Navico MX420 User manual

Product Information
The model and serial number of your instrument are given on the
instrument. Enter the model and serial number in the spaces provided
below. Always refer to this information when you contact your dealer.
MX420 CDU Serial No.:_________________
MX421/MX521 GPS Antenna S/N: _______________
MX525 GPS Sensor S/N _________________
Copyright May, 2007
Doc. P/N 3508 102 70040
By: G.Dorotheo
MX420/2 GPS/DGPS
MX420/8 GPS/DGPS
MX420/BR
MX420/BRIM
MX420/MKD
MX420/AIS DGPS
IMPORTANT NOTICE!!
THE MX420 IS AN AID TO NAVIGATION ONLY. UNDER NO CIRCUM-
STANCES 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 IM-
PROPER OPERATION. THE USER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE NAVIGA-
TION OF THE VESSEL. THIS INCLUDES CONSULTING AUTHORIZED GOV-
ERNMENT CHARTS AND EXERCISING COMMON PRUDENCE AND NAVI-
GATIONAL JUDGEMENT AT ALL TIMES.
MX420 Operator’s Manual

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, finan-
cial 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 instruc-
tions for setting up the instrument and operating it. Read carefully
through the Operator’s Manual, Options Manual, and Installation
& Service Manual before you switch on the instrument.
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Scope Of This Manual
This manual reflects the software capabilities in version 2.0 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 various MX420 mod-
els covered in this book. Then the special front panel features includ-
ing the traffic light indicator. The sections that follow detail each pri-
mary function as it is presented on the front panel (i.e. NAV, RTE, WPT,
PLOT, ...CFG). The appendixes describe important details about spe-
cial functions.
Appendix-A is a special section describing the AIS displays and set-
ups of the MX420/AIS model.
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
MX 420 Installation Manual (P/N 3508 102 70060)
MX 420 Quick Reference Guide (P/N 3508 102 70050)
MX420/AIS Reference Card (P/N 725626) (for AIS models only)

How To Contact Us?
Contact your local MX Marine 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.
MX Marine 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 (US)
ADivision of NAVICO, Inc.
23868 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 201
Torrance, California 90505
USA
[phone] Telephone (International)
[phone] Fax
Internet:
www.mx-marine.com

Version 2.0 i
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual
Table of Contents
About GPS Navigation ............................................................................... 1
Special Notes ..................................................................... 2
GPS .......................................................................... 2
DGPS ........................................................................ 2
Charts and Navigational Aids ................................... 2
Functional Description ................................................................................ 3
MX420 Configurations .................................................................... 3
MX420/2 GPS ...................................................................... 3
MX420/2 DGPS ................................................................... 3
MX420/8 GPS ...................................................................... 3
MX420/8 DGPS ................................................................... 3
MX420/BR ........................................................................... 4
MX420/BRIM (Dual Control Integrity Monitor) ........................ 4
MX420/MKD ......................................................................... 5
MX420/AIS ........................................................................... 5
DGPS Beacon System ............................................................................... 7
Keypad & Display Description ................................................................... 8
Differential GPS Traffic Light Operation: .............................. 9
Red Flashing ............................................................ 9
Red/Yellow Solid ...................................................... 9
Red Solid .................................................................. 9
Yellow/Green Solid ................................................... 9
Yellow Solid ............................................................ 10
Green Solid ............................................................. 10
GPS Traffic Light Operation: .............................................. 10
Red Flashing .......................................................... 10
Red/Yellow Solid .................................................... 10
Red Solid ................................................................ 10
Yellow Solid ............................................................ 11
Green Solid ............................................................. 11
The Display: ...................................................................... 11
The Softkeys: ............................................................ 12
The Function Keys: ............................................................ 12

