Help with Charts

[SV Demeter]

Im new to OpenCPN and found this site with what appear to be charts of the caribbean:

4shared - My 4shared - shared folder - free file sharing and storage

I downloaded and saved these files to my chart directory. I then did a force database rebuild. I dont see these charts when I try to view them in open CPN.

Where can I get charts of the caribbean? What am I doing wrong with the downloaded ones?

[LN41]

We are looking for charts of the Caribbean, too.

[jackdale]

In what format are the charts? Is it one compatible with Open CPN?

[SV Demeter]

After unzipping the file it looks like the individual charts are .snc files. But the dowload site says: Each zip file is a complete chart set made from ENC format charts. Same coverage as ECDIS. Updated through Jan 2010.

[Pblais]

I'm not aware of any charts for the Windwards made from enc charts. You need to buy them in a format OpenCPN can read. These would not be one of those.

[jackdale]

I am not sure that is even a chart file format.

File Extension .SNC Details

It is not listed on the OpenCPN website as a compatible format.

[SV Demeter]

Well I guess i should have known it was too good to be true. Ok next question. Where is an affordable source for electronic charts of the caribbean that will be compatible with OpenCPN? I was looking at Garmin's site here Garmin | Region Coverage and they seem to offer charts of the caribbean for $160 but I cant tell the scale included.

[Pblais]

All the charts for the Windward's are licensed and not a free download. There may be free CMAP charts from 1993 floating around. These were pirated a long time ago and it's why Raymarine dumped it as a chart format. Not the type of chart you would want to actually use for navigation. Free chart scams are hundreds of years old. Some people think it's OK to sell them to the unsuspecting. Even this web site wants money for them.

[terra57]

Originally Posted by SV Demeter

Well I guess i should have known it was too good to be true. Ok next question. Where is an affordable source for electronic charts of the caribbean that will be compatible with OpenCPN? I was looking at Garmin's site here Garmin | Region Coverage and they seem to offer charts of the caribbean for $160 but I cant tell the scale included.

You have to look further on the Garmin site. They list all the individual charts used and the scale of those charts. Like any electronic chart the detail will vary across the area of the electronic chart dependent on the scale of the original charts! Pay attention to the charts used in the areas you plan to visit. They also have a map showing all the source charts with areas covered.

[SV Demeter]

So Im looking at garmin's HUS030R - Southeast Caribbean. It looks like it would be suitable but I dont see anything on the garmin site that speaks to the scale, individual charts included, or source charts? I also cant see anything telling me if the format of the garmin chart will be usable in Open CPN. Perhaps someone here can point me to a good place to buy reasonably priced electronic charts that are compatible with Open CPN?

[cactusjack]

Does anyone know of a free (or very affordable) source for downloading OpenCPN compatible charts for the Canadian West Coast, i.e. Inside Passage?

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Does anyone know of a free (or very affordable) source for downloading OpenCPN compatible charts for the Canadian West Coast, i.e. Inside Passage?

Canadian Hydrographic Service charts do have a charge. You need 2 sets PAC 02 and PAC 03. Each costs approx $175. The NOAA charts are not large scale.

Canadian Hydrographic Service

[Jacknast]

The original OP link for 4 shared to charts works.

go to link, DL the zip file for charts you want, unzip the file(s)

then goto navpak.com, DL the demo version, unzip it, install it, open it

then open the chart in navpak demo program,

[blubaju]

correct, you might have added, .snc is the Navpac's file format for s S-57 SENC electronic digital chart.

As I do have a licenced Navpak (yes, some people pay for good programs), I do have a several .snc too.

Anyone an idea how to convert them to a format compatible with openCPN?