Android Anchor Watches Bewilderment

[vyv_cox]

According to @Neeves there are no reports of modern gen anchors dragging so what's to worry about?

I doubt very much that Neeves said that. Our Rocna dragged three days ago but it was not the fault of the anchor, simply the way it had been used.
(We anchored, another boat anchored far too close to us, we took a line ashore overnight to avoid collision, turning the anchor 180 degrees. In the morning the wind increased dramatically, the offending boat left, we released the shore line, again turning the anchor 180 degrees. In strong gusts we dragged about 30 minutes later. On re-anchoring we held perfectly.)

 

[srm]

I doubt very much that Neeves said that. Our Rocna dragged three days ago but it was not the fault of the anchor, simply the way it had been used.
(We anchored, another boat anchored far too close to us, we took a line ashore overnight to avoid collision, turning the anchor 180 degrees. In the morning the wind increased dramatically, the offending boat left, we released the shore line, again turning the anchor 180 degrees. In strong gusts we dragged about 30 minutes later. On re-anchoring we held perfectly.)

That was my preferred method of securing the boat in Norwegian anchorages, have also managed it a few times when bad weather expected in Scotland. Anchor, run shore line to windward, pull boat in towards shore. Would only let go the shore line when getting under way so never had concerns about rotating the anchor.

 

[vyv_cox]

That was my preferred method of securing the boat in Norwegian anchorages, have also managed it a few times when bad weather expected in Scotland. Anchor, run shore line to windward, pull boat in towards shore. Would only let go the shore line when getting under way so never had concerns about rotating the anchor.

Usually the Rocna resets very well but two reversals with unusual side effects were too much for its holding.

 

[ylop]

Yes, Android and iOS developers do need to keep on top of any changes. Some don't. The "Warning from VisitMyHarbour..." thread highlights this. The developer has chosen not to keep on top of changes.

Some OS changes require major rewrites/refactoring of an existing application, and can even make them unviable.

(I develop mobile apps for a living, in case you can't tell!)

All that PLUS: nobody wants to pay for apps - so how does the developer get rewarded for his efforts to keep on top of the OS changes AND on Android these screen/power type issues really need example hardware to play with and see the issues. You need to sell a lot of Apps to justify buying a £500+ phone. Even more if all your revenue comes from ads.

 

[RogerFoxTerrier]

I've found the biggest issue is that when you're in your bunk with your phone next to you, it gets a weaker GPS signal, if it gets one at all. I'd imagine a nightmare on aluminium boats?

 

[Bristolfashion]

All that PLUS: nobody wants to pay for apps - so how does the developer get rewarded for his efforts to keep on top of the OS changes AND on Android these screen/power type issues really need example hardware to play with and see the issues. You need to sell a lot of Apps to justify buying a £500+ phone. Even more if all your revenue comes from ads.

Whilst there is a free version of the anchor app I use, I paid for the Pro version to give the developer a few quid.

 

[IanCC]

Is it just me that’s bewildered by the seeming complexity surrounding anchor watch apps on Android (Sleep mode, Doze mode etc)?

I have 'My Anchor Watch' installed. It doesn't work once the screen has gone blank after half a minute or so (sleep?). I can't see it listed on Play anymore. I'll delete it.

I also have 'Anchor Pro'. This has a warning about something called Doze Mode suspending the GPS feed (this is not very comprehensive/clear). Is this issue why My Anchor Watch stopped working?

Does anyone have any definitive steps that will guarantee success? Might they be ‘get an iPhone?

Many thanks

I have Anchor Pro, works ok but it's self confessed accuracy can be +/- 15m!

 

[Irish Rover]

I have Anchor Pro, works ok but it's self confessed accuracy can be +/- 15m!

I use anchor Pro as well and I've never seen it with an accuracy factor of more than 6M. I just opened it now and it's showing 4M which is what I usually see

 

[Bristolfashion]

This is the advice /warning on Anchor Pro regarding this issue,

 

[Bristolfashion]

And, as Irish Rover says, accuracy is usually way better than 15m. Anchor Pro has an alarm if the GPS is lost and also, in advanced settings, a warning available if GPS accuracy exceeds a user defined parameter when setting the anchor.

 

[Bristolfashion]

The advanced settings screen,

 

[ylop]

I have Anchor Pro, works ok but it's self confessed accuracy can be +/- 15m!

Well that’s the accuracy of the GPS signal in general it’s reporting, so if you are seeing that then move device to have a better view of the sky. Consider though that many boats are 10m long, and few of us are precise enough to “set” the anchor in the app exactly where it really is and if you are really hoping the GPS keeps you right with greater certainty you might be using the wrong tool for your anchor watch.

I’ve used Anchor Pro, personally prefer Zenkuo, but in either case almost always forget to turn off when weighing anchor which gives you a good idea how far you’ll have moved before you get woken up.

 

[Jules W]

I believe that there's an Android issue where the phone goes to sleep to preserve battery life, triggering failure or alarm mode. The app developers can't override this feature. On our Android anchor alarm the simple solution is to keep the phone charging which, for us, has worked perfectly.

I also use anchor Pro on Android. I keep it on charge and in settings on the phone turn off battery saver. It stays on and active. Works well by telegram messaging to our other phone when we are ashore

 

[Bristolfashion]

Well that’s the accuracy of the GPS signal in general it’s reporting, so if you are seeing that then move device to have a better view of the sky. Consider though that many boats are 10m long, and few of us are precise enough to “set” the anchor in the app exactly where it really is and if you are really hoping the GPS keeps you right with greater certainty you might be using the wrong tool for your anchor watch.

I’ve used Anchor Pro, personally prefer Zenkuo, but in either case almost always forget to turn off when weighing anchor which gives you a good idea how far you’ll have moved before you get woken up.

What's Zenkuo? I can't see it in the android app store.

 

[Irish Rover]

Works well by telegram messaging to our other phone when we are ashore

That's interesting. I don't use Telegram. How do you set up the alert?

 

[ylop]

What's Zenkuo? I can't see it in the android app store.

Zenkou Anchor Watch

Looks like Apple only

 

[Patrick11]

Looks like I'm just unlucky then with my choice of 'My Anchor Watch'.

The other day I set it in Newtown Creek and forgot about it. Motoring off next day no alarm until I woke up the phone. I could have drifted without warning. Shouldn't Android developers keep on top of any changes needed as OS changes (though it looks like this apps has been withdrawn)? It's real wild west platform IMO. g

Another one - what about the "Warning from VisitMyHarbour about Marine Navigator" - sticky post on this forum? Warns about Marine Navigator being disabled out of hand?

That’s frustrating! Android can be unpredictable with apps like that. Developers really should keep up with OS changes. I’ll check out the Marine Navigator warning post—thanks for the heads-up!