NMEA TO LAPTOP?

[Sailfar1981]

Hi all, im getting started with open cpn. I was advised to buy a Nmea to usb converter and i got the NGT 1 by Actisense. But im not succeeding in getting my Nmea signal to Open CPN.
Does open CPN actually work with the NGT 1 or did I buy the wrong converter?

Thanks
A

[rgleason]

Get on the manual, supplimentary hardware from opencpn.org. Do a search on artisense. Read.

[rgleason]

Or search this forum
There are a number of threads about this device

[Hakan]

Originally Posted by Sailfar1981

Hi all, im getting started with open cpn. I was advised to buy a Nmea to usb converter and i got the NGT 1 by Actisense. But im not succeeding in getting my Nmea signal to Open CPN.
Does open CPN actually work with the NGT 1 or did I buy the wrong converter?

Thanks
A

The NGT 1 is to get NMEA 2000 to a PC via USB. But OCPN can't use NMEA 2000, only NMEA 0183.

I you want to transfer certain NMEA 2000 messages from an existing bus system in your boat to NMEA 0183 and to OCPN I think the NGW 1 would be the best choice. Search the Actisense site for more info.
If you want to transfer pure serial NMEA 0183 to USB and OCPN USG 2 would fit.

[Sailfar1981]

Originally Posted by Hakan

The NGT 1 is to get NMEA 2000 to a PC via USB. But OCPN can't use NMEA 2000, only NMEA 0183.

I you want to transfer certain NMEA 2000 messages from an existing bus system in your boat to NMEA 0183 and to OCPN I think the NGW 1 would be the best choice. Search the Actisense site for more info.
If you want to transfer pure serial NMEA 0183 to USB and OCPN USG 2 would fit.

Thanks Hakan, I suspected that much. Wrong purchase ...

[RaymondR]

Digitech makes a USB to RS422/485 converter which can be had for around A$50. NMEA 0183 uses the RS 422 electrical specification.

[teppokurki]

Do you have NMEA 2000 or 0183 on your boat? You are not telling how you are not succeeding.

If 2000 you can use NGT-1 and install Signal K server to convert 2000 to 0183 that OpenCPN understands. This way is more future proof than NGW, as you can have access to all NMEA 2000 data including data that has no standard sentences in 0183, like electrical and engine data.

Or if you have 0183 then NGT-1 is a wrong choice and you should just get a serial to USB converter as adviced.

[Sailfar1981]

I have seatalk NG, so nmea 2000. Is signal K server a software? That would be grand it seems. I could keep my Actisense.

Thanks

[Moo]

Originally Posted by Sailfar1981

I have seatalk NG, so nmea 2000. Is signal K server a software? That would be grand it seems. I could keep my Actisense.

Thanks

Please don't take offence but the fact that you are here asking these basic questions suggests to me that you are not a geek.

Therefore I suggest you stay away from SignalK and exchange your unit for a NGW-1. That is almost plug and play and will just work. Do not worry about its future proofness or not unless you want to do geek stuff.

If you just want to get your nave data on and off the network that is all you need.

Have a look at the yachtd.com for some cheaper devices, and also at the Actisense W2K-1 which will give all you need over wifi and will run in either N2k or 0183 mode to OCPN therefore giving you the option of going the signalk route if you feel the need.

Chris

[Sailfar1981]

Originally Posted by Moo

Please don't take offence but the fact that you are here asking these basic questions suggests to me that you are not a geek.

Therefore I suggest you stay away from SignalK and exchange your unit for a NGW-1. That is almost plug and play and will just work. Do not worry about its future proofness or not unless you want to do geek stuff.

If you just want to get your nave data on and off the network that is all you need.

Have a look at the yachtd.com for some cheaper devices, and also at the Actisense W2K-1 which will give all you need over wifi and will run in either N2k or 0183 mode to OCPN therefore giving you the option of going the signalk route if you feel the need.

Chris

Hi and thanks for all of the replies.

Chris, no offence at all. I am as computer illitterate as they come. I just need to make it work . will look into the NGW1 ....

THANKS

[Freedom45]

I bought a NMEA0183 to WiFi on eBay, fifty bucks if I recall.
Works great, no wires, I use opencpn

Cheers

[Moo]

Originally Posted by Freedom45

I bought a NMEA to WiFi on eBay, fifty bucks if I recall.
Works great, no wires, I use opencpn

Cheers

NMEA0183 presumably?

[Freedom45]

Originally Posted by Moo

NMEA0183 presumably?

Yes, NMEA0183 to wifi

[Moo]

Originally Posted by Freedom45

Yes, NMEA0183 to wifi

OP has Seatalk NG aka N2k

[stevead]

I didn't find it very clear from the initial post whether:

1. the NMEA data connection was NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 ?

or

2. What operating system was being used ? Windows, Mac, Linux or Raspbian ?

If NMEA 2000, an alternative to the Actisense NGW-1 gateway or a Signal K solution is the TwoCan plugin with an inexpensive CAN bus interface.

The TwoCan plugin provides a simple uni-directional solution for integrating NMEA 2000 data with OpenCPN.