Orca chart plotter

[Fr J Hackett]

Many other areas of 'life' said similar - only to see their worlds change .....

It's slightly higher on the usability scale to the Raspberry Pi and not so geeky so will appeal to those that already have the basic transducers and want to easily add another monitor but don't want or can't afford to get into a proprietary CP perhaps it's the carrot of "free" charts that appeals.

 

[Refueler]

I was interested enough to download the online only free trial charts

It looks very similar to savvynavy another app based navigation package that was late to the market in comparison to navionics.

I don't see that it offers anything more in terms of functionality than

399 gets you a very nice portable display
You have to spend a lot more on their nmea 2000 hub before you can start connecting

You mention Navionics .... I was never one for Navionics ... but when the Boating and Lakes app came out for Android - then the offered chart sets for annual subscription instead of buying .... I went for it.

39 euros for Baltic Chart set ... free android app ..... with all the updates through the year ... if I don't renew sub - I just stay with the last updated charts ....

I paid about 180 quid for a new 8" Tablet on Android 11 to have dedicated (actually I also have F1 TV on it as well) as Chart Plotter Tablet ..... works a charm. I have AIS by WiFi on board to it ..

 

[FWB]

Have you looked at the links you gave ... maybe I missed something there ??

April 22, 2022 • 2 min read
We are making the Orca App available to everyone. For free.
This week, we are making the Orca App available to everyone. For free.
So I was lucky, free for one week April 22nd.

 

[Refueler]

April 22, 2022 • 2 min read
We are making the Orca App available to everyone. For free.
This week, we are making the Orca App available to everyone. For free.
So I was lucky, free for one week April 22nd.

No I saw that bit .... but reading on down - it mentions that Chart download to OFFLINE is not free and only for full Orca setup.

That I find confusing ... if the charts don't download to Offline - is it that you have to stay internet connected ?? Or do they have a time limit s Navionics does ? Basically free trial for xx days - then back to base map and you have to pay sub to download the set ?

 

[FWB]

No I saw that bit .... but reading on down - it mentions that Chart download to OFFLINE is not free and only for full Orca setup.

That I find confusing ... if the charts don't download to Offline - is it that you have to stay internet connected ?? Or do they have a time limit s Navionics does ? Basically free trial for xx days - then back to base map and you have to pay sub to download the set ?

Well I guess I have to be online. However I’m never offline and without removing the sims from my iPad and iPhone I can’t check. I have access to all the charts and have had them since April.
My sailing area ..Scilly to Dartmouth has Internet connection all of the time.
The fixed iPads on the boat don’t have sims but use an EE dongle. I guess if I switch off the dongle and Internet connection those iPads won’t display Orca charts? Won’t be aboard for a long time so can’t check.

 

[Refueler]

Well I guess I have to be online. However I’m never offline and without removing the sims from my iPad and iPhone I can’t check. I have access to all the charts and have had them since April.
My sailing area ..Scilly to Dartmouth has Internet connection all of the time.
The fixed iPads on the boat don’t have sims but use an EE dongle. I guess if I switch off the dongle and Internet connection those iPads won’t display Orca charts? Won’t be aboard for a long time so can’t check.

I wasn't knocking the system .... I'm always interested to try out alternatives .... I have Hard Drives and DVD / CD's full of Charting progs etc going back to the very early days ....

 

[MattS]

I was interested enough to download the online only free trial charts

It looks very similar to savvynavy another app based navigation package that was late to the market in comparison to navionics.

I don't see that it offers anything more in terms of functionality than

399 gets you a very nice portable display
You have to spend a lot more on their nmea 2000 hub before you can start connecting

I might have misunderstood your post @TSB240 but I think you have the pricing around the wrong way.

You can get started with all the connectivity and benefits of the full Orca system by buying the Orca Core for £399 - but it requires you to use your own phone or tablet to run the actual charting app.

When you want to buy their own Orca Display you're looking at over £1000.

So for me, an entry point of £399 for the connectivity and Orca 'brains' is not a bad entry point...

It's just a question of whether it delivers much more benefit than a pure app like Navionics or Savvy Navvy (which I've been following for a while, but still can't get on with).

On the point of proprietary vs open, I don't think Orca's proposition is one based on open standards - I think it has similar levels of interoperability as the other big brands. A key difference is in their pricing model, where you are committed to paying a subscription to get some of the more intelligent features.

Interesting, spoke to a Garmin rep today and was asking them why there's such a difference between the annual Navionics subscription on tablet, vs buying the Navionics charts for a Garmin chartplotter. Their first answer was "well because you're getting the chart plotter features as well". When we pointed out that we'd paid for the chart plotter features by buying the chart plotter the only thing he could say was "yes, fair point!".

 

[MattS]

Too subtle for some

They stand a good chance, at the moment some of the big brands (in particular B&G imo) seem a bit rudderless...

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

So I was lucky, free for one week April 22nd.

What are the charts like? Vector I guess?

 

[TSB240]

I might have misunderstood your post @TSB240 but I think you have the pricing around the wrong way.

You can get started with all the connectivity and benefits of the full Orca system by buying the Orca Core for £399 - but it requires you to use your own phone or tablet to run the actual charting app.

When you want to buy their own Orca Display you're looking at over £1000.

So for me, an entry point of £399 for the connectivity and Orca 'brains' is not a bad entry point...

It's just a question of whether it delivers much more benefit than a pure app like Navionics or Savvy Navvy (which I've been following for a while, but still can't get on with).

On the point of proprietary vs open, I don't think Orca's proposition is one based on open standards - I think it has similar levels of interoperability as the other big brands. A key difference is in their pricing model, where you are committed to paying a subscription to get some of the more intelligent features.

