Has the Idea of an Open-Source Chartplotter Hardware Appliance Been Discussed Before?

[MikeMakes]

Hi everyone,
I'm Mike (MikeMakes), a developer and sailor based in Spain. I've been working on a new board based on computer module designed specifically to pair with the MacArthur HAT trying to get a cheaper and more ready solution.
Similar to HALPI2 it seems, thought I did not have in mind to make a final product out of it. Its so cool to see open hardware & software to lead to viable finished products! Props to all people that contributed to OpenMarine and the developer of HALPI2, I hope It gets far ^^
In my case electronics is kinda of a hobby for me and before noticing HALPI2 I still made a version of computer module + MacArthurHat (moreover, HALPI2 checks a lot of needs but not all and has some features I dont need and may reduce costs to eliminate). It's meant to stay true to the open-source and modular spirit of the community while improving readiness on the water for less "nerd" sailors and to get prices down using computer module 4 instead of 5 which reduces some bucks.
I haven't shared anything yet since I just received the firsts boards this week and I am still testing them. Unfortunately my boat almost completely sunk some weeks ago in a storm so I lack the means to go in intensive testing right now.
It basically has all MacArthurHat features minus the Maiana GPS interface which I would not have use.
I'm glad to see I am not the only one that thought of this, maybe its not a half-bad idea

Happy to share more details and collaborate if there's interest!

[mikekolling]

It basically has all MacArthurHat features minus the Maiana GPS interface which I would not have use.

why would you not use Maiana?  The market desperately needs more low cost AIS Transmitters, the pricing seems to be going up evn for a HA-102 which used to be much cheaper.

[MikeMakes]

why would you not use Maiana?  The market desperately needs more low cost AIS Transmitters, the pricing seems to be going up evn for a HA-102 which used to be much cheaper.

Because personal and selfish reasons; I had a relatively new AIS transmitter that I didnt expect to replace in some time and that way I could save a few bucks on components. Furthermore, I saw the production of Maiana stopped, though now I am seeing initiatives to restart it.
Either way, my AIS went dead with the incident so I guess I will keep the Maiana in the next version (with rpi4 to keep it cheaper) and try to get one or send it to fabrication.