The addition of sending NMEA data to be used with external navigation programs is in my opinion one of the biggest leaps this Great program has made - it simply makes VSNG a true ship navigation simulator, probably the leading software readily available today in this regard.
From what I can see you presently only send the NMEA sentence $GPRMC with contains; position, COG and SOG?
- If I may suggest, that you also add a sentence that sends heading information, as this would greatly improve vessel operations, especially in docking but also essential in restricted maneuver situations, wind/current etc. Without heading information, it now appears as the ship is heading bow straight into the dock when reversing or going sideways.
Of course, the future possibilities are limitless when it comes to transmitting more nav and ship data like ROT Rate of Turn, but also engine parameters. Imagine a future possibility where an external conning screen would come to life!
And as a site note to the users, those of you who also enjoy VSNG and yet have not tried the NMEA-function, may I suggest you do so with for example the free PC software OpenCPN (and buying the charts you require) or use an iPad/device with "iSailor", "SeaPilot" or "iSeaQ". Some are more affordable than others, but provide great feeling of ECDIS-like navigation.
Then it is just a matter of the scenery to be in sync with the actual coordinates of land, bouys and docks, but with the brilliant in-program scenery editor, it’s of course easy to adjust if needed. Going forward I would hope this could spring inspiration for scenery creators to place objects according to real coordinates.
Many thanks for great efforts made with this program,
Best Regards from a long time user/Robert Smith
