EEE netbook

[aquaplane]

Yep, just checking the Vodafone connection and it seems OK. It says it's GPRS whatever that means. It's notcably slower than the WiFi though so now I know it works I'mgoing to swap back.

[ash]

Yep, just checking the Vodafone connection and it seems OK. It says it's GPRS whatever that means. It's noticeably slower than the WiFi though so now I know it works I'm going to swap back.

I ain't an expert, but my understanding is that in areas with poor coverage, you only get 2G and then different protocols are used, giving different ( fairly slow ) speeds, vis GPRS, then HSCSD, then EDGE.

See this - http://www.mobile-phones-uk.org.uk/gprs.htm

I find that GPRS is a frustration because it's so slow and only really useful for downloading emails.

Ash

[aquaplane]

Looking at Open CPN with CM93 may 2009 charts, the tidal info is just ????s

Is there something I can switch on so the info shows or do I stick to tidal diamonds on the paper charts?

[ash]

Looking at Open CPN with CM93 may 2009 charts, the tidal info is just ????s

Is there something I can switch on so the info shows or do I stick to tidal diamonds on the paper charts?

You do have to switch on the little icons at the top of the page, but I've never been able to make it work either. I think that we must be missing info somewhere.

Here is a link to the manual, happy reading.

I think that I might start a new thread on OpenCPN, and I might try downloading the latest version onto one of my machines.

Ash

[marisca]

My version does show tides but not a lot of them. Millport, Port Ellen and Tobermory is all you get for the Clyde and up to Ardnamurchan. I can't get currents, though. I'm using Version 3.0.0 Build 2012-06-03.

[ash]

Looking at Open CPN with CM93 may 2009 charts, the tidal info is just ????s

Is there something I can switch on so the info shows or do I stick to tidal diamonds on the paper charts?

I've upgraded to the latest OpenCPN software, 3.0.2 and I now get tidal harmonics. I'm still using the same old charts - the same vintage as Aquaplane's - funny that. I'm not sure where the new info comes from.

The wee pop up box is interactive.

I'll go hunting for Tidal Streams.

Be aware that if you follow advice and upgrade rather than a parallel install, then you lose all your waypoints and routes unless you've saved them in a file. You also lose all your custom settings that you've worked out to suit yourself.

See images







This shows the Scottish Tidal Stations



Ash

Edit - I see that Marisca has beaten me to it with his post

Edit 2 Added the image showing the location of Tidal Stations

[aquaplane]

I downloaded the up to date version of Open CPN last night, I'l get it on the Acer tonight.

I may uninstall the current stuff and start from fresh with the latest charts too, that's if what I downloaded is what I think it is.
I can have a go on the desktop PC first to make sure I can make it work.

The tides look usefull.

Thinking about it, I don't know how usefull the currents are, the GPS gives COG/heading to steer without all that plotting tidal vectors for each hour I've been doing on paper charts.

[marisca]

If wiggly tide lines (and tables) is what you want, Belfield gives a wheen more, the arrows (e.g. orange yin at MoK) gives tidal flows for each hour (values by hitting with cursor) and the charts are the full set of familiar Admiralty ones. AIS isn't as user friendly as OpenCPN IMHO.

[ash]

I downloaded the up to date version of Open CPN last night, ........

I may uninstall the current stuff and start from fresh with the latest charts too, that's if what I downloaded is what I think it

I don't think that you will have downloaded new charts. UK charts can't be found ( legally ) for free.

Ash

[ash]

Thinking about it, I don't know how useful the currents are, the GPS gives COG/heading to steer without all that plotting tidal vectors for each hour I've been doing on paper charts.

You had better not let Lady S hear you saying that!

If you applied your technique when crossing the English Channel, then you would extend your journey a fair bit because you would be heading for your destination and ignoring the fact that the tide was going to change direction before you got there. ( Unless of course, you are in a Mobo at 30 knts, when you could probably just follow the GPS )

Ash

PS - You must tell me if I have just fallen for a TOP style Troll Post

[ash]

If wiggly tide lines (and tables) is what you want, Belfield gives a wheen more, the arrows (e.g. orange yin at MoK) gives tidal flows for each hour (values by hitting with cursor) and the charts are the full set of familiar Admiralty ones.

I take it that you are using the Chartplotter software.

How useful is the Tide Plotter at £10.99 for a year.

Ash

[Mark]

If you applied your technique when crossing the English Channel, then you would extend your journey a fair bit because you would be heading for your destination and ignoring the fact that the tide was going to change direction before you got there.

Although the "fair bit" has never seemed as important to me as it seems to others.

Assume a 65 mile journey.
Assume it takes 12 hours.
Assume a constant average of 1.5 knots of tide over the whole journey. (At the change zero, maybe a smidge over 3knots at the peak.)

If my trig is right the boat sails 67.45 miles instead of 65.

There's a case to be made that that's important racing but of less concern when cruising.

Personally, I'm a member of the 'Guestimate the total bias' camp, and obviously given the duration sailed is often 12-16 hours steering the course of the destination all the way until something was identified on land wouldn't often be far off.

Signed,

Mark the Heretic.

[aquaplane]

I will probably be proved wrong but in Scotland the tide is either on the nose or preferably up your chuff, this cross tide malarky is predominantly a cross channel thing. If you are going across the flow it wouldn't be for the flood and the ebb.
I just realised that Campbeltown to Bangor is cross tide.

The Belfield thing looks good but for what I'm doing I prefer the price of Open CPN

Trol?? Moi? As if I would ever do such a thing.

[marisca]

If wiggly tide lines (and tables) is what you want, Belfield gives a wheen more, the arrows (e.g. orange yin at MoK) gives tidal flows for each hour (values by hitting with cursor) and the charts are the full set of familiar Admiralty ones.

I take it that you are using the Chartplotter software.

How useful is the Tide Plotter at £10.99 for a year.

Ash

The Chartplotter software comes with tide tables and graphs - I have no idea if the Tide Plotter is the same stuff without the charts but if it is it is pretty comprehensive.
OpenCPN is certainly cheaper but doesn't do the edges as well as Admiralty charts, at least not with the worldwide charts I might have downloaded (and immediately deleted when I found out about the legality, me lud ).
The tidal flow arrows are useful and the timing matches that of Claymore's Definitives, however just like the tidal atlas, the actual rates never seems to match the predicted.

[wully]

Whats an EEE Netbook?

An iPad for skinflints?