Interesting, spoke to a Garmin rep today and was asking them why there's such a difference between the annual Navionics subscription on tablet, vs buying the Navionics charts for a Garmin chartplotter. Their first answer was "well because you're getting the chart plotter features as well". When we pointed out that we'd paid for the chart plotter features by buying the chart plotter the only thing he could say was "yes, fair point!".

Really what are the benefits of the £399 offer once you are out of wifi or mobile range?

Oh you get world wide maps on your own tablet.
Well I have no plans to go around the world so I am paying over the odds for either UK and Ireland or UK and Europe which are my most likely cruising grounds in the next few years. I can get these for free on open cpn or for a fraction of this price.

Their business model and key navigational usp depends on user feedback to their cloud data to develop the autorouting function. Navionics did the same with their sonar chart layering.
Navionics also offer a form of autorouting but this is not updated by user provided cloud data.
I tried their autorouting on a common passage made by most North Wales cruisers to a well know beach side pub. Their autorouting totally ignored the major tidal gates and overfalls and wpuld have taken me took on a 72NM trip mainly against the wind and tides rather than a comfortable short 3 hour cruise with the wind and tide. It wouldn't have told me if the pub was open or shut either!

Their algorithms are obviously driven by one's similar to Navionics which does the same!

Some if these app developers need to get out in the real world!

I do like their rugged display but I can get the same from London chartplotters with the charts that I need for a an awful lot less!

10.1 TAB A T580 TABLETCHARTPLOTTER IN GRIFFIN SURVIVOR CASE.2022 FULL UK CHRTS | eBay

 

[FWB]

What are the charts like? Vector I guess?

Yes vector. Trying to attach screensho but 4.4mb is too large and resolution diminished at lower sizes. This reduced to 963kb from 4.4 mb Anyone know what the limit is for attaching photos? Note I use feet not metres but either can be selected. AIS targets are displayed and satellite view is available.

 

[Refueler]

What are the charts like? Vector I guess?

I downloaded the 'Orca Free App' to Android .... they looked and felt literally same as other current Vector Charts. I also confirmed that when I disconnected from Internet - Charts stopped working. So as I suspected - its a Trial based on you stay on Internet ... to really use Orca - you need to pay.
Interesting - when I pressed for Home ... instead of going to where I was - it homed in on southern Norway Fjord !!

Checking Orca pricing for full system ... 1499 quid ??????? I was expecting something a lot less given the hype and lead up ...

Think I'll stay with my 39 euro annual sub to Navionics and full use on my Tablet ...

 

[FWB]

“to really use Orca you need to pay”
Well fortunately I don’t have to pay since I’m always online.
I think I paid for iSailor but it probably wasn’t much and their charts are excellent.
I like charts and have Navionics, Orca, iSailor and Memory Map charts on my iPads and iPhone They are all good in their own way. Interesting to compare.
A pity that there seems to be a very low limit on the size of photos you can upload on here, otherwise I’d show a comparison of all 4 systems.

 

[Refueler]

“to really use Orca you need to pay”
Well fortunately I don’t have to pay since I’m always online.
I think I paid for iSailor but it probably wasn’t much and their charts are excellent.
I like charts and have Navionics, Orca, iSailor and Memory Map charts on my iPads and iPhone They are all good in their own way. Interesting to compare.
A pity that there seems to be a very low limit on the size of photos you can upload on here, otherwise I’d show a comparison of all 4 systems.

Use a Photo Host site such as IMGUR .... then size limit does not apply.

I have many Chart Plotter Progs ... not only Yotties but also full Commercial ... incl the relevant format charts. My original profession was Ships Navigator / Deck Officer ... basically I followed on from my Father who was an Air Navigator .. then later Chief of Flight Ops CAA..... it was in the blood so to speak. It became not only a profession - but a serious interest for me.

Given that - I may surprise you in that one of my favourite PC Chart progs is Seaclear. It only supports BSB KAP and its own format charts or Bitmaps you then Geomap ... but its simple ... fast ... accurate AND full AIS display capable on chart.... Yes old charts - but it works.

 

[FWB]

OK trying IMGUR

https://imgur.com/a/mcbxbJx

clicking on them top to bottom.… iSailor, Navionics, Orca, Memory Map
You have to click on them to get the resolution then it’s in a vertical column.
When actually using the charts, then zooming in gives differing results apart from Memory Map.

 

[Refueler]

I always find some users interesting. Its not uncommon to point them to an obscure or deep menu item when it comes to detail or resolution.
Many chart progs have default display levels and as you zoom in / out - the detail can significantly change - such that some users condemn the prog.

Would I use Orca ? locally within own GSM network - data is free - so maybe .... but away from own network - no. I cannot justify the costs.
As already mentioned - the Boating and Lakes Navionics is usable offline fully without limits ... for a paltry 39 euros annual sub. I was actually surprised at this considering the SD Card pricing if I want on my Chart Plotter !!

 

[rgarside]

Thanks to the OP for posting this - I hadn't seen these instruments before. It looks as though they have grown from some of the IMOCA autopilots, especially with the use of motion-compensation to smooth signals and the incorporation of polar data. All clever stuff!

 

[ylop]

I’ve been experimenting with Orca this week because I really want to like it! I’m using the free app on West of Scotland with patchy internet and not noticed and issues with chart availability - provided when I planned the trip I had connection. The free trial let me use their sail planning which was quite impressive - except it completely screwed up the tidal predictions. It seemed to assume either zero or 0.2knots everywhere I went. Fortunately I did my manual approach so knew that the Cuan Sound would have 4knots against me, and I’d get a couple of Bonus knots in the sound of Jura… until they fix that it’s useless for W of Scot.

The free trial is up, and I’m about to see what else I can find. I really like vector charts - wish I could find something which used them but let me switch to an Antares chart for the last 1/2 mile.