Data display for OpenCPN

[KultaPossu]

Hi,

I have been looking into OpenCPN, and I can't find any software or hardware for data displays (example as attached picture) nor any projects related to it.
So I'm asking here, is there any project for this or am I out of luck and should buy brand one?

The ones raymarine or B&G makes are just so damn expensive.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by KultaPossu

Hi,

I have been looking into OpenCPN, and I can't find any software or hardware for data displays (example as attached picture) nor any projects related to it.
So I'm asking here, is there any project for this or am I out of luck and should buy brand one?

The ones raymarine or B&G makes are just so damn expensive.

Have a look here:

https://www.segeln-forum.de/thread/7...21#post2568121

[sv_pelagia]

OpenCPN Dashboard plugin can show these

[Franziska]

Actually, just thinking out aloud, how about adding an option to the plug in to run several instances of dashboard and display them on another screen.
Then get a few old very popular smartphones and display dashboard on them.
Popular is important because you can only get for those waterproof cases.
Add a wireless charger behind each case.

Just a thought... biggest issue will likely be sunlight readability.

I think I'd stick to cheaper non Raymarine instruments though.

[KultaPossu]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Have a look here:

https://www.segeln-forum.de/thread/7...21#post2568121

This is somekind of DIY windsensor?
I don't speak german and couldn't figure it out with a translator.

[KultaPossu]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

OpenCPN Dashboard plugin can show these

I'm looking for separate screens

[KultaPossu]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Actually, just thinking out aloud, how about adding an option to the plug in to run several instances of dashboard and display them on another screen.
Then get a few old very popular smartphones and display dashboard on them.
Popular is important because you can only get for those waterproof cases.
Add a wireless charger behind each case.

Just a thought... biggest issue will likely be sunlight readability.

I think I'd stick to cheaper non Raymarine instruments though.

Or you could have somekind of API for that makes it easy to transmit the NMEA data over a network, and have separate devices that have a computer in them fetch that data and display it. With that you could extend it pretty much infinitely.


I'm actually thinking about creating a project of this if I can't find anything ready.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by KultaPossu

This is somekind of DIY windsensor?
I don't speak german and couldn't figure it out with a translator.

It's a DIY multi purpose instrument and can be configured for different uses.
Guess you need to use a website translator if you want to dive into it...

[ScottieD]

If I understand you correctly, OpenCPN can send data to the NMEA network. My setup uses an Actisense USB - NMEA to connect a raspberry Pi to the network. OpenCPN then sends the navigation data to a Garmin GMI 10 at the helm. Is that what you are after?

Edit: I see you mean the hardware too. Maybe something used? As long as it speaks NMEA 2000 I think it would work.

[bcn]

Go here:
https://open-boat-projects.org/en/di...isplay-obp-60/

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by bcn

Go here:
https://open-boat-projects.org/en/di...isplay-obp-60/

Pretty sensational for an amateur maker project. Very impressive.
Wonder what parts could become available to those who want to copy this and built their own.

[sailingharry]

OpenCPN is purely software. It's damn good software, but still nothing more than a downloadable file.
Hardware is its weak point/challenge. The cost, mounting, and connectivity issues involved with getting a sunlight readable, weatherproof, glove operable, ruggedly mounted display that also supports my radar is why it's not on my boat.
You are showing a bulkhead mount display of network data. If you are interested in a free hardware-independent comparable solution, I have played with NKE Display on my phone. It uses wifi to get data off the network, and has a nice display of various data. An old phone Velcro'd to the cabin side would work well for this.

[teppokurki]

Originally Posted by KultaPossu

Or you could have somekind of API for that makes it easy to transmit the NMEA data over a network, and have separate devices that have a computer in them fetch that data and display it. With that you could extend it pretty much infinitely.


I'm actually thinking about creating a project of this if I can't find anything ready.

This is pretty much the core idea of Signalk K

https://signalk.org/

https://github.com/SignalK/signalk-server

https://demo.signalk.io/admin/#/webapps

https://forum.openmarine.net/showthread.php?tid=1819

[Franziska]

Today I tried what I wrote about a little further up.
Share the NMEA data, including AIS, from OpenCPN to other devices. It works great.

All you need is that the devices are all logged into the same WiFi.
You don't even need an Internet connection in that network.
Run OpenCPN on one device with NMEA data input and then setup the repeater as instructed here:

https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...twork_repeater

Then access this NMEA from any of your devices. These devices can use any sort of NMEA capable app.
Sailgrib WR for example accepted the data OpenCPN broadcasted into the network without problem.

So if you want some cheap repeater displays, find a suitable app which can display NMEA data, put it on an old smartphone or tablet and either put this device behind a portlight facing the cockpit or put it into a waterproof case and add a wireless charger (they make some more powerful ones which an go through 10-15mm material) under the deck at the mounting position.

One suitable app would for example be the boatspeed.app

You do not need an extra wireless multiplexer to do this. Just any sort of router. In our case it's an old phone with activated hot-spot.

[Franziska]

There are quite a few Android and surely also Apple apps around, which are capable to show NMEA data from a network fed from, for example, a laptop running OpenCPN.

The example below is from the free Android app NAVMonitor. Which is highly configurable. You can set up your own display arrangements.

There are similar apps from NKE and others.

If you add an auto start manager app to this device all you need to do later is start the router, then the computer with OpenCPN and then switch on your device acting as display, all in this sequence.