ORCA sensor manual.

1. 1× ORCA sensor - dual research-grade 6-axis IMU, engineering-grade polymer housing, integrated N52 rare-earth magnets (150 N pulling force).
2. 1× Flat-mount adapter - magnetic plate for cable machines, sleds and non-round surfaces.
3. 1× Compact strap mount - for non-ferromagnetic bars and the most violent lifts, where a mechanical lock beats magnets.
4. 1× Soft EVA carry case (single sensor) or rigid foam-cut case (dual bundle / rigid upgrade).
5. 1× Quick start card with QR code linking to this page.

1. Locate the USB-C port on the side of the sensor.
2. Plug in any standard USB-C cable and connect to any standard 5V USB power source.
3. The LED will pulse orange while charging and turn solid green when full.
4. A full charge takes approximately 90 minutes, giving you up to 730 days of standby or roughly 24 hours of continuous training.

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for “ORCA Strength”.
2. Download and install. The Core tier of the athlete app is free - every essential VBT metric, unlimited sessions.
3. Coaches: install the ORCA Coach app on iPad instead, and see the Coach app manual.

1. Open the ORCA app.
2. Tap Create account.
3. Enter your email and choose a password.
4. Confirm your email through the verification link we send you.
5. Complete your athlete profile: name, bodyweight, primary sport.

1. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.
2. Wake the sensor with a firm shake or by pressing the power button on the side. The LED will pulse white.
3. In the app, go to Settings → Devices → Pair new sensor.
4. Select your sensor from the list (it appears as ORCA-XXXX, where XXXX is the last four digits of the serial number printed on the sensor).
5. Wait for the confirmation. The LED turns solid blue once paired.

On a standard barbell (magnetic)

1. Place the sensor anywhere on the bar sleeve or shaft. Four N52 rare-earth magnets deliver 150 N of pulling force and snap it into place - well beyond what the bar can transfer during the most violent lifts.
2. Give it a light tug to confirm it is locked. It should not slide or rotate.

On cable machines, sleds, or non-round contact surfaces

1. Use the flat-mount adapter included in every kit. Position the magnetic plate on the handle or contact surface.
2. Snap the sensor onto the plate.

On non-ferromagnetic bars, specialty bars, and for the most violent lifts

1. Thread the compact strap mount around the bar or implement.
2. Cinch tightly. Test for movement before lifting. A mechanical lock is the right choice for jerks, cleans and drop-loading on non-ferromagnetic bars.

1. Open the ORCA app. Confirm the sensor is connected (green icon top right).
2. Tap Start session.
3. Select your exercise from the library, or create a custom one.
4. Enter the load on the bar.
5. Place the loaded bar on the rack and let it rest for 2 full seconds. This calibrates the sensor's zero point.
6. Lift as you normally would. Reps are detected automatically.
7. Rack the bar. The set summary appears within one second.
8. Tap Next set when ready, or End session when done.

ORCA runs two research-grade 6-axis IMUs at 32 kHz internal oversampling, fused on-device with a hardware-synced Kalman filter, and streams to your phone at 200 samples/second with sub-millisecond dual-IMU timestamping. In practice, that means every rep below is measured, not smoothed.

After each rep, the app displays:

• Mean velocity (m/s) - average bar speed during the concentric phase.
• Peak velocity (m/s) - highest instantaneous speed reached.
• Range of motion (cm) - vertical distance travelled by the bar.
• Peak power (W) - calculated from load, velocity and acceleration.
• Acceleration & 3D bar path - reconstructed from dual 6-axis fusion, quaternion-based orientation.

After each set, the app shows:

• Velocity loss percentage (first vs. last rep).
• Best rep highlighted.
• Full 200 Hz velocity trace - tap to scrub any rep.

Session history lives under Library → Sessions. Charts and long-term trends live under Progress.

• Wipe the sensor with a dry microfiber cloth after chalky sessions.
• Store in the included case when not in use.
• Avoid dropping the sensor onto plates or hard surfaces.
• Rated IP54 - sweat, chalk and light splashes are fine. Do not submerge or rinse under running water.
• Operating temperature: -10°C to 45°C.
• Recharge at least once every 6 months if unused, to preserve battery health (the sensor holds standby charge for up to 730 days).
• Firmware auto-updates over Bluetooth through the ORCA app - keep the app open near the sensor when a new version is available.

The sensor won't wake

1. Plug it in for 5 minutes. Battery may be fully depleted.
2. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.

My phone can't find the sensor

1. Confirm Bluetooth is on and the sensor LED is pulsing white.
2. Close and reopen the ORCA app.
3. Toggle Bluetooth off and on.
4. Move within 3 meters of the sensor while pairing.

Reps aren't being detected

1. Confirm the sensor is mounted solidly and not slipping.
2. Make sure you held the bar still for 2 seconds before starting the set.
3. Check that the correct exercise is selected. Some exercises use different detection thresholds.

Firmware update stuck

1. Keep the sensor within 1 meter of the phone.
2. Do not lock the phone screen during the update.
3. If it fails, restart the app and try again.

Factory reset

Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds. The LED will flash red three times to confirm. Re-pair from Step 05.

Your ORCA sensor is covered by a 1-year limited warranty from the date of delivery. See our Warranty Policy for full terms.

For any question, issue, or feedback:

• Email: support@orcastrength.ca
• Response time: within 1 business day
• Post-sale support portal: /contact/support

Thank you for training with ORCA. Now go move some weight.