Simrad MX500 Manual Manual
Manual
Simrad MX500
Navigation System
English
www.simrad-yachting.com A brand by Navico - Leader in Marine Electronics
Manual
Simrad MX500
Navigation System
English
Document no: 500 100 2003
Revision: C
Date: April 2009
The original language for this document is English. In the
event of any discrepancy between translated versions
and the English version of this document, the English
document will be the official version.
To the best of our knowledge, the content in this
publication was correct at the time of printing.
As we are continuously improving our products we
retain the right to make changes to the product and
the documentation at any time. Updated manuals are
available from our website www.simrad-yachting.com,
and are free to download.
© Copyright 2009 by Navico Holding AS.
2 | MX500
IMPORTANT NOTICE!!
THE MX500 IS AN AID TO NAVIGATION ONLY.
Under no circumstances should it be used in lieu of
authorized government charts. Its accuracy can be
affected by many factors such as equipment defects,
environmental conditions, or improper operation. The
user is responsible for safe navigation of the vessel.
This includes consulting authorized government charts
and exercising common prudence and navigational
judgement at all times.
How to contact us?
Contact your local Simrad dealer for:
Installation, Service, & Technical Support •
Sales of Accessories •
Hardware and Software Upgrades •
Unlike many other consumer electronics industries which
only sell consumer electronic devices, your marine dealer
is often your best advisor for installation and service of
your new GPS receiver. Simrad strongly encourages you
to utilize the knowledge and experience of your sales and
service dealer.
Should you need to contact us directly for new sales,
upgrades, repair service, or technical support, we can be
reached at the following:
International:
MX Marine (USA)
A Division of NAVICO, Inc.
23868 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 201
Torrance, California 90505
USA
+1 310 791 8213 (Telephone)
+1 310 791 6108 (Fax)
www.mx-marine.com
In Europe:
Navico UK Ltd
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey, Hampshire
SO51 9DH
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1794 510010 (Telephone)
+44 (0)1794 510006 (Fax)
www.navico.com
MX500 | 3
Symbols Used In This Manual
!
Danger
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Warning
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Caution
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury and/
or appreciable material, financial and environmental
damage. This symbol is also used to alert against unsafe
practices.
Important paragraphs which must be adhered to in
practice, as they enable the product to be used in a
technically correct and efficient manner.
This manual contains important safety directions as
well as instructions for setting up the instrument and
operating it. Read carefully through the Operator’s &
Installation Manual before you switch on the instrument.
Blank page
4 | MX500
Contents
AIS
9
YZ
1 General ....................................................... 9
Related Documents .......................................9
About GPS Navigation .................................. 10
Special Notes ............................................. 11
MX500 USB Feature Overview ...................... 12
MX500 Networking Overview ....................... 12
Network Cables & Waterproong: .................. 13
2 Basic Operation ........................................ 15
Functional Description .................................15
DGPS Beacon System .................................. 19
Keypad & Display Description ....................... 20
Differential GPS Trafc Light Operation: ......... 21
GPS Trafc Light Operation: ......................... 22
The Display: ............................................... 24
+ Virtual Softkeys: .............................. 24
The Function Keys: ...................................... 25
Mark Position/MAN OVER BOARD (MOB)
Key 26
Automatic Identication System (AIS)....30
Navigate .................................................... 30
Dead Reckoning .......................................... 32
NAV1 - The Panorama Screen ....................... 32
Route ........................................................ 41
RTE1 - The Active Route .............................. 42
MX500 | 5
6 | MX500
SOG Based on Arrival Date & Time: ...............58
RTE2 - The Route Bank ................................ 59
Waypoint ................................................... 61
Creating and Editing Waypoints ..................... 62
Removing Waypoints ................................... 69
Moving waypoints ....................................... 71
Uploading Waypoints from a Personal Computer
78
Mark or MOB ...................................... 80
GOTO ................................................ 81
Plot 83
Man Over Board .................................89
Tide 95
Position .....................................................99
GPS 103
3 Advanced Operation ............................... 111
Conguration.............................................111
Anchor - Anchor Watch Alarm ..................... 112
COG SOG - Course & Speed Filter Settings &
Setup ...................................................... 112
Compass - External Compass Input & Magnetic
Variation Table .......................................... 113
Security ....................................................147
Serial I/O ..................................................147
Time - Mode and Format Control ................. 148
Wpt & Rte Input - Uploading Waypoints into the
Receiver .................................................. 151
MX500 | 7
4 Installation ............................................. 153
List of Components ................................... 153
Mechanical and installation drawings ........... 155
MX500 Electrical Installation Drawings ......... 160
Installation notes ...................................... 168
Equipment Interfacing ............................... 175
Troubleshooting Guide ............................... 188
Software Update Procedure ........................ 191
5 Specications ......................................... 195
MX521/MX525 Smart D/GPS Antenna .......... 195
MX500 Control and Display Unit (CDU) ......... 195
Appendix A - Datum List ............................ 201
Appendix B - Beacon List ........................... 203
Appendix C - Engineering Mode ................. 221
Appendix D - Multiple Unit Control (Via LAN
Connection) ............................................... 227
Appendix E - Demonstration Mode ............ 233
Appendix F - Glossary ................................ 235
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8 | MX500
1 General
This manual reflects the software capabilities in version
3.0 software.
