Absolute Tides

[PaulRainbow]

Okay I have spent my £2.99

This is going to take a period of "building up confidence" as the data is not identical to Easy Tide.

Today for instance. Port of Inverness.

Easy tide tells me 11:00 tide height 2.9m 17:00 tide height 2.6m

Admiralty Total Tide gives 11:00 tide height 2.8m 17:00 tide height 2.6m

That is UKHO data, it's their software.

 

[Mark-1]

That is UKHO data, it's their software.

Google/Chatgpt suggests that the only source of UK Harmonics is UKHO. So (unless someone can name an alternative source) any tide prediction mechanism of any kind is getting it's harmonic data from UKHO somehow.

 

[Plum]

But I am not comparing it with any other random tide app. I am comparing it with Admiralty Easy Tide.

BOTH claim to use UKHO data, so you would expect them to agree to the second.

Another example, Tomorrow.
Absolute tides says high water 14:47 4.8 metres Low water 21:14 0.8m
Easy Tide says 15:10 4.7 metres Low water 21:43 0,7m

As I say a period of building up confidence to see which one is "right"

In my opinion, Absolute Tides is very good value. It also includes tidal streams and does not need a Internet signal

 

[Mark-1]

It also includes tidal streams

I do wonder about the copyright on those. At first glance they look an awful lot like Reeds....

 

[ProDave]

I think we have missed something. Absolute Tides creates Inverness a as secondary port - using standard differences from Aberdeen I assume. I Expect Easy Tide has actual coefficients for it and for many secondary ports. They both give the same tide times/heights for Aberdeen. Standard ports show as all capitals on both systems.

That's a very good point, which was back to my original question, why so few primary ports.

I am not suggesting I have wasted my £2.99 Worth it to see (reasonably) correct tide graphs for the whole year for planning trips beyond the 7 days that Easy Tide gives you. But it just goes to show, you can use the same data and get different results.

It will be an interesting year to try it out.

We always try to come in with a reasonable level of clearance under our keel. But also like to note the shallowest reading on the depth gauge on the way in, and compare with what we had expected from the prediction to build confidence in that prediction.

Going out on a rising tide we can push it a bit further and try to go out earlier, touching the mud is a mere brief pause.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I do wonder about the copyright on those. At first glance they look an awful lot like Reeds....

They are reproductions of Admiralty Tidal Stream charts from their various Atlas NP Series.

 

[ithet]

That's a very good point, which was back to my original question, why so few primary ports.

I am not suggesting I have wasted my £2.99 Worth it to see (reasonably) correct tide graphs for the whole year for planning trips beyond the 7 days that Easy Tide gives you. But it just goes to show, you can use the same data and get different results.

I suppose they had to make decisions on how much data to use in the download to use to provide a standalone app that does not require an internet connection to work.

I like the ability to take my phone out of my pocket at sea and see tides and tidal flows while at the helm.

 

[ProDave]

In my opinion, Absolute Tides is very good value. It also includes tidal streams and does not need a Internet signal

Only just starting to explore them, not had an app that shows predictions against time before.

But I have to ask a numpty question. I am seeing numbers like 03,06 against each arrow. What do they mean?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Only just starting to explore them, not had an app that shows predictions against time before.

But I have to ask a numpty question. I am seeing numbers like 03,06 against each arrow. What do they mean?

03,06 is neap and spring flow rates in knots. Between spring and neaps you have to
Interpolate.

 

[ProDave]

03,06 is neap and spring flow rates in knots. Between spring and neaps you have to
Interpolate.

I thought that, but the 03,06 is in part of the Moray Firth where I have never seen the tide run as fast as 6 knots.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I thought that, but the 03,06 is in part of the Moray Firth where I have never seen the tide run as fast as 6 knots.

0.3 and 0.6 kts, is the value. If it was 6kts it would read 60

 

[ProDave]

0.3 and 0.6 kts, is the value. If it was 6kts it would read 60

I told you it was a numpty question. Thanks.

 

[stephen_h]

With Absolute tides you also get the inshore weather forecasts, which is useful for a quick check.

 

[ProDave]

With Absolute tides you also get the inshore weather forecasts, which is useful for a quick check.

Yes it is a handy all in one app.

If only it could run within Open CPN and display the tide streams and tide height in real time in the charts..........

 

[ProDave]

I think we have missed something. Absolute Tides creates Inverness a as secondary port - using standard differences from Aberdeen I assume. I Expect Easy Tide has actual coefficients for it and for many secondary ports. They both give the same tide times/heights for Aberdeen. Standard ports show as all capitals on both systems.

Re visiting that. Admiralty East Tide displays the tide chrat showing the local quirks, most notablty the low tide plot can be quite flat, whereas Absolute tides is more of a "sine wave" plot.

I guess real usage might be Absolute charts for planning ahead and the other features and still use Easy Tide on the day for the more accurate plot.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I told you it was a numpty question. Thanks.

You’re not, it’s not, because of the very fact that you asked a question, if you don’t know, you don’t know.

 

[Stemar]

I'm a firm believer in the principle that the only stupid question is the one you don't ask, because you remain ignorant. In my book, anyone who criticises a question for being stupid is demonstrating their own stupidity