Laptop GPS Compatibility

Paul F · Dec 9, 2009

The only real down-side to laptops is that they are not water proof and are used in the cockpit at your risk, they take up about 5amps of power usually much more than a stand alone gps. Saying all that, I think one of the new small netbook 8-10" screens with free software and charts is the way to go. I hook my old laptop directly into 12volt boat power and it works great.

Roger Long · Dec 9, 2009

I hate to speak ill of a Maine product but DeLorme's road navigation software is the most counter intuitive, frustrating, maddening, and incomprehensible software I have ever used and I remember 8 inch floppy disks. Their LT20 and LT40 GPS antennas do work quite well with my Maptech Offshore Navigator Lite software although you have to download a Serial Emulator from the Delorme web site and install it.

I don't know anything about Microsoft's road navigation software but I'd like to hear from anyone using it as I would like car navigation software that doesn't risk having me throw the laptop against the wall while trying to plan a route.

wufibugs · Dec 9, 2009

May I extend the question to the relatiive advantages of a notebook or laptop versus a handheld gps with, say, a 7" screen. Can marine maps/charts be loaded into gps units sold for the street?

Joe · Dec 9, 2009

Two years ago I purchased a Maptech Chartkit for Calif. which included a dvd with all the charts and a copy of Offshore Navigator Lite which I installed on both my laptops, (old and new). Once installed the Software and maps operate without the disk in the computer. My garmin 72 plugs into the serial port. So...... guess what. I have a complete set of paper charts for my area and beyond. I have a copy of all those charts on all my computers plus the navigation software that allows me to integrate my existing handheld gps. All that for the cost of the chart set. So I took the money I saved and purchased a dashmount gps for my car that is inexpensive, simple and easy to use.

Yes, I have the equipment, but I find I don't use it as much as I thought I would because the laptop screen is difficult viewing in bright sunlight. Plus it clutters up the cockpit so it stays in the nav station (as in dinette table on my Cat 27) and I use it to set up routes and load the waypoints into the handheld GPS. I'm convinced that a good quality, waterproof chartplotter with a 4 to 7 inch screen is more functional in the cockpit and that's where I'll put my money, eventually.

I still like using the paper charts. I enjoy taking fixes and plotting a course but I can't remember the last time I got out a stopwatch and did any dead reckoning. The GPS just makes that too easy. Hmmmm... guess I better run a few DR's next time out just to shake the rust off.

seadaddler · Dec 9, 2009

Streets Trips

We have Microsoft streets and trips newest version and wife has it on her Laptop while playing games all at the same time while I drive up to NY from Florida,keeps her busy.

flhunterowner · Dec 10, 2009

road gps

I used the microsoft trips with the usb dongle in my car and it works well. Now to your question. I use the same dongle with the same laptop and running seaclearII for nav software.

It works fine for me giving general location and speed info.

I cant say that it is deadly accurate, but it has proven to be "Close enough" for my purposes. The good thing is that sea clear is fairly easy to learn and the charts make good references when at home (plus they are free).

I have a magellan nuvi that I am fooling around with trying to install marine maps to. I will give more info on that if i ever get a chance to do it. I have read that it is possible, I just havent tried yet.

Only caution I have about some GPS's is they don't seem to read (esp speed updates) when you are traveling under 2 MPH. I was almost ready to chuck my handheld overboard because i thought it had given up the ghost. It would appear to work then stop. Only later did I find out what was going on.

Paul F · Dec 10, 2009

flhunter, are you sure you don't mean Garmin Nuvi. If you can get marine maps on either Garmin or Magellan please let us know. As, I would like to do that also. As far as transferring waypoints and routes use GPSBabel. http://www.gpsbabel.org/

Sonya · Dec 10, 2009

Hi:
For what it's worth.. I have had several laptops and always been able to connect my GPS to them and I run the fugawi nav system. Having said that, I have never lost a laptop to water issues. The bigest issue was the laptop sailing off the nav station and hitting the floor....bye bye hardrive ! I recently discovered the panasonic toughbook laptop with built in GPS....I have a young ITComputer tech cousin who works with the police dept. who brought them to my attention...I'm checking them out....used by millitary and police alike....designed to take a beating and if used by the millitary I would suppose that they would have enough gumsion to run a nav program with GPS compatability. I'm looking into one. You can find them refurbish on ebay or I think through panasonic. New the price of one is pretty serious. Panasonic also has a trade in program. Happy hunting and best of luck with what you choose

Sonya

wonkodsane · Dec 10, 2009

If you're really interested in good, inexpensive charting software, look at OpenCPN. Uses the free charts available from NOAA. http://www.bigdumboat.com/cpnindex.html

Most of the "mouse" style GPS will work with it. I've got a BU-353 GPS http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-62-bu-353-w.aspx that works peachily on my laptop with really minor configuration available for ~$36 on Amazon. An added benefit is that the chipset in the GPS is among the best available for consumer products (very fast to pick up satellites, and very accurate).

I can't say that I recommend the toughbooks. Laptops are too cheap and toughbooks are too expensive. I'd rather trash ten $400 low-spec laptops than buy a single fully rugged (note, this doesn't mean waterproof, only "all-weather") toughbook for around $3500.

