Updated nav station with ”large” touchscreen

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Props mostly for getting OpenCPN working. Although I am sure it is much easier to get going on a PC vs a phone. Tried for ages to get it to do anything useful on my phone before finally giving up and paying Garmin more money.

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issue9mm@reddit

Not OP, but while I've had good luck with OpenCPN, it is not remotely a "mobile app" in my opinion. It's great on a desktop or a Mac, but if I'm using a phone, I reflexively will default to ANYTHING else -- Navionics, AquaMaps, anything.

I haven't tried it on a tablet (and I don't know if there's one it even runs on) but it MIGHT be okay with enough real estate

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Icy_Camera_1346@reddit

If Im not lazy I will put it on my tablet with windows, I’ll let you know :)

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issue9mm@reddit

I didn't even know those still existed

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Icy_Camera_1346@reddit

Its at least 10 years old

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brufleth@reddit

There is (was?) a pretty active seeming project to get it going on Android, but Google really hamstrung that with how they were managing "drive" space on devices. Like I could NOT get to mapping files that I had downloaded no matter how many tricks, additional apps that allegedly could move things between data areas, etc I tried. It was a stupid problem which really wasn't at all the fault of the OpenCPN community and I couldn't find a workaround.

Getting the right kinds of map files was also surprisingly problematic, but I figured trial and error along with excessive amounts of downloading would have gotten me through that eventually.

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issue9mm@reddit

Yeah, my whole ecosystem is Garmin and I'm fine with it, but it means having to pay them twice for Navionics and ActiveCaptain because for routing they do 90% of the same things, but just differently enough that I need them both, and neither provides a viable way to get OpenCPN data into them that I've found (tho I admittedly haven't looked THAT hard beyond Googling)

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brufleth@reddit

I have an older inReach mini 2 (still with micro USB port) that despite pairing with my phone will NOT actually connect to it. Really doesn't give my confidence that it would work as a rescue call device which is pretty frustrating.

Other than that, we've been okay with Garmin.

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LameBMX@reddit

works fine with the earthmate app and a galaxy s21u I think.

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brufleth@reddit

I sent a test a could weeks ago... No indication it went through.

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LameBMX@reddit

it would have let you know before shutting down that it had unsent messages. it might be dead :( while it takes a moment, it should have pretty much global coverage if you have a clear sky. mine hangs in the boat and does just fine.

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StarshipSausage@reddit

I have it working pretty good on a galaxy tablet. Not main plotter but its pretty good on deck.

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issue9mm@reddit

Nice to hear. Thanks!

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SaucyWiggles@reddit

I'm new to all this but I'm using opencpn on my phone and also on my desktop. The phone app is functional but unintuitive and pretty rough around the edges imo.

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Gullintani@reddit

It's a dream to use on a tablet, easier to set up via desktop and transfer across, but very stable and user friendly.

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ccgarnaal@reddit

It's not. I bought a windows tablet just because I love opencpn too much. But opencpn on Android is a mess and you can't use S63 ENC maps.

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rhbvkleef@reddit

Super cool! Forgive my nerdy questions: I'm just very interested in how other ppl deal with this.

Have you considered running Linux as opposed to windows?
How are you connecting this PC to your instrumentation? N2k USB adaptor like an Actisense?
Are your running any other nav software (like QTVlm)?
Which charts do you use?

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acateon@reddit (OP)

I have, but I see no upsides to using windows in my use case. I’m using Linux a lot on other devices so Linux is great, not for me in this situation though.

I’ve got a Teltonika 4g router for WiFi/cell access that two different multiplexers connect to over WiFi. One for N2K and one for old seatalk/nmea0183.

I tried running time zero but didn’t think it was worth it. I have all I need in opencpn with planning, instrumentation etc..

Cm93v2 with scanned end georeferenced specials for certain regions.

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rhbvkleef@reddit

Cool! Super interesting ;)

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yelruh00@reddit

What did you use for the mount?

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SVAuspicious@reddit

I'm very sorry for you. Touchscreens don't do well in seas, cold, or with wet fingers. What's your backup pointing device?

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Christopherfromtheuk@reddit

Below, I use paper charts and a laptop usually but neither perform well when it's wet either.

