This particular software application is a full featured and a sophisticated application which can come in handy for coastal explorers. You would get a navigation system, a route planning feature and also virtual guide books. Apr 26, 2016 Navigation Software for Mac In-between waiting to return to my boat, I have been scouring information for the millions of ideas that pop in my head. Navigation software is one of them, and more specifically, navi for Mac.
OpenCPN is a free chartplotter software program for PCs that offers a wide range of features rivaling those of expensive software packages. With a laptop coupled with a GPS receiver, and using free American charts from NOAA, OpenCPN allows real-time navigation with standard chartplotter functions. OpenCPN was built by sailors and is a gift of surprising value to boaters preferring to use a laptop for navigation rather than an expensive dedicated chartplotter.
If you are unfamiliar with what chartplotters are and what they do, it is helpful to read this introductory article first.
Version reviewed: 2.4.620 running on an inexpensive netbook with Atom processor
Key Features of OpenCPN
Advanced Features of OpenCPN
Marine Navigation Programs
Some of these features are not available in software packages costing hundreds of dollars - but are included in this free product. You can tell OpenCPN was developed - and is continually improved - by sailors.
Navigation Programs For CalculatorsThe Downside
In my testing everything worked extremely well, even running on a low-power netbook. Chartplotter functions were excellent, and the software proved very responsive with the boat in motion. Given that this is a free program and shows an incredible effort of a dedicated team, I hesitate to even mention a couple little things that could be improved (and perhaps will be in the future):
Conclusions![]()
While many navigation apps are now available for smart phones and other devices, they lack many of the features available in a larger software package - making a laptop better for many navigation purposes.
OpenCPN has many more features than Sea Clear II, the other free PC navigation program, and OpenCPN is much easier to use. Sea Clear provided a valuable free program for many years, but now there's really no comparison.
OpenCPN also compares very well with several commercial packages that cost hundreds. If expense is not a factor, you might prefer a different program with features like integrated ActiveCaptain Interactive Cruising Guidebook or advanced weather information or radar overlay.
But if you're looking for very solid chartplotter software with terrific features and that is easy to use, look no further than OpenCPN. That it is free is a bonus. Consider its only downside its unwieldy name!
For more screenshots and to download, visit the OpenCPN site.
For a laptop navigation and plotting program with more powerful features, do a test drive of the inexpensive Polar Navy program.
Navigatrix is a free full suite of software programs running under Linux that can be run on a PC or Mac laptop, including chartplotter, weather data, and much, much more.
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