Radar Plotting vs Apparent Wind Calculator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Radar Plotting
This app offers advanced radar plotting for maritime navigation. It allows users to calculate critical encounter data, plan maneuvers, and analyze complex scenarios with interactive visualizations. Designed for training and decision support, it aids in understanding vessel interactions.
- Kinematic calculations (CPA/TCPA, aspect)
- True and relative speed estimation
- Evasive maneuver planning with COLREG guidance
- Rescue and escape scenario planning
- Double-target analysis
- Current and drift estimation
- Interactive radar canvas with playback
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Radar Plotting provides advanced radar-plotting capabilities for iPhone and iPad. Compute CPA/TCPA, estimate true motion, plan evasive/rescue/escape manoeuvres, and analyse two-target encounters — all visualised on an interactive radar sheet. Highlights: - Precise kinematic calculations (CPA/TCPA, aspect, true & relative speed) - Evasive manoeuvres with COLREG guidance - Rescue & escape planning, including scenarios with faster vessels - Double-target handling - Current/drift estimation - Interactive canvas with adjustable scales and animated trajectory playback - Import/export via QR code and PDF report generation Safety note: This app is for training and decision support. It does not replace certified navigational equipment or official procedures. Always follow COLREG and local/company rules.
Apparent Wind Calculator
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Apparent Wind Calculator takes the maths out of one of sailing's most important concepts. Feed in your true wind angle, true wind speed, and boat speed — and instantly see your apparent wind angle and speed, visualised as a live vector diagram. Whether passage planning, under sail or just getting your head around why the wind always seems to come from forward when you bear away, this app makes it immediately clear. BOAT POLAR Load a polar table and the app sets your boat speed automatically based on your true wind angle and wind speed. Built-in presets cover small, medium, and large monohulls and catamarans — or enter your own target speeds for a custom polar. With auto-fill enabled, every diagram you see reflects realistic performance numbers for your boat, not a guess. FEATURES • Live vector diagram showing true wind, apparent wind, and boat velocity as scaled arrows — updates in real time as you move the sliders • Monohull and catamaran boat graphics that respond to your apparent wind angle • Boat polar table with presets for monohulls and catamarans, fully editable • Auto-fill boat speed from your polar for realistic results • Point of sail readout — from Close Hauled to Deep Run • Port and starboard tack display • Works entirely offline, no account required WHO IT'S FOR Sailing students learning the theory, racers checking their VMG angles, cruisers planning passages, and coaches explaining wind shifts to crew. The apparent wind is what your sails actually feel. This app helps you understand it.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Apparent Wind Calculator at $0.99 against Radar Plotting's $7.99. Apparent Wind Calculator also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Radar Plotting costs $7.99 and Apparent Wind Calculator $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Radar Plotting ships an update every 5 months, Apparent Wind Calculator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Radar Plotting | Apparent Wind Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 25 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Giacomo Gabriele | Adam Harvey |
In-app purchases
Radar Plotting
No in-app purchases
Apparent Wind Calculator
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Radar Plotting free?
Is Apparent Wind Calculator free?
Do Radar Plotting or Apparent Wind Calculator have ads?
Which is updated more often, Radar Plotting or Apparent Wind Calculator?
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