ash2020
Well-Known Member
What's the verdict on Orca? I'm still using Navionics but Orca looks really neat. Another £40 though.
Anyone use Orca?
- Thread starter ash2020
- Start date
Phil_boat
Well-Known Member
I think you can use Orca for free as long as you have an internet connection? So you can try it out and see if you like it before committing.
MontyMariner
Well-Known Member
I was introduced to it last summer and was most impressed, especially with the AIS display. The charts looked clear and easy to read, I didn't buy them, just used the online version but I would if I was going to use it as my main nav app. I use a CP as my main nav aid.
wonkywinch
Well-Known Member
It's a shame you need to buy the Core to properly use it and they don't offer a sub that allows integration of existing Actisense NMEA to wifi.
ylop
Well-Known Member
I have used it - and like its offering but some things to be aware of:
- AIS either relies on marine traffic and internet or needs you to buy Orca hardware
- the autorouting will allegedly take into accounts tidal streams, but it doesn’t know about some very significant streams which makes it a safety risk (at the least make sure you verify any route it plans); it’s a shame because it could be great.
Navionics therefore remains my default, which is a shame because they could plug these gaps easily.
- AIS either relies on marine traffic and internet or needs you to buy Orca hardware
- the autorouting will allegedly take into accounts tidal streams, but it doesn’t know about some very significant streams which makes it a safety risk (at the least make sure you verify any route it plans); it’s a shame because it could be great.
Navionics therefore remains my default, which is a shame because they could plug these gaps easily.
Plum
Well-Known Member
See my post here regarding charts, I decided the Orca charts lacked detail
Post in thread 'Simple affordable chart-plotting app' Simple affordable chart-plotting app
mjcp
Well-Known Member
I use both Orca and Navionics.
Orca on an iPad on the coach roof, aka "chart plotter style" and Navionics on an android tablet, handheld stylee. I also have Antares charts on both for west coast close-to-shore nav. I do not have the core, nor any other NMEA etc fed to either.
Orca route planning - hit / miss as others have said. What is nice to see is the polar / sail routing. Navionics does not have that.
AIS - I have that at the chart table.
Wind, GPS etc - all on other instruments on the coach roof
So, my use for both is chart plotting / Realtime eta, situational awareness etc. I use both. I could use one or the other though.
If you have a spare tablet, give it a go, its free! (well, sail routing is a paid option iirc, but not required)
I have considered the Core, but have not bought as my other kit is NEMA 0183, where the Core wants 2k feeds.
Orca on an iPad on the coach roof, aka "chart plotter style" and Navionics on an android tablet, handheld stylee. I also have Antares charts on both for west coast close-to-shore nav. I do not have the core, nor any other NMEA etc fed to either.
Orca route planning - hit / miss as others have said. What is nice to see is the polar / sail routing. Navionics does not have that.
AIS - I have that at the chart table.
Wind, GPS etc - all on other instruments on the coach roof
So, my use for both is chart plotting / Realtime eta, situational awareness etc. I use both. I could use one or the other though.
If you have a spare tablet, give it a go, its free! (well, sail routing is a paid option iirc, but not required)
I have considered the Core, but have not bought as my other kit is NEMA 0183, where the Core wants 2k feeds.
Last edited:
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I seriously looked at it a while back ... but went with Navionics Boating ....
1. ORCA did not integrate with my gear without need for extra gear.
2. Chart sets were not compatible with my other gear.
After I had looked through - had a few questions .. decided not to use ... I started getting Emails / messages promoting ORCA gear ... That basically turned the key for me ... Orca ? No thankyou.
1. ORCA did not integrate with my gear without need for extra gear.
2. Chart sets were not compatible with my other gear.
After I had looked through - had a few questions .. decided not to use ... I started getting Emails / messages promoting ORCA gear ... That basically turned the key for me ... Orca ? No thankyou.
Buck Turgidson
Well-Known Member
I decided to steer clear when it was all of a sudden being promoted by every YouTube sailing channel.
mjcp
Well-Known Member
I had a call with one of the devs last year, I noted there weren't many "real world" examples of Orca in use - hard to know if I needed a core 2 without seeing someone actually using it (vs their own marketing blurb).
Seems they took that feedback on board and distributed a lot of demo kit
