After the publication of my previous article on navigation applications, Henri Laurent contacted me to correct the omission of its implementation SailGrib WR, inadvertently passed through the mesh of my initial research. SailGrib SailGrib and WR are on Google Play since early 2013.
Both applications are based on queries and display GRIB files, WR version adds a routing module.
GRIB files
Queries are executed through email on the server Saildocs. Files received as attachments in email can not be opened in SailGrib by using a dedicated application, such as Download All Files he must have previously installed. Unfortunately it does not always work very well, and I have not tried to replace it with a less versatile in applications. GRIB models only GFS NOAA for Europe and the World and Coampan for USA. The model WW3 is also supported for waves (¹).
Many settings are used to define queries
In addition to the choice of data to be selected for these models, some criteria are welcome, like mobile forecasts by moving the area each time, according to a fixed speed and direction means, subscription to GRIB for automatic reception, or choosing a maximum file size of the requested. The display allows the superposition of several data, but take care not to put too much on pain of difficult to read.
Scrolling forecast is done by tapping on the blue arrows to the left and right
The display is rather rudimentary, without the possibility of adjusting the texture and transparency of different layers of data. The absence of labels on each isobaric pressure is regrettable, and the choice of representation of cloud cover is quite inconvenient to read. But overall the reading is clear enough to appreciate the evolution of forecasts.
Routing
As for the treatment of GRIB files, there are good and less good. On the positive side routing is based on a number of criteria and settings, some of which come directly from the user demand.
Many polars is provided in the application (I counted 37) and a method is provided by the developer to import other. Clever settings, like the ability to play down the polar night (application manages the duration of the night as the ship's position) and an angle of ascent setting up wind for crew comfort. Or veil mixed routing engine and, which allows to define below how fast the boat will sail to engine, and more how quickly it progresses with the motor.
COG to follow are indicated on each section between each isochronous
Without being able to compare the routing calculated with reference applications, as Adrena, Weather4D MaxSea PRO or to judge its effectiveness, this module is limited to date by the GFS model used, in any case for Europe. With a minimum of 0.5 ° mesh, or 30 nautical miles in latitude, calculations can only be relevant on roads with a minimum of 150 miles. This is perfect on offshore course 1 up to 3 days, or more, as crossing the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean in Marseille south Corsica, for example, but do not agree at all to small coastal courses for which data are scattered over too large a mesh, or very fast boats.
SailGrib WR automatically chooses not isochronous according to various criteria of the course, and once calculated the optimized route a table walk is provided with the data calculated for each portion of the course.
SailGrib is still a young implementation, with interesting features, but that will change in the technical aspects (weather models fine mesh) and ergonomics (an improved graphics processing) compete to claim their elders. But for now, the problem does not arise or Android SailGrib WR has no real competition. Unless it has escaped me again !
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(¹) See definitions of weather patterns in the Glossary.
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