normal use, do you guys record a track or your routes?

[rebel heart]

I've used OpenCPN for route planning before; never really to record where I've gone.

Is that normally done with the track function or the route function? I'm making a little website where I can upload the places we've gone (parsing a gps file) but I'd like to get it right the first time.

[nohal]

Route is a planned route - has nothing to do where you actually went. Track is a recording of where you actually were - The recording algorithm is pretty smart at removing the unneeded "noise" caused by not always going as straight as one would want, so to get insight into it's working, when you start moving, play a bit with the tracking precision settings in the Toolbox->Ships, depending on what you want to show - While the low setting is sure recommended for long straight stretches, you perhaps want to switch to high while navigating complicated places and need more accuracy.

Pavel

[rebel heart]

Just what I was looking for, thanks.

Can any developers advise if the output follows the gpx format for a track and looks basically like a route?

[nohal]

Not exactly sure what you mean by "looks basically like a route". We are following the GPX standard to the point. In GPX a route and track are "quite similar".

[conachair]

I've started saving tracks but download them from the gps as a gpx, then convert to a kml file in Opencpn and upload to Google maps, and save for opening in Google earth.
Nice way to relive some memories

[monte]

routes in blue, tracks in pink, opencpn is set to automatically record daily tracks, very helpful and lots of information. If I am day sailing often I dont fill in the log, but go back later and check the tracks to update the logbook/blog etc

[rgleason]

This is a very helpful discussion for Rebel Heart, but Rebel Heart, why not read the Manual? See this page. Ship Track | Official OpenCPN Homepage

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by nohal

Not exactly sure what you mean by "looks basically like a route". We are following the GPX standard to the point. In GPX a route and track are "quite similar".

What I mean is that the way elements are handled is identical between one domain object and another which although should be standard practice, and it sounds like it is here, isn't something I would take for granted.

Originally Posted by rgleason

This is a very helpful discussion for Rebel Heart, but Rebel Heart, why not read the Manual? See this page. Ship Track | Official OpenCPN Homepage

That was my first stop; was just looking for some narrative from here as well. I'm sitting on my laptop and don't have anything interfaced with the boat's GPS, or do I have a GPS puck hanging around, so I can't check for myself.

[rgleason]

Its okay.

[yachtvalhalla]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

I've used OpenCPN for route planning before; never really to record where I've gone.

Is that normally done with the track function or the route function? I'm making a little website where I can upload the places we've gone (parsing a gps file) but I'd like to get it right the first time.

My procedure is to create a planning route and use it for initial routing. But almost always the planning route gets changed as conditions and inspirations change. But the track is the 'official' record of the passage and, as such, I save it for future reference. Saving it in a file, suitably labeled, permits recalling it at any time and allows you to delete it from the program to avoid 'clutter'.

I use the GPSUtility program to convert the .gpx file into .kml for viewing on Google Earth.

HTH,

Terry

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by yachtvalhalla

My procedure is to create a planning route and use it for initial routing. But almost always the planning route gets changed as conditions and inspirations change. But the track is the 'official' record of the passage and, as such, I save it for future reference. Saving it in a file, suitably labeled, permits recalling it at any time and allows you to delete it from the program to avoid 'clutter'.

I use the GPSUtility program to convert the .gpx file into .kml for viewing on Google Earth.

HTH,

Terry

Terry,

Any chance you could email me a kml (and gpx?) or just show me the link to Google Earth to view it? I'd love to know that if I build something that allows gpx imports it provides at least as much functionality as kml on google earth.

radpin 'at' gmail 'dot' com

[George64]

I use the track option, however several time it gives very high speeds or is missing parts of the track. Don't why, but there for I use a separate gps to do the tracking.

[donradcliffe]

A good track is very valuable in coral areas, because it shows a safe way out of complex, uncharted areas which you have entered carefully and with good visibility. If you have to leave in bad conditions, you REALLY need an accurate track that you can overzoom on and follow. Hopefully OpenCpn doesn't cut any corners on the recorded and displayed track.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by George64

I use the track option, however several time it gives very high speeds or is missing parts of the track. Don't why, but there for I use a separate gps to do the tracking.

Do you ever export that (from your GPS)? I was looking at my Garmin (older model) at even it has a track export function as .gpx

And if anyone can email me some .gpx files of tracks they've done (from whatever devices), I'd appreciate it!

[conachair]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Do you ever export that (from your GPS)? I was looking at my Garmin (older model) at even it has a track export function as .gpx

And if anyone can email me some .gpx files of tracks they've done (from whatever devices), I'd appreciate it!

When I get near my laptop I'll seen a selection.

Have you tried the logbook Konni plug in for OpenCPN? It can be set to record a log entry every whatever minutes, then can never exported as a kml file. Pushpin has position, speed and some other data which I can't remember. Good plug in.