OpenCPN Plugins problem

[fearmhuir]

I have loaded the latest version of OpenCPN 5.8..0 onto a Windows 10 laptop. Also loaded the same on a Windows 11 tablet.
Have successfully loaded British Isles raster charts on both. I now want to load o-chart vector charts on the W11 tablet. For this I need the o-charts plugin, which doesn't appear in the plugins list. Even after updating the plugins catalog I am just left with 4 plugins in the list - Grib, Dashboard, WMM and Chart Downloader?
On my W10 laptop, I have a long list of plugins, including the o-charts and S63 plugins that I need.
Why can't I get the same list on the W11 laptop after updating the plugins catalog?

 

[MontyMariner]

Have you tried downloading it to the W10 LT then copying it across to the W11 LT?

 

[Refueler]

Why not just set your Win11 to be Win10 compatible in OpenCPN ?

 

[fearmhuir]

Why not just set your Win11 to be Win10 compatible in OpenCPN ?

Thanks for the suggestions Monty and Refueler!
I eventually figured out what the problem was this morning - as the Windows tablet is touchscreen, I was assuming that you could drag up and down the list of plugins, but that's not the case. For some reason you swipe right on the list and a scroll bar appears, which solves the problem - all the plugins are there ok, I just wasn't seeing them!
Maybe I am getting old, assuming that Windows would be user friendly!
OpenCPN is such an awesome project!
Thabks guys

 

[Refueler]

OpenCPN is getting a bit long in the tooth now .. there are other progs out there since it appeared ..

I think its appeal is that so many people use it ... so always an answer out there for questions.

 

[Hoolie]

OpenCPN is getting a bit long in the tooth now ..

It is regularly updated with bug fixes and new features. For example the current version introduced , amongst other things, native compatibility with NMEA2000 data connections. The next version is now available as a beta and will appear as a formal issue in a few months time.
Very few charting software products will run on as many diverse platforms as OpenCPN.

 

[Refueler]

It is regularly updated with bug fixes and new features. For example the current version introduced , amongst other things, native compatibility with NMEA2000 data connections. The next version is now available as a beta and will appear as a formal issue in a few months time.
Very few charting software products will run on as many diverse platforms as OpenCPN.

Given that OpenCPN was not averse to jump on the use of CM93v2 .... by integrating the encryption into OpenCPN, illegally posted on market by far East employee of JM - it surprises me that they haven't updated to CM93v3 - given that the encryption is out there ...

I agree its regularly updated ... but its not the functions or connectability - its the charting side of it ... hanging on to CM93v2 as example ... that was obselete in 2015 - 16

 

[Stingo]

Sasplanet solves CM93v2 being obsolete

 

[Refueler]

Sasplanet solves CM93v2 being obsolete

Please explain how an obselete product can be 'solved' ?? Its either obselete or its not.

When the encryption was passed out to the internet - it did not take long for v2 to be put aside and v3 to be drawn up. The major change was that now all charts were contained in a single heavily encrypted file - instead of as v2 - many segmented files.
CM93v2 has not been passed or given to anyone to update / modify / continue ... so it stands as a) still subject to copyright ... b) not updataed since 2015-16.

SASPlanet as I see it - is a general purpose viewer of various imagery - satelite / terrain / GIS / etc - but has no function to update CM93v2 ... does it even display that ?

 

[Hoolie]

I agree its regularly updated ... but its not the functions or connectability - its the charting side of it ... hanging on to CM93v2 as example ... that was obselete in 2015 - 16

O-charts was set up a few years ago to provide low-cost up-to-date charts specifically for OpenCPN. Over time much of the sailed coasts of the world have been included with charts from the various hydrographic offices updated on a regular basis. AFAIK the only users of CM93v2 are those in remote parts not properly covered by the HOs. But as Stingo has pointed out, those areas can be augmented by digitised satellite imagery.

I would respectfully suggest that you bring yourself up to date before slagging off things you know little about

 

[AngusMcDoon]

It is regularly updated with bug fixes and new features. For example the current version introduced , amongst other things, native compatibility with NMEA2000 data connections. The next version is now available as a beta and will appear as a formal issue in a few months time.
Very few charting software products will run on as many diverse platforms as OpenCPN.