ii Version 2.0
Operator Manual Table of Contents
Mark Position ................................................. 12
GOTO ............................................................ 13
LIGHT ............................................................ 13
POWER ON/OFF ........................................... 13
MAN OVER BOARD (MOB) ............................ 14
E
E (EDIT) ......................................................... 15
C
C (CLEAR) ..................................................... 15
CURSOR ....................................................... 15
NAV
1
ABC FUNCTION .................................................... 15
AIS
9
YZ
Automatic Identification System (AIS) ........... 17
Navigate .................................................................................................. 18
Dead Reckoning ......................................................................... 19
NAV1 - The Panorama Screen .................................................... 19
NAV2 - Basic Steering Information ............................................... 22
NAV 3 - Expanded Navigation Information .................................. 23
NAV4 - Sensor Input Navigation .................................................. 24
Route ....................................................................................................... 28
RTE1 - The Active Route ............................................................. 29
Creating a Route Using the GOTO Key: ............................ 30
Erasing an Existing Route ................................................. 33
Creating a Multi-Waypoint Active Route ............................ 34
Insert By Number ............................................................... 35
Choose in Bank ................................................................. 36
Insert New Waypoint ......................................................... 37
Insert Route ....................................................................... 38

Version 2.0 iii
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual
Maneuvering Within the Route ........................................... 39
Scrolling ........................................................................... 39
Skipping and Unpassing Waypoints ................................ 39
Inserting Waypoints or Routes into an Existing Route....... 40
Reversing the Active Route .............................................. 42
ETA Setup ................................................................................... 43
SOG Based on Arrival Date & Time: ................................. 44
ETA Based on Speed: ...................................................... 44
RTE2 - The Route Bank .............................................................. 45
Waypoint .................................................................................................. 47
Creating and Editing Waypoints .................................................. 48
Waypoint Lock/Unlock ...................................................... 53
To Lock a Waypoint ................................................ 53
To Unlock a Waypoint ............................................ 54
To Lock all Waypoints ............................................ 54
To Unlock all Waypoints ......................................... 55
Removing Waypoints .................................................................. 55
Moving waypoints ........................................................................ 57
Downloading Waypoints & Routes to Other Devices .................. 58
Rnn - Routes: .......................................................... 59
RTE - Active Route: ................................................ 59
WPL - Waypoint Location - NMEA 0183 Standard: .. 60
WPL - Waypoint with Symbols & Description - NMEA
0183 Expanded: ....................................................................... 60
Downloading Waypoints to a Personal Computer ............. 61
Uploading Waypoints from Other Devices .................................. 63
Uploading Waypoints from a Personal Computer ............. 64
Mark or Event .................................................................................. 66
GOTO .............................................................................................. 67
Plot ........................................................................................................... 70
PLOT 1 - Relative to Boat ............................................................ 72
Modifying the Active Route Using the Plot Screen ............. 72

iv Version 2.0
Operator Manual Table of Contents
Customizing the Display .................................................... 73
PLOT 2 - Relative to Marker ........................................................ 77
PLOT3 - AIS Plotter Display ......................................................... 77
Plot Screen Use Examples ......................................................... 78
Station Keeping ................................................................. 78
Grid Search ....................................................................... 79
Man Over Board .............................................................................. 79
Remote MOB ............................................................................... 81
Tide.......................................................................................................... 82
TIDE1 - Current Tide Display ....................................................... 82
TIDE2 - Tide Table Port List ........................................................ 83
Adding a Port ............................................................................... 85
Auxiliary .................................................................................................... 86
AUX1 - Alarm Log ..................................................................... 86
AUX2 - Speed Graph ................................................................. 87
AUX3 - Not Used ....................................................................... 87
AUX4 - Sun Almanac ................................................................. 87
AUX5 - Moon Phases ................................................................ 88
AUX6 - Batteries ........................................................................ 88
AUX7 -Unit Information ............................................................... 89
Position .................................................................................................... 90
POS1 - Position Display (Large) .................................................. 90
UTM .................................................................................. 91
User GRID ......................................................................... 91
POS2 - Position, Altitude, Magnetic Variation, & Time ................. 92
POS3 - Position & Log ................................................................. 92
GPS .......................................................................................................... 94
GPS1 - GPS Status Screen .......................................................... 94
GPS2 - GPS Health Screen ......................................................... 94
GPS5 - RAIM Status Screen (For RAIM enabled models) ........... 96