In the cockpit, I use my cockpit chart plotter, my phone and a weatherproof tablet for outside navigation. The weatherproof tablet has a stylus, as does my phone.

I'm really not sure what your point is here.

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SVAuspicious@reddit

Unless your sailing is limited to light air in benign conditions, touchscreens don't measure up. A stylus doesn't make it better.

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Christopherfromtheuk@reddit

I sail around the UK. Conditions are far from benign and in light air.

I must be doing it wrong. When I crossed the Irish sea a couple of weeks ago in fairly rough conditions it all worked fine.

I will message you next week when I head off up along the North channel to Scotland for your sage advice, after throwing my plotter, phone and tablet into the sea of course.

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SVAuspicious@reddit

I haven't sailed the Irish Sea, absent a visit to Clyde that probably doesn't count. Skagerrak, North Sea, English Channel, Solent, and Biscay do for you?

See https://www.reddit.com/r/sailing/comments/1l3x4sq/comment/mw6m6cg/ .

Touchscreens are not reliable on a moving platform, particularly with wet and/or cold fingers. In addition to the points I made in the link, everything takes longer than a physical pointing device except in the most benign conditions.

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Christopherfromtheuk@reddit

What an odd comment. It's not a competition.

When I want your advice, I'll ask. Right now, I don't want it because what I have works for me and I've sailed for 50 years.

The OP made a post showing an interesting touchscreen set up down below.

Seriously, get over yourself and read the room.

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ProbablySFW@reddit

Maybe SVAuspicious had a bad experience with some older/ lesser technology and applies that/ those anecdotal experience(s) to everyone instead of thinking "oh, technology advances and gets better"

???

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SVAuspicious@reddit

Bless your heart. I deliver a goodly number of new boats as well as recently purchased coming out of big refits with lots of new gear. See above, please.

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ProbablySFW@reddit

I did say "maybe" 😀

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juliethoteloscar@reddit

A resistive touch screen (and possibly a stylus for finer work) completely avoids the problem of touch screens and water. I have one in my cockpit for Open CPN

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SVAuspicious@reddit

The point is not the water, but that wet and/or cold fingers don't register well on touchscreens. A stylus just makes hitting what you are aiming at that much more difficult.

Considering a moving target reminds me of one of my mantras: no man in the world has aim nearly as good as he thinks, especially with a moving target; everyone sits. *grin*

I'm a huge fan of OpenCPN. Good stuff. That's independent of the shortfalls of touchscreens.

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idgafau5@reddit

Good thing they can always use a mouse, if needed.

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brufleth@reddit

Or wipe off their finger.

Its at the nav station, not on the foredeck.

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SVAuspicious@reddit

I don't think y'all have sailed offshore in weather.

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LameBMX@reddit

spent the weekend in the remnants of Helene .... took the whole week to dry out the lil boat!

but man, the eye wall remnants blocking out the light pollution made for an awesome star gazing session.

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SVAuspicious@reddit

You have to take the good when you can find it. Bravo.

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asm__nop@reddit

Yeah, I’m with you on this. The wetness permeates everything. When your hands are soggy and so are all your clothes it’s not nearly as simple as wiping your hands on a towel.

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LameBMX@reddit

yea, the towels wet, too, lol.

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MathematicianSlow648@reddit

Agreed. Having weathered storm force at sea and hurricane force at anchor.

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MathematicianSlow648@reddit

Don't know why you are getting down votes but let me add that from what I can see from the photo it likely would not survive someone lurching into it in any kind of heavy weather. I am a Panasonic Toughbook fan myself.

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SVAuspicious@reddit

I've had good experience with Lenovo T-series Thinkpads but Toughbooks are good stuff also.

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acateon@reddit (OP)

This is one of four digital options for navigation/planning. I been in seas heavy enough to not want to be down below, using the screen was no problem then. Planing zooming is not an issue at all. Still got a plotter in the cockpit, a tablet and phone.

While the sea is calm enough for the auto pilot to handle things, cold and wet fingers are quite temporary until they get warm and dry.

