![]() ![]() In fact, the app has been in development at Garmin for three years, and Garmin only acquired ActiveCaptain last May. Note that ActiveCaptain the app is very much about integration of mobiles with Garmin marine electronics, and so far not particularly about the excellent ActiveCaptain crowdsourced cruising information many of us associate with the name. ![]() Here’s what the new ActiveCaptain page looks like on a Garmin display, in this case a GPSmap 742xs. In short, when Garmin touts ActiveCaptain as an “all-in-one” app, they are not exaggerating! On the other hand, the charts, which allow you to plan trips wherever you are now, cost nothing, as long as you already own the same area on a compatible WiFi-enabled Garmin display - a major feature called OneChart.Īnd finally the Helm tab is just like the standalone Helm app that has long allowed Garmin owners to view and control their WiFi MFDs with their phone or tablet when on the boat. Meanwhile the Chart tab is very much like the BlueChart Mobile app Garmin introduced in 2012, except the weather features are not included (yet). Using and/or sharing QuickDraw crowdsourced depth data also got a whole lot easier, and more. The Dashboard offers a set of utilities like setting up the novel Smart Notifications, as well as familiar tasks like Software Updates that used to be much harder to do. If deeper water coverage is needed, the GT51 transducer comes on special from time to time around the $600 to $650 mark.Let’s start with a peek at the three major tabs in the free Garmin ActiveCaptain app, as seen above on my Android phone (click the image larger for more detail). I'm running an Ultra 125sv and have had the GT54 and now GT54 transducer reading the bottom and fish out in 80m of water off the Tweed Coast. For most recreational fisho's the Ultra range provides exceptional value, IME. I think a lot of users get caught up in the 'flagship' GPSMAP range, for which you have to buy maps and transducer separately. The Ultra 125sv, so next screen size up at 12", with same in built maps and with a good transducer is currently $3,550 Garmin Ultra 105sv comes with maps included and transducer. Yeah, look, I went through the whole research about 12 months ago. When you consider a current model around 10 inches is 3 grand and you need another transducer around 1 to 2 grand, it's not what the zverage boatie can afford. Not everyone updates their hardware every 2 years which is what the manufacturers seem to expect these days. I use it constantly even though it is a little bit retro.Īctive Captain is not very friendly on older systems. Reports of needing the subscription renewed or lose the map access after the 12 months. Again, check the detail, as it appears from the US users, the new products are not different than the g3 mapping products but come with an 'annual subscription' (g3 maps you own and decide if you want to pay for an update). NOTE: Garmin have just recently announced the new Garmin Navionics+ mapping products for Garmin Chartplotters. You might be better off buying a new map product than upgrade an old existing one, so check the options, details, and not assume you're presented with the best value option. Watch out for 'map updates' which are expensive and often not the best value for money option. ![]() I use direct internet download and install via SD Card and haven't had issues (previously ActiveCaptain downloads created issues for me)ģ. Once a software update is loaded, there is no going backwards, easily (some online hacks to do it that are not supported by Garmin). Software updates (firmware) tend to glitch more than direct PC download IME, and per online user groups. ![]() it automatically, and irreversibly, signs you up to uploading and sharing your own QuickDraw contours (many users don't want to give away their detailed mapping and got a rude shock when their contours were uploaded)Ģ. Watch if downloading 'community' quickdraw contours. Just a couple of 'heads up' if using ActiveCaptain:ġ. I ran homeport for a good 4 or 5 years, thought it was great, ah well, im only 49.25 so might have a chance at making active captain work. Yep, seems a bit lacking in the Garmin stable. ![]()
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