Raymarine p70s button problem - letter from Raymarine

[benzy]

We installed a new Raymarine autopilot system about a year ago. We have the p70s control head as part of this setup.

Recently, we received a letter from Raymarine about a problem where the bottom row of buttons can become inoperative. Text of the letter is at the end of the post.

I'm assuming lots of people got this? I've spoken to support here in Australia and I was quite confused. They said that it is not a physical problem with the buttons, but a software problem. But the letter doesn't read like this.

The letter recommends updating the software, which includes a fail-safe where if the it detects the bottom row of buttons becomes intermittent or unresponsive, then it automatically switches the autopilot to standby mode. But it doesn't say what happens after that! Eg: are the bottom buttons just unusable from that point forward? Or do you just put it back in auto and everything works as normal?

When I spoke to them last time, I asked to just get a new unit since it sounds like a manufacturing defect and ours is still under warranty. But the woman told me no, that wasn't possible since it wasn't really a defect, just a software issue. But again, the letter suggest that even after updating the software, the issue still persists - they just built in a fail-safe. So quite confused!

I am going to call them again during the week, but wondered if anyone else has more info on what's going on here?

Thanks

Here is the letter:

Dear Customer,

Re: The Raymarine Autopilot Control Head p70s/p70Rs which has been registered to you

You are receiving this email as Raymarine is committed to providing the very best Customer care and our product registration system indicates that you have one or more of these products.

Raymarine constantly monitors all product feedback, including operation, performance and product returns to identify any possibilities for product enhancement or areas of potential weakness as part of our ongoing continuous improvement programme.

It has come to our attention that there is a small possibility that the lower keys on the Autopilot control unit could become inoperative and may interfere with the selection of STANDBY mode, preventing the Autopilot from becoming disengaged.

To prevent this unlikely situation, Raymarine has taken preventative action,

• There is new software available (version 3.08) to monitor the operation of the keypad and will reset the Autopilot to STANDBY mode if any false operation or intermittent operation occurs

We recommend that you update the software in all p70s and p70Rs control units to the latest current version, 3.08 which is available on the Raymarine website at the following link - p70/p70R Software Update

If you are at all concerned, or unable to update the software yourself, please return your Autopilot Control Head to Raymarine for update/ replacement.

Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused, we are sure that you understand Raymarine’s commitment to providing the very best possible support and customer care.

Products affected
E70328 p70s
E70329 p70Rs

Footnote
Due to the monitoring of the keypad it is no longer possible to action the WindVane mode using the two-key press of the Standby and Auto keys. This software update will therefore default the top left Short Cut key to ‘Wind Vane’ if the Pilot is set to Vessel Hull type ‘Sail’ or ‘Catamaran’. Any other vessel type selected will default this key to ‘Track’. Vane mode can also be accessed by the Menu key & Mode selection.