Open CPN on Apple iPad

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by Antipole

Have a look at this thread on using OpenCPN as the main navigational system and shadowing it using an iPad at the wheel station.

At this time this only works with iNavX on the iPad/iPhone.

Sadly iNavX doesn't support CM93 v2 charts which I need outside US waters.

[verkerkbr]

There a simple and cheap option. Taken an Raspberry Pi 4 install the latest 64 bits RaspiOS version add the Openplotter add-ons.

Then you have an VNC server and a Wifi access points.

On the Ipad the only thing you have to do is add a vnc reader.

On the Pi you have the CM93 charts and also the O-charts chats or free ENC charts.

The GPS, AIS transponder, NMEA2K is also possible. The data can be fed in the SignalK server software. OpenCPN use the signalK format direct and route and waypoint data can be send back to the SK server for use for other purposes in NMEA183 or NMEA2K format exchange.

Then you have all your data multiplexed available.

There are much more options. But this is about having OpenCPN and CM93 on an Ipad.


Bram

[SV-Apres]

My setup is similar to Bram's and here is a pic of my iPad 1 (which is obsolete and very cheap) running VNC to the raspberry pi. The gauge display is "KIP", a SignalK addon, and you can see a tab at the top running OpenCPN

[Happychappy a]

I have just got rid of my old Ipad 2 which was quite a few years old and I used to run Open Cpn with CM93 charts on, which I also ran on my Iphone, but now I have upgraded to a new Ipad, I cannot seem yet to figure out how to load Open Cpn, I remember I used some form of emulator, but this was around 12 years ago, any help appreciated?

[verkerkbr]

Here OpenCPN running on a Raspberry Pi4 with Bullseye plus OpenPlotter extra's.

With the VNC server build-in and a Wifi Access point.

On the Ipad you only have to install a VNC client. Make a connection with the PI and you have OpenCPN dasboard on your Ipad. Works also with a Chromebook.


Bram

[Antipole]

If you are running OpenCPN on modern MacOS, you can use SideCar to mirror its screen onto an iPad. Works as standard.

Better still run iNavX, assuming charts for your area, to work with OpenCPN. See here.

[CarCode]

Get qtVlm for iOS devices like iPad or iPhone. It works with cm93 charts. The OpenCPN people are not able to support iOS.

[Paramotorgreg]

OpenCPN doesn’t really support Macs. It’s possible to load the charts onto a Mac, but I haven’t been able to find a GPS dongle that works on a Mac and integrates with the OpenCPN charts, so in effect you have a hard copy of the charts, but on your computer, which is not really very useful.

[nohal]

Originally Posted by Paramotorgreg

OpenCPN doesn’t really support Macs. It’s possible to load the charts onto a Mac, but I haven’t been able to find a GPS dongle that works on a Mac and integrates with the OpenCPN charts, so in effect you have a hard copy of the charts, but on your computer, which is not really very useful.

For example https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...d=60ED9q3CXwo4 connected via https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...d=vp0R3xJ97aKb is working just fine, so is pretty much any GPS puck with USB interface, your claim is false.

[Antipole]

@Paramotorgreg… many of us have been using OpenCPN on MacOS as primary navigation tool for years, in my case with all NMEA2000 available. Please check your facts.

[Paramotorgreg]

What OS are you running on your Mac?

I have installed Monterey 12.6.3. and my understanding was that it was not possible to install the relevant USB driver software to connect the GPS if you were running any of the later OS after Mac OS10.

[nohal]

I'm using Monterey. But even on Ventura everything just works as it always did.

[CarCode]

Since macOS 10.15 there is no 32bit support anymore and you will need 64bit drivers. However if you use a Bluetooth GPS you will never need any driver for any OS and using without cable is a better solution for a portable computer.

[wholybee]

I know many do it, but running OpenCPN over VNC is IMHO horrible. And setting up an rpi sever with signalk and all the works isn't a simple solution. If you must use an ipad, I suggest another chartplotter. OpenCPN is hardly the only option.

If you must use openCPN, buy an Android tablet. Even if you keep the ipad and use the Android only for OpenCPN, that would be cheaper and work better than building an rpi.

rpi is a great solution if you like the rpi/linux/building and tinkering with things. It isn't a great solution for the typical sailor who just wants to get something working so they can sail.

[s/v Jedi]

Please people, stop using USB GPS’s. Their time has gone many years ago.

Even Bluetooth GPS on a sailboat is obsolete. Use a wifi gateway connected to your nmea network and pipe all data incl. GPS to your computers, tablets and phones wirelessly.

Yacht Devices sell these for nmea2000 as well as nmea0183.