Open cpn read charts off USB stick

[catnapcrew]

Hi all I have been given an old Samsung galaxy a tablet to try before I buy a new one. I've been using open cpn for years on a laptop - this seems like it'll be more convenient.
To save storage on the tablet I'm wondering if possible to read cm93 v2 charts from a USB stick instead of loading onto tablet. I can't see an option that takes me to the usb stick from the charts section. The tablet can see the stick and the charts so its reading them.
Thanks for any suggestions

[SeanPatrick]

Settings > Charts > Chart Files Tab > Add Directory > Select the USB drive and file location > Select Folder Button > Apply.

At least I think that should work. I don't have a USB stick handy to test it out.

[catnapcrew]

Thanks for that. Yes that’s what I tried but the drive doesn’t show in opencpn - only when I look through the laptop settings does it read it. So I could copy it into open cpn but would prefer to keep charts stored on the usb or even on an sd card (which I’m reluctant to buy until I know for sure you can store charts elsewhere outside of the open cpn program when using on a tablet). Cheers

[PippaB]

You say “old”, what OS is it running? Likely need to give O permission to access the USB storage, but exactly how/what will depend on app and OS versions.

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by catnapcrew

Thanks for that. Yes that’s what I tried but the drive doesn’t show in opencpn - only when I look through the laptop settings does it read it. So I could copy it into open cpn but would prefer to keep charts stored on the usb or even on an sd card (which I’m reluctant to buy until I know for sure you can store charts elsewhere outside of the open cpn program when using on a tablet). Cheers

For sure it works with an SD card, as that is how I use it on my phone, for several generations of phones and tablets I have owned. If your tablet has a newer version of Android it can be tricky. For security reasons, you can't just put it anywhere on the SD card, but it must be in a folder specific to OpenCPN.

I am not sure of it working with a USB drive. Can you access the USB drive from other applications on your tablet?

[catnapcrew]

Thanks PippaB it’s android v8.1.0!

[catnapcrew]

Thanks for this on the sdcard. I’ve found one in an old phone, formatted it and going to try the chart on it.
Yes I can open files on stick from other programs.

[catnapcrew]

Thankyou. I’ve loaded the charts and software on the sd and running great.