Orca can be used in multiple ways: as a standalone navigation app, as a standalone navigation display, or as a fully integrated “chartplotter replacement” using Orca Core.
Orca Core is required whenever a feature depends on boat network data (NMEA 2000), external sensors (AIS/radar/wind/etc.), the Core’s built-in sailing processor, wireless autopilot control, or remote boat monitoring.
Feature Category | Feature | Notes |
Data: | Logbook and Historical Line | The Logbook feature and Historical Line feature currently require an Orca Core to function. |
Data: | Remote Access / monitoring your boat from ashore | Orca Core bridges boat NMEA data to the internet via Wi-Fi/Ethernet, enabling remote live data in the app. |
Guard Mode | Guard Mode | Guard Mode currently requires an Orca Core to function. Guard mode is linked to the selected onboard GPS. |
Navigation Assistance: | Wireless autopilot control, and Autotack / Autogybe | Orca Core connects to supported autopilots via NMEA 2000 and enables wireless control from phone/tablet/Display. |
Navigation Assistance: Instruments | Currents (speed & direction) derived from sensors and STW (Speed Through Water) | Requires a speed-through-water sensor connected to the Core. |
Navigation Assistance: | Instruments using boat sensor data (engine, depth, speed, wind, etc.) | Orca Core collects data from the boat network/sensors and broadcasts it to the Orca App and Orca Display. |
Navigation Assistance: Instruments | Local AIS from an onboard AIS receiver | To show AIS coming from your onboard AIS receiver, Orca Core is required to ingest and broadcast the sensor data. |
Navigation Assistance: Instruments | Sailing Processor: True Wind & performance targets (polars) | Requires an NMEA 2000 wind sensor connected to the Core. |
Navigation Assistance: | XTE (Cross Track Error) instrument data | XTE instrument data currently requires an Orca Core to function. The XTE instrument data is linked to the selected onboard GPS. |
Navigation Assistance: | Radar integration | Radar input is integrated through the boat network; Orca Core is required to process the radar signals and broadcasts the data to the Orca App and Orca Display |
If you have questions about using Orca Core or want recommendations for how to integrate one into your boat, don't hesitate to reach out to hello@getorca.com.