Using a laptop as a chartplotter

[on-one]

I'd like to use my laptop as a chartplotter, so far I've read the oziexplorer, digiboat and garmin bluechart websites but don't know enough to make an informed decision. Does anyone here use their PC and if so any thoughts on the best way to do this?

[Fishin_Dan]

I haven't actually tried this, but my understanding is as follows:-

To do this you need to have the chartplotting software. Any of the good ones will be fine. You then need a GPS receiver that is compatible with that software, and the connection from the receiver to the laptop. The receiver can be your GPS72 (I have that as well). Then you hook your laptop up on the boat, connect your GPS72 to it, and turn it on. Then you should get your current position pulled up onto the map.

I've got Mapsource that talks to my GPS72, but I don't have the maps for it. I think they are around $300 off the top of my head... I use it to store (backup) all my GPS marks, but in theory if I had the map, it should just plug in and work.

If anyone has the maps for Mapsource that cover the Brisbane area and is willing to give me a copy, I will happily test this out...


Also - An extra hint for you - Keep your eye out on eBay for a 12Volt - 240Volt inverter. Then you can wire in a seperate battery (But it gets charged from the motor) and run your laptop off that. That way you are not relying on the battery

[joey_1987]

To run a laptop off 12v, you can use a $50 150w inverter, go to jaycar.com.au or even bunnings has them. Joey.

[Dave]

I dont know that you be able to get live info to you laptop? I have the bluechart and oziexplorer but only use them to see where i have been for the day. As I dont have a card reader as yet i type the waypoints in manually as with routes. If you can get live info you will need to get the software ie bluechart and a compatable GPS. As Dan says the software is not cheap about the 300+ mark. Let us know how you go.

Dave

[Sea-Dog]

A mate of mine bought a PCMCIA GPS card for his laptop that he used for road navigation.

Could this setup also be used in combination with the aforementioned chart software instead of purchasing a seperate GPS and connecting it to a laptop? :-?

[frankj]

On-one

the NMEA 0183 output of your GPS can be fed into the serial port of a computer, assuming it has a serial port, some don't these days.
Just 2 or 3 connections reqd. Tx data, Rx Data and sheild. The NMEA is RS232 compatible and this provides a data stream that can be read by your Computer serial port and thus your mapping program.
The full version of oziexplorer lets you set up for a number of different GPS maunfacturers, check their site for precise info. You can then enter a moving map mode which will show your real time position from the GPS. Oziexplorer will allow you to import google earth images (and outher image files of certain types) and will plot your position directly on the chart like the pic below. This wasn't real time, I just downloaded my track in to GE when I got home.

Hope this helps.

[on-one]

Thanks All,

frankj my PC has a serial port and I've got a garmin 128 and a venture although I'll probably use the 128 as it's wired into the boat already with an exteral aerial. You lost me though with the "Tx Data Rx Data and shield" garmin sell a gps 128 to serial cable, is this all I need apart from software?

[frankj]

Yes that should do the trick.

There will be a setup procedure in the GPS menu. I used to run a Garmin GPS125 and that had instructions in the manual. I connected my GPS 125 succesfully to my old laptop.
Check your handbook out.

Oziexplorer definitely handles Garmin GPS's.

By the way, all care, but no responsibility if you know what I mean. LOL

Good luck
Frank

[on-one]

Bit late for disclaimers now Frank, if it all goes wrong I'm blaming you. Thanks very much for your help, I'll download the demo version of oziexplorer and play with it.

[nonibbles]

There is a free program that takes c-map charts and can operate live on your laptop. I can't justify the cost of the charts for my own usage but it is a very good program from what I've seen in demo mode. It is called Software On Board and is upadated automatically on-line by free registration. I will endeavour to find out where I got it from and post but a simple google search should find it. It was originally advertised in club marine's magazine a coupla years back.

[Punkin]

There was a bloke on Sportsfish just a couplea weeks back offering live map software for the price of postage. Might even still be in the Fro Sale section. I've got Cap'n Voyager, seems to work fine, although i don't use it live in my C/C ::)

Raymarine make software too that would be well worth checking out, you can hookup the sounder module and have it both running thru there...radar too if your so inclined :-?

[Fishin_Dan]

After talking to Rob today, it turns out he was just having issues downloading waypoints and tracks from his GPS to Easy GPS on his laptop. He was not trying to use the laptop for chartplotting.

I am a little curious about it though...

I've had a look at Mapsource (Garmin), MapSend (Magellan), and Easy GPS - And I can't see any that do it...


Punkin - Do you have a link for that guy? I would be interested to look into it a little...

As a computer tech, I may look into building a "tiny" computer to run as a chartplotter, and use my Garmin GPS72 as the receiver. You can get small LCD screens that would mount into a dash easily. Could seal it to make it waterproof pretty easily, and then mount the computer up under the dash/console out of the way. I may be able to do it for about $400, and with the $300 hand held GPS, gives me a full chartplotter for under $1000!!!

[lenm]

Guys - check this out this freeware if you haven't
http://www.sping.com/seaclear/

I've made my own maps from Noosa - Tweed. It works great with many more features than alot of conventional chartplotters.
A chartplotter with 17 Inch laptop screen!!

Dan - I'm interested in this mini computer your talking about. I think it would be good to have the computer kept away in the cabin with a monitor mounted on the dash with a fixed trackball mouse and cheap waterproof keyboard which you can buy nowadays.


LM