Nautical Calculator App

[Nina Lucia]

Any one tried Nautical calculator app which calculates a course to steer to compensate for tide, wind and magnetic compass error...

Are they any good?

 

[LadyInBed]

Post a link

 

[Refueler]

For anyone interested ....

CMG : Course made good
S : Speed through water
Dr : drift
St : Set of current
V : Magnetic Variation at that location
De : Magnetic Deviation
C1 : Course to steer

Primary equations are attached as the fonts cannot be displayed here ...

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

NO, Loads o rubbish !
Buy a decent chart, & learn how to use it !
Oh, Mayday Mayday, My App ran out, when my battery died !
Help Help Help
I Despair !

 

[requiem]

That's a rather vague app title. Two that come to mind are "Nautical Calculator" and "Radar Plotting" by Giacomo Gabriele (Nautical Applications). They show a graphical representation of the plots (e.g. what a manoeuvre board would show) and are a good way to check your work. You do need to understand the underlying concepts to use them effectively; they are not designed for the novice.

Running out of power? That's like running out of fuel on the motorway; there's a reason that can earn you a fine in some countries.

 

[Refueler]

NO, Loads o rubbish !
Buy a decent chart, & learn how to use it !
Oh, Mayday Mayday, My App ran out, when my battery died !
Help Help Help
I Despair !

Pencil ... ruler ... dividers ..

 

[Boathook]

The app will only be as good as the information that it receives. Would have been nice if the op had provided some links to what he was mentioning as it would be so much easier to comment.

 

[Nina Lucia]

I had a look at this one TVMDC Sailing & Marine Navigation Calculator, and ‎iPlotter Solent

I am not saying lets forget pencil and paper charts and sextant, but those apps can be also handy for the number of occasions, double check, and quick reference. If we get worried that new technology will use all our battery's lets stop using all electric devices on board, radars, AIS, log, echo sounder and VHF.
How many offshore sailors use sextant for ?

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

I had a look at this one TVMDC Sailing & Marine Navigation Calculator, and ‎iPlotter Solent

I am not saying lets forget pencil and paper charts and sextant, but those apps can be also handy for the number of occasions, double check, and quick reference. If we get worried that new technology will use all our battery's lets stop using all electric devices on board, radars, AIS, log, echo sounder and VHF.
How many offshore sailors use sextant for ?

I still carry my Freiberger Yacht Sextant & the sight reduction tables etc, along with hand held VHF & GPS, which I keep in 2 lined cans, in case of lightning strike. I have never been hit, myself, but I know several who have.

 

[DangerousPirate]

Einstein said "Never memorise something that you can look up ". He was a smart man. This also applies here because the message is that you shouldnt make things more complicated than they need to be.

So sure, have a sextant and everything with you, know how to use it. But if you have a decent app to help you out and make your life easier you dont need it.

I am aware that a few people dont like it because theyre sailing longer than I am old, and back then they didnt have the technology. But it makes everyones life easier, so why fight it?

Sorry for offtopic.

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

Einstein said "Never memorise something that you can look up ". He was a smart man. This also applies here because the message is that you shouldnt make things more complicated than they need to be.

So sure, have a sextant and everything with you, know how to use it. But if you have a decent app to help you out and make your life easier you dont need it.

I am aware that a few people dont like it because theyre sailing longer than I am old, and back then they didnt have the technology. But it makes everyones life easier, so why fight it?

Sorry for offtopic.

Hey, I never said.. Dont use them !
My comment was aimed ( due to personal experience ) at those who go to sea, with a laptop, and nothing else !
Because, if you lose battery power, you have no back up, something the " GEEKS " never thought about.
Its ok calling MayDay, but its difficult for anyone around, to know, where you are, if you do not !
All I could do, was tell whoever it was ; The sun rises in the East & sets in the West !
I hate those cheap GPS sets, it has given nerve to those, who would only otherwise, sail in sight of land, to suddenly dare to cross the Atlantic, with no real idea of seamanship.
Take Care.. Out There

 

[LadyInBed]

My comment was aimed ( due to personal experience ) at those who go to sea, with a laptop, and nothing else !
Because, if you lose battery power, you have no back up, something the " GEEKS " never thought about.

Equally, in this day and age, there is no reason not to have onboard a USB charging source.

 

[Lightwave395]

This used to be good for English channel passage planning but the last time I tried downloading (which was annually to get new tide tables) my PC told me it was infected with virus...:
Anyone else used it ?

TidePlan2

 

[FlyingGoose]

Nautical calculators on Google store

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

Equally, in this day and age, there is no reason not to have onboard a USB charging source.

Yes, but a flooding, or lightning strike, could well render your USB charging source useless.
Salt water, destroys electronics.

 

[FlyingGoose]

I have a water proof 2 USB ports at the helm station works a treat , Have had the Tablet on charge and had plenty water hitting the case no issues ...