I have Capn 8.3 running with several GPS units that can be switched to
provide nav data. This setup works just fine and has for a very long time.
I just loaded Offshore Navigator Light and SeaClear II for the fun of it,
and it happens that neither program can "see" the GPS data. I am using a
standard USB-to-serial cable and I have tried just about every combination
of port and speed and GPS interface setting on 3 separate GPS units, but so
far no go. Meanwhile the Capn 8.3 can see anything I feed it. Any ideas?

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:05:34 -0400, "Armond Perretta"
wrote:

I have Capn 8.3 running with several GPS units that can be switched to
provide nav data. This setup works just fine and has for a very long time.
I just loaded Offshore Navigator Light and SeaClear II for the fun of it,
and it happens that neither program can "see" the GPS data. I am using a
standard USB-to-serial cable and I have tried just about every combination
of port and speed and GPS interface setting on 3 separate GPS units, but so
far no go. Meanwhile the Capn 8.3 can see anything I feed it. Any ideas?

This doesn't answer your question but I'd suggest giving it a try with
a relatively new (and free) nav package called OpenCPN. I've been
testing it as an eventual replacement for my Maptech OSN and have been
favorably impressed so far. It's an easy install and loads quickly.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/opencpn/

Wayne.B wrote:

This doesn't answer your question but I'd suggest giving it a try with
a relatively new (and free) nav package called OpenCPN. I've been
testing it as an eventual replacement for my Maptech OSN and have been
favorably impressed so far. It's an easy install and loads quickly.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/opencpn/

I just set this up and it looks quite good. It reads the NOAA vector charts
without a fuss, unlike Capn Voyager. The way things are going with Capn, I
do not see that any effort is being made to update and maintain the product
since its sale in Sep 08 to Star Technologies, so this open source app is an
even better idea. Will test at the boat yard shortly and report. Thanks
for heads up.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare

On Aug 20, 5:49*pm, "Armond Perretta" wrote:

Back on your original problem - have you considered a software GPS
data splitter and port emulator, such as Franson GPSGate?

Franson GPSGate avoids the problem of one software app monopolising
the GPS data stream by splitting the stream and providing virtual data
ports including, for example, Garmin ports.

A trial can be downloaded freely from http://franson.com/gpsgate/

Cheers

Armond,
If one application sees your GPSs, the problem with Offshore Navigation Light and SeaClearII is clearly not hardware. That stated,
the question is now the new applications. How did you get them? Are they legal? Do you need an activation code? Do you need a
dongle? How about calling application tech support if you have legal copies.
Steve

Steve Lusardi wrote:
If one application sees your GPSs, the problem with Offshore
Navigation Light and SeaClearII is clearly not hardware. That stated,
the question is now the new applications. How did you get them? Are
they legal? Do you need an activation code? Do you need a dongle? How
about calling application tech support if you have legal copies.

SeaClear is freeware with an open license. ON Lite is essentially freeware
that Maptech supplied (or still supplies?) with certain chart packages that
are encrypted. It was necessary, for example, to load ON Lite to set up my
Bermuda electronic charts. In both cases these apps are "legal" if I
understand the nature of your comment. Good point, but I am not sure this
is the issue.


--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare

Armond,
Assuming you are legal, you won't know what the issue is 'till you contact them, but the problem is clearly the App. or its
configuration, not hardware.
Steve

"Armond Perretta" wrote in message ...
Steve Lusardi wrote:
If one application sees your GPSs, the problem with Offshore
Navigation Light and SeaClearII is clearly not hardware. That stated,
the question is now the new applications. How did you get them? Are
they legal? Do you need an activation code? Do you need a dongle? How
about calling application tech support if you have legal copies.

SeaClear is freeware with an open license. ON Lite is essentially freeware
that Maptech supplied (or still supplies?) with certain chart packages that
are encrypted. It was necessary, for example, to load ON Lite to set up my
Bermuda electronic charts. In both cases these apps are "legal" if I
understand the nature of your comment. Good point, but I am not sure this
is the issue.


--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare

"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
...
Steve Lusardi wrote:
If one application sees your GPSs, the problem with Offshore
Navigation Light and SeaClearII is clearly not hardware. That stated,
the question is now the new applications. How did you get them? Are
they legal? Do you need an activation code? Do you need a dongle? How
about calling application tech support if you have legal copies.

SeaClear is freeware with an open license. ON Lite is essentially
freeware
that Maptech supplied (or still supplies?) with certain chart packages
that
are encrypted. It was necessary, for example, to load ON Lite to set up
my
Bermuda electronic charts. In both cases these apps are "legal" if I
understand the nature of your comment. Good point, but I am not sure this
is the issue.


--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare


You might find something in here, SeaClear Manual MMV En.pdf, part of the
SeaClear file download.

Dennis.

"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
...
I have Capn 8.3 running with several GPS units that can be switched to
provide nav data. This setup works just fine and has for a very long
time.
I just loaded Offshore Navigator Light and SeaClear II for the fun of it,
and it happens that neither program can "see" the GPS data. I am using a
standard USB-to-serial cable and I have tried just about every combination
of port and speed and GPS interface setting on 3 separate GPS units, but
so
far no go. Meanwhile the Capn 8.3 can see anything I feed it. Any ideas?

Surely you must be missing out on the pleasure of sailing your boat while
you are down below playing with all that hi-tech stuff?

Edgar wrote:

Surely you must be missing out on the pleasure of sailing your boat
while you are down below playing with all that hi-tech stuff?

I guess I never realized that sailing is pleasurable only when one is on
deck. I will have examine the possibility of moving the stove, dining
table, wine locker, and liquor cabinet to the lazarette.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare