ORCA core 2

[Mambo42]

Recently I stumbled on a system that I have never heard off, but apparently it has been on the market for a couple of years now. It is called Orca and it is basically a trackplotter, gps receiver etc that can plug into any NMEA 2000 network. With an app on your phone or tablet you can then steer the boat (if your autopilot is connected to the NMEA as well).
Since I have Raymarine onboard and all my sensors are plugged into the backbone I understand that, if I plug this Orca into the backbone, I should be able to steer the boat from the app on the phone or tablet.
Has anyone heard of Orca, is anyone using it and if so: 'what are your experiences ?' Is it indeed correct what they claim or is it just too good to be true ?

 

[JackConnick]

There's a good FB group that has a lot of Q&A on it. There are company people who do some responding.

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You can DL the app and use it for free. I examined it and although the hardware is pretty good, I felt that the software has a lot of basic user issues. It's very pretty but notably for me was the complete lack of filters, sorting or any other management of routes or waypoints. It makes it pretty useless.

 

[Mambo42]

There's a good FB group that has a lot of Q&A on it. There are company people who do some responding.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

You can DL the app and use it for free. I examined it and although the hardware is pretty good, I felt that the software has a lot of basic user issues. It's very pretty but notably for me was the complete lack of filters, sorting or any other management of routes or waypoints. It makes it pretty useless.

Thanks for the tip, will search on facebook for it.

Reason why it could be something for me is the fact that I would be able to see all sensors on the boat plus steer the AP via the phone or tablet. Second reason is to have it as a back up for my Raymarine trackplotters, which regularly freeze up. Also, Navionics is getting more and more expensive now that Garmin has taken over, Arco is still affordable.
But the points you mention are important as well. Thanks.

 

[JackConnick]

I had some of the same problems with my Ray system. I added an external GPS antenna and it seemed to make a big difference. The ORCA Core should do the same thing.
Controlling an autopilot from a tablet can have lags. I just installed an RMK-10 remote to give me better control.
Jack

 

[Mambo42]

I had some of the same problems with my Ray system. I added an external GPS antenna and it seemed to make a big difference. The ORCA Core should do the same thing.
Controlling an autopilot from a tablet can have lags. I just installed an RMK-10 remote to give me better control.
Jack

I do have 2 external antennas on my Raymarine system and the AR200 is very accurate. Biggest problem is zooming in on e.g. a detailed port or passage. Then the processor of the Axiom just cannot handle it and the whole thing freezes up.
I do have the RMK 10, but it is installed on the fly bridge, which means changing course in an easy way does require us to be there. During long passages in a calm sea it would be nice to be able to sit on the bow deck and steer the boat from there or when I am in the galley to be able to see radar and AIS targets around us.

 

[JackConnick]

The Raymarine app can do that, but it is a bit flaky. I added a YachtDevices NMEA 2000 Gateway (wifi) that is much better. I can use a laptop or tablet that way.

NMEA to WiFi: NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi Gateway

Share data from a NMEA 2000 network via Wi-Fi connection.

www.yachtd.com

Orca shows promise, as I said the hardware looks pretty good, but the software is young.

 

[JackConnick]

Also, something is not right with your system if it locks up like that. I suspect maybe a card error of some sort. Have you used the chart card to transfer other files? Its pretty sensitive. I would try to resync it with Navionics on a laptop and remove other files.

 

[Mambo42]

Also, something is not right with your system if it locks up like that. I suspect maybe a card error of some sort. Have you used the chart card to transfer other files? Its pretty sensitive. I would try to resync it with Navionics on a laptop and remove other files.

I spoke with an honest Raymarine dealer and they told me that freezing up of the unit is actually quite normal for the Axiom classic (which I have). It has to do with the capacity of the processor. They told me that the later Axioms (plus and pro) have less problems with it.
I know it is not the Navionics charts, I installed the charts straight from the card reader, never update it, since where we sail (Croatia, Greece, Turkey) there are no real updates so no need to potentially screw up the system. Any Nav warnings we get via the radio.

 

[Mambo42]

The Raymarine app can do that, but it is a bit flaky. I added a YachtDevices NMEA 2000 Gateway (wifi) that is much better. I can use a laptop or tablet that way.

NMEA to WiFi: NMEA 2000 Wi-Fi Gateway

Share data from a NMEA 2000 network via Wi-Fi connection.

www.yachtd.com

Orca shows promise, as I said the hardware looks pretty good, but the software is young.

Will take a look into that Gateway. If I can get the autopilot and sensor data on my phone that would be great.
Thanks

 

[Nepidae]

Not being able to find it anymore might tell you something.
Can't speak enough about our Garmin setup.
For over 90% of our 8yr Loop our autopilot drove the boat. I did use our Garmin remote as I sat on the bridge watching our progress. Handy addition.
I'm not one who thinks a cobbed together system is a good thing to have on a boat but then we always wear our PFDs when underway.
Any questions, PM me.
Good luck

 

[twistedtree]

Doesn't the Orca App also mean

- A new set of charts? What charts, what's the coverage, what's the cost?

- Controlling an AP is all based on proprietary N2K messages. Do you really trust a product that has reverse engineered this? Also, are you confident enough in steering control over wifi?

- Radar display data is also proprietary for each vendor, and is on ethernet not N2K. So can teh Orca app really display and control radar?

It really sounds like it's an N2K to wifi gateway plus yet-another tablet navigation app. I guess I'm not seeing what special about it.

 

[Mambo42]

Doesn't the Orca App also mean

- A new set of charts? What charts, what's the coverage, what's the cost?

- Controlling an AP is all based on proprietary N2K messages. Do you really trust a product that has reverse engineered this? Also, are you confident enough in steering control over wifi?

- Radar display data is also proprietary for each vendor, and is on ethernet not N2K. So can teh Orca app really display and control radar?

It really sounds like it's an N2K to wifi gateway plus yet-another tablet navigation app. I guess I'm not seeing what special about it.

The charts, from what I understand, come with the unit itself. Have not found if I would need to pay for it on a yearly basis.
As for controlling the AP, basically the whole thing plugs into the backbone of the Raymarine and all info that is visible on that network is then also visible on the ORCA app. From what I see on Youtube (videos made by users) the people are very happy with the performance, so that made me interested, since I can now only steer from the fly bridge or pilot house. If I can steer the boat from the bow that would be nice. On long calm passages in summer time it would be great to be able to sit on the bow deck and steer the boat from there, but still have all info on the tablet. Then it will become a bit like a portable Axiom.

 

[JackConnick]

Charts are free and come with the app. It uses Ethernet/raynet for access. You can use its much bettter course electronic compass, etc then. Lots of bells and whistles. It’s an adjunct not necessarily a replacement. Radar is just an overlay, and no Doppler support.

 

[CaptTom]

The manufacturer's web site says this:

Does Orca include marine charts in my purchase?
Yes, Orca includes marine charts and a year of updates for free in the purchase of all hardware.
Orca runs on our custom marine charts. The charts are faster and more accurate than traditional charts. The charts also update automatically over the internet, with no SD-cards or complicated routines required.
The underlying data for our charts are licensed from Official Hydrographic Offices and augmented with in-house survey data.

So, no, they're not free. And no, you can't use the free US Government charts, only their priority versions of those same charts.

To me, a tablet running OpenCPN would be a better long-term value. $300 for a mount is pretty steep, too. Otherwise the price is within the range of a dedicated MFD and radome, so if you're into buying proprietary chart updates every year anyway, it looks like a good option.

 

[stevemitchell]

I've used the Orca, and own a chart subscription on the Orca app as well. The primary market as far as I can tell is sailboats with the need for a more all-in-one system, or to add to a smaller system.

I really like their user interface for a number of reasons - in particular their chart displays are quite streamlined. However, as others have mentioned, it is still new, and there are a lot of missing features.

In addition, while the display of the charts is good, the quality and completeness of their charts is lacking. Just like any new player in the chart market, they're not going to have good coverage in all areas around the world.

If you're just looking for a way to control your autopilot, there are likely cheaper and more integrated/better solutions than bringing a whole new system + charts on board, and one that is still quite new.