After the flurry of posts in the thread about Navionics Price Increasing, relaying positive experiences with OpenCPN used as a planning tool for cruising, I decided that I would give it a try. Much of my working life was spent in IT support, training, and systems development, and I have always liked finding IT tools which can be used to help me find and compile all of the information that I will need to keep track of in order to have a fun, safe, and successful cruise.
My current information toolbox contains a B&G Zeus2 chartplotter onboard, a subscription to the Navionics app on my iPad as well as Navionics US/Canada charts on the Zeus, a copy of iNavX on the iPad (it started as a download of GPSNavX on an iMac computer), and various paper charts and chart book collections covering the Puget Sound and Canadian Gulf Islands region. I also have a number of PNW cruising guides that I refer to.
Being in the beginning stages of planning next summers cruise to Canada, and after seeing posts on the thread above, I decided to try OpenCPN. This isn't necessarily a review or even a request for help or support, I just thought I'd start a thread and see if manages to accumulate useful conversation, information, and tips on this forum. I also didn't want to completely hijack the Navionics App thread with questions about a different chart and planning tool.
My current information toolbox contains a B&G Zeus2 chartplotter onboard, a subscription to the Navionics app on my iPad as well as Navionics US/Canada charts on the Zeus, a copy of iNavX on the iPad (it started as a download of GPSNavX on an iMac computer), and various paper charts and chart book collections covering the Puget Sound and Canadian Gulf Islands region. I also have a number of PNW cruising guides that I refer to.
Being in the beginning stages of planning next summers cruise to Canada, and after seeing posts on the thread above, I decided to try OpenCPN. This isn't necessarily a review or even a request for help or support, I just thought I'd start a thread and see if manages to accumulate useful conversation, information, and tips on this forum. I also didn't want to completely hijack the Navionics App thread with questions about a different chart and planning tool.