Another Chart Download Tool

[travellerw]

Ahhh now here is the issue..

What people don't realize is the charts that OpenCPN uses for the USA are made and supplied free of charge by the US Coast Guard. These charts are completly free and most of the "For profit" charts use these as a basis for thier USA charts.

There are a bunch of other countries that provide charts free (except us cheap Canadians). You can get some links here.
Chart Sources | Official OpenCPN Homepage

For other charts, you will need to purchase them and it can be complex. Here is the link where you can buy the User Permit to enable chart purchase.
o-charts shop

Now.. You might hear about CM93 charts that people use (worldwide). Most of the people obtained these charts through illegal means as they (the chart company) were hacked years ago. So these illegal charts are available on the internet if you look for them.

[Svdestiny]

Hmmm. The links linked to links as clear as mud. I would love a little app that doesn't require befriending an IT professional or 15 yr old kid. And I don't like illegal charts.


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[travellerw]

Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it.. Its the chart manufacturers that dictate how users have access to thier charts. Since they have been burned in the past (the previous hacking I mentioned) they make things difficult now.

This is why they prefer to work with companies like Garmin and Raymarine. That way they can control how the charts are distributed. Unfortuntaly its the users that foot the bill for this relationship.

[Neptune's Gear]

That is absolutely true, but more and more countries are now producing charts for free....
as an aid to safety in the waters they are responsible for I guess. Long may this trend continue!

[Svdestiny]

Travellerw thanks for your help! I use inavx, navionics, and plan2nav on my Apple toys but hoped to find a way to use OpenCpn on my windows laptop without opening a vein. Ah well.


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[Svdestiny]

Where I am I don't trust the charts, electronic or otherwise. ( Guatemala, Belize Mexico) But I keep hoping things will improve!


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[bcn]

Originally Posted by Neptune's Gear

That is absolutely true, but more and more countries are now producing charts for free....
as an aid to safety in the waters they are responsible for I guess. Long may this trend continue!

Would be nice indeed, but from our talks to the different Hydrographic Offices and distributors I don't see this trend. They know that they have an issue with the non-commercial users, but this is not their main focus. And charts for free - have not seen new candidates in the last year..

Hubert