Canadian CHS instalation sucess

[vicrod]

Purchased online from Canada Nautical as they have been selling digital charts for years and can answer questions thoroughly. Buying CHS charts is a multi step process as you are buying Transaction Code through a retailer but, downloading directly from Gov't of Canada.
This is where a knowledgeable retailer is makes process smooth.
The chart download package is in zip format installation is an automated process that also unlocks charts. You can use its suggested directory path or create you own. It includes 2 years of chart updates.
Decided to go with Raster for couple reasons. One is cost of ENC packages. Two CHS has more charts in Raster packages. ENC's are geared to commercial navigation and do not include every bay and cove. Ideally both would be complete but not cost effective.
Something else to be aware of is that commercially available navigation products package Canadian charts at attractive prices. BUT these packages are not up to date... Purchasing the real deal does have benefit.
Tested OpenCPN using CHS charts. It worked perfectly. Didn't really miss functionality of ENC charts as much as I feared.
Rod

[bcn]

Rod,

can you confirm that the installed charts are plain BSB3/".kap" charts?

Thanks

Hubert

[houlejm]

Originally Posted by bcn

Rod,

can you confirm that the installed charts are plain BSB3/".kap" charts?

Thanks

Hubert

Yes they are. I also got a bunch of them. You do not need any plugin.

Pricey, but up to date. There are updates almost every week.


Jean-Marie

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Rod.

[vicrod]

Gord: Thanks for the warm welcome!
bcn & houlejm: I originally installed CHS downloaded charts with BSB4 plugin enabled.
Chart directory has .BSB and .KAP files. Plugin enabled or disabled does not modify file names.
Have since disabled plugin and charts appears to work fine.
Have not tested underway but will do soon.

Have been reading CF for years but never had anything value to post.
Have been playing with OpenCPN for couple of years.
Purchased Standard Horizon CP500 new 10 years ago as primary chart plotter with C-Map charts for Canadian West Coast. Am still happy with purchase, unit is showing no signs of giving up!
At 10 years our CP500 should have backup in case of failure.
Have always wanted a large screen plotter but cost big bucks.
This brought me to PC navigation and OpenCPN. Used NOAA charts in US / Canadian boarder waters and found OpenCPN to be spot on with CP500!
Was close to purchasing retail navigation package including Canadian charts
until I compared CHS raster charts to retail raster charts package. The retail chart package charts were several years out of date.
Assume that retail ENC charts are same as CHS ENC's that would leave out some charts.
In my case having 24 inch monitor and portability of laptop made me comfortable having CP500 for backup.
Have 2 Lenovo ThinkPads one running Win10 and GlobalStat BU353S4 and Win7 withy BU353. Both run OpenCPN the same.
Both run Lenovo 12 volt airplane/vehicle adapters providing neat installation and easy setup.