Cross-platform app eSail4VR dedicated to routing for Virtual Regatta, I wrote about a few days ago (¹), is available for download on online stores Mac App Store (macOS), App Store (iOS/iPadOS), Google Play, Windows Store (soon activated). Just in time for the Route du Rhum !
To know everything in one click about this revolutionary application, it's on its website to install in your favorites. The application also has its FaceBook page, and its FaceBook Users Group.
eSail4VR is synchronized on all your media, whatever they are, thanks to eSai4VR Cloud which you can activate in the settings (with subscription). You can perform multiple routes to different targets created to compare performance, show followed boats and perform routes from their position to the created targets. The sail color on the routings comes from the colors defined in Virtual Regatta. The data labels (upper or right side depending on orientation) display the essential data on the progress of your boat, from Virtual Regatta in real time.
Here is a preview of some tips and tricks you need to know to perform quickly :
First of all read the comparison options offered with and without subscription in the section “ Discover our offers» from the page quoted above.
INTERFACE
The timeline (bottom banner) to move time forward/backward, allows you to view the progress of the boat on the routing by scrolling the weather forecast with the boat. The earth to enlarge/reduce (zoom +/-) and rotate the map.
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- Tablet and smartphone : sliding with fingers (clean) either on the timeline, or the earth.
- PCs and Macs : with the mouse wheel (or by sliding vertically with two fingers on the trackpad), by resting the pointer on the timeline or on the earth. Or by dragging with the left button pointer pressed either on the timeline, or the earth.
You can choose to display the wind in the form of vectors and barbs, or of animated particles, with or without color gradient.
Routing
Once routed to a target, isochrones are displayed. We deactivate / activates the display by a tap on the routing in the list of the left side drawer, tab Routings.
By moving the earth, we drag the target on each isochrone, we display a pivot point allowing to restart a new routing from its position (button + or right click). The yellow line allows to see very quickly the optimal routing to any point of any isochrone.
The isochrones steps are :
- 30 min up to 6 hours,
- 1 h from 6 hours up to 12 hours,
- 2 h from 12 hours up to 24 hours
- 3 h from 24 hours up to 48 hours
- 6 h from 48 hours up to 120 hours,
- 12 h beyond.
When the arrival is less than 12 hours, we return to a step of 3 h. You can also use a pivot point on the penultimate isochrone to start a finer routing before the finish.
Edition of orders
Once done, routing can be sent to Virtual Regatta. A tap/click on the send icon displayed to the right of the routing in the list of routings (tab Routings in the left side drawer) first open the list of orders to send :
Order types (marker 4):
- Auto = automatic selection of the best mode (single mode without subscription)
- Vent = (TWA) cruise control mode, search for the best VMG (lock closed, I'm going to VR)
- Compas = (HDG) heading tracking mode on each leg of the routing (open lock, I'm going to VR)
- Mélange = mixed wind/compass mode depending on course and wind angles.
- Waypoint = pass mode by each point or target. Indispensable near the coast or in narrow passages to avoid grounding. This is the "stone-cut" mode. It's not the most efficient, but it allows you to go to sleep without risk !
- Tolerance for issuing an order : removal of redundant orders (similar successive headings) within a tolerance range (angle deviation) of x degrees to choose from.
- The tacks are indicated by the arrows >> red (port tack) or << green (starboard tack).(marker 2)
Legend of icons :
- Padlock closed = wind mode, open padlock = compass mode (marker 1)
- The switch allows you to ignore an order, either automatically depending on the tolerance setting, either manually. In both cases the goal is to maximize the duration of the programming, especially for those who are not VIP (²) (marker 2).
- Cap displayed in color verte = VMG (marker 3)
Routing table
In the side drawer, the routing tab has two icons : one for sending orders to Virtual Regatta, available for ten minutes, the other to edit the complete routing table, to allow manual point reporting for users without a subscription.
Competitors, followed players, team
- All the information is gathered in the tab Followed in the left side drawer, accessible via the icon
. You can sort the list to get an overview of the fleet (ranking, speed, name, sail). - We display the boats followed or by team.
- The distance to the next gate is displayed, except for records
- A long press (or right click) on a competitor makes it possible to launch a routing from its position.
To get started, a short video :
And may the best win !
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(¹) eSail4VR The cross-platform revolution
(²) For memory, Virtual Regatta rules :
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- Sans Full Pack, not VIP = 2 programming points
- With Full Pack, not VIP = 9 programming points
- VIP = 15 programming points (with or without options)
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