OPENCPN Free
Navigation Software
OpenCpn is an open source
navigation software program, suitable for PC's and Laptops. It is THE most widely used navigation platform for
bluewater cruisers. It is FREE! So are the
charts for
New Zealand and many other regions. This is NOT pirated software. It was written for boaties, by boaties, and is continually evolving.
Personally, about 18 months ago, I changed my boat’s system from primarily a
commercial navigation package to
open CPN. I did this due to cost - my previous
radar had failed (approx 10 year old
Nobeltec radar, made by Koden). The replacement unit here in
New Zealand was over $5000. The new, digital radar that worked with OpenCpn cost $1700 landed in NZ, and installed in the
boat.
First, let’s clear up a couple of points. PC's on boats
work fine. In fact, some of the modern proprietary plotters are in effect a PC, often running a customised
Linux version hidden from the user by a menu system.
I use standard office laptops, but PC's, external monitors and other accessories can be as tough and as waterproof as any purpose designed unit if that is what you want. A spare PC can be carried, programmed and ready to swap in, for a very low
price. I’ve never seen anyone carry a spare primary plotter, as they are too expensive!
Facilities on OpenCpn are the same as most modern plotters - Obviously, it's primarily a chart plotter, but all the overlays are available – Radar,
AIS,
Weather, etc. Most of the additions to OpenCpn are known as “plugins”. To have them on your system, simply download them (link below), and follow the instructions (normally simply copy them to your “plugins” directory). Once that is done, any configuration required can be done by clicking on the spanner icon on the OpenCpn toolbar, selecting plugins from the menu and then setting preferences. There is a button to enable/disable the
plugin concerned. It really is very easy!
Connecting OpenCpn to your PC is required to get the best out of it. It really needs to be connected to
GPS as a minimum to get good benefits from it, however it can also control your
autopilot, repeat your
instruments, display your
weather forecast (grib files), overlay radar
images etc. The connections are the most difficult part for most users.
The radar connection is a bit different to the others, as it uses Ethernet (like a computer
network cable), but the other devices all connect via
NMEA. If you only have
NMEA 2000, you will need an
NMEA 2000-NMEA 0183 converter to get your data to and from your PC. Either way, you will also need a USB to
Serial converter to get your data from the 2 wire NMEA connection into the USB
ports on the PC. More complex systems may need multiple
ports to connect to (I have a
single USB to
Serial Hub with 5 ports), but again, these devices are
cheap and the connections are just a repeat of the 2 wire NMEA connection. Once you have done one, you can easily do lots!
Unfortunately, the traditional support companies often do not support, or do not know how to support PC based connections to their
equipment. NMEA connections are simple, and this should not be the case, but I guess they are protecting their markets. It’s working – good PC systems have been around for more than 10 years!
One developing area is transducers (masthead, speed (water), temp, etc etc) are beginning to be produced that “speak” NMEA directly, allowing them to be connected to just about anything. This is great for the
budget boatie, as it means that you are no longer forced to buy a complete system from one supplier – mix and match is fine.
OpenCpn’s website is
OpenCPN | Official OpenCPN Homepage and you can download it from there. All the plugins are there as well, and a link to the support forum. Oh yes, and a link to the chart download areas.
Download it! Have a play on your PC/Laptop, and I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised...
If you need
hardware, have questions or wish me to cover something else, have a look at my website
Neptune's Gear or send me an
email
Cheers
Matt