OpenCPN vs SeaClear II

[kpgraci]

Both are free and seemingly adequate chart-plotters for the laptop. I use SeaClear. I've seen a lot of talk of OpenCPN so I looked at it and didn't really like it. The route planning of OpenCPN seems a bit better and I did liked the chart quilting feature, plus it has support for AIS (which I do not use) but the user interface was awkward. Does anyone have an argument for one over the other?

 

[Rick D]

Short answer: I use them both. For serious work, I use SeaClear, but for casual work (which is a lot) I like Open CPN visuals better as well as the AIS interface.

 

[Stu Jackson]

We've had many discussions on this topic, not to say it's not worth repeating, and you can do a search on OpenCPN and SeaClear and read for hours.

My experience has been that you end up using first, what you choose to get, and second, what you like, since each of them have similar features and looks visually, but some programs are more intuitive to use than others, so you end up using either both like Rick does, or use others of these two or even paid-for programs.

Another of those "your boat, you choice" issues. What we like may not be what you are comfortable with.

Here's my experience, so far, with links back to discussions here: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5747.0.html

Good luck, and it's a lot of fun playing around with each of them.

 

[Joe A]

SeaClear does support AIS

I only have experience with SeaClear but as I recall, it does support AIS. A couple years back I rigged an old radio shack scanner into an AIS reciever and was able to see AIS targets on SeaClear. The scanner plugged into the mic port of the laptop and the demod modification instructions are easily found on the internet. I'm not recommending doing that though, and if I was going to do it again I'd spring for the Milltech receiver.

 

[Rick D]

Re: SeaClear does support AIS

Yes, SeaClear does support AIS.

 

[jdeatsch]

Like many of you, I have tried SeaClear and CPN. Both are fine pieces and I selected SeaClear over OpenCPN. THEN I found PolarView. I have no association whatsoever with PolarView except having paid the $39 registration fee because I like it so much. I believe it to be head and shoulders above SC and CPN. There is a free trial as you might expect. I hope this helps someone. Jim

 

[sinnettc]

I've got all 3 now (thanks jdeatsch). Personally I like OpenCPN best, partly because it's easy to move my routes/tracks back & forth between it and my Eagle chartplotter, and partly because I like the interface. SeaClear II didn't seem to handle the import/exports as well for me.

The tide/current data looks to be better (or at least there's more stations) in PolarView and the GRIB interface seems pretty nice too. Since 95% of our sailing is on a lake I haven't decided if I'm going to pay the $39 to keep it yet just to get the wx but I might.

 

[Gary_H]

I have both on my laptop but I just find OpenCPN easier to use and that's the one I use.