Version 2.0 v
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual
GPS6 - DGPS STATUS............................................................... 98
GPS7 - DGPS Messages .......................................................... 100
Configuration ............................................................................................ 99
AIS Config .................................................................................... 99
AIS Static ..................................................................................... 99
AIS Voyage ................................................................................. 99
Alarms ....................................................................................... 100
Anchor - Anchor Watch Alarm .................................................... 100
COG SOG - Course & Speed Filter Settings & Setup ................. 100
Compass - External Compass Input & Magnetic Variation Table101
Datum - Current Position Calculation .......................................... 102
Depth - NMEA Input Control ....................................................... 103
DGPS - DGPS Configuration...................................................... 104
DR - Dead Reckoning ............................................................... 106
Dual Control - Dual Station Control ............................................. 106
GPS - Elevation Mask Control ................................................... 107
Init Pos - Initial Position Entry...................................................... 108
Language - Language Configuration ......................................... 109
Lighting - Display/Keyboard Light & Contrast Control ................. 109
Log - Speed Log Input (Pulse or NMEA 0183) ............................ 109
Log Pulses - GPS SOG Log Pulse Output .................................. 111
MX480 - MX480 PC Chart Interface Control ................................. 111
Navigation ................................................................................. 112
NMEA Out 1 through n* - NMEA 0183 Output Data Control ......... 115
Other Special Cases Affecting NMEA 0183 Records: ..... 120
Operation - General Setup and Control Settings ........................ 121
Organizer - Automated Message Reminders ............................ 122
Position - Positioning Reference, Mode, & Alarm Control .......... 123
Printout 2 - Printer Output Control ................................................ 125
ROT (Rate of Turn) .................................................................... 128

vi Version 2.0
Operator Manual Table of Contents
Security ..................................................................................... 128
Serial I/O .................................................................................... 129
Time - Mode and Format Control ............................................... 129
Wind .......................................................................................... 130
Wpt & Rte Input - Uploading Waypoints into the Receiver ......... 131
Appendix A - Automatic Identification System (AIS) ................................ 133
Introduction ................................................................................ 133
AIS System Setup ..................................................................... 142
AIS Config Setup ....................................................................... 142
Configuring the AIS Static Setup ................................................ 143
Configuring the AIS Voyage ....................................................... 148
AIS Function Key ...................................................................... 151
AIS 1 – OWN SHIP DATA .......................................................... 151
AIS 2 - Remote Ship List ........................................................... 153
AIS 3 - RECEIVED (RX) SAFETY MESSAGES ......................... 155
AIS 4 - TRANSMIT (TX) SAFETY MESSAGE ............................ 156
AIS 5 - TX Safety List ................................................................ 158
AIS 6 - REGIONAL AREAS ....................................................... 159
AIS 7- LONG RANGE (LR) DISPLAY ......................................... 161
AIS 8 – AIS DATA LINK STATUS ................................................ 163
AIS 9 – AIS STATUS .................................................................. 164
AIS 10 - AIS Password .............................................................. 165
PLOT 3 – AIS Plot Screen ......................................................... 167
Appendix B - Datum List ......................................................................... 168
Appendix C - Beacon List ....................................................................... 169
Appendix D- Engineering Mode ............................................................. 183
AUX7 - Unit Information & Self Test ............................................ 183
CDU Cold Start - Clearing Memory to Factory Default................ 185
GPS - GPS CDU Troubleshooting ............................................. 186
GPS3 - Visible Satellite Information ................................. 186
GPS4 - GPS Position Uncertainty .............................................. 187
GPS5 - GPS Debug Screen ....................................................... 187
MX421 Reset ............................................................................. 190
Appendix E - Dual Control Head Mode .................................................. 191

