Decent Hardware for OpenCPN to Run On

[Skipper Solo]

This is a very preliminary idea based on a cmbination of experience, external input from threads on this board, and inspiration. Please consider it a MAJOR UNDERTAKING which will require the cooperation of many areas of expertise, enthusiasm and funding. Everybody interested are encouraged to contribute in any way in a constructive fashion to realise this potential project!

Much is up for revision except for the fundamentals; the result must be rugged, affordable and VERY functional. The product name "LinCruiser" isn't hewn in stone as such, it's just a working name to get tings started - it may change. Here goes:

*** Specifications for the LinCruiser ***

Summary: LinCruiser is a IP67-compliant navigation/sensor control system primarily made for the <30' sailboat market based on OpenSoftware and OpenHardware.

Key features: Linux OS, GUI-of-choice, OpenCPN navigation software ++, custom-built Beagleboard (?) motherboard, built-in GPS/AIS and USB/NMEA ports, 7" touchscreen - all in a physical abuse- and saltwater-rugged and IP67-verified shell hopefully consuming less than 10W (over 100 hours' use on a single 120Ah battery!).

Rationale: The emergence of Open Hardware to compliment Open Software opens new possibilities to manufacture/mass produce a wide spectrum of low-cost niche products. The LinCruiser initiative can capitalise on this by recruiting competents enthusiasts from the programmer, hardware designer, industrial designer and intrepid sailor communities to make a product which will gain solids market interest and sell accordingly. The LinCruiser can become a salty dog indeed! :-)

Links:
OpenCPN - OpenCPN | Official OpenCPN Homepage
Beagleboard - BeagleBoard.org - default

[idpnd]

I've had the exact same thoughts, could be a small business opportunity also

[familycruisers]

the business is there but the tablet industry Android os , cotton candy, ice cream sandwich i think is the future, well imo
Im setting mine up with tablet/netbook (OpenCPN, linux) using the two systems as seperate backups for each other.
the only thing not currently available on adroid is NMEA for auto pilot integration

[jake-i]

Originally Posted by idpnd

I've had the exact same thoughts, could be a small business opportunity also

Nah. Raymarine and/or Simrad will blow you out of the water if you'd try.

[idpnd]

Absolutely not, there are some smaller providers of onboard pcs already. The main weakness of chartplotters (apart from being overpriced and frequently obsolescent) is their uselessness as a general onboard pc.

[Snore]

Having rolled out GIS in a utility on $500 laptops, the PC is not the big hurdle. Those devices have had an almost zero failure rate working in an environmentally hostile workplace.

The question is, has anyone found a display that is waterproof enough for the deck, low power draw, and has connections that will take splashes and rain?

[sy_gilana]

I think I have found the ideal computer for OpenCPN and the boat in general.
4 Comports!! Less than an amp draw!! Touchscreen! only problem is its a tad expensive.
Just Google VP7815 I will try to post the spec sheet here

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sy_gilana

I think I have found the ideal computer for OpenCPN and the boat in general.
4 Comports!! Less than an amp draw!! Touchscreen! only problem is its a tad expensive.
Just Google VP7815 I will try to post the spec sheet here

Looked at the specs online. One problem for me and I think many others, is the screen would not be daylight viewable. Spec for brightness is 350 cd/m2 and as far as I know it takes 1000 cd/m2 minimum to view in daylight.

[Skipper Solo]

Originally Posted by Snore

Having rolled out GIS in a utility on $500 laptops, the PC is not the big hurdle. Those devices have had an almost zero failure rate working in an environmentally hostile workplace.

The question is, has anyone found a display that is waterproof enough for the deck, low power draw, and has connections that will take splashes and rain?

The Pixel Qi screens fits the bill - www.pixelqi.com
Waterproofness is a design issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfigF...endscreen&NR=1

[dacust]

Originally Posted by Skipper Solo

The Pixel Qi screens fits the bill - www.pixelqi.com
Waterproofness is a design issue.

The Qi is only fully color in tranmission mode - only 265 nits.
For sunlight veiwable, in reflective mode the Qi is black & white.
Might be fine for some applications, but for marine navigation where color is part of the information, I think that would be a deal breaker for me.

As you point out, from the manufacturer it is not waterproof or touchscreen.

So, if the B&W part doesn't kill it for you, now you just have to find someone who takes this screen, adds touchscreen, and makes it waterproof. AND does it in a way to sell it for a reasonable price.

I haven't looked real hard, but so far have not found a price. I found some displays on manufacturer sites, but all were for industrial use (and no prices). None mentioned waterproofing, and none mentioned touchscreen (although the Qi site has a photo of their screens with "various touchscreen technologies installed").

Looks good, but still don't cut it for me.

-dan

[monstads]

I have been thinking along the same lines for a while. A very interesting board is the RaspberryPi ( http://www.raspberrypi.org/) . Couple that with an expansion board for NMEA/onboard sensors and a PixelQi screen, and I think you would have a really good starting point. At $35 you get very low power draw, can run Linux (or Android), has Ethernet, HDMI , SD Card, audio out, USB and gpio pins. Biggest cost is likely the screen. My first thought was to use is as a central "server", connected to a cheap LCD screen for entertainment/navigation station work, and have it expose/publish data to existing smart phones/tablets either via a web page or dedicated app. I'd also love to take a crack at a ruggedized tablet with it, if I could find an affordable touchscreen that is viewable in daylight.

[Skipper Solo]

Originally Posted by dacust

The Qi is only fully color in tranmission mode - only 265 nits.
For sunlight veiwable, in reflective mode the Qi is black & white.
Might be fine for some applications, but for marine navigation where color is part of the information, I think that would be a deal breaker for me.

As you point out, from the manufacturer it is not waterproof or touchscreen.

So, if the B&W part doesn't kill it for you, now you just have to find someone who takes this screen, adds touchscreen, and makes it waterproof. AND does it in a way to sell it for a reasonable price.

I haven't looked real hard, but so far have not found a price. I found some displays on manufacturer sites, but all were for industrial use (and no prices). None mentioned waterproofing, and none mentioned touchscreen (although the Qi site has a photo of their screens with "various touchscreen technologies installed").

Looks good, but still don't cut it for me.

-dan

Err... two issues: First, colour is primarily important when it's dark, in order to see red/green sector lights on the map for instance. Not a problem in sun/daylight. Second, seeing b/w is obviously better than seeing nothing at all. So what appears to be limitations aren't really factual. Its low power consumption is a huge plus, anyway.
Look at this for an example: 0RChard Startup Unveils Rugged Tablet With Pixel QI Display and Rugged Titanium Case (Video) | Android Tablet Central
550$. Add GPS, AIS receive and NMEA ports, and we have our device for ~800$.

[idpnd]

Originally Posted by monstads

My first thought was to use is as a central "server", connected to a cheap LCD screen for entertainment/navigation station work, and have it expose/publish data to existing smart phones/tablets either via a web page or dedicated app.

exactly my thinking. i use a eur 100 12 volt lcd, non-waterproofed, under my sprayhood. ive got a lovely zipper bag to put over it when its drizzling otherwise, i just operate from main (LED) screen at navstation.

id like to network the navstuff onto a rugged android tablet or so