We have attempted to take care and develop manuals
which provide in-depth information. Where possible, we
have attempted not only to describe what you see on
the screen, but how to understand and use it as well.
Obviously, we can’t teach you how to navigate, but we
can help make your work more thorough and enjoyable.
Throughout the manual, you will find helpful hints about
the interaction of various functions. In a piece of equipment that has the many capabilities of this receiver, important details can sometimes become obscured in one
or two lines of text. In our effort to ensure you get the
most out of this documentation, and to protect against
important details becoming lost, don’t be surprised if you
see the same or similar information more than once.
This manual is organized by describing first the MX500
model covered in this book. Then the special front panel
features including the traffic light indicator and USB
connector. The sections that follow detail each primary
function as it is presented on the front panel (i.e. NAV,
RTE, WPT, PLOT, ...CFG). The appedixes describe important details about special functions and installation of the
MX500.
We hope you find the manual enjoyable and informative reading. As always, we welcome your comments on
improving our products or manuals. We wouldn’t mind
if you wrote to tell us that we did the job right the first
time either. You can find a Reader Comment Card at the
back of the manual.
Related Documents
MX500 Quick Reference Guide (P/N 500 100 2003)
Simrad MX500 | 9
10 | Simrad MX500
About GPS Navigation
This GPS receiver is a precision navigation instrument
utilizing the latest technology available today to provide
optimum performance from the GPS satellite and Beacon
land signals received. As with all other forms of radio
signals, the ultimate navigation result is dependent upon
the quality of these signals. Radio signals may, on occasion, be distorted, jammed, or otherwise incorrect. As a
result, your position accuracy may occasionally be less
than that which can normally be expected.
The Navstar Global Positioning System, commonly referred to as GPS, is a satel lite navigation system developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide both
military and civilian users with highly accurate, worldwide, three dimensional navigation and time. By receiving signals from orbiting GPS satellites, authorized users
are able to continuously navigate with an accuracy on the
order of 5 meters 2D RMS or better
A technique referred to as Differential GPS (DGPS), allows users to obtain maximum accuracy from the GPS
system. DGPS requires the use of two GPS receivers.
One receiver, known as the Reference Station, is placed
at a surveyed location, the coordinates of which are precisely known. The purpose of the differential GPS system
is to use the reference station to measure the errors in
the GPS signals and to compute corrections to remove
the errors. The corrections are then communicated in
real-time to the navigators, where they are combined
with the satellite signals received by the navigators,
thereby improving their navigation or positioning. The
geographic validity of these corrections decreases with
distance from the reference station, but the corrections
are valid for navigators hundreds of kilometers from the
reference station.
Marine radio beacons operating in the 283.5 to 325.0 KHz
frequency range are in widespread use for direction finding in coastal navigation. Because the beacon system has
been in place and widely used for many years, it provides
an effective means for the transmission of DGPS signals.
Depending on their local environment and power output,
their signals may be usable to several hundred miles.