Version 2.0 vii
Table of Contents Operator’s Manual
Appendix F - Demonstration Mode ......................................................... 195
Glossary ................................................................................................. 197
PRODUCT WARRANTYAND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY ........................... 221
ADDENDUMS

viii Version 2.0
Operator Manual Table of Contents

Version 2.0 1
About GPS Navigation Operator’s Manual
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 depen-
dent upon the quality of these signals. Radio signals may, on occa-
sion, be distorted, jammed, or otherwise incorrect. As a result, your
position accuracy may occasionally be less than that which can nor-
mallybe expected.
The Navstar Global Positioning System, commonly referred to as GPS,
is a satellite navigation system developed by the U.S. Department of
Defense to provide both military and civilian users with highly accu-
rate, worldwide, three dimensional navigation and time. By receiving
signals from orbiting GPS satellites, authorized users are able to con-
tinuously 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 accuracyfrom 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 refer-
ence station to measure the errors in the GPS signals and to compute
corrections to remove the errors. The corrections are then communi-
cated in real-time to the navigators, where theyare combined with the
satellite signals received by the navigators, thereby improving their
navigation or positioning. The geographic validity of these correc-
tions decreases with distance from the reference station, but the cor-
rections are valid for navigators hundreds ofkilometers from the refer-
ence 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 out-
put, their signals maybeusable to several hundred miles. Marine bea-
cons provide an economical means of obtaining DGPS accuracy for
coastal navigators. GPS receivers with built-in beacon receivers are
designed to provide low cost reception of DGPS corrections broad-
cast (normally free of charge) by coastal authorities.
!

2Version 2.0
Operator’s Manual About GPS Navigation
Special Notes
GPS
Never rely solelyon anysingle navigational aid. Always use whatever
information is available, and cross-check information when possible.
GPS expected position accuracy is better than 30 meters (95% of the
time) but may be up to 100 meters occasionally. 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 US Department
of Defense.
DGPS
This GPS receiver’s position accuracy is improved to 2 meters or better
for 95% of the time, 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 thun-
der storms. The beacon radio signal may also be interrupted by power-
ful 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 naviga-
tor). The position of a floating aid can differ due to tide, set and drift.
!
!
!

Version 2.0 3
Functional Description Operator’s Manual
Functional Description
MX420 Configurations
The MX420 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 be-
low are the various MX420 configurations and their differences.
MX420/2 GPS
This is a basic MX420 Control and DisplayUnit (CDU) model with two
(2) bidirectional user NMEA ports. This model is supplied with a MX
Marine GPS onlysmart antenna. Thesmart antenna can achieve au-
tonomous GPS accuracy better than 3 meters.
MX 422 Professional DGPS NavigatorMX 422 Professional DGPS Navigator
Mx420 CDU
MX421-10 or MX521
Smart GPS Antenna
Basic MX420/2 or MX420/8 GPS & DGPS Configuration
MX420/2 DGPS
This is a basic MX420/2 CDU supplied with a MX Marine combined
GPS and Beacon smart antenna (MX421B-10, MX521, MX525). The
smart DGPS antenna unit can achieve 1-2 meter accuracy in areas with
good beacon differential coverage.
MX420/8 GPS
This is an enhanced MX420 CDU equipped with eight (8) bidirectional
user NMEA ports. It is supplied with a GPS only smart antenna unit.
MX420/8 DGPS
This is a basic MX420/8 CDU supplied with a smart DGPS antenna
model.

