We need a Long Heading Line

[xiurong]

Hi everyone!
Most of the ECDIS and RADAR are displaying a long heading line, a long heading line is useful for navigator to determine other ships bearing in ahead of own ship.opencpn does display heading line,but What I want to suggest is about the length of heading line,the length of heading line in opencpn dos not cover the whole screen(not extend to the edge of the chart displaying area) but has been limited by the "COG Predictor Length(min)" in "Own Ship" settings.(picture pls see my post:http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/feature-requests-30931-109.html#post1579203 and
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/feature-requests-30931-110.html#post1582316)

anyone think a long heading line is useful pls support!

[bcn]

Xiurong,

don't get it:
why does a (for example) 1 hour COG predictor does not satisfy your needs?
What is missing?

bcn

[nigel1]

Radar display is circular with a bearing scale around the circumference, the heading marker therefore is a useful reference to the ships compass course.

ECDIS and chart plotters do not have this bearing scale.
I have worked with Transas and Furuno ECDIS systems, in both cases, ships heading line is on the same scale as COG/SOG vector, which is selected by the user.
I have not seen an ECDIS where the heading marker is on a different scale to the other vectors.

[xiurong]

Originally Posted by nigel1

Radar display is circular with a bearing scale around the circumference, the heading marker therefore is a useful reference to the ships compass course.

ECDIS and chart plotters do not have this bearing scale.
I have worked with Transas and Furuno ECDIS systems, in both cases, ships heading line is on the same scale as COG/SOG vector, which is selected by the user.
I have not seen an ECDIS where the heading marker is on a different scale to the other vectors.

Hi Nigel
yes,you are right,I think you are confused by my bad english description,in fact Transas and JRC ECDIS are displaying a long heading line ,most inportant is the length of the heading line is not limited by the COG/SOG vector,the heading line always cover the whole screen what ever you zoomin or zoomout.but in opencpn the heading line length is limited by the COG vector,it shows in the same length with COG vector,in Transas and JRC ECDIS the heading line is a unlimited length line.this is what I mean.pls kindly help to suggest this to the developer if you understand what I mean.
I have collect some picture for your reference.

[xiurong]

Originally Posted by bcn

Xiurong,

don't get it:
why does a (for example) 1 hour COG predictor does not satisfy your needs?
What is missing?

bcn

Hi bcn
thank you for your solution ,this solution works if your ships speed is fixed,but what about your speed is 1kts ?what about the speed is 10kts? you change the COG predictor with the speed change ? so, a unlimited length of heading line covers the whole chart area is the best answer,the line length never change what ever the speed is fast or slow...

[bcn]

Xiurong,

with your and Nigels explications it is clear now:
you request an "eternal" COG vector (not heading) for your OwnBoat independent from the settings for the COG vector in general.

You might file a feature request perhaps.

Hubert

[xiurong]

Originally Posted by bcn

Xiurong,

with your and Nigels explications it is clear now:
you request an "eternal" COG vector (not heading) for your OwnBoat independent from the settings for the COG vector in general.

You might file a feature request perhaps.

Hubert

No,opencpn displays heading line(the dot line),but the heading line is same length with the COG vector line,I request an "eternal" long heading line(NOT COG VECTOR).

[gongax]

Originally Posted by bcn

Xiurong,

with your and Nigels explications it is clear now:
you request an "eternal" COG vector (not heading) for your OwnBoat independent from the settings for the COG vector in general.

You might file a feature request perhaps.

Hubert

Hi bcn,
You have misunderstood Xiurong.
he request an "eternal" Heading line,not COG.
feature request:
1.Developing a function to control the display and non-display the very long(Cover the whole screen,even the chart scale is very small)Heading Line.The data is only from Gyrocompass.
2.Developing a function to control the display and non-display Heading vertor,which like the current version.The data is from Gyrocompass and Log.the heading vector and COG vector are in the same time length.

Most ECDIS,like JRC/FURUNO/TOKYO KEIKI/TRANSAS,have the above functions.

This feature is very heplful for crew.
tks

[bcn]

Originally Posted by gongax

Hi bcn,
You have misunderstood Xiurong.
he request an "eternal" Heading line,not COG.
feature request:
1.Developing a function to control the display and non-display the very long(Cover the whole screen,even the chart scale is very small)Heading Line.The data is only from Gyrocompass.
2.Developing a function to control the display and non-display Heading vertor,which like the current version.The data is from Gyrocompass and Log.the heading vector and COG vector are in the same time length.

