I was looking at downloading OpenCPN. I was looking through the online manual and I started wondering if it is worth it. Those how have used it, what is your experience with it? What about the additional plugins and various overlays?
It works well once it's all set up......I thought I would give mine a run the other week but it couldn't find the GPS connection and my Mates trusty copy on the barge won't seem to show reef names and towns which was enoying him and I couldn't work out why.
Best would be to find a copy from a old salt with a cd backup copy.
I downloaded it onto a mate's computer and we copied an old pirated set of CMap 94 charts onto the hard drive. We also set the PC up with a GlobalSat Sirf4 GPS puck. We then pointed OpenCPN at the chart folder and it is all working fine. John is really chuffed with it all.
I think OpenCPN will read both vector (digital) charts and Raster (scanned paper) charts. The interface is really good, simple to use and does not possess the whole computer when running i.e. you can minimise it and use other programs as well.
OpenCPN is free to download and I would do that to get the latest version rather than copy off a CD. It is then a matter of which charts you are going to use and that is where it might cost you some money.
The other alternative is Memory Map. Again the program is free but you can get charts for the whole of Aus (Quick Charts, scanned Aus Hydrographic) plus WA transport maps, Qld Beacon to Beacon and more for less than $100. Not a bad deal. Check it out here:-
memory-map.com/
I have been an avid Seaclear user for 20 years or more. Had a look at OpenCPN a few years ago when it was not quite as stable as Seaclear but I'm sure it's fine now.
I have memory-map loaded on a small Acer netbook running XP. Cheap, easy to use and the license allows install on 2 devices. The GPS unit is a no name usb puck. For coastal cruising it seems to fit the bill.
I have on my list of things to install a dedicated Raspberry Pi to handle the map and AIS functions, along with some other race related stuff. Will probably use OpenCPN, so am interested in other peoples thoughts as well.
I have it loaded on a laptop and running through a raspberry Pi3 on the boat. works well, main problem is the charts not the software.
If you use vector charts (if you have done it legally) from the hydrographic service then that is a pain in the arse. You need to buy a user permit from a place in Spain, buy the charts, load them but then you need to run a fingerprint file, send that to Spain and get an install permit (no charge for 5 permits). Then you can install them. Once you have run through this they work fine
However if you if you upgrade OpenCPN or use it on a laptop as well as on the boat then that's 3 of your permits, they run out fast. if you like to update your software.
Plugins work well as long as they have done the beta testing
Still waiting for someone to give me a plugin with tacking or gybing laylines though
I have recently loaded open cpn on my android device and installed older cmap collection , so far seems to run ok , looking forward to comparing navionics which is running on same device.
previously i had been running open cpn on a eeepc with win xp os , i tapped the frequencies for ais on a vhf scanner and successfully ran the ais module in open cpn.
the android device has a 7" screen and displays the charts adequately for my purpose
It has the advantage of being portable and low power consuming.
I have found open cpn good to export waypoints , routes and tracks to my garmin gps72
I have run OpenCPN on an Asus Eeepc netbook for several month-long cruises of Bass Strait for the past few years. My copy of CM93 charts is out of date, but I have paper back-ups which I rely on for detailed areas like Port Philip Heads and harbour entrances.
It has served me very well, including some very detailed pilotage through parts of the Furneaux islands..
Cheers, Graeme
Hmm. Thanks
I currently use Navionics on my iPad but have C-Maps on my plotter. I like Navionics but not to the point where they keep gouging like Southace recently discovered.
I was hoping there was an alternative to Navionics where you don't have to download/scan/what-have-you onto a computer. I also think power consumption wise and for ease of charging, an iPad may be better then a laptop. OpenCPN I don't think can be used on an iPad so MemoryMaps may be a better option.
Cheers for the thoughts..
Hi Toph,
I use an ipad and iphone as 'backup' to my plotter, but in reality, due to convenience they are my primary source. I use the isailer app, which a: is really easy to use; b: has great extra functionality - AIS receiver; night view; fuel consumption; anchor/depth alarm/watch; GPS speed/log; mob c: is the cheapest of the apps (free..no adds, you just pay for maps) - can use on multiple apple platforms (we use it on 4); & d:ONE OFF charge/maps updated continuously. The only map I've purchased cost $60 & covers Aust Syd to Perth & Tas
I'm now thinking that it's all to good to be true, but given as you say ipad ease of charging & battery capacity, It works for me.
open cpn for Android is in beta testing
opencpn.org/404page.shtml
www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/opencpn-for-android-beta-test-4-1-718-a-149682.html#post1871883
Select to expand quoteToph said..
Hmm. Thanks
I currently use Navionics on my iPad but have C-Maps on my plotter. I like Navionics but not to the point where they keep gouging like Southace recently discovered.
I was hoping there was an alternative to Navionics where you don't have to download/scan/what-have-you onto a computer. I also think power consumption wise and for ease of charging, an iPad may be better then a laptop. OpenCPN I don't think can be used on an iPad so MemoryMaps may be a better option.
Cheers for the thoughts..
What you really need is real estate. Screen size needs to be ideally at least 19 inches. Tiny screens with navionics and changing screen zoom can be dangerous. Seaclear or OpenCPN with digital charts is the only way to travel. Digital Admiralty charts that match your paper charts is the ideal but not as accurate as some of the more modern charts that we can download from the MSB sites in NSW for example. Nothing wrong with Google earth either.
I agree. A tablet screen is just not big enough for setting out longer passages. To have a 19" screen could be difficult though.