4Version 2.0
Operator’s Manual Functional Description
MX420/BR
This is a dual-control CDU system where a MX420/8 (operating as a
master) and a MX420/2 (operating as a slave) are supplied. Onlyone
smart DGPS antenna is required. The antenna unit is connected only
tothe MX420/8 master unit.
MX 422 Prof essional DGPS Navi gator M
X
422 Profe ssiona l DGPS Navi
g
ator
MX420 CDU MX420 CDU
Master Unit Slave Unit
MX421B
Smart GPS
Antenna
MX420 BR Beacon and Remote Configuration
MX420/BRIM (Dual Control Integrity Monitor)
This is an enhanced Dual-Control configuration wherein two MX420/
8 CDUs and two smart DGPS antennas are supplied. These two MX420/
8 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 only in the MX420/8 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. The D-C Integrity Monitor function can be set
to Automatic switch over, forced to the Master unit, or forced to the
Slave unit for position and navigation functions.
MX 422 Prof essi o nal D GPS Navig at o r M
X
422 Pro fessi onal DGPS Navi
g
at o r
MX420/8 CDU MX420/8 CDU
Unit 1 Unit 2
MX421B
Smart DGPS
Antenna
MX421B
Smart DGPS
Antenna
MX420/BRIM System Configuration

Version 2.0 5
DGPS Operator’s Manual
MX420/MKD (Minimum Keyboard and Display for AIS)
An entry level MX420/AIS CDU model supplied with an IMO-compli-
ant AIS transponder unit. All theAIS transponder setups and controls
are done through the MX420. It also gathers the ship’s sensor data
and organizes the information for transmission via AIS. High-speed
serial data ports are provided for output to the ECDIS chartplotter,
ARPA radar and other shipboard systems.
It also collects and decodes AIS reports from other stations and pro-
vides a readout from all AIS-equipped ships and shore stations. This
model does not have any navigation functions.
MX 422 Professional DGPS Navigator
MX420/AIS
GPS
Ant.
M 423
AIS Transponder
X
MX420/AIS Basic Configuration
MX420/AIS (AIS & Navigation System)
An enhanced MX420/MKD unit supplied with the MX Marine smart
DGPS antenna. This model has full navigation and AIS features.
MX 422 Prof e ssio nal DGPS Navi ga t or
MX420/AIS
MX421B
Smart DGPS
Antenna
GPS
A
nt.
M423
AIS Transponder
X
MX420/AIS Navigation System Configuration
The Installation & Service Manual has more details on the parts
supplied with each configuration, and their associated part numbers.
Note:
1) In general, this manual will refer to all versions of this product line simply
as the MX420 CDU, MX420/AIS, CDU or navigator. Where distinction
between models is necessary, the particular model type will be indicated.

6Version 2.0
Operator’s Manual Keypad & Display Description
2) Three smart GPS/DGPS antenna models are compatible with the MX420
CDU. They are the MX421-10 (GPS or DGPS), MX525 (DGPS only) and
MX521 (GPS or DGPS ).

Version 2.0 7
Keypad & Display Description Operator’s Manual
DGPS Beacon System
As Maritime SafetyAdministrations, Navy, and Coast Guard Organi-
zations realize the limitations of standard GPS positioning, manyhave
begun installing DGPS Beacon Stations. While an understanding of
this system is not necessary for operating receivers with internal bea-
con receivers, you maywant to read on to have a better understanding
of how your receiver is capable of achieving the high levels of accu-
racy made possible by this network of transmitters.
The DGPS Beacon System is comprised of three segments: the refer-
ence 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.
5271-01C.500
Navigator Site
N
A
V
PLOT
POS
E
TIDE
GP S
CFG
RTE
A
UX
DGP S
C
WP T
MX420 Na viga t ion S y stem
MX50M
DGPS Beaco n Modulat or
MX 9400R
DGPS Reference
Reference Station Site
MX 9 400 N
DGPS Navigator
MX 51R
Integrity Monitor Site
Surveyors / Commercial
Users
Professional / Commercial
/
Personal Craft Users
Because of the limited range of the beacon transmitters, typically150
to 400 km, the corrections generated by the reference station are al-
ways valid for users who can receive the correction signals and main-
tain a 5 meter or better accuracyfigure.