From a laptop and a folder of charts, to a helm that just works.

OpenCPN on a laptop or Android tablet will get you a capable chartplotter, as long as you are willing to find, download and manage every chart yourself — and work it out yourself when something isn't working. Scout gives you charts and high-resolution satellite imagery from multiple providers, downloaded straight to a screen that lives at the helm. You can also bring your MBtile files to Scout.

Compare Scout and OpenCPN

The same Fiji anchorage on two screens: an OpenCPN vector chart reduced to flat green and blue shapes, and Scout showing satellite imagery of the reef, the pass and the sand

Before you switch

The three questions you are about to ask

Where does the charting actually come from?: ENC charts covering the world, downloaded to the device on demand rather than hunted down a file at a time, plus high-resolution satellite imagery from multiple providers layered over the top. No folder of chart files to maintain.
Will it talk to my instruments?: Scout reads your NMEA 2000 data from an available Wi-Fi network onboard, so wind, depth, heading and AIS are all available on a single portable navigation device.
How is it maintained and supported?: Scout ships regular updates, shaped by what owners ask for — there is a feedback button on the device, and customer requests have already influenced the roadmap and become features. Behind it sits a support team you can email and a warranty. OpenCPN moves at the pace its volunteers can give it, and support is the community.

The switch

Same way of navigating, less of the upkeep

What you keep

Nothing about the way you navigate has to change. The parts of OpenCPN you actually rely on are the parts Scout is built around.

Real vector charts — ENC coverage worldwide, not a substitute for them
Full offline use — download the coverage you need before you leave signal
Your own routes and waypoints, your own way of running a passage

What Scout handles for you

Scout takes on the upkeep that used to be yours to manage.

Worldwide ENC coverage, downloaded on demand rather than hunted down
One device to keep updated, not a computer and a plugin stack
Charting that stays current, without you tracking whether it has

“Takes the rocket science out of using satellite images.”

Matt & Christine, SV Sugar Shack

“Best bit of kit I've added to the boat recently.”

Jamie, SV Beech House

“Nice day to navigate through some tricky bits with my Vortex Marine tablet!”

Viki, SV Bella Vita

Scout compared to an OpenCPN setup

Compared against a typical self-built OpenCPN install on a laptop or consumer tablet — the setup most people actually run, not the best case.

Feature	OpenCPN setup	Scout
Getting charts	You find, download and manage the files yourself	Worldwide ENC coverage, downloaded to the device on demand
Satellite imagery	Not standard — a plugin and a source you supply	Built in, from multiple providers, layered over the chart
Keeping it current	Your job, region by region	Handled as part of the subscription
Where you read it	BYO device, usually below decks	A rugged, sunlight-readable screen at the helm
Boat data	Signal K or a converter, configured by you	Reads NMEA 2000 over your onboard Wi-Fi, no PC in the chain
Weather	GRIB plugin, sourced separately	Weather forecast overlays and curated Android forecasting apps
Tides and anchor watch	Separate apps or plugins	Built in — Vortex's own apps, not bundled third parties
When it breaks	A forum thread and your own evening	A support team and an update

You’re not starting from zero

Import your MBTile charts from OpenCPN

You can import your MBTile files from your existing OpenCPN setup straight into Scout. Simply add them via SD card, and you can run them side by side with Scout’s live satellite imagery and up-to-date digital charts. If you’d like a hand at any point, our team is happy to help.

It’s only going to get better

Aug 2026

Guided setup on the device

Power Scout on and it walks you through every step of getting set up.

Aug 2026

Blend charts and satellite

A slider transitions between the ENC chart and the satellite image — full chart, full satellite, or any blend in between.

Ready to stop managing chart files?

Configure your Scout Ask us a question first