I don’t listen to a lot of podcasts because I generally find I can learn more in less time from written articles.
That said, my friend Andy Schell is way better at podcasts than most, so a few times a year I break out some time for one of his.
Andy, together with one of his partners at 59 North August Sandburg, just did one on electronic navigation. I think it’s one of the best looks at the subject I have heard. Highly recommend.
And that recommendation is not just because Andy gave me a shout out (thank you)…but it might have helped…maybe…a little.
Anyway, a few things I took away:
- Free-standing radars are the best option when venturing into challenging places with poor visibility.
- We should not get overly dependant on overlaying radar on charts, real plotting is the way to go for collision avoidance.
- WiFi-based navigation systems can go bug-shit on us at the worst possible time and be challenging to fix, so we better have an alternative ready to go.
- Tablets are not that functional in cold wet places.
- Both Andy and August like and use TZiBoat, my favourite tablet navigation app.
- That said, the best charts you can get for the area you intend to cruise should often be the number one criteria when choosing a navigation system.
- Crowd-sourced depth data can be highly suspect.
- Orca’s mounts and induction charging are one of the system’s best features1.
- Orca have done a great job of making their touch screen work with gloves on, and that’s not trivial.
- Plotters still have a place…even if Andy2 doesn’t think so, right August?
- Andy and August really need to try a computer for navigation and weather. You guys don’t know what you are missing3.
Whatever side you are on in the great plotter, tablet or computer debate, you will learn good stuff from Andy and August. I did.
Further Reading
- And no, there are not any other products that can do that, at least that any of us AAC members could find, despite several false alarms. Yup, I was surprised too. ↩︎
- Couldn’t resist. Actually, I’m kinda down on plotters too. ↩︎
- Sorry Andy, I always gotta get the last dig in, you know that. ↩︎
Really enjoyed this podcast along with your review of Orca. Giving me lots to think about!
Hi Russell,
Good to hear. Part 2 on the Core is nearly done.
Hi John,
Nice people and interesting podcast.
On a sidenote, Andy says that the Orca doesn’t give you radar overlay. That’s wrong. If the radar is connected to the NMEA2000 network, (or has WiFi), it’s integrated with all the other info sources, and you choose how to present it. Each item separate, or overlay what you find useful. You can even control the settings of the radar within the Orca system.
I don’t have it yet, as mentioned elsewhere, but will get it. One cool similar example of the integration power of Orca: If the autopilot is on the NMEA2000, you can steer the boat from any device connected. Even works with rather old units.
Hi Stein,
That’s not the way I heard Andy. What I heard was that it only gives you overlay, and that’s useless for collision avoidance. I agree with him too. Also the radar does not work over NMEA 2000 or Wifi, it requires a hard wired ethernet connection (I have this working). More coming in Part 2 of my Orca review.
It just sounded like a ad for the Orca thing, which is a sponsor.
I use OpenCPN on toughbook. He dismissed it as “DIY” but I’m not sure what is “DIY” about installing a software package on a laptop.
I do like his opinions on Predict Wind. Agree 100%. I also think they will turn into another AccuWeather if they get big enough.
Hi Jordan,
I think that’s a bit harsh. I know Andy, and he is a man full of enthusiasm for new things. So I think that’s what you are hearing, rather than any rabid bias. Also he tends to find stuff he likes, and then go after the company to sponsor, not the other way around. And after all, Orca is less than half of the Pod.
That said, I do agree that it’s better to not take advertising. That’s why we don’t.
I also agree with Andy on DIY, even though I’m a huge laptop navigation fan. More here on why: https://www.morganscloud.com/2019/10/30/which-is-best-for-navigation-plotter-computer-or-tablet/
Good article. I would just add that the with a toughbook most of the “wins” for plotters and tablets also apply to the computer.
My toughbook has a “gloved multitouch” touchscreen that works better than most chart plotters, it’s rugged and built for the environment. It’s portable and the keyboard unhooks to make an ultra portable “tablet mode”. It has hot-swappable batteries.
Another advantage is if I buy charts using OpenCPN I own the files that are on a hard drive that I own. Nobody can delete them besides me.
Hi Jordan,
Sure, I’m a huge fan of computers for navigation, although I do like to see a screen on deck, so that adds complications on many boats. It’s also worth being aware that with tablets there is a benefit to the app maker controlling the charts: continues updates without any manual intervention and for a very reasonable cost per year. For example, all of Canada East Coast, including the Arctic, is just $19.95 a year.
Lots of tradeoffs in this stuff.
Hey just want to be clear, this is the device I use:
https://mooringtech.com/collections/featured/products/panasonic-toughbook-g2
It combines all the advantages of the “computer” you list, while still being able to have a screen at the helm when you need it.
That’s $2800! By the way John, Jordan has sailed with me to Svalbard and back, so he’s allowed to be a little harsh 🙂
I think the DIY angle is a thing, because you’re a huge tech wiz Jordan. Most people, myself included, aren’t. Orca just “worked”, plug and play, and that’s worth something.
Installing a software package on a laptop isn’t “tech wiz” stuff.
And toughbooks aren’t cheap but neither is that Orca stuff and there’s no monthly subscription.
Hi Jordan,
To be fair, Orca’s not that much, and it has many capabilities your laptop does not have built in.
And the sub is yearly, and once one is cruising outside of the USA, Orca is way less expensive in a lot of different ways. For example Canada east coast charts alone will cost ~US$30.00 (O-charts) on your computer, and I don’t think that includes free updates?
Anyway in the greater scope of owning a boat the annual Orca charge is trivial, and they wave the first year when you buy hardware.
As to not being “tech wiz” you just proved you are: most all nerds underestimate tech difficulties for non nerds. I’m an exception only because I spent many years of my life doing tech support for non-nerds and feel their pain…and mine when I stuck them with stuff they were not comfortable with.