Computer chartplotter program

F

flrockytop

New member
Dad,

Ran across this software and like it. It is like the Capn but is free and works great with the netbook screen resolution.


http://opencpn.org/
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My son sent me this information. I downloaded the program and have been running it on my netbook for 48 hours. It seems to work well. I have the Capn program but it runs from 10 min to two hours and then crashes on me.

If anyone interested in this type of thing it's worth a look.

Roger
 
Yes, I found out about it through our Port Director here in Juneau. He has used it for years and loves it.

I have downloaded it (free!) but haven't really played around with it. Looks like a Nobeltec-esque program. I use Navionics so I'm in no hurry, but I should get it going for a backup at least.

Mike
 
Dreamer":6riq88bb said:
The program is easy to download and looks well thought out. Do you then have to download charts from another source?
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You can down load all the us noaa charts free. It also works wih the s57 charts. There is a link on their home page that has charts in a lot of the world. I haven't done any but the USA. I have spent some time on their forum today. This looks like a very powerful program.

One of the features I already like is there is little blocks at the bottom that represents the different charts you have loaded. When you put your cursor over a block a small pop up window come up with a preview of that chart. It also seems to load the charts fast.
 
Truely a neat application--too bad not an app for the i pad yet. As I looked I found some interaction between Active Captain and Opencpn--and why there was not further interaction for good reasons

Another feature is that pilot charts work on this. This is a real plus for long distance cruisers-probably not much for C brats unless you are helping with another's routing--or want to take your C Dory 22 across the pacific using the 2.5 hp outboard and 200 gallons of fuel (It is probably doable--but not comfortable)
 
Installed it on the laptop, used a Garmin GPSMap76CSX as the GPS source. Thus far it looks very good. Haven't been on the water with it yet but it looks as though it will be very useful.
 
Can the program use electronic vector charts as well as the raster?

Has anybody used it with C-Map chips?

Does it work with Canadian charts? Which ones?

Boris
 
journey on":239vnvlg said:
Can the program use electronic vector charts as well as the raster?

Has anybody used it with C-Map chips?

Does it work with Canadian charts? Which ones?

Boris
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It works with vector charts. There is a just released plug-in to use the canadian charts. The plug-in is free but the charts must be "legal" and installed on the original computer they are registered with. There is a lot of good information on their web page.

I've been playing with overlay with Google Earth created image. There are people using it in parts of the world with no or very outdated charts and the Google Earth made charts.
 
Not to side track this thread but we are very happy with our Coastal Explorer software by Rosepoint Navigation Systems they include both raster and vector charts for the coastal USA. You can buy cmap charts also. You can switch in between vector and raster charts with one keystroke. We use it with a velcro mount USB type GPS puck that sits under the passenger side windshield as a completley separate nav system on a laptop with a 15 inch screen. It has Active Captain built in saves routes as regular windows files. It does not require internet for the nav program. They update the program and charts all the time you sign on if you set the synchronaztion that way and have internet. If you have internet you can get current conditions etc. I'm not sure of an Apple version. We have excellent one on one service from their tech folks. THey have a blog service built that you can load picures that can be public or private of your blog. When we purchasd it it was 400 dollars. They update the program and charts on a regular basis free of charge. It has a planning mode and a cruise mode. Setting up routes could not be easier. I use our 208 Garmin for radar and watching depth when I want to cut corners of the channels. I have no business interest in the company. Best cutomer service anywhere. Our purchase price was 400.00 you get what you pay IMHO Our blog is at www.coastalexplorer.net/users/willc/blog
check them out. www.coastalexplorer.net
D.D.
 
ssobol,

When you click on the link BrentB has in his response and you get to the OpenCPN site right above the chart it says, The most recent stable version, OpenCPN 3.0.2, a bug-fix release, was published on July 7th 2012 and can be downloaded from opencpn.org/download. This is what you want to click on. I made the same mistake at first and tried to download the 7Zip progam in the ad on the right.

Bill
 
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