ash2020
Active member
I need to update my electronic charts. I have Imray and Navionics apps but I've just been asked to join Imray Explorer. It includes raster charts but I'm not quite sure what it is and whether it's worth joining.
Anyone joined Imray Explorer?
- Thread starter ash2020
- Start date
Dunx
Active member
I joined as a crowd funder when it was first setting up. It gives access to pilot guides for lots of ports around UK and Europe so the information should always be from the most up to date version of the guide. Examples are The shell Channel pilot and the CA almanac. At the moment it’s ok but as a work in progress I’m sure it will mature. I have not looked at charting options yet. They do print the chartlets from the guides where appropriate. I will have a look and see if they are offering wider area charts. Is that what you were offered?
ash2020
Active member
It just says raster charts but I don't know how many areas.
dunedin
Well-known member
Explore with Imray is a very convenient online way to see their pilot books etc. BUT as far as I know it is pure online, so needs an internet connection.
I don’t believe it is a credible option as a chart application for use on a moving boat. And don’t think even Imray would recommend its use for viewing Imray charts, for which they do have a chart app - which you say you have.
I don’t believe it is a credible option as a chart application for use on a moving boat. And don’t think even Imray would recommend its use for viewing Imray charts, for which they do have a chart app - which you say you have.
KompetentKrew
Well-known member
I too joined during the Kickstarter and am well impressed with it - got an email just yesterday, I think, about the new integration of raster charts and they're fantastic.
I think the UK was the first area to get pilot book coverage (Shell Channel Pilot etc) but now it's expanded to cover all of France, Iberia. Atlantic Islands, European Med, Baltics, Norway etc. And, for some reason, the South China Sea pilot book seems to have been added ahead of other books in that region. North African Med is covered only by the Mediterranean Almanac.
The raster charts seem great, and they become more detailed as you zoom in. Initial coverage seems to be Nieuwpoort and Felixstowe to the Scillies and Aber Wrac'h.
There are features that I have reservations about - Imray integrated "social", so you can add a blog post type entry for a location and all users can see it; I dislike how random users' blog posts clutter the map alongside important Imray pilot book entries. However it looks like they have lower viewing priority to reduce their impact (i,e. they're mostly hidden until you zoom in) and they're easy to recognise because their pins are orange instead of blue. Imray are responsive to feedback and I think they've said they plan to add a filter or only show blogposts in future from people you "follow".
I'm tight AF so am always loath to pay for monthly subscription services - I only joined Explore because the Kickstarter offered a lifetime membership and I'm a fulltime cruiser so that'll end up being incredibly cheap after a few years. I think the subscription is probably a bargain if you're the kind of person who buys a new pilot book every year though - the current coverage includes over twenty A4 books already.
As others have said, this service is web-only so not much good for your chart plotter or when you're offshore - not really what you're looking for here @ash2020. Test out the free trial if you're interested, or before visiting an unfamiliar harbour.
I think the UK was the first area to get pilot book coverage (Shell Channel Pilot etc) but now it's expanded to cover all of France, Iberia. Atlantic Islands, European Med, Baltics, Norway etc. And, for some reason, the South China Sea pilot book seems to have been added ahead of other books in that region. North African Med is covered only by the Mediterranean Almanac.
The raster charts seem great, and they become more detailed as you zoom in. Initial coverage seems to be Nieuwpoort and Felixstowe to the Scillies and Aber Wrac'h.
There are features that I have reservations about - Imray integrated "social", so you can add a blog post type entry for a location and all users can see it; I dislike how random users' blog posts clutter the map alongside important Imray pilot book entries. However it looks like they have lower viewing priority to reduce their impact (i,e. they're mostly hidden until you zoom in) and they're easy to recognise because their pins are orange instead of blue. Imray are responsive to feedback and I think they've said they plan to add a filter or only show blogposts in future from people you "follow".
I'm tight AF so am always loath to pay for monthly subscription services - I only joined Explore because the Kickstarter offered a lifetime membership and I'm a fulltime cruiser so that'll end up being incredibly cheap after a few years. I think the subscription is probably a bargain if you're the kind of person who buys a new pilot book every year though - the current coverage includes over twenty A4 books already.
As others have said, this service is web-only so not much good for your chart plotter or when you're offshore - not really what you're looking for here @ash2020. Test out the free trial if you're interested, or before visiting an unfamiliar harbour.
ash2020
Active member
OK, well if it needs internet it's a non starter. I thought it might be an alternative to buying a chart upgrade for the app.
ash2020
Active member
Thanks. I might try the free trial but if it needs internet for the charts then it isn't going to work for me.
Dunx
Active member
I’ve found it useful as a planning tool, which is what I believe it is, rather than a charting app. Agree with KompetentKrew’s comments, its been good value for me so far.