?

Boat off center line.
Correction arrow(s) indicate direction to steer

to maintain course to target waypoint.
The greater the XTE, the more arrows.

For more information on monitoring a course, refer to:
Chapter 7 - Using the CDI of the C-Series Reference Manual

D6734_2

Page 17 of 18

Whats under the boat?

TRANSDUCER

SETTINGS

ZOOM BOTTOM LOCK A - SCOPE PRESENTATION

Using the fishfinder....

Card No. 15

How do I change the range or shift the image?

Your system automatically adjusts the display depth range, selecting the shallowest that keeps the
bottom on the lower half of the window. You can however set this manually if required and move
the image within the selected page up or down:

OUT

RANGE

IN

Press RANGE

(IN or OUT)

RANGE

AUTO MAN

Press

Press RANGE IN to

decrease the depth.

Press RANGE OUT to

increase the depth.

Note: Using the range controls will affect all fishfinder windows.

OUT

RANGE

IN

RANGE SHIFT

XX FT

Press

Turn to alter

shift value.

How do I select the operating frequency?

The fishfinder uses dual frequency sonar - 50 kHz and 200 kHz - and can be used in auto or manual
modes. In auto mode it will automatically select the most appropriate frequency at which to operate.
Alternatively you have the option of manually selecting either frequency.

FISHFINDER
SETTINGS...

Press

FREQUENCY...

Press Select MAN

FREQUENCY

AUTO MAN

FREQ MODE

SINGLE DUAL

Select SINGLE

SELECT FREQ

200 50

Select the required

operating frequency

How do I zoom in on an area of the screen?

ZOOM...

Press Select pre-defined

Select ON, for zoom

ZOOM

ON SPLIT MAN

image only.

Select SPLIT, for zoom

and fishfinder image.

*Selecting manual zoom range (xR) is described in the C-Series Reference Manual

ZOOM FACTOR

x2 x3 x4 xR

zoom level

(x2, x3 or x4)*

OK

Press

More information

?

For more information on using the fishfinder refer to:
Chapter 3 - Working with Waypoints
Chapter 6 - Using the Fishfinder of the C-Series Reference Manual

D6736_2

Page18 of 18

Raymarine Ltd.

Anchorage Park
Portsmouth, Hampshire
England PO3 5TD
[phone]
[phone] fax
www.raymarine.com

Raymarine Inc.

22 Cotton Road, Unit D
Nashua, NH 03063-4219
USA
603-881-5200
603-864-4756 fax
www.raymarine.com

D6826_1