Most ECDIS,like JRC/FURUNO/TOKYO KEIKI/TRANSAS,have the above functions.

This feature is very heplful for crew.
tks

For my better understanding:
I suppose that you are using the heading as it it the base for bearings to objects at watch.

But for collision avoiding, wouldn't COG be the preferable information?

bcn

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by bcn

For my better understanding:
I suppose that you are using the heading as it it the base for bearings to objects at watch.

But for collision avoiding, wouldn't COG be the preferable information?

bcn

For collision detection, course and speed through the water are the vectors required, not over ground.
In many case's, it is the difference in headings between vessels which determines who is give way vessel, and for this, heading through water is required.

[rooiedirk]

As a merchant sailor I use a lot off different ECDISes. and indeed a full screen line is used a lot and would be usefull in my opinion. No need to change the vector length if you change chart scale.

For my professional navigating I usely set one ECDIS with a heading line and the otherone with a COG line. The only problem with this is that you have to remember witch ECDIS is showing what line, as it not clearly indicated on the screen.

So if this will be implemented, a small text say at the chart border stating if this is COG or HDG would be nice. (We could also show both lines together)

[xiurong]

Originally Posted by bcn

Xiurong,

with your and Nigels explications it is clear now:
you request an "eternal" COG vector (not heading) for your OwnBoat independent from the settings for the COG vector in general.

You might file a feature request perhaps.

Hubert

Hi,Hubert
I made this picture for your reference due to my bad english,my request is simple,just extend the heading line. if you are not the opencpn developer,pls transfer my request to the developer,only a long heading line is useful.thank you in advanced.

[xiurong]

Originally Posted by rooiedirk

As a merchant sailor I use a lot off different ECDISes. and indeed a full screen line is used a lot and would be usefull in my opinion. No need to change the vector length if you change chart scale.

For my professional navigating I usely set one ECDIS with a heading line and the otherone with a COG line. The only problem with this is that you have to remember witch ECDIS is showing what line, as it not clearly indicated on the screen.

So if this will be implemented, a small text say at the chart border stating if this is COG or HDG would be nice. (We could also show both lines together)

Dear rooiedirk,
a small text say COG or HDG is no need if the HDG line is extend ahead to the edge of the chart area,because mostly the COG is set for 6 minute in comman merchant vessel,if set in 6 minute the COG vector line is far short than the heading line,pls see my above pictures,
opencpn shows heading line same length with the COG vector line,so I think a long Heading line is more useful for navigators if there are lots of ships near around.pls help to transfer my request to the developer due to my bad english.

[xiurong]

Originally Posted by gongax

Hi bcn,
You have misunderstood Xiurong.
he request an "eternal" Heading line,not COG.
feature request:
1.Developing a function to control the display and non-display the very long(Cover the whole screen,even the chart scale is very small)Heading Line.The data is only from Gyrocompass.
2.Developing a function to control the display and non-display Heading vertor,which like the current version.The data is from Gyrocompass and Log.the heading vector and COG vector are in the same time length.

Most ECDIS,like JRC/FURUNO/TOKYO KEIKI/TRANSAS,have the above functions.

This feature is very heplful for crew.
tks

Dear Gong
thank you for your supporting
maybe most of the navigator in this forum is cruiser but not work on comman merchant vessels,his boat is more fast than merchant vessel,so the current opencpn version shows the heading line style can satisfie them.

[rgleason]

One of the reasons a long heading line should be shown, is because (as xiurong makes clear in his diagrams) vessels show their intentions by pointing their bow correctly, (intentions to pass clear to starboard or port). It is a way to signal to the other skipper, what your intentions are. If anticipatory action is taken at the earlier stages, there is no confusion or emergency for anyone, including standdown vessel. As I understand it xiurong uses the heading line is an important tool to establish this.

Personnally, I use the heading of my bow to signal my intentions at the earliest possible stage, in crowded situations, turning channels, etc. If the other boat does not respond within a reasonable period, I know I have a problem and I must adjust even if I have right of way.

I think I a long heading line would be good.