OpenCPN and Radar

J

journey on

New member
For several years, I've been dreaming of displaying radar displays on a PC. Since we already have take a PC on our cruises for a navigation backup, it would be wonderful if we could show radar on the same screed. However, only Koden offers such a capability and it isn't cheap. A fellow C-Brat has one and reported great happiness.

Now several radar sensors, such as Garmin and Furuno are supplying radar sensor data via an ethernet and I've been wondering how to tap into that data stream. Understand I'm not a computer programmer, so I've just been wondering. Reading an aarticle by Panbro led me to the news that a gentleman has developed a Garmin based pl;ug in for Open CPN which provides a radar overlay on a displayed chart.

Here is the trail> First the web site for Open CPN. This is a FREE navigation program, which displays BSB and ENC charts, along with GPS data. It works with Windoze and Linux. Question: has anybody used this program and what is your opinion?

Next, here is the Cruisers Forum discussion on the OpenCPN radar overly plugin. This uses a Garmin 18 radar sensor with an ethernet cable from the sensor to the PC. Question: Does anyone have an opinion on this? Even better, has anyone tried this? One problem is that it seems only to be written for Linux or Ubantu.

Please, comment. Garmin radar sensors are only ~$1200.

Boris
 
Boris--great find and very interesting. I read the entire thread on Cruiser forum, and have used Open Captain at home--but not on the boat (I used various computer navigation programs on my trawler 15 years ago). My decision then was that I preferred a dedicated MDF or chart plotter display. It was / is easier to use the chart plotter or dedicated MDF. The screen is brighter, and they are designed to be used in the elements. The lap top is more difficult for me to use, (although the i pad and I phone navigation programs are not more difficult).

Recently posted on the Cruiser Forum thread is was that the radar product was still not prime time and lacking in some functions. One of the issues I see is the actual overlay--without a heading gyro compass.

The current product is one for Garmin HD and one for the Navico units (Lowrance, Simrad and B&G.). I was at the local West Marine store today and the Garmin 18 HD Radar with a Garmin 740S was $1999. (Going to the 741, with CHIRP Sounder and higher resolution would add about $500 more dollars) I believe that there was a sale with $200 off last week (which I suspect will be repeated in the future). Lowrance (or Simrad) MDF are a bit more expensive--and the combo would be about $800 more than the basic Garmin 740 with Radar....

If you have the time and patience to work with the program as it develops--and there seems to be a good argument for the basic radar as it currently is available. Why not get the Garmin HD 18--try the program and see if it works. If you are not satisfied, then pick up the Garmin 740 for about $800 more dollars? I do believe that currently the cheaper Furuno 1623 which is about $1400 is out classed by the Garmin 18 HD with the 740 MDF/chart plotter/sounder for a few hundred dollars more.
 
Rather than buying a dedicated GPS unit for my boat I'm using OpenCPN on a Windows tablet computer aboard my boat. I've been quite pleased with it so far. I've been watching the radar development with OpenCPN with an eye to the future. I'm interested in any experiences anyone has had with it too.
 
Bob, I really appreciate your comments. What you say about trying the radar makes sense. As to using a dedicated plotter, I have one which lets you select either radar or charts, but not both. So in heavy fog we use the radar for radar and the PC for charts. I'd like to combine both before the JRC radar/plotter goes south.

As to openCPN, I have Fugawi on the PC because it was the only plotting program (at the time) which would display ENC/vector charts. Open CPN seems the equal and the updates are cheaper. Any specific comments about openCAPN? The PC certainly give a better display.

Mike, Any specific comments about openCAPN? Have you identified any quirks? Is it your primary plotter? What PC and operating system do you use?

I looked through the instructions for Gradar and I'm confused. The latest release for Gradar says to compile the program and directs one to Gradar_pi for the latest release. One is supposed to compile the gradar plug-in, but there are no specific instructions. I haven't compiled a program since we left punched cards in the 60's and I need some help. Do either of you, (or anybody else) have any comments?

Boris
 
Boris,
You might check with Rose Point Navigation. We use Coastal Explorer and I believe they can do AIS and Radar add ons. Great people to deal with. They can display raster and vector charts along with C-map add ons. You can give them a call at 425 605 0985. We use a 4208 Garmin multi function chart plotter using HD radar or using radar overlay and use a laptop running Coastal Explorer for navigation. Rose Point has excellent customer service.
D.D.
 
