Micro PC built in for nav - not games or web etc

[Mikedefieslife]

I have a regular MFD, but also run a Raspberry Pi with Openplotter. After a bit of experimentation, I have decided the Pi is far far too slow to be used in conjunction with a display for OpenCPN. Even without a lot of AIS activity scrolling can drop to less than 5fps. Which is probably not far off my old NSS8 MFD.

In fact for my use anything with an atom processor is far too slow even the x7 models.

Core M is just about usable, but you can't beat a decent i5/i7 system. Unfortunately they are the most power hungry.

As it is then I use the Pi as a NMEA2000 and SignalK server, and use a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S running Windows 10 as the main head, when at the helm.

Inside, for planning and checking weather, I run OpenCPN on a Macbook Pro. This does use a fair amount of energy though.

 

[GHA]

I have a regular MFD, but also run a Raspberry Pi with Openplotter. After a bit of experimentation, I have decided the Pi is far far too slow to be used in conjunction with a display for OpenCPN. Even without a lot of AIS activity scrolling can drop to less than 5fps. Which is probably not far off my old NSS8 MFD.

In fact for my use anything with an atom processor is far too slow even the x7 models.

Core M is just about usable, but you can't beat a decent i5/i7 system. Unfortunately they are the most power hungry.

As it is then I use the Pi as a NMEA2000 and SignalK server, and use a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro S running Windows 10 as the main head, when at the helm.

Inside, for planning and checking weather, I run OpenCPN on a Macbook Pro. This does use a fair amount of energy though.

Something way off there, I'm getting 650FPS even with a VPN and opencpn running. Over 700 with less apps running. Plenty fast enough to use opencpn. This is with the FVMS hardware video driver running (sudo raspi-config , in 7 advanced options)

 

[Mikedefieslife]

My glxgears is around 550, but I'm referring to the actual frame rate in OpenCPN. You can turn on the option to see the fps in the status bar. The Pi is slow. As are most tablets. I've used friends android tablets and for me it's unbearable. I've seen some sailors on Youtube present their Asus X7 system running OpenCPN and can see slow scrolling/zooming in that too.

https://youtu.be/JYhsQSQOEbM?t=240

 

[GHA]

My glxgears is around 550, but I'm referring to the actual frame rate in OpenCPN. You can turn on the option to see the fps in the status bar. The Pi is slow. As are most tablets. I've used friends android tablets and for me it's unbearable. I've seen some sailors on Youtube present their Asus X7 system running OpenCPN and can see slow scrolling/zooming in that too.

https://youtu.be/JYhsQSQOEbM?t=240

V5 doesn't have FPS even with the box clicked. You must have really quick eyesight! No problems using Opencpn on my Pi 3b, plenty fast enough with the graphics accelerator enabled.

Your glxgears sounds low, what kernel is it?

pi@openplotter:~ $ uname -a
Linux openplotter 4.19.32-v7+ #1210 SMP Tue Apr 2 14:07:04 BST 2019 armv7l GNU/Linux

 

[Mikedefieslife]

Yes V5 doesn't show FPS, another one of the small problems with it that stop me updating it on the Pi. I do use it on my other machines though. The pi is running OpenCPN 4.8.6 (and kernel 4.17.71) - generally it sits at 30fps (bear in mind a monitor refresh rate is around 50-60 depending on your location, or 100-120hz if you have something fancy). Scrolling drops into the twenties and teens depending on how much action there is, and zooming can drop to single figures.

The Pi is never going to be a speed deamon, it's not designed for that, and this is less of an issue when using a mouse, but becomes a horrible experience on a touch screen. (un)fortunately sailing is slow, so you don't have to scroll, or zoom much if at all once underway.

Anyway like I said, I only use it as a server and it's perfect, but it is worth noting for others, that might go the Pi route as an MFD, and expect it to be as fast as using one of the new chart plotters from the major brands.

 

[GHA]

Yes V5 doesn't show FPS, another one of the small problems with it that stop me updating it on the Pi. I do use it on my other machines though. The pi is running OpenCPN 4.8.6 (and kernel 4.17.71) - generally it sits at 30fps (bear in mind a monitor refresh rate is around 50-60 depending on your location, or 100-120hz if you have something fancy). Scrolling drops into the twenties and teens depending on how much action there is, and zooming can drop to single figures.

The Pi is never going to be a speed deamon, it's not designed for that, and this is less of an issue when using a mouse, but becomes a horrible experience on a touch screen. (un)fortunately sailing is slow, so you don't have to scroll, or zoom much if at all once underway.

Anyway like I said, I only use it as a server and it's perfect, but it is worth noting for others, that might go the Pi route as an MFD, and expect it to be as fast as using one of the new chart plotters from the major brands.

Never actually owned a MFD let alone a new one

But does sound maybe something isn't quite right, or I'm easily pleased.. plenty fast enough IMHO. In real life display is a bit smoother than this youtube. IIRC V5 had some tweaks to speed things up a little though 4.8 was fine as well. I've heard touch screens can be a bit of a pain.

 

[Yngmar]

Ok guys, I get the thing about making something and the feeling of achievement but can't help thinking that using an old laptop is much much easier and probably more reliable and cheaper. Especially if its windows you want. Lots of other boaty things to spend your time on this time of year I'm certain.

"getting ready to dodge the incoming"

+256

Laptops since many years ago are cheap, widely available low-power designs with ample CPU and GPU power, have a screen, a keyboard, a space saving pointing device (trackpoints are better than touchpads at sea and require less space than a mouse). It's also easy to find a replacement laptop anywhere in the world.

It's not difficult strapping one down either, although ours has been through a gale at sea just sitting on a (admittedly excellent) non-skid mat and not moved a bit.

eBay is full of suitable laptops under £100, but you or someone you know probably has an old one laying around unused somewhere already. They all run off DC, so a simple DC-DC converter will do - and ready 12V cigarette adapters are available cheaply too.

 

[BlueChip]

We've replaced all our office desktops with Intel NUC's, all are the skinny variety using a SSD
https://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/products/boards-kits/nuc.html
They have various models of varying performance specs and ports, but they all provide rock solid performance, solid support from Intel and regular updates.
They have a VESA mounting plate which can be bolted on the back of a monitor, PC locks onto this plate for use but can be lifted off for storage.
It makes for a very tidy desktop and the pc is easy to remove if security is an issue.
We're running six now with one on the boat, never had the slightest hiccup.
I've run lower cost micro PC's in the past but in time have had problems of one sort or another with all of them, these Intel NUC's behave just like a regular desktop.