Following hot on the heels of the recently launched 7” widescreen CP300, Standard Horizon’s new CP500 completes their 2007 chart plotter line-up. With a big, bold, 12” sunlight-viewable screen, the CP500 becomes the flagship of the ever-increasing range.

The high-definition 800 x 600 pixel TFT display means cruising can once again become more enjoyable and relaxing.  No need to lean in to view a small screen, simply sit back and view the large display from afar.  There’s plenty of memory to record particular journeys, with a capacity for up to 3000 waypoints and 50 routes, dedicated ‘mark’, ‘route’ and ‘go to’ keys, as well as 6 customisable quick keys for swift navigation around the different user-defined screen options.  An alphanumeric keypad makes entering and editing user points quick and easy.  There are five NMEA outputs and four inputs, and, when connected to a Standard Horizon DSC VHF radio, such as the VM-3500E, GX1500E or GX3000E, DSC polling may be performed. 

In response to popular demand over the past couple of years, this is Standard’s first plotter to offer radar compatibility.  It’s also AIS compatible (with the addition of a separate black box AIS receiver), fish finder compatible (by adding the Standard Horizon FF520), and has two video inputs so that DVDs may be viewed on-screen, or a camera connected for security or mooring/manoeuvring assistance.  The information may then be displayed either on the whole screen, or ‘picture in picture’, enabling the user to view the navigation information simultaneously.  There’s also a VGA video output allowing the plotter’s display to be repeated onto a subsequent monitor or TV at a second station. This is so much more than simply a chart plotter!

The CP500 features an external 16-channel EGNOS/WAAS GPS antenna, delivering pinpoint accuracy to within 3 metres, and comes complete with 30’ of cabling.  A worldwide background map with detail to 2NM comes as standard on the plotter, although detail may be enhanced considerably by adding C-Map NT+ or MAX charts, for which there are two slots.

The unit is covered by a 3-year waterproof warranty and comes with the following accessories:

• external GPS antenna
• operating manual
• quick reference guide
• mounting bracket
• dust cover
• power cable.

The CP500 joins the current range of Standard Horizon marine electronics products, which includes the CP180, CP300, HX270E, HX370E, HX500E,
VM-3500E, GX1500E, GX3000E and FF520 Fish Finder.