Garmin ActiveCaptain

First, if you’re not pairing this with a Garmin chartplotter, don’t even bother downloading. I had Bluechart prior and that was a fantastic standalone program. That program was the reason I bought a new Garmin chartplotter in the first place. I still keep it on my iPad for reference. This is designed for use with a Garmin compatible chartplotter. The main issue/problem with this is how slow it renders the maps when you open the program. They claim the map has more detail but it still shouldn’t take almost a minute to fully load. I’m running this on an iPad Pro and reloaded the program in an attempt to correct. Still slow. Cut down map detail and size of downloaded charts, still slow. When using Active Captain from the app, you can only read 10 reviews of a location, some outdated. To see all the reviews of a location/anchorage, you have to go to the Active Captain WEB site. A problem on the water without internet connectivity and even if you had WiFi, you’re switching between programs. This app has a lot of great features when paired to the chartplotter, like updating maps and software, controlling chartplotter from iPad, however until they fix the painfully slow map loading speed, it only gets 3 stars. Let’s hope they keep updating the App and improving.

We just spent 2 weeks at New Port Cove at Lake Worth Inlet and couldn’t be more pleased with the service, location, and personnel. While waiting for a crossing window, we had some repairs done to our trawler and provisioned for a 3 month trip to the Abacos. We were an easy walk to Boat Owner’s Warehouse, Publix, BBT bank, Walgreen’s, multiple sport fishing stores, and Auto Zone and a cheap Uber ride to Walmart. The surrounding neighborhoods have seen tough times but we were met on our dog walks through them with consistently friendly people, multiple home and property renovations, and a huge presence of Rybovich boat yard’s expansion. GM Jim Nester is doing a great job updating the marina and getting (and keeping) enthusiastic and helpful staff. This was our second stay, and we will definitely be back. With all that and a 15 minute trip to Lake Worth Inlet, what more could you want?

Hi, I noticed the app has a 1.8 rating so I just had to weigh in and give it 5 stars. Yesterday, I downloaded the app and synced it with my 7612xsv and everything worked flawlessly!! Connected to my home WiFi, walked through all the prompts added a 32gig card and everything worked perfectly. She updated the software, found the network, walked through every feature and just did exactly what was advertised!! I even had the 7612 and my iPhone talking so well that my mfd chart displayed on my iPhone and I could control the mfd from the phone!! It was pretty cool and will be useful when I don’t want to sit at the helm to program and create trips. The iPhone app has lots of accurate info and I’m positive I will use it frequently. So, great job Garmin, keep improving and thank you for keeping this free!! Safe boating all!!

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Latest update - WHAT bug fixes? Publish real release notes! Garmin, please pull HELM back out of Active Captain! Helm has been totally dysfunctional since being integrated into Active Captain. There seems to just be too much overhead with whatever else is going on in Active Captain, and connection, updating and reliability of Helm has deteriorated to the point that it simply can no longer be trusted. I simply do not understand what you were thinking that it you thought it was a good idea to integrate it. I LOVED Garmin Helm as a stand alone product. Now: Connection is now problematic. The screen locks up. It repeatedly disconnects from the chart plotter. It has to be reconnected every time you want to use it. The chart plotter shuts off WiFi and Bluetooth and has to be reconfigured to start the session again! None of this is acceptable when you are on the bow trying to keep an eye on the depth to drop anchor, or navigate through shoals! It is dangerous. The last thing one needs to be doing is running back down to the pilothouse to reestablish a connection when what you need to be doing is paying attention to the work at hand! You have managed to RUIN a great product. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pull it back out as a standalone product. There is no rational need for it to integrated with Active Captain. It adds no value by having them integrated, and doing so has ruined the utility of Helm.

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GPS location on the app used to work and with all Location Services turned on, it shows me in Miami?? I’m in the Bahamas! I’ve contacted customer service and after multiple responses they told me Active Captain was not designed to be a chart plotter. I don’t need it to be...just want it to show my actual location. The only thing this app is good for is plotting a course and syncing it with your chart plotter...but only after you’ve found your actual location. Was looking into a Raymarine switch but found Garmin bought Navionics! Thought paying the extra $$ for Garmin would be worth it. You guys have proved me wrong. Garmin: get your stuff together. Oh, and your customer service is only available 5 days a week?! We cruise full time but isn’t 95% of boating activity done during the 2 days you’re closed? I’m afraid all of these acquisitions are showing consumers/users you’re more interested in profitability than quality. I’ll be seeking alternatives in the future.