Marine beacons provide an economical means of obtaining DGPS accuracy for coastal navigators. GPS receivers
Simrad MX500 | 11
with built-in beacon receivers are designed to provide low
cost reception of DGPS corrections broadcast (normally
free of charge) by coastal authorities.
Special Notes
GPS
Never rely solely on any single navigational aid. Always
use whatever information is available, and cross-check
information when possible. GPS expected position accuracy is dependent upon multipath environment, number
of satellites in view, baseline length (for local services),
ionospheric activity, and HDOP. The derived speed and
course readings may be hampered accordingly. The GPS
system was declared operational in 1994; however, the
system’s availability and accuracy are subject to change
at the discretion of the U.S. Department of Defense.
DGPS
This GPS receiver’s position accuracy is dependent upon
ionospheric activity, multipath, subject to the availability,
accuracy, and control of the DGPS correction transmission from the Beacon Station.
The beacon radio signal which carries the DGPS corrections may be hampered by weather conditions such as
heavy rain, snow, and thunder storms. The beacon radio
signal may also be interrupted by powerful radio transmitters operating in long wavelength bands.
Charts and Navigational Aids
Positions obtained from charts are not always as accurate as your navigator (due to environmental changes,
the dates of charts, and datum offsets if the datum differs from the one in use by the navigator). The position
of a floating aid can differ due to tide, set and drift.
Compass Safe Distance
> 1 meter
12 | Simrad MX500
MX500 USB Feature Overview
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and is a data port
in the MX500 that allows the use of USB flash drive
(memory stick) to save and restore waypoints, routes
and configuration data. In addition it can also be used to
download the MX500 firmware for software updates. Not
all commercially available USB flash drives are compatible with the MX500.
USB Formatting:
Before the USB device (i.e. flash drive) can be used for
the MX500, it is important to format it to FAT32 file system. This is available from any PC running Windows XP or
higher.
USB Waterproong:
When the USB port in the MX500 is not in use, please
close the rubber flap in order to maintain splashproof
integrity.
Do not remove the USB rubber ap completely from
the MX500 unit. This will affect the splashproof
integrity.
MX500 Networking Overview
The MX500 networking technology lets you connect two
or more MX500 units in Dual-Control or Multiple Unit
Control configuration via LAN (Local Area Networking)
in order to share navigation data among the units. A
change to routes and waypoints in the master or in a
slave unit is mirrored on all the networked units.
One MX500 is designated as the master and all others as
slaves or repeaters. The only restrictions on the networking are the following:
There must be one and only one master unit operat- •
ing in a network.
All MX500 units must have the same software version. •
Simrad MX500 | 13
A maximum of five units may be connected in a net- •
work.
In a Multiple Unit Control (three or more units) net- •
working system, all Slave and Repeater units must be
enabled in CFG1/Dual Contrl before enabling it in the
Master unit.
The MX antenna sensor is connected to the master unit
and in turn shares its position to all the slaves.
Network Cables & Waterproong:
If all components are located in dry areas and do not
require waterproof cables and connectors, standard offthe-shelf Ethernet cables can be used. These cables are
available in a variety of lengths and can be obtained from
sources that carry computer networking supplies. The installer should ensure that the cable is category 5 (CAT5)
or category 5e (CAT5e) cable. Other cables, particularly
voice grade cables, look very similar but will not work as
part of the MX500 network system.
Any connector exposed to the weather or possibility of
exposure need to be waterproof. Cables can be ordered
from SIMRAD with waterproof connectors installed on
both ends. Cables are also available with a waterproof
connector on one end and a non-waterproof connector on
the other end.
The simplest way to interconnect a network consisting
of just two MX500 units (Dual Control configuration) is
to use an Ethernet cross-over (null) cable. A cross-over
cable eliminates the need for an Ethernet switch.
When more than two MX500 units (Multiple Unit Control
configuration) are being connected, or if you wish
to leave room for future expansion, use an Ethernet
switch that serves as a common connection point for
all the units. Do not use cross-over cables with an
Ethernet switch.
The table 1a below shows all the waterproof network
cables that SIMRAD offers for the MX500.
