Onwa Plotter thicko needs help.

[StUrrock]

Wondered if any of the YBW gurus could be of assistance please…

Purchased an Onwa KP 708 really pleased with it and the uk dealer is great.

However I am not having much luck transferring waypoints and routes from Navionics. I use the KDX software to convert the file types and the files import into the unit but they never show the Wps and Routes correctly on the inbuilt K Chart.

Had an email exchange with Kelvin at Onwa HQ, but perhaps due to my stupidity and/or a language barrier, I am no further forward.

Is there an easier way? Perhaps using Cmaps to produce the correct file types correctly from a PC without the need for conversion.

 

[Refueler]

One of the problems is the file type spec'd by KDX is actually not a single type ... it can depend on what converter you use ...

As you probably noted - KDX software is not 'pushed' by Onwa ... as it has its limitations.

 

[StUrrock]

One of the problems is the file type spec'd by KDX is actually not a single type ... it can depend on what converter you use ...

As you probably noted - KDX software is not 'pushed' by Onwa ... as it has its limitations.

That makes sense which probably explains the weird results…

 

[Refueler]

There are various programs ... GPS Utility, EasyGPS, OziExplorer, are examples of the many - which are old and stem from the old days of Garmin 50's .. Magellan Handhelds etc ... early Lowrance ...

There are loads of them ... and they all create slightly different GPX files ..... which are often base for conversion.

In those early days before I had my Onwa ... I used Seaclear to create WPS / Routes and then converted to plain text ... imported to another program (- would have to drag out my old computer to see what that was !!) and that converted to upload to my Lowrance. I was into also creating own charts at that time - so was all part of the project.

I did upload some a while back to my Onwa - but I will have to go back to square one again to sort out how I did it ... bare with me and I'll see if I can find. I'm pretty sure I tried with KDX ... but changed to another program.

 

[Refueler]

There is of course DigiNav - produced by the parent company of Onwa ..... but that's $250 and PC based. Runs both Navionics and K-Chart.

 

[StUrrock]

There are various programs ... GPS Utility, EasyGPS, OziExplorer, are examples of the many - which are old and stem from the old days of Garmin 50's .. Magellan Handhelds etc ... early Lowrance ...

There are loads of them ... and they all create slightly different GPX files ..... which are often base for conversion.

In those early days before I had my Onwa ... I used Seaclear to create WPS / Routes and then converted to plain text ... imported to another program (- would have to drag out my old computer to see what that was !!) and that converted to upload to my Lowrance. I was into also creating own charts at that time - so was all part of the project.

I did upload some a while back to my Onwa - but I will have to go back to square one again to sort out how I did it ... bare with me and I'll see if I can find. I'm pretty sure I tried with KDX ... but changed to another program.

Thank you for your detailed reply.

 

[StUrrock]

There is of course DigiNav - produced by the parent company of Onwa ..... but that's $250 and PC based. Runs both Navionics and K-Chart.

If DigiNav could export files correctly, considering K Charts are free $250, MIGHT be worth it?!?
Thanks again for taking the time to
reply. I’ll try and dig out my reply from Onwa and post it.

 

[Refueler]

If DigiNav could export files correctly, considering K Charts are free $250, MIGHT be worth it?!?
Thanks again for taking the time to
reply. I’ll try and dig out my reply from Onwa and post it.

I wonder if because of producing DigiNav - Onwa decided to not develop KDX ?

I have no idea if DigiNav exports across correctly or not. I was going to download the Demo - but then stopped as I don't expect it to actually do anything - just give example of what it looks like.

What I found interesting - that it used K-Chart .... something that I had been looking for .... but TBH - I don't think I will cough up $250 .....

 

[Refueler]

It may be worth having a look at GPS Utility .....

GPS Utility - Home

In fact anyone who uses GPS for whatever .... Car / Boat / Plane etc. - this utility has something to offer.

 

[Refueler]

OK for anyone with one of these units and KDX software - the procedure, lets assume you have Navionics on Tablet with Boating Marine and Lakes .... and want to upload a route or waypoints from there to the Onwa.

First of all create your route on Tablet and then transfer as GPX file to PC ... I usually email as my tablet has internet as well. But it can be via SD card.

Start KDX software and we are going to convert as individual files ..... so leave on default CONVERT.
Left side select GPX
Right side select ODF

Then we need the ODF files from Navionics .. I would suggest that you rename each file from the long navionics default - so you have better idea what each one is. Load those into the dialogue box at top.
Set your destination folder - KDX will automatically prefix your file names with WPR .... do not remove that Prefix.

Click convert ....

Once completed - you go to destination folder and you will find your WPR ODF files.

Load these onto root of SD card ... and then place in slot on plotter.

<MAIN MENU> <DATA> bottom line is user choice of BASIC or ADVANCED ............

Choose Advanced and when you select Data IN ... it lists the WPR ODF files for you to choose which to upload ...........

So in fact you can have all your Routes / WPTs on your SD card and choose which to display ..... but with Basic - you have no option as it just uploads the first ODF file it finds on the card. That is why in Basic mode you need to MERGE all into one ODF file via KDX

VOILA !

I can now create routes with Navionics ... send as GPX to my email ... load into KDX and create WPR ODF .... and upload the files ....

