Discussion about OpenCPN

[Hamin' X]

Sumner used to be the OpenCPN resident wizard. You can see his post about it here: search.php?keywords=OpenCPN+&terms=all& ... mit=Search

I see that he has not logged in to the forum in over a year, but you might be able to raise him via email, or PM from his profile: memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=11271

[Be Free]

I started using OpenCPN about the same time Sumner did. Until then I was using SeaClear (which I heard about from him).

I miss his input here.

[Inquisitor]

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I don't have any experience with the android versions at all. I've only run OpenCPN on Linux (multiple versions) and Windows (XP to Win10). There is a big difference in the features of OpenCPN between version 4 and 5 though. I think you will find the plugins will start to fall behind as well.
...

Thank you for the advice. I got the version 5+ one last night, installed it on two Android tablets and two phones, configured them the way I like, downloaded the two charts I need for the race and added my routes. All went really great. I had done the tutorials on the Windows version which is a 5+ version. Now, the UI's are the same AND they are far more usable now on the phones and tablets. MUCH BETTER user experience. It also appears he is trying to start using Android menus and it gives a more Android consistent UI.

[Cougar]

I'm using the Android version of OpenCPN as my main navigation app and the Linux version as a backup on a Raspberry Pi. Charts are readily available, either free or for a small fee. Plus, you can connect any auxiliary equipment to it that has NMEA capability.

[Be Free]

Are you using the stand-alone version on your RPi or the OpenPlotter package?

[Bilgemaster]

I have an ancient (late 2000s?) little hand-me-down Hewlett-Packard 14" laptop that my two kids successively used and yet didn't manage to murder (though it's had a few keyboard replacements) running Windows 7 as my sort of belowdecks cabin entertainment center and digital dogsbody that I installed OpenCPN 4.0 on quite a while back with a brace of free NOAA maps of the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay areas. I also got a GPS/GLONASS U-blox7 USB GPS thumbdongle doodad for about $20. I just now tested it, and it all still seems to be working tip-top. Never really intended for possibly wet topside work (I have an old Lowrance LMS 525-C DF GPS/sonar unit that came with my 26X on the helm pedestal for that), I still thought the OpenCPN might be handy down in the cabin for course planning.

If you're looking for a nice enough freebie Android phone or tablet app, I rather like "Marine Ways". I've loaded and tried a bunch of nautical apps, but that's the one I tend to use while cruising in my Amphicar amphibious boat-car...not that I'm ever really in any doubt where I am, but the charts help keep me out of the shallows and their mucky grassy bits that can foul the props, especially in late summer. "Polaris Navigation GPS" is similar, with maybe even a few extra features, but the simpler "Marine Ways" just seems to fire up and work a little snappier and with no map loading lags.

There are several past threads in the Archives about useful apps if you're looking for more goodies, like "Active Captain", a sort of crowd-sourcing guide popular with cruisers, but if you just want to know where you are, those are what I mostly use.

[opie]

Just installed Opencpn on my Raspberry Pi 4 and a 7-inch touchscreen. I had always used SeaClear for supplemental navigation on a laptop in the cabin (Garmin GPS at the helm) but Seaclear quit on me and it seems Opencpn is newer and better.
Installation ("Basic Option") went easy. Charts loaded easily. Interface back and forth to my Garmin (sitting on my desk at home) went flawlessly. SeaClear is in my rearview mirror now. Opencpn is much better.

So, my question is: Does anyone use a small touchscreen/RPi4 for outside use on a boat and how do you protect it, and how about visibility in the sunshine?


pic shows raw-looking back of RPi4 mounted on touchscreen.

(Background: My Garmin is model 162, mono-color. With the above I invest about $125, including GPS puck, to duplicate a $500 color chartplotter with charts. But, what is my time worth......ha!)

[Be Free]

Opie,
Before you decommission your Seaclear install export tracks, routes, and waypoints to one or more GPX files. You can import them into OpenCPN and not lose all of the good stuff you probably developed over the years.

I have OpenCPN running on a 3B+ (as well as other places) but I access it through a remote desktop connection. I use a Garmin MFD in the cockpit so I can't help you with the touchscreen question.

[opie]

BeFree and Bilgemaster,
I read both your latest posts and got some good tips.
A question:
Is there a useful application(s) (Linux preferably) that can convert an image (like BMP or TIFF) and then calibrate it to WGS84, then convert it to KAP or GPX for inclusion in the chart directory of Opencpn?

Thanks
Opie

[Be Free]

I've used this one on a windows machine to create charts for inland areas.

https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/doku. ... ion:ge2kap

[opie]

I wanted to update my post to say that making a do-it-yourself chart plotter is not a good idea imho. I succeeded in getting my touchscreen programmed and added a gps usb stick. Then I realized it was very inferior for cockpit use. On line I found sailors using a computer or tablet in the cockpit, so it is possible, but not practical. Rebooting problems, brightness and waterproofing are just three limitations. So I will do my chart planning in the cabin of the boat or at home sitting at my desk and use my Garmin at the helm.
Btw, thumbs up on Opencpn software.

[pitchpolehobie]

Have a friend that uses OPENCPN on a Toughbook (Water/shock proof laptop) on an articulating arm. The laptop also has a DC adapter (Would research this aspect a bit more). https://www.ebay.com/itm/203691776041 He is really happy with the setup and I've seen it in action and like it very much.

I trialed the OpenCPN software runs on an ATOM CPU of mine from 2014 reasonably well (my backup system for my boat) so anything from the last 5-7 years should be adequate performance for most use cases. Paired with a USB GPS Dongle I think you have a decent setup. These can probably output/input NMEA data as well but Im not an expert on how to confing that.

Ive used tons of raspberry pi stuff and have found them not too reliable. Too many issues w/ the flash writes, errors when theyre accidentally restarted, etc. I trust them for hobbying but not 0 fault tolerance. Someone that's more tech savvy & wants to tinker may feel otherwise.