Open CPN, UK charts. Admiralty & alternatives

Devon Boy

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Hi all,

I am wondering where users of Open CPN source their UK charts from. Can I use the Admiralty ENCs? Visit MyHarbour does nothing to explain to me what the use ability of its products with open CPN are or maybe I’m just being stupid ?‍♂️ .

My preference is a Raster style if possible
 

Pye_End

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VMH is hard to get round, but it is there. You can get a full set of Admiralty raster charts to work on Windows OpenCPN but not Android OpenCPN. For that you need a different app.

Edit - beaten to it.
 

dunedin

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Hi all,

I am wondering where users of Open CPN source their UK charts from. Can I use the Admiralty ENCs? Visit MyHarbour does nothing to explain to me what the use ability of its products with open CPN are or maybe I’m just being stupid ?‍♂️ .

My preference is a Raster style if possible
AFAIK the Admiralty ENCs are vector charts and priced for commercial shipping. So unless deep pockets perhaps not the route to go.
Admiralty charts are sold from a number of places, VmH being one. I got ours from MemoryMap, but not sure if these would work with OpenCPN
 

KompetentKrew

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Hi all,

I am wondering where users of Open CPN source their UK charts from. Can I use the Admiralty ENCs? Visit MyHarbour does nothing to explain to me what the use ability of its products with open CPN are or maybe I’m just being stupid ?‍♂️ .

My preference is a Raster style if possible
Visit My Harbour's charts are indeed the beautiful raster charts you desire, provided you're running OpenCPN on Windows. The DRM is not supported on other operating systems.

On their site you want this page - I recommend you buy the USB key, which can be used with any computer without installation (an .exe is briefly run when the stick is inserted). To buy the USB key, scroll down to the bottom of the page (after you think the page has ended) to where it says "Buy the 2022 Physical Product" (this link may work).
 

LadyInBed

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Devon Boy

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Visit My Harbour's charts are indeed the beautiful raster charts you desire, provided you're running OpenCPN on Windows. The DRM is not supported on other operating systems.

On their site you want this page - I recommend you buy the USB key, which can be used with any computer without installation (an .exe is briefly run when the stick is inserted). To buy the USB key, scroll down to the bottom of the page (after you think the page has ended) to where it says "Buy the 2022 Physical Product" (this link may work).
That’s for the info and links, I just found their website a bit overwhelming!
 

Major Tom

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On android, is there any advantage to displaying the vmh admiralty charts on open cpn (I thought they could be copied across after download)? It seemed to me, getting the vmh maps also involved getting the vmh Marine navigator app, and it works very nicely (where as, I could not persuade open cpn to talk to the b&g nmea for the ais)
 
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Pye_End

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You won't get VMH raster charts to work on Android OpenCPN - only Windows OpenCPN.

OpenCPN is much more sophisticated than Marine Navigator, especially the windows version.
 

KeithMD

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As previous replies explained the situation two years ago, in 2022, perhaps it's time for an update to the situation in 2024?

VMH now says:

we are going to be making chartsets available not only on the Unified Charts platform (so users can give it a try without giving up their current favourite programs). BUT also making charts available for qtVlm across all platforms.

and

For those with Windows machines (who may also want qtVlm on Android or iPad) UNIFIED CHARTS from mid April 2018 also support qtVlm (as well as the already supported programs and apps.)

For those with Macs, Linux, RaspberryPi etc.. We now make CROSS PLATFORM charts that'll work on anything that qtVlm will run on. These are the very cheapest way of getting "Desktop" licensed charts.. prices from £15.95 for all UK/Ireland

See:
qtVlm - A fully featured navigation and weather planning program : by VisitMyHarbour [qtVlm- the new Nav, Weather and Simulator program] - VisitMyHarbour articles
and
NEW Download 2024 Cross Platform qtVlm Charts : by VisitMyHarbour [qtVlm- the new Nav, Weather and Simulator program] - VisitMyHarbour articles
 

Parabordi

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I wish I could understand Qtvlm, I am an IT Consultant and cannot get into it. Opencpn just seems so much easier.
 

st599

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Open CPN has a huge array of modules which allow you to do things like Radar overlay, weather overlay, vessel data recording etc.

Also, the UKHO charts are recognised by the UK MCA, Navionics aren't, so some users can't use the online app.
 

KeithMD

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I wish I could understand Qtvlm, I am an IT Consultant and cannot get into it. Opencpn just seems so much easier.

Looks like VMH has that OpenCPN option for Unified Charts.

Unified Charts... What are they ? : by VisitMyHarbour [Unified Charts (compatible with OpenCPN on Windows)] - VisitMyHarbour articles

On Windows, and other platforms.

Macs, Linux, Raspberry Pi, iOS : by VisitMyHarbour [Unified Charts (compatible with OpenCPN on Windows)] - VisitMyHarbour articles
 
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