Which gets us back to OpenCPN. That software is specifically designed to run on windows or linux and utilize a bare minimum of system resources, but really, even the bloatiest Charting/navigation software isn't going to make much of a dent in your system's speed if it's the only thing you're using it for at the time. If you have an old lappy laying around, get the BU-353, add OpenCPN to it, and go sailing to see if you like it. If not, you still will have a tiny little USB GPS you can use for other stuff if you want.

windward54 · Dec 10, 2009

And if you are looking for a really good GPS dongle, I'm using GPS dongle from Canmore. I use if for Airmail2000, but it is supposed to be compatable with all mapping software. I liked it because it is a little larger than my thumb, charges up off the computer and uses Assisted GPS (AGPS). With AGPS, the dongle locks onto a signal in about 10-15 seconds as long as you are within 500 mile of the last time you turned the dongle on.

http://www.buygpsnow.com/Canmore_GT_730FL_S_USB_GPS_Tracker_Stick_Data_Logger.aspx

wonkodsane · Dec 10, 2009

The Canmore critter is a good GPS, too.

The site Karl pointed you to is a good one for general comparison, as they collect all of the information about the various devices in the item details section under multiple tabs for specs, overview, warranty, etc.

Keep in mind that the Canmore is good if you're going to just haul the lappy around with you and not leave it on the boat, but because it isn't waterproof, you can't just mount it and leave it exposed. On the other hand, the one he pointed out does have a battery-powered logging capability.

Check out that site and do your own comparison to see what you need.

paulj · Dec 10, 2009

Found on search..............

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=105454&page=2&highlight=moniter

paulj :troll:

flhunterowner · Dec 11, 2009

garmins and magellans

Paul F said:
flhunter, are you sure you don't mean Garmin Nuvi. If you can get marine maps on either Garmin or Magellan please let us know. As, I would like to do that also. As far as transferring waypoints and routes use GPSBabel. http://www.gpsbabel.org/

Yep I meant Garmin Nuvi..(I have a handheld magellan that I use often too).

I will def. let you know how it works out.

I want to try to use the Nuvi for both Marine and Air if I can figure it out.

Sumner · Dec 11, 2009

wonkodsane said:
If you're really interested in good, inexpensive charting software, look at OpenCPN. Uses the free charts available from NOAA. http://www.bigdumboat.com/cpnindex.html

Most of the "mouse" style GPS will work with it. I've got a BU-353 GPS http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-62-bu-353-w.aspx that works peachily on my laptop with really minor configuration available for ~$36 on Amazon. An added benefit is that the chipset in the GPS is among the best available for consumer products (very fast to pick up satellites, and very accurate).................

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks. In an hour I had the OpenCPN on the computer and the Florida charts from NOAA. It would of been quicker, but all of the terminology was new to me.

Yesterday also our Maptech Chart and CD came in for SE Florida and the keys. I'll compare those to the freeware stuff you posted and would want to have a hard copy chart with us anyway, But I found the NOAA and the OpenCPN to give the kind of detail on the computer that we are looking for to chart courses and download the waypoints into our Garmin Map76.

I'm also going to get the GPS you posted to hook to the laptop to use it on the water in the cabin.

Thanks again,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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jansan · Dec 12, 2009

Just on the point of laptop down below but eyes needed up top.

I have been running with a system of a digital LCD 12v tv screen encased within a wooden " waterproofed " box mounted on the binnacle at the wheel linked via a 5 metre cable to the VGA output at the laptop with GPS. Gives best of both worlds ------- laptop protected from saltwater, and two points of positional reference on the boat.

Gives excellent result for minimal cost ----------- and has proved an absolute godsend twice this year

1. Vision suddenly blanked-out in heavy fog whilst in among rocky outcrops and strong tidal current. Managed to navigate " blind " for about hour and a half to a safe anchor point . Two of a crew onboard so one at the pulpit ( sound and vision lookout ) and one at the wheel watching very slow progress via the tv monitor

2. Is a really great back-up when night sailing ( according to which mapware system used ) as it was possible via the nightvision aspect of the navigation software to use it a double-up reference as to postion via the GPS input.

Total cost of extra navigation point approx. 150 GBP

seadaddler · Dec 12, 2009

C-80

I have a raymarine C-80 GPS Chartplotter/Radar right at the helm and is the best investment I ever made,have used it many times in fog and also night cruising with excellant performance,never had any problems entering inlets or docking into marina's at night everything is right in front of me at the wheel with all instruments on the C-80 also and never any worries about water proofing or mounting,I have 4 laptops and never think about using any of them on my boat but always think about setting up my new mini computer as back up.
I do have a handheld garmin 76 as backup but have yet to need it,my C-80 prove to be very excellant making the trip from NY to Florida and than around the keys up to Punta Gorda,I use my C-80 every time out in Charlotte Harbor showing water depts and location at all times.
Nick

Roger Long · Dec 12, 2009

seadaddler said:
I have a raymarine C-80 GPS Chartplotter/Radar right at the helm and is the best investment I ever made,have used it many times in fog and also night cruising with excellant performance,never had any problems entering inlets....

I have an article coming out in "Points East" soon about this but here's a teaser. Compare the way this area looks on every vector chart I could view in a marine store and on the NOAA chart.

The 6 foot MLW line is 120 feet out from the green "3" beacon and there is an extensive ledge just awash that extends out about 40 feet and isn't indicated on even the NOAA chart. Last impact was 90 grand's worth. This is in one of the most heavily transited areas on the coast, not some remote area.

Think about this the next time you are following the little boat symbol across an LED screen in the dark of an unfamiliar entrance.

Stu Jackson · Dec 12, 2009

Dual inputs

jansan1 said:
...as it was possible via the nightvision aspect of the navigation software to use it a double-up reference as to postion via the GPS input.

The downside of this approach is two information inputs that may not agree with the possibility of confusion, a somewhat different point than the one that Roger notes.