There also is a mouse and keyboard under the nav table lid as a ”just in case”

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SVAuspicious@reddit

u/acateon,

The issue is touching what you're aiming at on a touchscreen when you are in seas. This is a problem with things as basic as menu selections and setting waypoints e.g. for a bailout that you have researched but didn't plan because something broke or someone is sick or injured. Or selecting a radar target for MARPA. Wet and cold come into play, even below because touchscreens often don't respond reliably when your fingers are cold or wet or both.

Good that you have a keyboard (presumably with arrow buttons, PGUP and PGDN) and mouse. Do you have precut nonskid? Mouse pad? How do you keep the mouse from flying across the cabin?

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Original_Dood@reddit

What a weird way to ask a question

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vandijks@reddit

What is the small display above your radio?

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acateon@reddit (OP)

It’s a multi purpose display for instruments like wind, speed, depth etc as well as anchor watch, auto pilot control, battery/solar monitor, weather forecast for current gps position.

Developed it myself and might do a separate post about it later and if big enough interest I might make it available for purchase. :)

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captcraigaroo@reddit

Awesome setup, Hope you get to use it

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Fatturtle18@reddit

That boat looks clean!

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Azula-the-firelord@reddit

As much as I love sailing, I hate the windowlessness with gusto. At least give me a gold-plated, ornamental stern gallery for my captain's quarters where I can live like a god in france.

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LameBMX@reddit

from what I've heard, the gods in france....

lack that fire, in their heart and pants.

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Electrical-Contest-1@reddit

Nice! What screen did you use for this setup? Do you have it consuming at 12v or on an inverter?

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acateon@reddit (OP)

It’s a Elo ET2294L running of 12V. Rated at 3.5 amps

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Opcn@reddit

running [off] 12V.

Bless you.

There is a sailing/boat building youtuber who I won't name who frequently runs a generator because their massive solar can't keep up, then runs their DC power into an inverter and then plugs the transformers for their electronics into the inverted power supply. ಠ_ಠ

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millijuna@reddit

Eh, we've started doing that because no one makes a decent 12v to USB-C adapter. But just smaller stuff like our iPads and phones (the iPads are our primary chartplotters)

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Opcn@reddit

They exist. Here is a 100w car charger. https://www.amazon.com/Latitude-Precision-Elitebook-ThinkPad-Chromebook/dp/B0DZWS9QHR/

USB-C is harder than 12v because it's multiple voltages. 5,9,15, 20 and then variable up to 50.

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millijuna@reddit

Oh, I know adapters exist, we have a few that plug into those annoying cigarette lighter sockets. I was talking about the built in converters etc...

And we've had enough bad luck with DC converters, that we usually just plug into the inverter.

But with 460AHr of LFP on a 27' sailboat, we honestly don't care that much. Heck, we now have a 1 burner induction cooktop onboard, and do most of our cooking off the inverter too.

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Opcn@reddit

Induction actually uses the AC, it doesn't convert to DC first. If you bought a DC induction burner for an RV the first thing that it does when the power gets into it is to put it through what is essentially an inversion circuit.

If you don't like the cigarette lighter plugs you can just cut them off and splice your prefered connector on. The one I linked is like 8 AMPs you can run that through an SAE connector or an anderson powerplug or they even make barrel jacks rated to that draw (though they are bigger than what you'll usually find at a hardware store).

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wkavinsky@reddit

Annoying?

Those barrel sockets let you easily update the sockets in your boat to whatever charging standard you want.

Personally, they are better than USB sockets, since they are more versatile and upgradable.

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millijuna@reddit

They never hold well I find. We have them, use them, but they’re not significantly better than just running through the inverter.

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nylondragon64@reddit

Lol newer sailors today. Hooked on the electronics. Hope you get netfix 9n that thing because that is what it will mostly be tuned in to.. I sail to get away from this stuff. Phifft i don't even have a windex.

All i have depth. Small garmin gps 440 and auto pilot at helm. Only use auto pilot to raise main when solo or to get something quick down below. Wind instrument works when it wants to. Got use to not barely looking at it. Going somewhere a little different, paper charts on table.

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acateon@reddit (OP)

Each to their own. :)

That’s half the point to be able to use it as a tv as well so there’s a chromecast tv thing connected to a hdmi switcher. I got kids so it’s great for peace long legs or at the evening before bedtime.

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