imray charts user question

[chrisbitz]

I've bought Imray Charts for my ipad, and I'm not sure if I'm being too demanding with it

I'd like to plot a course with waypoints and then when I reach those waypoints, I'd like it to realise this, and give me the bearings for the next waypoint.

is that unrealistic?

Maybe I'm just confused with the definitions of route, track, and waypoint markers?
Can anyone explain the difference for me please?

 

[wotayottie]

Maybe I'm just confused with the definitions of route, track, and waypoint markers?
Can anyone explain the difference for me please?

Route is where you plan to go, track is where you've been and waypoints are points of interest to you that you have put in the system and some of which will be joined up in a daisy chain to make your route.

 

[tillergirl]

Not sure if it works the same but if I was using Imray/Meridian ID10 on my laptop, I would have put in my route before the start and it would have automatically shown the bearing and range of the each leg. Of course, you won't exactly go to each waypoint, so in that case it would be necessary to use the divider function and quickly go from the ships icon to the next intended waypoint to get the bearing and range.

That does not, of course, take any account of the tide.

 

[Quandary]

Like Tillergirl ours is on a laptop.
When you follow a route the actual course, speed, position etc. are shown above the course distance time to the next waypoint, these are displayed numerically in the side panel as well as graphically on the chart beside it. As you close each way point there is an audible beep and a displayed message telling you that you are within X metres of the next waypoint and asking if you wish to deactivate it. I expect that the Ipad version will be just the same.

Lots of other stuff of course; bearing and distance to the cursor together with its co-ordinates; cross track error, dividers, live tidal streams etc. I use the first a lot as sometimes in tighter channels it is easier to navigate live rather than have a lot of predefined waypoints.

 

[prv]

In case you haven't found it, the user manual (such as it is) is here:

http://www.tucabo.com/img/en/CN-UserManual.pdf

With a quick skim I didn't see anything to do with what you're asking about, so I assume it doesn't do it.

To be honest this doesn't particularly surprise me. I have the app; it's great for browsing charts and dreaming of where I might go, but doesn't really seem to be put together for actual navigation.

Pete

 

[chrisbitz]

Top marks to IMRAY!

I forwarded my question to Imray Support, and half expected a standard response saying "please read the user manual".

Instead I got this full and personal response!

The app does not currently update waypoints as you sail, for the time being relying on the sailor's good sense to move the destination target. You can do this fairly simply by tapping on any route point or waypoint and selecting next. We do have on the list an idea for automating the change, but it is less straightforward than might appear given the many possible exceptions.

Routes can have route points and also incorporate waypoints. Waypoints can be edited and managed independently, including giving then names, and can form part of more than one route. Route points only exist in the route in which they have been created. You may for instance have a set of favourite waypoints (e.g. Solent race marks or Channel Crossing TSS targets), Separately you could plan a proper route using those waypoints, but may be just enter ad hoc routes for less frequent trips or simply to calculate distances. For these ad hoc route you may simply want total on the screen and not create new waypoints which are added to the database.


Wouldn't it be nice if all support staff actually read the question and then gave a proper response like this one?

Isn't it a shame that I'm so amazed at their excellent reply!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I would be more impressed if they knew how their software worked!

Single tap on a point will bring up its LAT/LONG and leg distance and bearing. To goto a point you need to double tap and select either goto or goto next. As far as I can work out both options do the same thing but goto next is not displayed on the last waypoint.

I'm a little disappointed with the nav functions to be honest as there should only be one destination, your final destination. Waypoints should be waypoints there is no need to have route points as something different.

The waypoint you are heading towards should be the active waypoint not the destination.

They could do with talking to Honeywell or Collins about nav computers (FMS on Aircraft) to learn how to implement a usable system.

The charts on the other hand are very nice and much more friendly than the jepp charts in Plan2Nav.

 

[prv]

I'm a little disappointed with the nav functions to be honest

All the Imray iOS apps (made for them by a small outfit called Tucabo) are a bit sucky usability-wise. Great data (I guess that's the Imray half of the partnership) but the software is not as intuitive as it should be.

Pete

 

[Quandary]

Useful thread this, a long time Imray/Meridian customer, I was contemplating an Ipad but now that I have discovered the limited functionality, I will stick with the lap top.
You have saved me money. time and some frustration, thanks guys.