The long awaited OpenCPN for the Android platform

[Hurricane]

Finally it seems to be coming together.

Dave (bdcat) the prime developer released this on the Cruisers Forums
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/opencpn-for-android-alpha-test-4-1-427-a-145244.html

It is a long thread and a bit Geeky but essentially, they are about to move to Beta Releases.
The above link contains a link to a Dropbox account containing the last Alpha test release.

I downloaded the Alpha the 4.1.427 Alpha test release of OpenCPN for Android.
AND IT WORKS
Ran on my old Asus Transformer (TF101) and my Samsung Tab 10.1 (2014 Edition)

Lots of things that will need doing but it is a huge step towards OpenCPN on the Android.

I've run it with my BSB raster charts and they all work - a bit slow and it is a bit flaky - but they work.
I also loaded the CMAP vector charts and they work as well.

Those interested should read through the above Cruisers Forum link to get a feel for what works and what doesn't at the moment.

Early days but very encouraging.
When finished, this will be a chart plotter that runs on all platforms except IoS

 

[jimmcgee]

:encouragement: it was always available on Linux , dont know how it took so long , but good news anyhoo :encouragement:

 

[Hurricane]

The first Beta version of OpenCPN for Android has been out for about 10 days.
It loaded straight away onto my tablet and is reasonably stable.
CM93 vector charts and my raster (BSB) charts are all working fine.

Here is a link to the Cruiser Forums discussion on the Android Beta version of OpenCPN
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/opencpn-for-android-beta-test-4-1-530-a-147108.html

The internal Android GPS works - just needs to be set up inside the "connections" section in OpenCPN's setup pages.

I'm on the boat at the moment so I thought I'd try something.
I thought it would be nice to get AIS on the tablet so I ran OpenCPN on the ships Windows computer and set up an IP stream (Broadcast) over the ships internal LAN. The LAN also has a WiFi segment so the Android was then set to receive NMEA data from the ships WiFi LAN.
Took a bit of figuring out but now I can switch my internal Android GPS off and use the ships NMEA/GPS which, of course, contains AIS data.
The OpenCPN manual goes on to explain how to control the autopilot but maybe I will eave that for another day.

I also ran the whole thing on my Samsung S4 phone.
The only problem was starting - the default setup had the menu buttons too small to press.
Solution is a long press on the top left of the screen and an Android menu appears.
I think they are working on that though.

I have reported two minor points
The font used for showing depths in the CM93 (CMAP) vector charts is way too small to read.
Also the Own Ship and AIS targets are (again) too small to see.
Apart from that, it can't be that far off a release - maybe a couple more Betas yet though.

 

[Hurricane]

Next Beta version is out
See here
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/opencpn-for-android-beta-test-4-1-630-a-148727.html

I've loaded it and it seems to work.
The guys developing it seem to be getting the "tablet/phone" controls in place.
To me, it seems a little slower than the previous beta release but I think this will be a really useful tool.

The NMEA data feeds via WiFi from the ships Windows version of OpenCPN are working well thus giving me AIS targets in the Android.