Item Component Part Number
1.0
LAN Patch Cable Assembly (3 m)
(RJ45, si ngle-ended waterproof
connector)
1.1 LAN Cross-over Cable (3 m)
(RJ45, double-ended waterproof
connectors)
500 100 4 004
500 100 4 005
Ty pe
C AT 5
Cross-over
Table 1a: MX500 Waterproof Network Cables
Manufactu rer
Northstar P/N
Speed(Mbits)
Model
Netgear
Ports
FS108
10/100 Auto
8
ADAM
6520
SW103 5
Ethernet Switches:
Ethernet switches allow for the interconnection of more
than two MX500 units. Each MX500 can exchange data
with any other MX500 connected to the switch.
For non-waterproof switches, any standard 10/100 Mbit
Ethernet switch can be used. These devices generally come with a power adapter which is plugged into a
110VAC (or 220VAC) power outlet.
Fully waterproof, 10-32VDC powered switches are available from Woodhead Connectivity Ltd.
SIMRAD recommends the following Ethernet switches using standard Category 5 cables:
Table 1b: Ethernet Switches
14 | Simrad MX500
2 Basic Operation
MX 422 Professional DGPS Navigator
MX500 CDU
MX Smart GPS Antenna
Functional Description
MX500 Congurations
The MX500 Navigation System is available in several configurations. Please refer to the Auxiliary Unit Information
section of the manual to view sample screens to identify
your particular model. Described below are the various
MX500 configurations and their differences.
MX500 GPS
This MX500 CDU configuration is equipped with two (2)
bidirectional user NMEA ports and one (1) high-speed
Local Area Network (LAN) port. It is supplied with a GPS
only smart antenna unit.
Basic MX500 GPS & DGPS Configuration
MX500 DGPS
This MX500 CDU is supplied with an MX combined
GPS and Beacon smart antenna (MX421B-10, MX521A,
MX525A, MX575A). The smart DGPS antenna unit can
achieve 1-2 meter accuracy in areas with good beacon
differential coverage.
LAN port must be setup before enabling this feature. The
units can be connected over an Ethernet cross-over cable
or using an Ethernet switch.
Simrad MX500 | 15
16 | Simrad MX500
MX 422 Professional DGPS Navigator
MX500 CDU
MX Smart GPS Antenna
MX 422 Professional DGPS Navigator
MX500 CDU
LAN
(Host)
(Client 1)
Mast er unit
Slave unit
MX500/DC (Dual Control)
This is a dual-control CDU system where one MX500 (operating as a master) and the other (operating as a slave)
are supplied. Only one smart DGPS antenna is required.
The antenna unit is connected only to the MX500 master
unit.
LAN port must be setup before enabling this feature. The
units can be connected together over an Ethernet crossover cable or using an Ethernet switch.
MX500 BR Beacon and Remote Configuration
MX500/BRIM (Backup Receiver Integrity
Monitoring)
This is an enhanced Dual-Control configuration wherein
two MX500 CDUs and two smart DGPS antennas are supplied. The two MX500 units are connected in dual-control
configuration but they operate as independent navigator
units with dedicated antennas. The Dual Control Integrity
Monitoring (IM) feature is a software option that works in
the MX500 CDU hardware.
This configuration allows data to be shared between two
remotely separated stations (i.e. navigator’s station and
helmsman’s station), with independent access to various information fields. The purpose of this configuration
is to enable each CDU to calculate its own position, then
check the operational status of the other GPS receiver.
The GPS receiver with the best overall operational status
then provides the system position. This provides a fully
redundant system, with self-recovery capabilities.
Simrad MX500 | 17
LAN port must be setup before enabling this feature. The
MX 422 Professional DGPS Navigator
MX500 CDU
MX 422 Professional DGPS Navigator
MX500 CDU
LAN
(Host)
(Client 1)
Master unit Slave unit
MX Smart GPS Antenna
units can be connected over an Ethernet cross-over cable
or using an Ethernet switch.
MX500/BRIM System Configuration
MX500/MUC (Multiple Unit Control)
This is a multiple unit control CDU system where one
MX500 operates as a master, at least one (maximum of
two) MX500 operates as a slave, and up to three (if any)
MX500 operate as a repeater are supplied. The multiple
unit control CDU system must contain a minimum of
three MX500 and a maximum of five MX500 units altogether. Only one smart DGPS antenna is required. The
antenna unit is connected only to the MX500 master unit.
