What is OpenCPN?

OpenCPN is a simple, concise
Chart
Plotter
Navigator.
It is designed to be used continuously at the helm station of
an
underway ship or boat, allowing the operator to easily track their
position on accurate chart images. Additionally, OpenCPN can display
tide and current predictions, as well as information on other suitably
equipped vessels in the area.
Why did you create this program?
As a full time cruiser, it became clear that most of the added features
on other programs were useless for practical cruising. These
eye
candy features were resource hogs. I couldn't find a fast running
no-nonsense program, so I developed one.
Is this just a demo product?
No. OpenCPN is a complete and fully functioning program. This and
future upgrades will always be free to download without any gotchas.
Why should I use this instead of ____________?
A)
It is Open Source software, meaning among other things, that
it is
FREE TO DOWNLOAD and use. Escape the commercial paid upgrade
treadmill!
B) It is "concise," meaning that the feature set is optimized
for
daily use, and excess features (aka "bloatware") are not present. The
application is thus smaller and faster, and will run acceptably on as
little as a 300 mHz Pentium II Windows 98 computer. Especially, it
starts up and shuts down quickly.
Is it reliable for day to day use?
OpenCPN is currently at production release stage. There are thousands of
active users. However, minor bugs may be expected. These do
not
affect normal operation of OpenCPN.
On a personal note, OpenCPN has for years, been the full-time everyday
navigator aboard M/V Dyad, our trawler catamaran, cruising from
Newfoundland to the Bahamas.
I'm not techno savvy, is this easy to use?
Some familiarity with competitive products is assumed. Usage
is
fairly intuitive.
OpenCPN.org
provides detailed information about the program and it's use. There are
also two very active forums to visit. [Forum links on
right-hand
column.]
How accurate is it?
Like all similar programs, OpenCPN's accuracy is dependent upon the
accuracy of the positioning input device (e.g. GPS) and the underlying
chart database. As for all
such programs, OpenCPN does not remove the responsibility of the
operator to LOOK OUT THE WINDOW.
With that said,
OpenCPN will plot the boat position to within about 100 ft of it's true
position most of the time, which is the same accuracy as other chart
navigation systems. OpenCPN will warn the user if the chart data
accuracy does not allow for safe navigation
Do I need GPS?
OpenCPN is optimized as an underway tool, so GPS data is necessary to
allow boat position plotting. However, OpenCPN can be used without GPS
for planning purposes, such as route and waypoint entry and
time/distance calculations.
Where can I find the charts I need?
OpenCPN comes with a few sample charts. These are included to provide
instant opportunity to experience the potential of the
program.
Find all the charts you need for your region at:
Office
of Coast Survey Free nav chart downloads from NOAA.
More chart sources available at
dacust.com.
These are the same charts the costly commercial programs use.
Can I help?
If you'd like to develop enhancements to
OpenCPN, check out the project on
SourceForge.
Current items of interest are:
a) Testing. Use it, cruise it, abuse it. Your feedback is
appreciated.
b) Documentation. Translation. Writers invited.
c) Icons, color palettes, etc. Graphic designers invited.
Why is OpenCPN
on the Bigdumboat site?
It's been here all along. This is where it had it's humble
beginning.