OpenCPN - Why aren't you using it?

[soggy_feet]

I'm a big fan of open source programs (read:free), and any time I start thinking of some weird/crazy idea for some project, one of my first moves is to see if someone's made something to help me visualize/design/build/etc, more easily/faster.

So, this season I finally get set up with a VHF radio, a pretty nice one, I went with Standard Horizons GX1600.

My only problem is, it keeps beeping at me because it doesn't have GPS input to tell it, and more importantly, the CG, where I am.

The easy fix would probably be to crack the manual, and see what I need to do to silence the alarm, but the more enticing option is to just give it a GPS feed. This is where OpenCPN comes in.

So, not including the netbook, which is easily removed from the boat and continues to act as a nice little travel computer for me, I have invested:

$30 - USB GPS receiver
$60 - Digital Yacht USB to NMEA cable
$00 - OpenCPN chartplotter
$00 - About 75 charts from NOAA, downloaded off their website in a .zip package

Thats not a bad deal. Thats actually a really good deal, and after a search of the electronics forum here on iboats, I only came across 2 threads mentioning OpenCPN.

 

[jhebert]

Re: OpenCPN - Why aren't you using it?

I don't use OpenCPN because I use POLAR VIEW NS. POLAR VIEW NS is only $40 for a license for five cpu installs, and the development seems further along than OpenCPN, particularly for my operating system, the MacOS.

http://www.polarnavy.com/

Your cost analysis has neglected the computer workstation needed to run OpenCPN. I have found that the cost of a 12-volt-powered, water-proof, marinized computer with a display with sufficient brightness to be easily seen in daylight and direct sunlight is actually much more expensive than a dedicated multi-function display, chart plotter, and you usually get a good SONAR thrown it, too.

I use my laptop and POLAR VIEW NS for route planning and other navigation work off the boat. An additional problem of using computer based software on a boat is the need for a keyboard and mouse. Most small boats do not have sufficient space at the helm for a keyboard and a mouse.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: OpenCPN - Why aren't you using it?

Ahh, well, my couch on board isn't marinized either, and holds up well enough.

Obviously, setups are going to be different. But I mentioned that I didn't list the netbook in my costs, because its not dedicated to the boat. I have a couple other old laptops and desktops sitting in storage that didn't cost me anything, and would work just as well without money invested.

Was not familiar with polar navy. I might try the 30 day demo, but I still don't like paying money for what I can get free, especially when it comes to a linux setup. We'll see...