LAN port must be setup before enabling this feature.
The units must be connected together using an Ethernet
switch.
18 | Simrad MX500
MX 422 Professional DGPS Navigator
MX500 CDU
MX Smart GPS Antenna
MX 422 Professional DGP S Navigator
MX500 CDU
LAN
(Host)
(Client 1)
MX 422 Professional DGP S Navigator
MX500 CDU
(Client 2)
MX 422 Professional DGP S Navigator
MX500 CDU
(Client 3)
MX 422 Professional DGP S Navigator
MX500 CDU
(Client 4)
Master unit
Slave unit #1
Slave unit #2
Repeater unit #1
Repeater unit #2
Hub/Switch/Router
LAN
LAN
L
A
N
L
AN
this product line simply as the MX500 CDU or navigator.
Where distinction between models is necessary, the par-
1) In general, this manual will refer to all versions of
ticular model type will be indicated.
2) Six smart GPS/DGPS antenna models are compatible with the MX500 CDU. They are the MX421-10 (GPS),
MX421B-10(DGPS), MX525A (DGPS only), MX521G(GPS),
MX521A(DGPS), and MX575A Satellite Compass.
Simrad MX500 | 19
DGPS Beacon System
5271-01C.500
Navigator Site
MX 50M
DGPS Beac on Modulat or
MX 9400R
DGPS R efere nce
Reference Station Site
MX 9400N
DGPS Navigator
MX 51R
Integrity Monitor Site
Surveyors / Commercial
Users
Professional / Commercial /
Personal Craft Users
As Maritime Safety Administrations, Navy, and Coast
Guard Organizations realize the limitations of standard
GPS positioning, many have begun installing DGPS
Beacon Stations. While an understanding of this system
is not necessary for operating receivers with internal
beacon receivers, you may want to read on to have a
better understanding of how your receiver is capable of
achieving the high levels of accuracy made possible by
this network of transmitters.
The DGPS Beacon System is comprised of three segments: the reference station, Integrity Monitor (IM)
equipment located at the beacon site, and the Navigator
equipment located on board the user’s boat or vehicle.
The DGPS beacon system design is illustrated below.
Because of the limited range of the beacon transmitters,
typically 150 to 400 km, the corrections generated by
the reference station are always valid for users who can
receive the correction signals and maintain a 5 meter or
better accuracy figure.
20 | Simrad MX500
Keypad & Display Description
Traffic
Lights
Function Keys
Display
Cursor Key
Select
Virtual Softkey
USB
Connector
Refer to the illustration above. The Traffic Lights on the
left side of the display will tell you how your navigator is
operating.
You need to take care in reading the trafc light indications, as there are overlapping possibilities between the
GPS and DGPS modes. If you are unsure of the current
operating mode, select the CFG function key and scroll
down to the DGPS selection. If the DGPS mode is selected to anything other than Off, then follow the Differential
GPS Trafc Light Operation. If the DGPS mode is selected
to Off, then follow the GPS Trafc Light Operation.
Simrad MX500 | 21
Differential GPS Trafc Light Operation:
!
Red Flashing
Not tracking satellites (no position update). This
is normal for the first 2 minutes or so when turning the
unit on. The very first time you turn the unit on, or if
the memory is reset or lost, this condition is also normal. Allow the receiver to run for at least 30 minutes
under these circumstances. If it still does not change
to Red Solid, refer to the troubleshooting section in the
Installation section of this manual.
Red/Yellow Solid
Dead Reckoning. When normal GPS or DGPS operation
is not available, this LED sequence is provided to quickly
identify the DR navigation mode. A DR indicator is also
displayed on all screens.
Red Solid
Tracking one or more satellites (no position update). This is also normal for the first 2 minutes or so
when turning the unit on. The very first time you turn the
unit on, allow the receiver to run for at least 20 minutes
after changing to Red Solid to collect an almanac from
the satellites, regardless of whether a position update
has been calculated or not. This is also a normal indication if the HDOP is greater than 10, if the receiver is
tracking too few satellites, or for other reasons as well.
