Using laptop for charting?

M

mariner36

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Joined
May 6, 2009
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31220
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We have been using a small gps/plotter unit and would like a bigger screen without purchasing a new unit. I have several laptops I could allocate as a dedicated charting unit to take advantage of their large screens.

What software would be best to do this?

Is there any good free programs out there?

Thanks for the help.
 
OpenCpn is free and easy to use.. Been using it for a year and a half or so as a back up to the main plotters. Works very well with either a USB or Bluetooth GPS

for charts it s compatible with the free NOAA charts, and for the Bahamas with the reasonably priced NV chart book and CD

I ve uses SeaClearII as well but prefer OpenCPN

can't imagine paying big $$$ for software...
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

OpenCpn is free and easy to use.. Been using it for a year and a half or so and probably 8000 miles, as a back up to the main plotters. Works very well with either a USB or Bluetooth GPS. Obviously the biggest issue is sunlight readability and spray on a boat with open helm

for charts it s compatible with the free NOAA charts, and for the Bahamas with the reasonably priced NV chart book and CD

I ve uses SeaClearII as well but prefer OpenCPN

can't imagine paying big $$$ for software...

Click to expand...
 
I use Tiki Navigator, a product developed by a Norwegian sailor who is now in his early 80's. The full blown version is only about $149, but is so usable and capable. The gentleman also loves to keep in touch with people using his program and loves getting pictures of our adventures out here as his sailing days are just about done. But a very nice program to use. The website does a VERY good job of showing what it's capable of, and also allows a trial setup. Worth checking into , in my opinion.
 
Yeah, but the father of OpnCapn has a mean looking boat

along.jpg


fordek.jpg


Even more badder in person; I rafted up to them in Vero Beach once, and saw the boat anchored in Beufort NC a couple weeks ago.
 
For kicks I downloaded the beta 210 version and was able to crash it three times. It's gone.

Could not load NOAA ENCs.
Looped loading them.
Crashed on simple point with cursor.

Maybe the Non-Beta's Bettah.
 
As i said, almost two years and probably about 8000 miles. Not a single crash.

First on XP with a USB gps then on VISTA with Bluetooth gps. It s peobably the most stable program on my computer. Crashes less than the furuno / cmap !!

Speaking of soft, I ve Installed inavx on my iPhone, pretty good too. Nice to have in the tender or in the catboat to see our tracks and how we re pointing
 
nobeltech has a fantastic software navigation suite. i use it at home and on my laptop. as a back up system i keep the laptop and a portable hand held GPS unit on board for longer trips. its not what i reccomend for a primary system as its not water tolorant, but it does suffice for an emergency back up.
 
I've been running Maptech Offshore Navigator, with charts for the entire east coast, for so long that I don't even know if its still available. It has gotten me from Nantucket to the Dry Tortugas and the Bahamas with never any issue. I've run Windows 98 through XP Pro with serial and USB inputs. I wouldn't leave the dock without it.

The real trick is to get a truly daylight viewable screen. Any program is useless when you can't see it.
 
Yes, for many years I had used Maptech exclusively...Some miscreant stole my on-board computer and CD's. Then I went pricing all the replacements CD's it made me sick,lost all of the Eastern Seaboard ,Gulf and the Bahamas++.
While crying out-loud ,Pascal recommended using Sea-Clear and He was right! The Price was right!Good Charts good program and using it along with "Capn voyager" program made me happy again!
 
I have been using the Garmin Mapsource system for 6+ years- their charting cost is on the high side but I been very happy with it
 
I have been using Nobeltec, and IMHO they have alienated their customer base by requiring new charts or whatever to go to the next release. As a result, I have skirted the newer software. Otherwise I am happy with it and it flies the NOAA charts, Nobeltec Vector (including Bahamas) and Raster charts.
It's a foregone conclusion I will not be purchasing their latest software because I cannot use their old charts with it. At least that is what their representatives have led me to believe.
Too bad. Dumb move.
 
quote:
Originally posted by abalmuth

I have been using the Garmin Mapsource system for 6+ years- their charting cost is on the high side but I been very happy with it

Click to expand...


I too use the Garmin product. Last year, they suggested upgrading the Mapsource program with nRoute. I have been using that now and it is very accurate.
 
I haven't looked at OpenCpn in about a year. Just grabbed the latest svn code and complied it. All I can say is WOW this program has come a LONG way in a short time!
 
I have been toying around with OpenCapn recently on my laptop. For those that use OpenCapn, are there any specific GPS receiver devices that are favorable?
I am looking at two different USB receivers, one is a magnetic mount with 5 feet of cable, another is a small USB stick that is considerably smaller, and doesnt require mounting anywhere. This is for a non-permanent/portable system that can be easily set up and easily taken on and off a smaller center console. Any recommendations as far as one being more compliant than the other with OpenCapn?
Appreciate the input!
 
Any USB gps should work with openCPN. I used a old delorme on my previous XP laptop. Now on my current laptop (vista64) I use a Bluetooth gps, any should work.

I had to switch to a new gps because delorme didn't update the driver for 64 bit machines; that s really the only compatibility issue to watch out for
 
I've used Tiki Navigator for the past five years and I simply don't see why I would ever need anything else. With all the fjords, islands, inlets and islets we have here in western Norway, efficient guidance, route planning and plotting is essential. Tiki has never let me down and being able to call the programmer at almost any time of day with questions, makes my day. Or night.

As to the computer, I use a lap-top that I set on top of a hinged perspex plate on my dash (formerly used to keep charts in place). I secure it with a webbing strap that runs underneath the perspex plate and across the lap-top at the base of the screen. Haven't seen it shift yet. GPS is a Haicom USB unit, works fine and in five years I have been unable to catch any error.
 
They're probably all pretty good depending on what you want and what you're accustomed to. I like Ocean Navigator by Maptech, I've had the program like 15 years. To be honest I don't know if it's still available or at what cost. Sea Clear (free) is also nice, and for those "backwoods" types, it allows you to make your own charts of those "uncharted" areas! A Google Earth photo is all you need, though it IS work.

OpnCpn is nice but IMO no match for Ocean Navigator. Can't speak for Tiki, I've no reason to buy it so have never used it.
 
I really only need coverage of Lake Ontario. I haVE A garming GPS and a small lowrance unit as my primaries.

The laptop is really to more easily view charts with the large screen.

An Ipad was another thought so its less cumbersome on the bridge.
 
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