Name: Garmin ActiveCaptain
Rating: 3.91705 (1519 reviews)

Description

The free ActiveCaptain app creates a powerful connection between your compatible mobile device and Garmin chartplotter, charts, maps and the boating community. Whether you use your Garmin products for cruising, fishing, sailing or diving, this all-in-one app will help you enjoy your time on the water. Just pair the app with your compatible chartplotter to wirelessly transfer and access charts and maps, updates, routes, waypoints and helpful feedback from the ActiveCaptain Community. And, with the purchase of the OnDeck Hub (1), you can track and monitor your boat from virtually anywhere. The ultimate connected boating experience begins here with a boatload of features at your fingertips. Please note, this app is not recommended for non-Garmin chartplotter owners and is not intended to be a standalone navigational app. FEATURES AVAILABLE: - ONECHART: > Purchase charts from your mobile device and upload them on all your registered Garmin chartplotters at any time. You will get exceptional coverage, clarity and detail with charts that feature integrated Garmin and Navionics® data. Plus, the NOAA raster cartography (2) can be downloaded for free through the ActiveCaptain app > Access and update charts with the ActiveCaptain app from nearly anywhere and wirelessly transfer them to your Garmin chartplotter the next time you’re on the water. - PLAN A TRIP: Plan your trip or e-scout a new fishing spot all before you’re on the water. Then, transfer your data to your chartplotter where you can view your routes and waypoints.  - USER DATA SYNC: Automatically back up and sync your data between your chartplotter and the ActiveCaptain app. - ACTIVECAPTAIN COMMUNITY: Join a community of fellow boaters to get up-to-date feedback on marinas, boat ramps and other points of interests. Check ratings, read reviews, and view pictures of various POIs to make informed decisions on the water. Plus, you can contribute to the community by adding POIs, reviews and pictures from your compatible mobile device. - CONTROL YOUR CHARTPLOTTER: Using the built-in Helm™ feature, the ActiveCaptain app lets you view and control your compatible (3) chartplotter from your smartphone or tablet, even when someone else is at the helm (4). - EASY SOFTWARE UPDATES: Receive notifications about the most recent software updates directly from the app, and update your chartplotter wirelessly. - ONDECK HUB (1): Use the ActiveCaptain app to monitor and control your OnDeck system from nearly anywhere. Door open? Bilge running? Peace of mind comes in the form of text alerts and updates. - QUICKDRAWTM COMMUNITY: Need more depth detail for your next fishing trip? Is a lake uncharted? Download the latest HD 1’ contours maps shared by your fellow boaters and sync with your chartplotter. You can also easily upload your own Quickdraw Contours. - SMART NOTIFICATIONS (4): Connect the app to your chartplotter and turn on smart notifications to see calls, text messages and more on the chartplotter display while your phone is somewhere safe and dry. Download the app now to use all these features and get the most out of your time on and off the water. FOOTNOTES 1) OnDeck Hub sold separately and requires an active subscription plan. 2) NOAA Raster cartography cannot be viewed on echoMAP CHIRP and ECHOMAP Plus combos but can be viewed on mobile devices via the ActiveCaptain mobile app. 3) Helm is not compatible with ECHOMAP series chartplotters. 4) Check device compatibility on the ActiveCaptain App web page; Visit Garmin.com > Marine > App

Screenshots

Reviews

Complicated and flaky

1. Won’t synch purchased maps with my Garmin chart plotter (8617). (Halts at 99% and gets stuck there) 2. No map detail with g3 Lake vu except in raster. 3. Guide To doesn’t plot a course as advertised. 4. Transfer from past owner was painful and confusing. 5. Slow uploads. 6. No restart logic when mobile briefly loses contact with chart plotter so uploads restart (walking on eggshells because it takes over an hour). It gets 2 stars because it did actually update my Garmin 8617 software.
By LEFitz

Better than FishSmart

This app alone is worth switching away from humminbird. Transferring too and from unit is slow but easy. Lake master maps are better th the g3 maps though.
By cwsmith410

Al Carpenter

Love the app
By Al's Mako

Great App

Works great. You can save points quickly on the mobile app and transfer them later. Makes updating your electronic so easy especially if you network your devices.
By bullbatrel

Pretty good but needs work

I love that I can mirror the plotter to my phone and tablet. However, getting there took time with support. You must disable cellular data in order for Helm to show the video feed. You can still press buttons and the thumbnail will reflect that, but no video. There are in app settings and phone settings so it can be seamless. This app helps when we are cozy down below and need to get some info about what’s going on up top and around us. While we are not using it to its full potential, the bells and whistles we have are pretty great. 3 stars due to the cellular issues and cannot pinch to zoom on Helm. A few other minor frustrations. Can’t wait until any tablet can be used as a full replacement for a plotter and all instrumentation is available wirelessly. Still, hands on analog data is still pretty hard to beat. If you wanna impress the hotties, this app will do it. If you wanna impress your fishing buddies, this app will do it. Be prepared for jeers from the fuddyduddy and boomer crowd.
By Em Anni

??

This app needs a tutorial, have no idea what the heck I’m doing!!!
By TRX179guy

Love this app!!!

This takes boating to the next level and makes it easy and seamless. I love being able to update, do trip planning etc. Without actually having to be on the device, then upload everything at the arrival to the boat.
By SV Bella Victoria...

CHARTS

Charts are not as detailed as the Navionics charts. Since Garmin now owns the rights to Navionics why are we still dealing with these poor chart graphics. A lot of money spent to be having such poor detailing.
By Denism2793