Read the GPS and DGPS function screens for more information.
Yellow/Green Solid
GPS position update; DGPS corrections are not being received. You may see this from time to time during
normal operation. It usually occurs when the beacon
signal is not available (either it is being blocked by terrain
or a local object or you are out of range of the transmitter) and/or you are tracking 3, 4, or 5 satellites, and the
satellites have poor geometry relative to your position.
The condition will normally go back to green solid, when
it picks up another beacon station. The factory default
22 | Simrad MX500
level for dropping DGPS corrections is 600 seconds.
During this period, your positioning information is less
than optimal, and position accuracy may be off by as
much as 3 to 5 meters. Press the GPS function key and
refer to the DGPS section in this manual for guidance if
this light condition occurs.
Yellow Solid
DGPS position update with poor HDOP value. You
may see this from time to time during normal operation. It usually occurs when you are tracking 3, 4, or 5
satellites, and the satellites have poor geometry relative to your position. The condition will normally go back
to Green Solid when it picks up another satellite or the
geometry of the existing satellites improves. The factory default level for this indication is with an HDOP of 4
to 10. During this period, your positioning information is
less than optimal, and position accuracy may be off by as
much as 5 to 10 meters. You can press the GPS function
key and refer to the GPS section in this manual for guidance if this light condition occurs.
Green Solid
DGPS position update with HDOP value less than 4.
This is the normal operating condition. Position accuracy
is normally better than 3 meters. Keep in mind that position accuracy is always only as good as the corrections
received, their age, your distance from the reference
station, and the geometry of the satellites. This is the
normal operating condition and no icon will be displayed.
GPS Trafc Light Operation:
Red Flashing
Not tracking satellites (no position update). This
is normal for the first 2 minutes or so when turning the
unit on. The very first time you turn the unit on, or if
the memory is reset or lost, this condition is also normal. Allow the receiver to run for at least 30 minutes
under these circumstances. If it still does not change
to Red Solid, refer to the troubleshooting section in the
Installation section of this manual.
Simrad MX500 | 23
Red/Yellow Solid
Dead Reckoning . When normal GPS or DGPS operation
is not available, this LED sequence is provided to quickly
identify the DR navigation mode. A DR indicator is also
displayed on all screens in the upper left hand corner of
the display.
Red Solid
Tracking one or more satellites (no position update). This is also normal for the first 2 minutes or so
when turning the unit on. The very first time you turn the
unit on, allow the receiver to run for at least 20 minutes
after changing to Red Solid to collect an almanac from
the satellites, regardless of whether a position update
has been calculated or not. This is also a normal indication if the HDOP is greater than 10, if the receiver is
tracking too few satellites, or for other reasons as well.
Read the GPS and DGPS function screens for more information.
Yellow Solid
GPS position update has a poor HDOP value. You
may see this from time to time during normal operation.
It usually occurs when you are tracking 3, 4, or 5 satellites, and the satellites have poor geometry relative to
your position. If you are patient, the condition will normally go back to Green Solid when you pick up another
satellite or the geometry of the existing satellites improves. The factory default level for this indication is with
an HDOP of 4 to 10. During this period, your positioning
information is less than optimal, and position accuracy
may be off by as much as 10 to 30 meters. You can press
the GPS function key and refer to the GPS section in this
manual for guidance if this light condition occurs.
Green Solid
GPS position update with HDOP value less than 4.
This is the normal operating condition. Position accuracy
is normally between 3 to 5 meters, but can be out as
much as 30 meters. Keep in mind that position accuracy
is always only as good as the geometry of the satellites
and the navigation information provided by the satellites.
24 | Simrad MX500
This is the normal operating condition and no icon will be
displayed.
The Display:
The CDU uses a Transflective LCD display screen. It
provides optimum viewing in virtually all lighting conditions. To change the display contrast or backlight condition, select the CFG function key and scroll down to the
Lighting menu choice. Refer to the CFG section of the
manual for a complete description of menu options. The
Power On/Off/Lighting triple function key allows you
to quickly change between daytime and night time
screen settings, and turn On or Off the unit.