It's a huge worldwide & very successful open source collaborative effort by professional software developers who do it in their free time, one of whom posts on this forum.

 

[Refueler]

O-charts was set up a few years ago to provide low-cost up-to-date charts specifically for OpenCPN. Over time much of the sailed coasts of the world have been included with charts from the various hydrographic offices updated on a regular basis. AFAIK the only users of CM93v2 are those in remote parts not properly covered by the HOs. But as Stingo has pointed out, those areas can be augmented by digitised satellite imagery.

I would respectfully suggest that you bring yourself up to date before slagging off things you know little about

I was not 'slagging off' ... and as a professional navigator with most likely more navigational charting programs than you will ever get to see or use ... I feel far more justified to comment ...

I actually use CM93v3 .... do you ?

 

[Refueler]

It's a huge worldwide & very successful open source collaborative effort by professional software developers who do it in their free time, one of whom posts on this forum.

Good for them and 'he' ...

As I already said - I was not 'slagging off' ....

My favourite charting program in fact is Seaclear on the boats ... now that is not updated and well past its sell by date .... even though I have access to latest Professional Charting as a part of my work.

 

[Stingo]

Please explain how an obselete product can be 'solved' ?? Its either obselete or its not.

...

As an alternative.

 

[Refueler]

As an alternative.

Which is not a solution to obsolescence ... its a replacement.

Think I'll stick with my Professional gear .. thanks.

 

[Hoolie]

I actually use CM93v3 .... do you ?

I don't actually.

I use up-to-date o-charts for the French Mediterranean coast that provides vector charts from the French hydrographic office SHOM. I believe you will find that C-MAP also use SHOM charts for CM93v3.

I also have a set of o-charts for the Spanish coasts, including the Balearics.

 

[Refueler]

I don't actually.

I use up-to-date o-charts for the French Mediterranean coast that provides vector charts from the French hydrographic office SHOM. I believe you will find that C-MAP also use SHOM charts for CM93v3.

I also have a set of o-charts for the Spanish coasts, including the Balearics.

The base models for CM93 are from all Hydrographic Offices. CM93 does not have its own Hydrographic Survey dept ...

But CM93v3 is the most comprehensive Vector coverage of all Charting available because it combines all HO data. Here the extent of CM93v3 and how it is changing the world of charting :

Charting The World Electronically

The chart data from all HO is compiled and converted to be included in the v3 format - producing the largest set current on the market. Even to exceeding the chart folio size of the UKHO.

Its best to use term CM93 rather than CMap ... because you can get CMap cards for your plotters - but CM93 is for ECDIS / Professional Ship systems.

 

[Hoolie]

The base models for CM93 are from all Hydrographic Offices. CM93 does not have its own Hydrographic Survey dept ...

Indeed. But o-charts has the same model and in most cases will provide the same base charts as CM93 , Navionics etc. However o-charts does not embellish or edit the charts in any way in contrast to Navionics that adds custom soundings and satellite derived imagery for example.

I take your point that CM93 is more complete but o-charts are catching up! I am not sure but I believe the relatively low cost agreement o-charts have with the HOs limits the charts to leisure use only and prohibits professional application. Your guess is as good as mine as to how that could be enforced!

 

[Refueler]

Indeed. But o-charts has the same model and in most cases will provide the same base charts as CM93 , Navionics etc. However o-charts does not embellish or edit the charts in any way in contrast to Navionics that adds custom soundings and satellite derived imagery for example.

I take your point that CM93 is more complete but o-charts are catching up! I am not sure but I believe the relatively low cost agreement o-charts have with the HOs limits the charts to leisure use only and prohibits professional application. Your guess is as good as mine as to how that could be enforced!

Enforcement is not necessary as the Professional Systems run completely different to Yotties / Leisure side.

Leisure is basically catered for by SD card / Internet .... Professional Shipboard can have Internet via Sat - but usually update / install from disc (DVD). That of course will shortly no longer be the case.