Rose Point is excellent--but they require either the Koden Radar with black box or the Nobeltech radar, and both are considerably more expensive than the Garmin HD. It does not look like the cheaper Sitex units will work--maybe they can be adopted with the black box? But again then you are going to be more costly.

Boris, I agree that you have to be able to do a certain amount of programing to use the Gradar. That is one of the reasons I would not go that way..and I am looking for a Radar system, especially if we decide to do some Great Lakes exploring later this year...
 
journey on":38rf6htd said:
Mike, Any specific comments about openCAPN? Have you identified any quirks? Is it your primary plotter? What PC and operating system do you use?
Click to expand...

OpenCPN is my only plotter. I've used a lot of different GPS's since the early '90s but never a dedicated marine plotter. I wanted to save some money by combining a portable computer with a GPS and free NOAAA charts rather than buying a dedicated marine unit. With the government providing marine charts free in an electronic format now seemed like a good time to give it a shot. First I looked for marine mapping software that would run on a PC. OpenCPN, being free, caught my attention so I downloaded it and gave it a try on my desktop machine. The charts are free and updated regularly, no more fees to Garmin (or another provider) for work my tax dollars have already paid for.

I've read reports of people running OpenCPN on low powered tablets and netbooks but I wanted a computer that would do more, that would run much of the same software I use on my desktop computer so I could use it for email, logs, photos, etc. while on the boat. My first plan was to build a 12 volt computer with a removeable drive that I could bring home to update charts or move pictures or logs to my desktop. The problem I ran into was finding a small monitor. There aren't many available and those with bright enough screens seem to be pretty expensive.

I ended up buying a Samsung Series 7 Slate tablet PC. This is a full powered machine (Intel i5 processor, 4 gigs ram, 64 gig static drive) that will run almost everything my desktop will and it has touchscreen ability like many chart plotters. It runs Windows 7 just like my desktop so I didn't have to keep track of two different operating systems, plus, it could replace the old slow laptop I haul around on motorcycle trips. The tablet doesn't come with a mouse or keyboard but has Bluetooth so any Bluetooth mouse or keyboard will connect to it without cables or a Bluetooth GPS. Even though it is a touchscreen device like a lot of chart plotters I prefer using a mouse to keep finger smears off of the screen. It comes with a 110 volt charger like a laptop computer and I purchased a 12 volt charger for use on the boat. Like many GPS's it will run off the internal battery if the 12 volt system goes out. It sits on the dash by means of a RAM Mount with suction cup base just fine. This isn't a waterproof device like most marine GPS plotters so I wouldn't consider using it in an open boat but sitting on the dash with the center windshield closed when under way it's dry and seems to work fine. I have had to close the side window to keep spray off at times but I'd do that anyway if spray was blowing in. The Series 7 Slate and the RAM Mount ran around $1000 last fall. I have no idea what they cost now.

As far as the actual GPS I have two. One a cheap puck type mounted on the dash and the other a Garmin Oregon 450 which I mount on the bottom of the windshield with another RAM Mount suction base. Both of the GPS's connect via USB cable. The puck GPS is there for backup as I prefer the Garmin Oregon 450 because it supplies much more data for use with the various instruments built into OpenCPN. The puck provides lat, lon, direction of movement and speed of movement only. That is also all you'll get from the Garmin Oregon plugged into a computer even though they advertise that it sends all sorts of NMEA 0183 data. To get the NMEA data it has to be plugged into a NMEA network unless you install Franson GPSGate software (which is free for non commercial use, I love free software). With the Franson software installed OpenCPN can then make use of all the NMEA data supplied by the Garmin Oregon 450 for the various instruments that are part of OpenCPN.

The thing I like most about this setup is that it saves me money on chart updates. I can have the latest charts everytime I leave the house. Many of them are updated quite frequently and it is easy to switch between vector and raster charts (just touch the screen or click the mouse) as there are benefits to both. And, when I'm not boating and need a portable computer I've got one.

Another software package I've found useful, although it doesn't do radar, is Polar Navy's PolarView software. While not free it's only about forty bucks. It will download chart updates with just a few mouse clicks and also uses Active Captain info. I'm surprised no one has written a plugin for OpenCPN that will do those two things.
 
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