Information displayed on the screen is normally divided
into windows, similar to what you might see on a normal
computer. Each screen has a page number in the upper
left hand corner. These page numbers are there to help
you quickly find the information you need, and to help us
guide you on the rare occasion that you might request
our assistance.
With the exception of a portion of the PLOT and MOB
screens which use the UP and DOWN arrows to change
the view scale, all of the screens require that you press
the EDIT (Edit Mode) function key before you are allowed
to change data on the screen. You can use the cursor key
(the big key with the arrows pointing in four directions)
to move between edit fields or menu choices on most
screens when in the edit mode. When you are not in
the edit mode, you can use the cursor to scroll between
screens (i.e. NAV1, NAV2, NAV3, ...) or to move up and
down on screens (like the menu bar in the CFG screen).
This function key activates or deactivates the softkeys
and edit fields within any screen where editing is appropriate. You will quickly learn that this is an important operating feature in the unit. Press the EDIT key when you
want to start editing a screen and again when you have
+ Virtual Softkeys:
Simrad MX500 | 25
finished editing. If after editing you press a function key
and nothing seems to happen, check to make sure you
didn’t accidentally alter your information and press the
EDIT key to end editing. Some edit screens provide an
Escape softkey. If you decide for some reason that you
don’t want to use the changes you have made, pressing
the Escape softkey will restore the original information.
However, once you press the EDIT key, all changes are
accepted and the original data is lost.
The virtual softkeys under the bottom of the display
are so named because their purpose changes from one
menu or screen to the next. All of the screens require
that you press the EDIT (Edit Mode) function key before
the virtual softkeys can be accessed. Then use the LEFT
and RIGHT cursor arrows to highlight the desired virtual
softkey and press the ENT key to choose it. Don’t forget
to press the EDIT function key when you have finished
editing a screen.
The Function Keys:
The Function Keys are the keys to the right of the display.
There are 16 function keys in all. Eleven of the function
keys access various screen and editing displays. Three of
these function keys are used for editing or moving within
the screens. One function key is used to mark your present position, and to activate/deactivate Man Over Board
alarms when depresses for a few seconds. One is used as
the power on/off key, and switches between two display
lighting options when depresses for a few seconds.
The ten function keys with alpha abbreviations on them
are described in the ensuing chapters. The five function keys with symbols and the GOTO key are described
below.
The function keys are also used in the edit mode to enter
alphanumeric information into screen data fields.
26 | Simrad MX500
Mark Position/MAN OVER BOARD
(MOB) Key
This dual function key stores your present position, date
and time at the next available waypoint location in the
waypoint bank. A window pops up on the screen to confirm your key depression, and to tell you where the mark
position is being stored. You can go into the WPT menu
and edit the coordinates or description later. The CDU is
also capable of performing this function from a remote
contact closure input via AUX Cable (MOB/Event) wire.
Refer to the Installation section of this manual for interface instructions.
When depressed for 3 seconds, this function key activates a number of automatic functions:
► Most obviously, it brings up an MOB1 (Plot) screen.
This is an automatic scaling screen which selects the
best zoom level to display your present position and the
MOB position. In addition, the MOB position is displayed
in the upper left corner, so that you can quickly read the
coordinates to others who may be available to render assistance. This plot screen also provides the vital bearing
and distance back to the MOB position, as well as your
present course over ground.
► The MOB position, date and time are stored in the
Waypoint Bank for future reference (e.g. log book entries).
► Navigation data output on the NMEA ports (i.e. BWC
and BWR), are changed to reflect the current crisis situation. This way, other interfaced equipment can also
help guide you back to the MOB position. When the MOB
condition is canceled via a MOB screen softkey, the NMEA
sentences will automatically revert to the active route information. Don’t forget to cancel the MOB so your inter-
faced equipment will read the correct data.
► The MOB function key and remote MOB input are disabled from subsequent activation, until the MOB Cancel
softkey is selected.
► Other functions such as Position and Navigate can still
be accessed; however, the screen will revert to the MOB
Plot screen after 30 seconds. Bearing and distance infor-
Simrad MX500 | 27
mation in these other screens relate to the MOB position,
not the next waypoint in the active route, until MOB is
canceled.