I tried Advanced without the WPR prefix ... it listed them but failed to upload.

I then only named one ODF with prefix WPR ... it loaded and only that route displayed ....

I went back to Basic and it ignored the WPR and uploaded the first ODF file it found on card..... after erasing all ...

So for general use ... ADVANCED setting ..... GPX to ODF via KDX ..... rename ODF file if necessary keeping the WPR prefix ... load to SD card and then you have available to upload whichever you want to plotter ....

The KDX Software .... creates for Advanced by default ....

Hope that all makes sense.

If you are transferring from other sources such as Garmin ... Raymarine ... Lowrance .... then such as GPSUtility or some other PC program that can convert your files to GPX will be needed ...
The best is ExpertGPS ... but that's not free and its Free version EasyGPS cannot do it.

Just for interest .... I use Seaclear - a free PC Plotter program as a planning suite. Its easy to use ... and I can quickly produce routes / WPT's - which GPSUtility can import to convert. Saves all that Plotter clicking / scrolling ...
Others probably have OpenCPN or similar ... again - used for planning - easily then via KDX loaded to Onwa ..

Cheers
Nigel

 

[Refueler]

OK ... I put together a Video for those interested ...

 

[PaulRainbow]

Well done with the write up and video Nigel, but what a faff!

If i create a route on my tablet it automatically syncs with the Garmin plotter, nothing for me to do.

If i create a route on OpenCPN (which is on a laptop connected to a 40" TV, great for passage planning) i save the .gpx file and email it to myself, as you do. When i open the email on the tablet (or my phone) the file format is recognised and it gets imported into the Garmin app', which again automatically syncs with the Garmin plotter.

 

[Refueler]

Well done with the write up and video Nigel, but what a faff!

If i create a route on my tablet it automatically syncs with the Garmin plotter, nothing for me to do.

If i create a route on OpenCPN (which is on a laptop connected to a 40" TV, great for passage planning) i save the .gpx file and email it to myself, as you do. When i open the email on the tablet (or my phone) the file format is recognised and it gets imported into the Garmin app', which again automatically syncs with the Garmin plotter.

Fine for Garmin ... which is not the subject of the thread ...

The main point is not the brand ..... of course no doubt the 'opportunity' to have a go is not lost .... but that transition BETWEEN brands or files.
GPX is not actually universally accepted even by some well known 'leading' brands and requires conversion.

The likes of GPS Utility has been born out of such ..... to provide the means to swap and change across formats. To fill in the gaps that even GPX does not fill KDX was produced.

I would not class Lowrance as an 'unknown' or 'chinese' brand - in fact I would put Lowrance up in the market along with Garmin .. Raymarine ... etc. - try GPX with Lowrance ... unless the latest Lowrance has changed ... GPX was not auto read. I was a Lowrance user for many years .... still have a functioning 5500 in fact.

I have no interest to 'score points' Paul .... a question was asked and I answered specific to his info passed to me on and off the forum. It was a subject that I was in process of sorting anyway for myself ... his query spurred me on.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Fine for Garmin ... which is not the subject of the thread ...

The main point is not the brand ..... of course no doubt the 'opportunity' to have a go is not lost .... but that transition BETWEEN brands or files.
GPX is not actually universally accepted even by some well known 'leading' brands and requires conversion.

The likes of GPS Utility has been born out of such ..... to provide the means to swap and change across formats. To fill in the gaps that even GPX does not fill KDX was produced.

I would not class Lowrance as an 'unknown' or 'chinese' brand - in fact I would put Lowrance up in the market along with Garmin .. Raymarine ... etc. - try GPX with Lowrance ... unless the latest Lowrance has changed ... GPX was not auto read. I was a Lowrance user for many years .... still have a functioning 5500 in fact.

I have no interest to 'score points' Paul .... a question was asked and I answered specific to his info passed to me on and off the forum. It was a subject that I was in process of sorting anyway for myself ... his query spurred me on.

Things have moved along a little since you purchased your Lowrance 5500, must be the best part of 20 years ago.

Not many brands that don't support gpx these days, Lowrance included, not that i'd put Lowrance in the same class as Raymarine, B & G, or Garmin

More importantly, the better brands produce their own app's which you can use on tablets and phones, without the need to buy additional software or charts. For instance, the Garmin Active Captain app', buy one plotter, put the app' on a couple of £150 Android tablets and you get an extra pair of 10.4" screens for next to nothing.

 

[Refueler]

Buy ????? KDX is free .... GPS Utility is free unless you want to work very involved routes with over 100 wpts ...
[Unwelcome content deleted]
OP wanted to transfer Navionics data to his Onwa 708. The Navionics app on Tablet produces GPX file - which can then be SD Card / Cable or email to PC for KDX to convert to ODF for input to Onwa.
ODF in fact is a TEXT file that can be read not only by the Onwa and various other units - but can be written / read / edited in Notepad.
I agree that it would be nice if all units read GPX files - BUT not all GPX files are same .... some brands / programs actually do not create generic original format GPX files. A fact you soon learn when you look further across brands files. Reminds me of the old days ... Basic ... QBasic ... Basica .... etc. good idea then modified by each .... but still with 'bas' as the file type.