2013 ChartStick- UK charts for OpenCPN and PolarNavy (NEW)
The VisitMyHarbour "ChartStick" a portable, easy to use way of providing "For Navigation" Raster charts, that are compatible with some fantastic free (or very cheap) navigation programs.
This tiny USB dongle is an unusual way of delivering navigation chart packages.
2013 edition NOW AVAILABLE
Instead of locking the copyright chart content to the hard drive of one or two machines, the charts are on the dongle and locked to it.
- Portable between Windows laptops/desktops (and forthcoming Windows8 Tablets) Use on multiple machines.
- Initial cost includes a £25 deposit on the dongle... subsequent recharges with new editions (if required) are inexpensive (£20-25), so there's no excuse not to have up-to-date charts.
- Charts work with OpenCPN (free) and PolarNavy (cheap)
- Using a USB connection these charts are fast (only marginally slower that a fully installed system)
- UK/Irl edition contains over 400 full sized charts (800+ when including sub charts/harbour chartlets). Coverage from the Channel Islands in the South to the Shetlands in the North. From the Atlantic W.Coast of Ireland to the North Sea. There is NO detailed coverage of the French side of the Channel.
This 2013 edition of the ChartStick contains a complete set of UK/Ireland raster charts derived from official charts. They have the same look and feel as standard paper charts. The charts are dated as follows: OpenCPN, Polar Navy, 21st DEC 2012.
Computer specs required: Windows XP, Vista, or 7 (and intel based Windows8 later this year). This will not work on Macs, ipads, android, linux etc. USB socket required at all times. In general... the faster the processor speeds the better results you'll get. For use with openCPN we recommend version 2.5 (or versions 3 with GL mode enabled). No registration or internet connection required to use this product, plug in and use.
How easy is this to use ?
Very easy ! You plug the USB in, run a start up sequence (10sec)... then simply "point" your pre-installed PolarNavy or OpenCPN installation at the chart directory on the stick. Connecting a compatibe GPS to any one of these programs will position you on the charts.
What's on the stick:
The chart packages, plus software that will install OpenCPN 2.5, (and/or OpenCPN 3.0) and installation software for Polar Navy (PolarView and PolarCom) Open CPN is free, Polar Navy is free to try for 30 days, then a small fee to them (about £25) if you want to continue. Both programs are very good, so take your pick.
Also included on the stick, the experimental tidal overlays for OpenCPN versions 3.0 onwards, c/w the overlays and the plug-in. This is NOT required to run the charts, but is well worth trying out. It's added on here for FREE. Scroll to the bottom of this page for more details...
Lets's have a look:
Quilted raster Chart in OpenCPN
Quilted Raster Chart in Polar View
The bottom line...
The prices quoted here INCLUDE a £25 deposit on the USB Dongle... 2 versions avilable BASIC and FULL
BUY NOW using the PayPal links below, no PayPal account required, pay on Credit or Debit card.
The "BASIC" version only has one set of charts compatible with OpenCPN and Polar Navy. The price is £54.50 plus P&P, the same price we charge for SeaClear USB dongles. Charts are dated 21st DEC 2012.
30 day NO QUIBBLE money back guarantee as always with our products.
VisitMyHarbour members can get these USB dongles at a good discount... Click HERE
Our conclusions
We love the simplicity, speed and reliability of our best selling SeaClear chart systems (from £29.50) For those looking for more "bells and whistles" OpenCPN and Polar Navy will do a great job.. in fact the same job as programs costing 100s of pounds. This "ChartStick" package is fantastic value for those looking for a bit more than SeaClear can offer.
Unbiased information 01983 567866 Office Hours
Read a 1000 mile sea test of SeaClear,OpenCPN, Polar Navy and Google Earth..compared and tested
Included for you to try out:
Electronic tidal stream atlases compatible with OpenCPN
For UK and European users, CM93 charts have been floating around a while (somewhat dodgy, getting out of date and with no drying heights) . What has never been available is tidal stream data. Here at VMH we've been busy making legal up to date raster charts available for OpenCPN over the last few months. Now CPN user, sailor and enthusiast Mike Rossiter has come up with an interesting solution for displaying tidal stream data within OpenCPN... and we've built it for you to test out.
The Admiralty publish in A4 booklet form, a comprehensive series of Tidal Stream atlases, called the NP series. See full details and area coverage HERE.
What we've done is to adapt the pages of these tidal stream atlases into electronic form, and built a "plugin" for OpenCPN version 3.0 upwards. This enables you to lay the geo-referenced and SEMI TRANSPARENT pages of the atlases directly over the charts you are using in OpenCPN (any charts, not just ours).
This plugin enables you to scroll hour by hour through the tidal streams for any given location. First you have to choose your atlas from a list (in this test version this is chosen by you manually). You note the standard port the streams are referred to (again not automatic). Now for your area of interest you can scroll through from 6 hours before to 6 hours after high water and see what the streams are doing in graphical form.
In this test version, the content of the atlases are embedded and locked on the "ChartStick" USB.
Download the PDF guide for installing and using the tidal streams plugin CLICK HERE