convert laptop to chart plotter

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rigpigpaul

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Hi All, I am having problems with my C70 chart plotter. I want to use my laptop as a back up plotter. It will be kept at the nav. station. Can you recommend a navigation app and a compatible gps plug in.
Thanks
RPP
 
Far better using Navionics on a phone these days, which most of us use as primary nav tool now anyway even with good plotters in the cockpit. Phones are low power, USB chargeable, waterproof, outdoor readable. Laptops are high power, fragile, mains charged (or using expensive DC-DC to get enough amps) and usually not outdoor readable.

OpenCPN is probably the app you want, and they have links to charts which you'll need to buy again. Amazon will give you a list of USB GPS devices, most should be compatible.
 
rigpigpaul said:
Hi All, I am having problems with my C70 chart plotter. I want to use my laptop as a back up plotter. It will be kept at the nav. station. Can you recommend a navigation app and a compatible gps plug in.
Thanks
RPP
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If the laptop is running Windows i would install OpenCPN and get charts on a USB drive from Visit My Harbour. As lustyd says, plenty of USB GPS pucks around.

Issue may well be keeping the laptop charged while using it.

You could always buy an Android tablet and use Navioinics or similar, can keep that charged from a USB socket.
 
I have PC based Nav ... Android tablet / phone Navionics ... Onwa Plotter ... Garmin Plotter ... so I think I can speak from a user perspective ....

The PC based - I have basically stopped using on board ... its there if needed - but the PC just keeps up with my emails and work now when on board. The Onwa provides plotter at the chart table and AIS Transponder data to WiFi ... the Garmin picks up the ONWA AIS data .... and of course gives plotter in cockpit ...

But my main plotter when on passage ? because its in hand .. it fits my jacket pocket .. is my Android 8" Tablet ... the concenience of having it in hand wherever on the boat is great.
 
Gotta mention Chromebooks here, which do tend to have a far better battery life, and are usually much cheaper than PC laptops.
However, they don't have GPS, nor the facility for a GPS dongle; they're simply not recognised.
Why mention them then?
They get the 'near enough' position from the mobile signal, which Navionics is happy with, and whilst it isn't scientifically accurate, it's certainly close enough for anything that I'll do.
This is an example of it now; distance & bearing to my local pub.
For GPS, like others here I use my mobile which also has Navionics on it.

Screenshot 2025-11-23 13.36.11.png
 
jamie N said:
Gotta mention Chromebooks here, which do tend to have a far better battery life, and are usually much cheaper than PC laptops.
However, they don't have GPS, nor the facility for a GPS dongle; they're simply not recognised.
Why mention them then?
They get the 'near enough' position from the mobile signal, which Navionics is happy with, and whilst it isn't scientifically accurate, it's certainly close enough for anything that I'll do.
This is an example of it now; distance & bearing to my local pub.
For GPS, like others here I use my mobile which also has Navionics on it.

View attachment 202673
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Intrigued. So your chrome book has no GPS and is estimating location? Perhaps from nearby WiFi? It could be mobile signal of it has a SIM card but that is usually not at all precise outside build up areas. Does whatever approach you have work afloat.
 
jamie N said:
Gotta mention Chromebooks here, which do tend to have a far better battery life, and are usually much cheaper than PC laptops.
However, they don't have GPS, nor the facility for a GPS dongle; they're simply not recognised.
Why mention them then?
They get the 'near enough' position from the mobile signal, which Navionics is happy with, and whilst it isn't scientifically accurate, it's certainly close enough for anything that I'll do.
This is an example of it now; distance & bearing to my local pub.
For GPS, like others here I use my mobile which also has Navionics on it.

View attachment 202673
Click to expand...

I dare to comment that given the cheapness of todays tablets and the navionics subscription ... I fail to understand using such a Chromebook setup ?
 
Refueler said:
I dare to comment that given the cheapness of todays tablets and the navionics subscription ... I fail to understand using such a Chromebook setup ?
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Battery life is typically 14 hours, and the subscription covers my mobile & the chromebook.
Chromebooks
  • Average Battery Life: 8-12 hours, but can range from 10 to 16+ hours depending on the model and usage.
  • Why: Their lightweight Chrome OS consumes fewer resources compared to Windows, which allows them to get more use out of their batteries.
  • Best for: Users who need long battery life for tasks like browsing, streaming, and using Google Workspace, especially if they are on the go or don't always have access to a power outlet.

Windows laptops
  • Average Battery Life: 5-10 hours, but can vary significantly based on the model and its hardware.
  • Why: Windows is a more resource-intensive operating system, requiring more power to run, which can drain the battery more quickly than on a Chromebook.
  • Best for: Power users who need to run demanding applications, such as for creative work or gaming. Premium ultrabooks with large batteries can achieve long battery life, but these models are often more expensive.
I've not got data or anything to indicate distances offshore that it works at, as I usually use my mobile, but have used it on the Pentland Firth to see if it worked, and it appeared to.
For the record, I'd never have it as my primary source, my mobile is that, and I'm old enough to 'like' charts, but having Navionics on a large format tablet that's prime purpose is for web-shite, works for me.
 
jamie N said:
Windows laptops
  • Average Battery Life: 5-10 hours, but can vary significantly based on the model and its hardware.
  • Why: Windows is a more resource-intensive operating system, requiring more power to run, which can drain the battery more quickly than on a Chromebook.
  • Best for: Power users who need to run demanding applications, such as for creative work or gaming. Premium ultrabooks with large batteries can achieve long battery life, but these models are often more expensive.
Click to expand...
This is just not the case any more. Modern Windows laptops have had all day battery for at least 10 years, and the idea that Windows itself is more resource intensive hasn't been true since Windows ME was killed off, the NT line through to Windows 11 is one of the most efficient operating systems ever written. Users fill their computer with crap, that can affect it, but that isn't the fault of Windows and never has been.

