OpenCPN Autopilot

[NEVERMIND]

hello how to set up a central open cpn and autopilot spx30
Thank you

[redog]

Nevermind what AP you have. (Pun intended)
I like you have asked this question on 3 occasions about autopilots with different NMEA sentence requirements and I have had no replys.
The only answer I can conclude is if your AP doesnt work on the NMEA sentence RMB (I think thats the one open outputs whilst routing) then open is not going to drive your AP.
Everything else works magnificantly.
I just wish I had a clue about programing and could add the sentence APA.
From where I sit this subject seems taboo, don't get me wrong I do fully appreciate the efforts gone into the development of this project, the frustration is like you not being able to work out how I can get it to drive my AP.
For me I've got the simplist of setups, Puck to Open to AP.
I would dearly love to hear some feed back.
Redog

[donradcliffe]

You really don't want to have your GPS or chartplotter drive your autopilot.

See http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tin-59924.html

[Islander]

I don't get the connection?

The reason these boats collided is because their skippers were not keeping an adequate lookout.

If their autopilots were following a magnetic course or angle to the wind, or even if their helms had been tied off with a bungee the result would have been the same (if their skippers didn't keep an adequate lookout).

The safest way to use an autopilot is to follow a predetermined route from your chartplotter/GPS which corrects for current set and drift (but, of course, you still need to keep an adequate lookout).

Cheers.

[donradcliffe]

If those boats autopilots were on compass courses, their chances of colliding would have been much smaller, even though the operators were not keeping a proper lookout. Running from point to point with the autopilot controlled by the GPS will keep each boat within about 5 feet of the same track in the water--zero cross cross track error is not a good thing.

I would much rather set a compass course, discover that some current is pushing me one way or the other, and adjust my course to compensate for it than let some machine handle the compensation and leave me in ignorance.

[bdbcat]

Nevermind, et al....

I just stumbled into this thread.
You will have more luck over on the OpenCPN section of the forum. Come on over

OpenCPN - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

Dave

[Islander]

Ah, you're assuming everyone sets buoy to buoy routes? What idiots do that?

Anyway, as Dave says, the OP's question will be better answered over at the OpenCPN section.

Cheers
PS Small cross track errors are excellent for safety when "you keep ..." etc.

[Opie91]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

If those boats autopilots were on compass courses, their chances of colliding would have been much smaller, even though the operators were not keeping a proper lookout. Running from point to point with the autopilot controlled by the GPS will keep each boat within about 5 feet of the same track in the water--zero cross cross track error is not a good thing.

I would much rather set a compass course, discover that some current is pushing me one way or the other, and adjust my course to compensate for it than let some machine handle the compensation and leave me in ignorance.

I agree 100%.

We also general sail about 1/2 nm parallel to the point to point course. A lot less traffic out there.

More time for