NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE vs Radar Plotting
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE
This app provides a comprehensive reference for nautical chart symbols and abbreviations, including international standards and supplementary national symbols. It's designed for learning, revision, and quick lookups with a searchable index and offline access.
- International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) symbols
- Supplementary US and UK national symbols
- Fully searchable index
- Tap & Enlarge feature
- Offline access
- Bonus emergency tips
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SYMBOLS USED ON NAUTICAL CHARTS SPECIFIED BY THE INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANIZATION (IHO), PLUS INTERNATIONAL ABBREVIATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTARY NATIONAL SYMBOLS USED BY THE U.S. AND U.K. HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICES. >>> FULL APP — AD FREE | NO IN-APP PURCHASES | NO SUBSCRIPTION ************ FEATURES and BENEFITS ************ - Perfect for reference, learning & revision - Hi-res graphics - Tap & Enlarge feature for greater detail - Fully searchable index to all the symbols - Always with you on your iPhone or iPad - No internet connection needed ************ LATEST UPDATE INCLUDES ************ * Updated for current iPhone and iOS versions * Save frequently used chart symbols to My Chart Symbols for quicker reference * Jump back to recently viewed pages, with older pages neatly grouped in one menu * Improved favourite and Home controls for clearer, more consistent navigation * Refined layout and spacing throughout the app ************ Plus FREE Bonus Content from "Safe Skipper" ************ "CHART SYMBOLS & ABBREVIATIONS" provides quick reference to the "INT 1" symbols specified by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) for use on International marine charts. There are five main sections in this app, each with lettered sub-sections organized into categories to guide users through the hundreds of symbols. The main sections are: GENERAL - chart layouts, positions, distances, directions and compass. TOPOGRAPHY - landmarks, ports and coastal land features. HYDROGRAPHY - tides, currents, depths, nature of the seabed, underwater obstructions, tracks, areas, limits and hydrographic terms. NAVIGATION AIDS & SERVICES - lights, buoys, fog signals, radar, radio, services and small craft facilities. INDEX & ABBREVIATIONS - international abbreviations and index to symbols and abbreviations. SUPPLEMENTARY NATIONAL SYMBOLS Supplementary National Symbols for nautical charts used by the United States and United Kingdom are included at the end of each section. ************* FREE Bonus Content from "Safe Skipper" ***************************** A bonus section has tips on how to deal with emergencies including: Abandon ship; Dismasting; Distress Signals; Engine Failure; Fire Fighting; Flares; Getting a tow; Helicopter rescue; Holed hull; Man overboard; Medical emergency; Mayday; Panpan; Securité. INDEX The index is an A-Z of symbols and abbreviations and enables the user to quickly look up the symbols and see them in context with others in the same categories. This app is based on the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office's print publication "Chart 5011 (INT 1) EDITION 2" Admiralty Charts Publication and "Chart No.1 United States of America Nautical Chart Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms". NOTE: ECDIS symbols used to display Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) as specified by the IHO are available in our app ELECTRONIC NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS & ABBREVIATIONS. We have an ongoing program of marine navigation and boating safety apps, so please contact us with any ideas or features that you would like to see included. Safe boating!
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.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Radar Plotting at 5.0 against NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE's 3.5. Radar Plotting also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 80 months). NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $7.99). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE costs $1.99 and Radar Plotting $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Radar Plotting holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.
NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE ships an update every 80 months, Radar Plotting every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.
| Parameter | NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE | Radar Plotting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $7.99 |
| Rating | 3.5 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 80 months | Every 5 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 41 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | The Other Hat | Giacomo Gabriele |
Customer experience
NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE
Radar Plotting
In-app purchases
NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE
No in-app purchases
Radar Plotting
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE free?
Is Radar Plotting free?
Which has better reviews, NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE or Radar Plotting?
Do NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE or Radar Plotting have ads?
Which is updated more often, NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE or Radar Plotting?
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