MFD Replacement, Android and RPi

Dilemma

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We have a 2007 installed 12” Raymarine C120 at our chart table which is now unreliable. I currently navigate using the Navionics app running on a tablet linked via the on board WiFi to the NMEA data from the installed ST60 instruments, GPS and AIS. That works well, but I would like to replace the 12” Raymarine C120 at the chart table with something that presents the data I use for getting around the Med.

My requirements are to have a panel mounted display be able to run, ideally with split or multiple windows :
  1. Navionics with NMEA data from the existing ST60 instruments, GPS and AIS
  2. Present NMEA data graphically, using an app like Imray Instruments
  3. Weather Apps: Windy, Weatherpro
  4. Victron Remote Monitoring
  5. Google Earth
I don’t believe any of the mainstream MFD suppliers (B&G, Raymarine, Garmin) can provide the functionality I need, I know that they can present their own radar data, but that’s not something I need.

My current view is that my requirements would be best met by Android (11 or 12) running on Raspberry Pi (3 or 4) with a remote monitor like this: HANNspree HT161HNB 15.6" Touch Monitor

Has anybody else done anything similar?
 
I used a Pipo mini hybrid pc/tablet on my old boat. This was dual boot so I could run either Open cpn in windows or navionics on android. It had a 10 inch screen touch screen but also had an hdmi port to connect to a TV to provide a 24" Monitor.
I was also using navmonpc to data log and display any or all of the available nmea data from our gps, log and wind instruments.
I would and will go a different route with our new boat .
This has a cockpit mounted Raymarine C80 that is proving unreliable. I am going to add an emtrak ais in the cockpit and will be using WiFi to collect all the data including all that you want using either the emtrak or a yakka dual channel unit to provide wireless input to a dedicated pc. My main problem is finding a high contrast daylight viewable display that will be ergonomic under our hard cockpit canopy should I eventually replace the C80.
I have found over a period of time that I have used Open CPN far more than Navionics.
It is able to display all chart types not just navionic cartoonography.
The AIS display for collision avoidance is better than Navionics and well in advance of most commercial offerings.
 
I also use a C80 and Novmonpc. Unusually my C80 is reliable and I have a spare. The Emtrak AIS kit is very good and provides good interfacing. I have installed Open CPN, but not found the time to make much progress with it yet. My main issue is the power hungry laptop and C80. I would be keen to hear how your projects evolve. An external monitor may use a fair amount of power?
 
  1. Present NMEA data graphically, using an app like Imray Instruments
  2. Weather Apps: Windy, Weatherpro
I believe the B&G Vulcan can download gribs, although I haven't tried it, and it also has a mode which is just gauges and I think it's customisable so you can display whatever NMEA data you want.

I'm sure it won't meet all of your requirements, but a production chartplotter won for me because of the visibility of the screen, low power consumption and waterproofing.
 
I believe the B&G Vulcan can download gribs, although I haven't tried it, and it also has a mode which is just gauges and I think it's customisable so you can display whatever NMEA data you want.

I'm sure it won't meet all of your requirements, but a production chartplotter won for me because of the visibility of the screen, low power consumption and waterproofing.

+1
The vulcan will do a lot of what you are asking, including split screen with navionics on one side and sail steer / instruments on the other. The layouts are customisable.
However if you want wind info, you need a subscription to PredictWind.
Weather | B&G Sailing Electronics

The Vulcan is NMEA2000 only.
 
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