Be very careful believing Google's propaganda, they aren't your friend. The primary difference between Microsoft and Google, is that Microsoft don't sell your data.
 
jamie N said:
Battery life is typically 14 hours, and the subscription covers my mobile & the chromebook.
Chromebooks
  • Average Battery Life: 8-12 hours, but can range from 10 to 16+ hours depending on the model and usage.
  • Why: Their lightweight Chrome OS consumes fewer resources compared to Windows, which allows them to get more use out of their batteries.
  • Best for: Users who need long battery life for tasks like browsing, streaming, and using Google Workspace, especially if they are on the go or don't always have access to a power outlet.

Windows laptops
  • Average Battery Life: 5-10 hours, but can vary significantly based on the model and its hardware.
  • Why: Windows is a more resource-intensive operating system, requiring more power to run, which can drain the battery more quickly than on a Chromebook.
  • Best for: Power users who need to run demanding applications, such as for creative work or gaming. Premium ultrabooks with large batteries can achieve long battery life, but these models are often more expensive.
I've not got data or anything to indicate distances offshore that it works at, as I usually use my mobile, but have used it on the Pentland Firth to see if it worked, and it appeared to.
For the record, I'd never have it as my primary source, my mobile is that, and I'm old enough to 'like' charts, but having Navionics on a large format tablet that's prime purpose is for web-shite, works for me.
Click to expand...

Fine .. but why have half an app when you can have it all ? I cannot accept the a Mobile Signals positioning is good enough ... and it appears from your post - you understand that ....
I can also understand using it - IF its already owned ... but its not a unit I would recc'd anyone to buy for this job ... given you can get a decent tablet for about 80 quid or so - with GPS built in and SIM card slot etc.
 
Refueler said:
Fine .. but why have half an app when you can have it all ? I cannot accept the a Mobile Signals positioning is good enough ... and it appears from your post - you understand that ....
I can also understand using it - IF its already owned ... but its not a unit I would recc'd anyone to buy for this job ... given you can get a decent tablet for about 80 quid or so - with GPS built in and SIM card slot etc.
Click to expand...
The Doogee T20S is on offer at Amazon for £59.99 !!!
 
Any cheap/existing laptop, any cheap GPS aerial, OPEN CPN and some maps. Simple and near free. Great back-up/secondary nav device.

I paid £4.99 for a gps aerial IIRC, and waited a couple of days for it to arrive and then suddenly for free and no hassle I had a laptop chart plotter.
 
winch2 said:
Well AI is telling me the Doogee isn't very bright and is difficult to see in sunlight. Is this true?
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The OP was looking for a back up solution and proposing to be kept at the chart table, so not an issue.
Of course once break free from thinking laptop to tablet then view ability in sunlight is more important, but on deck use is then a bonus
 
PaulRainbow said:
If the laptop is running Windows i would install OpenCPN and get charts on a USB drive from Visit My Harbour. As lustyd says, plenty of USB GPS pucks around.

Issue may well be keeping the laptop charged while using it.

You could always buy an Android tablet and use Navioinics or similar, can keep that charged from a USB socket.
Click to expand...
I purchased one of those mini solid state PCs from China. £110. A super thin portable 16" gaming screen was another £100. A wireless mouse and keyboard brought the whole bill up to £250. I used velcro to attach the screen to the nav station bulkhead and the drive and speaker is in the adjacent locker. No wires trailing on the nav station. Both the screen and drive are powered from ships power so no charging issue. I run it as a back up chartplotter with GPS pucks and AIS WiFi. It works well as back up.
We didn't intend to stop at Mindelo, Cape Verdes so I left those charts at home. I didn't fancy paying £40 for navionics for a 3 day stop over but I have the charts of the world on open cpn.
Off course, it's also a PC so has other uses as well
 
geem said:
I purchased one of those mini solid state PCs from China. £110. A super thin portable 16" gaming screen was another £100. A wireless mouse and keyboard brought the whole bill up to £250. I used velcro to attach the screen to the nav station bulkhead and the drive and speaker is in the adjacent locker. No wires trailing on the nav station. Both the screen and drive are powered from ships power so no charging issue. I run it as a back up chartplotter with GPS pucks and AIS WiFi. It works well as back up.
We didn't intend to stop at Mindelo, Cape Verdes so I left those charts at home. I didn't fancy paying £40 for navionics for a 3 day stop over but I have the charts of the world on open cpn.
Off course, it's also a PC so has other uses as well
Click to expand...
I have something similar, for the "ships computer". Used to use a laptop, but with a TV for a monitor and a wireless keyboard/mouse it was a bit of a waste. So last year i bought a fairly powerful mini PC with a 1Tb SSD, this is connected to a 40" TV and a wireless keyboard and mouse. A USB GPS puck, Open CPN and some charts from Visit My Harbour and it's a 40" chart plotter :) I don't actually use it for navigation, but it's great for passage planning, sending the GPX file to the plotters and tablets.We also use it for internet, email and all of the other usual computer stuff, plus it's our entertainment centre, we can download movies or box sets, or watch TVfrom the internet, rather than via an aerial.
 
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