Is Active Captain still useful? How to add a location.

[PJHoffnet]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

... BTW - Garmin has since brought AquaMap

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

and to the reader who just posted on the bob423 icw FB page looking for amno to say I'm wrong about garmin and aquamap, how many other sites are you "traveling" around in looking for opportunity to correct the internet?

I could be wrong, but does it matter any little bit

Well, that would be me ... and I was simply surprised to see where you said that Garmin had bought AquaMaps because I had not heard/read that over on the ICW site that always has great AquaMap information. If it's correct, hats off to ya ... if it's not, well, then it's not.

Just as a FYI, I'm always willing to correct what I believe is incorrectly stated in forums so people have the truth - is that such a terrible thing?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

SB1, do you know if it has full capabilities in the Android version? Did you ever use it? It seems that the tutorial is only available on iOS, I wonder if everything else is avalibale on both operating systems.

We have been running both iPad and Android the last few weeks. So far the Android version is working just fine and the only thing I can't seem to get it to do is project the gps heading like on my iPad

far as the tutorial, the settings and everything on both are pretty much the same far as I can tell

[PamlicoTraveler]

I trust crowd source more than I do sponsored descriptions, especially if is from other sailors that I know or know to have a good feel for what makes a good anchorage or marina. If I don't trust other sailors then I have to rely on the marina that writes it's own description somewhere or some 5 year old guidebook. So that's not the issue for me.

I am just having trouble entering new spots on there. I can review existing anchorages or marinas, but not enter new ones. I am trying it on the internet and on my android phone. I have an account and can see the charts etc but not enter a new spot for comment.

[PJHoffnet]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

BTW - Garmin has since brought AquaMap

This statement is incorrect as verified with the app's author/owner.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by PamlicoTraveler

I am just having trouble entering new spots on there. I can review existing anchorages or marinas, but not enter new ones. I am trying it on the internet and on my android phone. I have an account and can see the charts etc but not enter a new spot for comment.

Not sure this is the problem, but you have to register/log-in to AC in order to post a new entry. I know some people had problems logging in to the new (Garmin) AC with their old AC log-in. You might have to do so now by registering on the Garmin website.

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

BTW - Garmin has since brought AquaMap

Wait, WHAT???

Can someone point me to a press release or other such official info?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by PJHoffnet

This statement is incorrect as verified with the app's author/owner.

Great, you win

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by PJHoffnet

This statement is incorrect as verified with the app's author/owner.

Good, because if Garmin did, it would be to kill it, like they did their App.
The Aquamap is in my opinion the only App I’ve found that is as good as or better than the Garmin blue chart App was.

C-map has Explorer data, which is great, but Aquamaps has the actual Explorer charts, not just the data, which is better.

[dakno]

AC seems more difficult to use now so I have been using Waterwayguide now the way I used to use AC.

[Rastarea]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Good, because if Garmin did, it would be to kill it, like they did their App.
The Aquamap is in my opinion the only App I’ve found that is as good as or better than the Garmin blue chart App was.

C-map has Explorer data, which is great, but Aquamaps has the actual Explorer charts, not just the data, which is better.

What about EMBARK with c-map charts, free to use when online or pay to download charts, anybody using it?

[sailorboy1]

I’m in an area I don’t know. Anchored in a place i’ve never been.

Yet I knew the depth and the bottom type and knew where to take the dinghy in order to get ashore and go to the store and get some ribeye steaks and wine for dinner.

All because other cruiser/boaters have posted the details on Active Captain. So Active Captain int dea, please take the time post reviews etc even if it is a little harder than in the past.

[wannacat]

I've done the same thing that "danko" has done. I had nothing but problems trying to re-register with the new AC once Garmin took over so I gave up on it totally.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by PamlicoTraveler

I know there has been a lot said about Garmin acquiring Active Captain, and a lot of issues for developers. I am of course just interested in the practical effect on a casual user.

I haven't used it in a while until recently, and I am really confused. It used to be like Trip Advisor - you go somewhere (anchor somewhere) and then rate and review it. If you found a new anchorage you marked it and made your comments and it was there for all to see.

Am I seeing that now it is different? If I go to a particular spot that someone has already listed and is showing as an anchorage I can review it, but I am unable to mark a new anchorage. That seems crazy and is that really true?

I don't have a Garmin chartplotter, but I do have an inReach and I have Navionics charts. What am I missing? How do I use Active Captain now and if it has changed so significantly, what are the current alternatives?

We were unable to apply our Active Captain data and password after Garmen. They send standard form letters for a while for the conversion but nothing worked. Garmen was unresponsive in handling the problem. I gave up.

I suggest you check out zuluwaterways as the replacement. The founders are responsive to suggestions and it’s reasonably easy to use.

[Fluenta]

I missed the messages to migrate my account as we were away from internet for a few months. As we prepare to return to North America I did start a new account and download the Active Captain data to Coastal Explorer. Seems to work well in Coastal Explorer offline and the Active Captain webpage was easier enough to use to create some new anchorage data.

[hpeer]

The Aqua Map charts outside the USA are sketchy. Some good, some not. I don’t use Aqua Map for navigation but mostly for planning. Still it has been a life saver in some instances. I really like, their support has been top notch.

I’d like to give a shout out to an app called Pocket Earth, for land navigation. We are traveling quite a bit and his app allows you to download very detailed road maps with some stores, infrastructure noted. For instance accurate maps of Dominique and Grenada, handy when trying to find the hospital. They also have a topo plug-in. I’ve been looking at Greenland and it’s the ONLY info I can find that lists the various towns. It’s been very helpful.

INavex is struggling since the demise of Fugawi (bastards!) as they relied on Fugawi for their chart licenses. Here’s hoping they can work through this mess. It’s a great product.