To cancel a MOB condition, make sure you are in the MOB
Plot screen. Press the EDIT function key, then select the
Cancel MOB softkey.
The MX500 is also capable of performing the MOB function from a remote contact closure. If the contact closure
is made for 1 second, the input is registered as a Mark
Position. If the contact closure is made for 3 seconds,
the input is registered as a MOB Position. Refer to the
Installation Section of this manual for interface instructions.
GOTO
This function key allows you to quickly create a route
from your present position to waypoint or a route. This
single waypoint route can use an existing waypoint from
the Waypoint Bank, or you can quickly create one by
either defining the appropriate coordinates or specifying
a range and bearing.
Be careful when you use this selection, as it will erase
your current active route when it creates the new one.
Read through the ROUTE and PLOT sections of this
manual to find other ways to use this key within an active
route.
POWER ON/OFF & LIGHT
This triple function key turns the unit on and off. When
depressed while the unit is on, you will be prompted to
select a YES or NO softkey to confirm your action. This is
known as a software power off.
If the operating program should hang up for any reason,
you can also perform a hardware power off by continuing
to depress the power on/off function key for about 5 sec-
28 | Simrad MX500
onds. When the GPS is turned off using this technique,
CLR
you can not reapply power for 10 seconds.
An occasion may arise when you need to reset the memory back to the factory default values. Doing this will
cause the CDU to lose all of your dened settings, as well
as all 2,000 of your waypoints and routes. If you hold
down the “CLR” button when power is applied for about
six seconds, then the memory will be cleared.
When depressed for 3 seconds, this triple function key
allows you to quickly switch between two predetermined
display lighting conditions, a daytime/night time setting. Select the CFG function key and scroll down to the
Lighting menu choice to make the desired adjustments.
Refer to the Configuration section of the manual for a
complete description of the Lighting menu options.
CLR (CLEAR)
This function key is probably the least used of all the
function keys; however, it can save you some otherwise
frustrating editing time. This key allows you to erase or
clear one character at a time. If you hold it down, it will
erase the entire line that the cursor is currently on.
CURSOR
This function key is the most used of all the function
keys. When pressing the EDIT key to activate the virtual
softkeys, the LEFT or RIGHT arrow cursor keys are used
to scroll left or right from one softkey to the next. It also
allows you to move between function screen pages (by
pressing left or right). In addition, many of the edit fields
allow you to use either the cursor key or the Change
softkey to scroll through or select from predetermined
choices.
ENTER
This key is often used just like the EDIT and the CURSOR
Simrad MX500 | 29
keys. When pressing the EDIT key to activate the soft-
N A V
1
ABC
keys, the ENT key is used to select the particular virtual
softkey of user’s choice.
FUNCTION
You might have noticed that above and below each primary function key there are numbers and letters. These
numbers and letters are used when you are in the edit
mode. You will find that they are most often used in the
RTE, WPT, and CFG screens, but they are used in other
screens as well. If you are trying to enter text, simply
locate the desired letter and press the appropriate function key repeatedly until the appropriate letter or number
appears. If you accidentally go past the desired letter,
repeat pressing the function key and the letter will come
up again. You can toggle between upper and lower case
characters by pressing the function key for a long period.
You will also find that some screens allow you to input
symbols into the text fields. These symbols are selected
through a softkey selection where symbols are allowed.
Don’t forget to press the ‘EDIT’ key to get out of the edit
mode!
Another helpful feature on this CDU is that successive
depressions on the function key (when not in the edit
mode) allow you to page through all of the screens available for that particular function. You can accomplish the
same thing by selecting a function and using the left and
right arrows on the cursor key (which is sometimes faster). In addition, the software remembers which screen
you used last for each function. Each time you reenter a
function (e.g. you go from PLOT to NAV), you will enter
the last screen you viewed for that function. You can
change this setting in the CFG 1 Operation.
Use the associated function key to access the international character desired (i.e. A for Æ). The international
characters supported are:
ABC = Ä, Å, Æ, À, Ç
DEF = É, È
GHI = Í
MNO = Ñ, Ó, Ö
STU = Ú, Ü
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