Orca: Boat GPS, Charts, Routes App Reviews

I’m liking the concept. It doesn’t seem to have a way to connect to my already-on-the-WiFi NMEA data through my Vesper Cortex. I will keep track of this app as it develops.

I looked at the charts and made a route in St Augustine Fl. This chart would have made me afraid to come in the inlet. It is just a base chart with no ad ons. The inlet has no depth info between jetty and ocean. So there is no way to see the shallows. The charts need work. I would have bought the system if the charts were of navionics or Aquamaps quality.

I have been using orca for a couple of months and it is definitely a great solution for upgrading your boat tech without breaking the bank. It works well with Raymarine, Garmin and B&G equipment. The mapping is highly detailed and it’s easy to setup. On the negative side the customer is a little slow to resolve issues.

This is a great app that does everything that it says that it does. Provides good routing and the NOAA charts are good visually. I expanded this to include the Core 2, which connects to all other instruments on our boat. I like it alot.

So I’ve been a pilot for years. ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot and intuitive. Not so much with this app.

Used Orca on a 47’ sailboat during a round Vancouver island race. Worked amazingly well. While we didn’t always follow its predicted line for sailing, it always makes the eta within 20 minutes. Very impressed. Chart coverage is great in the PNW. Auto route woes great too.

IT is Dangerous to block the screen with advertisements while navigating. That’s made this app not reliable

This app shows promise and could be great in the US. I’m currently sailing in Mexico and there are no depths even in well charted areas. Disappointed as i like many others are looking to get away from navionics.