How many use OpenCPN?

[weavis]

Im playing here in the clinic with the latest release.
Seems nice.

[monte]

We run opencpn at the nav desk always. We cross reference to the Raymarine plotter and both systems are Independant. Opencpn is better for
Route planning
Route information TTG, VMG etc
AIS target info and crossing info
AIS tracking
Anchor alarm

[weavis]

Originally Posted by monte

We run opencpn at the nav desk always. We cross reference to the Raymarine plotter and both systems are Independant. Opencpn is better for
Route planning
Route information TTG, VMG etc
AIS target info and crossing info
AIS tracking
Anchor alarm

Thats reassuring to hear from world travelers.
Thanks for that.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Dhillen

A dozen years ago in Malaysia there was a large, expensive yacht that had three different electronic chart displays on board. The owner sent her up on a rock when two out of three of the displays didn't show the rock, only one did. He figured he could safely ignore it......bad move.

I know somebody with your experience Boatman, would never make that mistake. Just thought I'd highlight it for others who may run into (pun intended) a similar situation.

Cheers.

Dhillen

Ahahahahahaaaaa... never say Never...
I've kissed bottom a few times..

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by nohal

A long time ago, I have prototyped https://github.com/nohal/chartdldr_pi
Quite a layer of dust on it, but at the other hand can be resurrected.

Pavel

Pavel,

Thank you for pointing that out. I will try to work on putting what I have done into that if it's ok with you. I'll start a thread in the OpenCPN section and ask for input from others.

[MarkJ]

I use the program as my principal nav system, I have many other backups but dont use paper.

OpenCpn is the best program I have found and I am always up to date with the latest beta version (though I havent yet downloaded the new Stable version).
Yes they are activly working on it, however often not in the direction I see as benifitial for navigation. Most of my iteractions with them is because they have changed something that worked well before and now distroyed a thing I valued a lot. The most recent when you zoom in the chart goes all fuzzy and you cant read anything. Some idea that GPS, charts and ECN plotter are not very accurate so if they make OpenCpn less accurate the heavens will applaud. I was less than mollified by their reactions to my grief. (Even inconsequentially small things like adding extra clicks to change Leg to Route over a 3,000nm passage makes the added clicks a pain in the bum).

So, as has happened in the computer industry many many times, OpenCpn is only as good as its latest incantation. If the loonies get in charge of it then you can box it and throw it.
Some loony got in charge of iPads last IOS update and changed the way spell checker works so now I can not use spell checker on forums. How brainless, and unthoughtful to people like me who have dyslexia.
Everyone makes mistakes and everyone needs to forgive and get over it... I hope the group keeps working on OpenCpn but in 2015 they go for a bloody long sail with it, without wearing their geek tshirt, then come back and keep improving the program for sailors, not just for programmers using some wierd platform no one has heard of.

[darylat8750]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

Pavel,

Thank you for pointing that out. I will try to work on putting what I have done into that if it's ok with you. I'll start a thread in the OpenCPN section and ask for input from others.

That would be appreciated by me. I'm not very computer literate and being able to push a button to say "Go get these charts" then "Install these charts" would be great. Give me an inch and I'll take a mile..... Could you also give us a button to overlay Google on the chart? Say "Go get this chart" "INstall this chart" "Overlay Google Earth on this chart". That would warrant a new lap top!

[nohal]

Mark...
As you have been told about 200 times already, you can turn it off

Pavel

[rnjpinz]

I am in Panama and without OpenCPN and the ability to lay Google Earth Photos on the program it would have been very difficult to navigate these waters. Our Garmin Charts were way off in the Eastern part of the country.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by rnjpinz

I am in Panama and without OpenCPN and the ability to lay Google Earth Photos on the program it would have been very difficult to navigate these waters. Our Garmin Charts were way off in the Eastern part of the country.

Im going to have to make a study of the procedure used to overlay google maps. Sounds a great thing.

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by weavis

Im going to have to make a study of the procedure used to overlay google maps. Sounds a great thing.

Agreed, thanks for the tip... I want that Now!


JimK

[weavis]

Originally Posted by jkindredpdx

Agreed, thanks for the tip... I want that Now!


JimK

Well if you get to the part of how to do it before me......... let me know
Im still playing with laying a course.
It seems REALLY powerful

[colemj]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I use the program as my principal nav system, I have many other backups but dont use paper.

The only safe way to use OpenCPN is to print out the source code on large fan-fold paper and keep it on your chart table.

If you attempt to use it electronically, it will fling you right up on land.

Mark

[colemj]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Thing I like about Open CPN, is it's paper charts with all the margin data, notes etc., OK maybe not literally paper, but it's not someones proprietary conversion

OpenCPN is a charting program, not a chart. It will take a variety of chart formats in both raster and vector types. Proprietary and open.

Most other charting programs and chart plotters do also.

Mark

[delcrest]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

I have been working on a tool that would download all the NOAA and Corp. of Engineers charts for the US then install them in OpenCPN without the user knowing anything about web addresses or how to install charts. If there is interest I will try to speed up the process. If someone knows of such a tool already then that would save some time obviously.

I certainly would be very interested, especially for the east cost of Africa (south of Somalia haha) and I am really sure there a plenty others that would want this
I am currently looking at purchasing a branded plotter purely because of the difficulty to in locating charts that will run on opencpn, and then still not sure it's in the correct format, I have not been able to locate cm 93 ver 2 charts anywhere in my part of the world, currently near Richards bay South Africa