SeaClear - Tablet PC issue

Skipper

Skipper

.
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
SeaClear nav software. I have a Toshiba Encore tablet PC with built in GPS. Real satellite GPS not cellular - there is no data plan so no cellular anyway. SeaClear says cannot open com port 1. It's looking for GPS NMEA from the com port, not data from the built in GPS. GPS is working, tested with maps. Any ideas?
 
Delezynski

Delezynski

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Jan 22, 2008
551
NorSea 27 Az., Doing the To-Do list
Skipper,

You might move to OpenCpn. A MUCH better package is being updated now, unlike SeaClear. I switched over some time ago.

I am using it on an Asus 10 inch tablet with touch screen. I had to download a patch program to interface the internal GPS system to the program. It's called Geolocation TCP and works GREAT!

It MIGHT even work for your system??

Greg
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
If it were I, I would find a com program that will allow one to setup com ports. Then find the one port that is receiving the data from the GPS. That will be the port to select on Sea Clear. Or, just try each port available on Sea Clear. But a simple com program works wonders. Maybe something like Putty or a Hyperterminal emulator. You did say your tablet was windows based, yes?
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
It is probably broadcasting on a USB port (mapped to the USB hub that is) so IF you can select the USB device in the communications set up screen instead of COM1 you should be golden. Might look like '/dev/ttyusb"
 
Brian D

Brian D

.
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Bill, I believe USB is COMx port. The name changed just to reflect a different type of connector. USB being flat 4 pin while the "COMx" port was a 9 pin connector. There were also some electrical characteristic changes, but for the most part it is serial communications.

If Skipper can't do an internal route, I am wondering if a USB jumper would work. Just have to avoid the voltage line and use Send and Receive data and common? Basically a USB loopback plug. Just like we used to do with DB-9 loopback connectors.
 
Skipper

Skipper

.
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
I couldn't find anything other than port numbers in the seaclear com setup. It just kept going on past 20 ports, so I quit that method. Couldn't find any usb option. I will try the open cpn.

Yep it's a pc. It's the only tablet I could find that had usb, SD, hdmi video out, 12v capable, Bluetooth, wifi, built in GPS, and a good word processor - MS Word. I can hook it up to the big monitor and watch movies, use it as a backup plotter andor a planner, write for work, type with a real keyboard, use the spreadsheets, backup to thumb or SD, and all the while using the boat's 12v power with minimum amps, as the tablets use drastically less power than a laptop. And its Windows 8. They just discontinued it in favor of the Encore with no video out and a cloud-based Word with a huge annual fee - useless offshore. Sorry got off topic.

The problem is its still a pc, with the associated issues IE how do I use the GPS with a plotter program :-]
 
Delezynski

Delezynski

.
Jan 22, 2008
551
NorSea 27 Az., Doing the To-Do list
Skipper said:
I couldn't find anything other than port numbers in the seaclear com setup. It just kept going on past 20 ports, so I quit that method. Couldn't find any usb option. I will try the open cpn.

Yep it's a pc. It's the only tablet I could find that had usb, SD, hdmi video out, 12v capable, Bluetooth, wifi, built in GPS, and a good word processor - MS Word. I can hook it up to the big monitor and watch movies, use it as a backup plotter andor a planner, write for work, type with a real keyboard, use the spreadsheets, backup to thumb or SD, and all the while using the boat's 12v power with minimum amps, as the tablets use drastically less power than a laptop. They just discontinued it in favor of the Encore with no video out and a cloud-based Word with a huge annual fee - useless offshore. Sorry got off topic.
Click to expand
As said in my original post, you will need to use the patch program "Geolocation TCP" to connect the internal GPS to a usable signal for OpenCPN. BUT, BOTH are free so it's not a problem if they do not work on your PC! FREE IS GOOD.... :D

http://opencpn.org/ocpn/download
https://bitbucket.org/petrsimon/geolocationtcp/wiki/Home

Greg
 
Skipper

Skipper

.
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
Delezynski said:
As said in my original post, you will need to use the patch program "Geolocation TCP" to connect the internal GPS to a usable signal for OpenCPN. BUT, BOTH are free so it's not a problem if they do not work on your PC! FREE IS GOOD.... :D http://opencpn.org/ocpn/download https://bitbucket.org/petrsimon/geolocationtcp/wiki/Home Greg
Click to expand
It worked! Just followed instructions like you said and bingo. It's just a simple server that you have to launch and it runs in the background. Now using open cpn. Thank you. :)
 
Delezynski

Delezynski

.
Jan 22, 2008
551
NorSea 27 Az., Doing the To-Do list
Skipper said:
It worked! Just followed instructions like you said and bingo. It's just a simple server that you have to launch and it runs in the background. Now using open cpn. Thank you. :)
Click to expand
GREAT, no problem, thought you might like it. :)

Greg
 
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