Laptop as a GPS Chartplotter - 'doable' or not?

U

underwurlde

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Aug 24, 2009
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this ebay item 300334376574 got me thinking (which is never a good thing accord to she-who-must-be-obeyed).

Hmmm... using a laptop as a chartplotter seems like a cool (because it's CHEAP) idea to me. *Anyone use this ebay software before???

Get a cheapo GPS USB / bluetooth GPS module from ebay.
Some software (suggestions please).
and some Charts <- are there free ones for the UK coast available?

Basically I've started this thread to gain some feedback on the idea, peoples experinces of using such set-ups and sources of 'free softwarez' to enable me to try is out!

Cheers,

Andy

* Many moons ago when GPS first became available to the public I got hold of a neat free piece of software that put your car on a map loaded onto my laptop as you drove around using my really old Garmin to interface to the RS232 port for positioning - this was YEARS before the likes of TomTom BTW! I look stupid with it now though... :D
 
TBarCYa

TBarCYa

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Re: Laptop as a GPS Chartplotter - 'doable' or not?

I used to have my old Magellan GPS connected via serial port to a laptop using SeaClear software which is free from http://www.sping.com/seaclear/. It works really well and uses the charts available from NOAA.gov. I'm not sure if there are compatible charts available for your area but it can't hurt to check it out and see.
 
JB

JB

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Re: Laptop as a GPS Chartplotter - 'doable' or not?

Garmin used to offer a GPS receiver with interface to a laptop and soft(firm?)ware.

There were several threads on the topic at that time. Do a search in the Electronics forum (where this is going).
 
D

dodgeramsst2003

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Re: Laptop as a GPS Chartplotter - 'doable' or not?

It will work, but most laptop screens are hard to see in the sun. Just something to think about.
 
4JawChuck

4JawChuck

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Re: Laptop as a GPS Chartplotter - 'doable' or not?

An older Panasonic Toughbook Tablet PC would be an ideal candidate.
 
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diver_down

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Re: Laptop as a GPS Chartplotter - 'doable' or not?

cheap????
yes and not only. most decent software solutions will run you ~200, add a good receiver, the power inverter to run the laptop continuously, the battery capacity to support that and you will have a comparable final price, plus the limited capacity to see anything in direct sunlight (specific for most laptops).
I'm not trying to discourage, i ran a laptop on a sailboat to get to certain places that I had marked previously and it works but I already had the laptop, the receiver, most of the software. Now that I switched to a powerboat and the range, purpose and frequency of use changed I'm contemplating getting a stand alone.
It's not a bad idea, don't get me wrong, but you need to figure out if you really want to go this route before you start sinking money into it.
 
U

underwurlde

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Re: Laptop as a GPS Chartplotter - 'doable' or not?

^ Very true words indeed...

But:
Laptop - got (two oldish un's to use)
Software - free (SeaClear II)
GPS - got a crappy old Garmin GPS12XL, BUT is does do RS232 output -> Laptop
Charts - free (you scan the paper ones you have into the laptop).

OK, powering the laptop. This is an issue, but I don't plan to spend longer than the lifetime of the battery on the water (i.e. >6 hours). I'm definately a 'fair weather rider noobi' in a small power boat.

This is looking very do-able. (although none of my laptops have an RS232 port on them damnit, so a RS232->USB looks like its going to be my only purchase unless I can pinch one from work ;) )

Andy
 
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