Netbook GPS nav software - which?

MM5AHO

MM5AHO

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Which is the better software for a netbook and gps?
There have been several threads but a few years old now, so wonder what the latest best is?
Is there free software that goes with bought charts?

I have a netbook and existing boats GPS receiver has a 9 pin extension on it, which I can use via a 9 pin to USB converter to get a gps signal into the netbook.

But which software is recommended?
 
Is the netbook Windows?

Memory Map Works OK, raster charts so just like Admiralty paper. Tiling a little lumpy, clicking needed. All UK for £50 ish? You can run the full charts with a simpler prog on your android phone or tablet free as well.

Bear in mind, peeps, including me, tend to recommend what they have. (Though Imray has odd colours.)

Some swear by Open CPN -

Nick

Nick
 
NickRobinson said:
Is the netbook Windows?

Memory Map Works OK, raster charts so just like Admiralty paper. Tiling a little lumpy, clicking needed. All UK for £50 ish? You can run the full charts with a simpler prog on your android phone or tablet free as well.

Bear in mind, peeps, including me, tend to recommend what they have. (Though Imray has odd colours.)

Some swear by Open CPN -

Nick

Nick
Click to expand...

Netbook is Windows 7 starter.
 
MM5AHO said:
Which is the better software for a netbook and gps?
Click to expand...

Open CPN has regular revision updates with improved functionality, stability and features.
The only issue I can see or have heard is familiarity with the product.
So! .... the question begs! ...... why anything else?
 
Last edited:
Open CPN plus the charts from Visit My Harbour.

More features than any other plus an active development community so you can get bugs fixed or suggest changes.
 
+1. OpenCPN still has the best AIS presentation of all the packages I have seen plus all the features you would reasonably need.

You can also view both raster (Admiralty) and vector (CM93 et al) charts.
 
+1 openCPN.

It's fantastic and as stated above, the AIS feature works perfectly. Beware of RASTER charts though. Many I have used have a different datum to the cmap vector charts I use, and can be out by quite a large margin.
 
sebastiannr said:
Beware of RASTER charts though. Many I have used have a different datum to the cmap vector charts I use, and can be out by quite a large margin.
Click to expand...

All UKHO raster charts (VisitMyHarbour, MemoryMap, Maptech and others) use the WGS84 datum and are spot on, right down to the pontoon you are berthed on.

I can't answer for any dodgy charts in the Med, though!
 
I'm struggling to find any decent UK charts for openCPN, tried finding the CM93 global one, without success. Goes without saying I'm on a budget! :D
The other "job" running alongside this is trying to get an android 2.1 tablet to load/use Google play store so I can download Navionics....bloody software! :rolleyes:
 
I have used memory map with both a laptop and a small netbook for a few years.
It worked fine and the charts are more than adequate.

BUT having this external GPS and the wire dangling from it is a real pain.

I have used Navionics on my smartphone but find the screen a bit too small for practical use. As the smartphone has 3G it will display 'marine traffic' if there is a phone signal.

I bought a Nexus 7 when they first came out and was happy to find that that the inbuilt GPS is fairly accurate. But it was a bit limiting as to which navigation software package that could be used with it. My one is the midrange one so it can't be used as a phone.
Just recently Navionics have added the Nexus 7 to the approved tablets which will run HD UK & Netherlands and it is now available from the Google store (£37.99)

This is a much more user friendly package. No dangling wires, very long battery life. But also the maps can only be downloaded into the memory in chunks and the screen could be a bit brighter for use outside.

I have yet to find out how to download additional chunks of charts but there is still plenty of memory available to do this. My Nexus 7 requires wifi to do this.

I have also bought a Beachbuoy waterproof case for it and find that it can be used (but not charged) when inside the case.

I would say that this is the best package I have found so far. The other 'disadvantage?' is that when sailing in familiar waters it is not unknown for my wife to switch it over to play games on it while it is still tracking our course.
 
OGITD said:
Open CPN has regular revision updates with improved functionality, stability and features.
The only issue I can see or have heard is familiarity with the product.
So! .... the question begs! ...... why anything else?
Click to expand...

I'd second OpenCPN and CMap Ed2. All free download and considerably better than most non-ECDIS proprietary systems.

Even better - mount it on a Linux distro - 40% more use from a charge, and more stable.
 
charles_reed said:
I'd second OpenCPN and CMap Ed2. All free download and considerably better than most non-ECDIS proprietary systems.

Even better - mount it on a Linux distro - 40% more use from a charge, and more stable.
Click to expand...

Wow, I didn't know that - Linux uses that much less power than Windows? Is there a linux version of OCPN or do you have to use a win emulator or something?

Good tip!
 
sebastiannr said:
Wow, I didn't know that - Linux uses that much less power than Windows? Is there a linux version of OCPN or do you have to use a win emulator or something?

Good tip!
Click to expand...

OCPN runs native on a variety of LINUX distros, I have it running on Ubuntu for example. Installing may not be as simple as on Windows however - good support can be had on Cruisers & Sailing which has a forum dedicated to OCPN - http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/.

Just be aware that there are copyright issues with CMAP Ed2 and getting a recently updated set can be problematic. I just wish that OCPN would sort out whatever problem there is with Jeppesen so that CMAP Ed3 charts could be used. So far as I know, the non CMAP charts that are used with OCPN are all 'local' solutions - if you want to sail outside the areas covered (UK, USA and a few others) getting current charts is a pain/impossible (even if you are prepared to pay!)
 
I've used Memory Map, Max Sea,open CPN and Navionics quite extensively over the years and have finally settled on a net book running Open CPN using cm93 charts with an stick on GPS receiver on the saloon window and Navionics on an ipad and iphone.
The Memory Map set up I had was for the Med and I found the chart quilting to be a little confusing at times as different countries employ different chart appearance. Also though I paid quite a bit of money for it around 6 years ago I have never found any chart upgrades despite searches. (could be me!)
Maxsea I quite liked as the quilting seamless though ultimately it was a "free" copy and eventually seemed to corrupt.
Navionics is great and I pop it on now and again to check the Open CPN/cm93 is being accurate (no complaints) and find it really use full for landfall as can have it in the cockpit and don't need to be too and fro the chart table to check the paper chart and netbook every 2 minutes. Same goes for whipping out the iphone with the Navionics though small disply.
I recently replaced my net book (£40) of flea bay as the old one had done over 5 years harsh marine environment service, gps receiver £35, ciggy plug for net book £5.99, Open CPN free, cm93 charts free from just about anybody these days!
 
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