Ric
Well-Known Member
Will OpenCPN use an original Navionics charts SD card from my Raymarine plotter? I read somewhere that Navionics don't like us doing this and so there is a risk of corrupting the card.
OpenCPN and Navionics charts
- Thread starter Ric
- Start date
RichardS
N/A
I'm afraid they won't. To use the Navionics charts you need to buy a Navionics SD card reader dongle thingy. You can then use the charts on Navionics software for course planning (presumably the software comes with the dongle?) but I don't think they'll ever be recognised by OpenCPN, even with the dongle.
Richard
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
Not any more apparently. Since 2011 Navionics cards can be read by any ordinary card reader/slot. Navionics cards of this type will have an ntag file which provides online licensing for use on that computer.
Cheers
RichardS
N/A
That's certainly true for the newer cards because I can update my recent cards in an ordinary card reader ..... but the question was whether you can actually use the charts in another charting program like OpenCPN and, as far as I'm aware, you can only use the charts in a Navionics reader and/or with Navionics software. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though!
Richard
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
No, see bottom of page http://opencpn.org/ocpn/chart_formats
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
That's certainly true for the newer cards because I can update my recent cards in an ordinary card reader ..... but the question was whether you can actually use the charts in another charting program like OpenCPN and, as far as I'm aware, you can only use the charts in a Navionics reader and/or with Navionics software. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though!
Richard
You can use Navionics with either PC Plotter:
http://www.pcplotter.com/
or Digital Yacht's derived 'SmarterTrack' software (identical to PC plotter)
http://digitalyacht.net/2014/05/30/using-navionics-charts-on-smartertrack-2014/
Less yachty but things like P-Sea Sindpilot can also use Navionics:
http://p-sea.com/
Navionics themselves don't make any PC software for handling their charts anymore, after they phased out their PC app a few years back.
AFAIK the old-school Navionics reader didn't do anything more than provide the digital authorization for a PC already loaded with suitable software to access the Navionics card as an external drive. As you say you don't need it for the newer cards.
Anyway as LadyInBed says, OpenCPN will not work with Navionics whatever card or reader the OP has. My advice to the OP would be to try PC Plotter (which I am about to do in the spring) but this will of course cost a few quid. Seems a good piece of software though; almost as neat as expedition and about 1/5 the price
Cheers
Ric
Well-Known Member
You can use Navionics with either PC Plotter:
http://www.pcplotter.com/
or Digital Yacht's derived 'SmarterTrack' software (identical to PC plotter)
http://digitalyacht.net/2014/05/30/using-navionics-charts-on-smartertrack-2014/
Less yachty but things like P-Sea Sindpilot can also use Navionics:
http://p-sea.com/
Navionics themselves don't make any PC software for handling their charts anymore, after they phased out their PC app a few years back.
AFAIK the old-school Navionics reader didn't do anything more than provide the digital authorization for a PC already loaded with suitable software to access the Navionics card as an external drive. As you say you don't need it for the newer cards.
Anyway as LadyInBed says, OpenCPN will not work with Navionics whatever card or reader the OP has. My advice to the OP would be to try PC Plotter (which I am about to do in the spring) but this will of course cost a few quid. Seems a good piece of software though; almost as neat as expedition and about 1/5 the price
Cheers
Thanks - but I am a Mac user, so as far as I know my only choices are MacENC or OpenCPN. I know that MacENC will not read my Navionics chart card because they insist that clients buy their Navionics cards from their approved supplier, and will not allow any other Navionics charts. I am hoping that I can use OpenCPN with my existing card, but don't want to risk corrupting it.
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
Well, it seems pretty clear that Open CPN won't do it... the PC plotter people suggest using something called parallels desktop, which I am guessing is a windows emulator, to run their software on a mac, which might be a possible option.
They also have a cheaper bit of software called Navigation Planner, which seems to be the successor to Navionics PC app, which might be worth giving a go. Looks like it is a planning application (rather than charting) though.
http://www.navigationplanner.com/Features.html
Cheers
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
Parallels isn't an emulator; it allows you to run Windows (any version you want) and therefore any Windows apps, on your Mac, as an app under MAcOS. You can s=choose whether you have a Windows desktop as well as the Mac desktop, or simply launch and run the Windows Apps.
I've used it for years. Very good. In addition to Parallels, you need a licensed copy of Windows; and a reasonably recent Intel based Mac, probably better with at least 8GB ram.
I've used it for years. Very good. In addition to Parallels, you need a licensed copy of Windows; and a reasonably recent Intel based Mac, probably better with at least 8GB ram.
Ric
Well-Known Member
I have Parallels and Windows 10 on my Mac, but it is not the solution I want. I prefer native Mac programs. OpenCPN has Mac version, but just need to get some charts for it.
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
Yes, seems the shortage of UK charts is a bit of a bummer...
Other threads that may be of interest
