What Do I Need ?

[Maine Sail]

OK I have a new notebook running Windows 7 64 bit. I want to try Open CPN before investing in new software.

So?

1) Does OCPN work WELL with Win 7 / 64 bit?

2) Which charts should I use? I only want the US East coast. I am assuming Vector but are the govt charts as good as retail like Nobletec?

3) Which USB GPS antenna works well through a cabin, if any.

4) Which GPS antenna works well with Win 7 / 64 bit & OCPN?

[HappySeagull]

Hi,MaineSailor.Per#3,Not a steel boat?- in my FG boat with OpenCPN,all the gps' I have tried work fine inside.I've used a Holux several years-now I've got a Pharos that came with Microsoft's "Street and Trips".Also,the variety of old non-usb Garmins and Magellans via a "serial2usb" adapter work inside.My cell phone gps too.If in the event you do have trouble,the a 6' usb cable extender to put the gps in a better place will see you through,I think.
I have a dinghy on cabintop whilesailing on cloudy,rainy days -no problem.You might move the gps around a little to improve reception but it's tweaking.A cheap source for that Pharos was EBAY because the Street+Trip package(WITH GPS included!) gets stale every year and get heavily discounted.Mine cost 15$ US...

[CarCode]

The recommendations of the gpsd guys are:

One common error is to place the GPS or antenna as high as possible. This will increase multipath effects due to signal bounce from the ground or water, which can cause the GPS to mistake its position and the time signal. The correct location for a boat GPS antenna is on the gunwale rail or pushpit rail, close to the water and as far from the mast as possible (to reduce signal bounce from the mast).

(If you are interested in an accurate fix.)

CarCode

[ktcanuck]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

OK I have a new notebook running Windows 7 64 bit. I want to try Open CPN before investing in new software.

So?

1) Does OCPN work WELL with Win 7 / 64 bit?

2) Which charts should I use? I only want the US East coast. I am assuming Vector but are the govt charts as good as retail like Nobletec?

3) Which USB GPS antenna works well through a cabin, if any.

4) Which GPS antenna works well with Win 7 / 64 bit & OCPN?

1) Yes, I have it on Dell E6410 ATG with Win7.
2) Both have their places. Some areas are not covered by raster. I see no point in buying charts when the NOAA ones are available.
3) Already answered.
4) I use both Globalsat BU-353 and i-Blue GM-2. Both work fine though some have reported problems with BU-353.