Comparison

Tracerlink vs CH16

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Tracerlink

This app provides live flight data for paragliders and hang gliders directly on your Apple Watch. It connects to compatible devices, offering essential metrics like altitude and climb rate with haptic feedback and a focus mode for easy readability.

Highlights
  • Live flight data on Apple Watch
  • Haptic feedback for lift detection
  • Focus Mode for key metric visibility
  • Ultra-lightweight, phone-free setup
  • Fast, one-tap device connection
  • Metric and Imperial unit support
Features
Read full description

Tracerlink brings live vario data from your UltraBip, BlueBip or XC Tracer directly to Apple Watch. Built for paragliding and hike-and-fly pilots, Tracerlink keeps your cockpit light: connect your external BLE vario, start your flight and read the key values on your wrist without using an iPhone cockpit in the air. The watch-first display is designed for short glances: large numbers, clean layouts and a Focus Mode that gives one selected value more room on screen. Optional haptic feedback can signal climb with subtle taps, while Workout integration helps keep the display active and tracks flight duration. Why pilots use Tracerlink: - Wrist-only flight display: live vario values directly on Apple Watch - Light setup: no phone cockpit needed in flight - Quick connection: connect UltraBip, BlueBip or XC Tracer from the watch - Clear reading: large, high-contrast values for short glances - Focus Mode: show one key metric in a simplified full-screen view - Haptic climb feedback: optional taps with adjustable sensitivity - Altitude calibration: manual altitude, QNH and source labels for a clearer setup workflow - Metric and imperial units - Clear one-time purchase: no subscription model Live flight metrics: - Vario device battery status - Altitude with source indicator - Climb and sink rate - Flight duration - Ground speed, course and glide ratio where supported by the connected device and data stream Altitude calibration: Tracerlink 2.1 adds a more deliberate altitude setup workflow. Depending on your connected device and available data, the app can work with manual altitude calibration, QNH-based altitude or GNSS-assisted calibration where supported. A compact source label shows how the displayed altitude is currently derived. Focus Mode: Focus Mode gives one selected metric more space on screen, such as altitude or climb rate, for quick reading in the air. Haptic feedback: Optional haptic feedback can signal climb with subtle taps. Sensitivity can be adjusted in the watch settings. Workout integration: Tracerlink uses Workout mode to help keep the watch display active during flight and to track flight duration. Compatibility and requirements: - Devices: UltraBip, BlueBip or XC Tracer - Apple Watch: watchOS version as listed in the App Store compatibility section - iPhone/iPad app: includes manual and support information; flight data is shown on Apple Watch - GPS-dependent values are available only when the connected device and data stream provide them - Compatibility with older device models or outdated firmware is not guaranteed Tracerlink is a display and convenience tool for pilots using a compatible external vario. It is not a navigation system, safety instrument or replacement for approved flight equipment. XC Tracer, UltraBip and BlueBip are trademarks of their respective owners. Tracerlink is independently developed and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by XC Tracer GmbH or Stodeus.

About

CH16

This maritime safety app provides instant access to global rescue coordination centers and features tools for generating distress messages and planning voyages. It offers real-time location tracking for man overboard situations and works offline, ensuring safety at sea.

Highlights
  • Global maritime rescue center directory
  • Interactive SRR zone map
  • GMDSS-compliant distress message generator
  • Man Overboard (MOB) mode with GPS tracking
  • Passage Plan for voyage declaration
  • Offline functionality
  • Multilingual support
Features
Read full description

CH16 by Global SAR Hub is the essential maritime safety app for every seafarer. Instantly access contact details for over 350 maritime rescue coordination centers (MRCC, MRSC, JRCC, JRSC) worldwide. View Search and Rescue Regions (SRR) on an interactive map and identify the center responsible for your current position in real time. Generate IMO/GMDSS-compliant MAYDAY and PAN PAN distress messages with audio playback. Activate Man Overboard (MOB) mode to record a GPS position and guide you back to the drop point. NEW - Passage Plan: declare your route and automatically notify all rescue centers along your way, in their own language. An essential step for your safety at sea. Get notifications when you cross into a new SRR zone. Save your vessel and captain information to automatically include them in your messages and passage plans. Available in 6 languages. Works offline. Key features: • Global directory of 350+ maritime rescue centers • Interactive SRR zone map with automatic detection • GMDSS-compliant MAYDAY / PAN PAN message generator • Audio playback of distress messages • Man Overboard mode with GPS tracking and DMD format • Real-time MOB map view • Passage Plan: multilingual voyage declaration to RCCs • Persistent vessel and captain profiles • Voice recording of vessel name • SRR zone change notifications • Multilingual country search • 6 languages: EN, FR, ES, PT, IT, DE • Full offline mode Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.globalsarhub.com/terms-of-use.html Privacy Policy: https://www.globalsarhub.com/privacy-policy.html

Screenshots

Tracerlink4 screens
CH163 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CH16 at Free against Tracerlink's $9.99. CH16 also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 75%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months). Tracerlink's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

CH16 is free to download; Tracerlink costs $9.99 up front. CH16 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Tracerlink asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tracerlink ships an update every 3 months, CH16 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Tracerlink versus CH16: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTracerlinkCH16
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVojtech VondraGlobal SAR Hub

Customer experience

Tracerlink

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%

CH16

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Tracerlink

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

CH16

Subscriptions1
  • CH16 Pro$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • CH16 Pro Lifetime$4.99

Questions

Is Tracerlink free?
Tracerlink costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is CH16 free?
CH16 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Tracerlink or CH16 have ads?
CH16 shows ads; Tracerlink does not.
Which is updated more often, Tracerlink or CH16?
Tracerlink ships an update every 3 months, and CH16 every 2 months. Most recently, Tracerlink was updated on September 10, 2026 and CH16 on September 6, 2026.

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