Serial to USB converter for Android devices

[sinbad7]

For years,I have successfully used my SR162 AIS receiver and a standard
Serial to USB converter. (see attached) with OpenCPN running on my PC.

Times are changing,more and more people are using Android devices and one or two nav. progs. which are accepting .bsb charts.

OruxMaps Sea is able to read and display AIS targets through several connections, IP,Bluetooth,WiFi and now direct from the setup shown above in para. 1.

My problem is: None of my Galaxy 10.1 tablet or Galaxy SII phone will recognise the USB port. Using various testing apps does not find any devices. The designer of OruzMaps Sea is using a different Serial/USB converter,and is able to receive the NMEA AIS data stream and display the targets. Are the various serial/USB converters using different drivers? I thought there was a standard used by all?

Both my Galaxy devices work perfectly using the USB port with a pendrive
containing my charts,music and videos.

I would very much like to use the Serial/USB method to read the NMEA/AIS data into my OruxMaps Sea and others on my Android devices,as it would be a totally independent way to collect data through my VHF antenna,all powered by my 12v system on board.

I have no expertise in Android and would appreciate any suggestions.

Tore

[azsailor12]

Each brand of converter will have it's own driver. They are not standard. This is handled easily on a PC, where you can install the needed driver. I'm not sure if Android devices have that flexibility.

[sinbad7]

I have found a great company in AZ,specializing in convertors and I´ve had a look at their Bluetooth Serial converter which can plug right into your AIS receiver and beam the AIS NMEA data to your bluetooth abled Android devices installed with navigation progs. such as OruxMaps Sea.
The device is listed as $ 56.- so it should not break your bank.

Have a look: Bluetooth Serial Adapter RS232

Tried to upload a few screen dumps from my Galaxy phone but there seems
to be a problem with the CF upload function?

Tore