The death of Active Captain

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by svfinlandia

Sorry, I didn't see the other threads or I would not have started a new one. Would just have added to the old ones.

What apps are you using on your laptop and your other devices?

MaxSea TimeZero on the laptop; Plan2Nav and MX Mariner on the Android devices.

-Chris

[AJ_n_Audrey]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

I updated AC markers on all three apps we use (1 on a laptap, 2 on two different Android tablets and an Android phone) with no problems.

There were a couple more AC-focused threads here, a few weeks back... with all that PolarNav, GDPR, and Panbo info...

-Chris

I am currently watching my AC on the iPad update, so AC is still okay. What I can't update is the Garmin Bluecharts on the iPad, but at least I still have the charts I bought last year.

[svfinlandia]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I just went to the website and it's working just fine

Of course it still works on the website, as long as you have Internet service. What we're talking about here are apps on things like iPad and cell phones so that you can use ActiveCaptain when you do not have Internet service by downloading it when you do and using it when you are out of range.

Al, S/V Finlandia

[svfinlandia]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

MaxSea TimeZero on the laptop; Plan2Nav and MX Mariner on the Android devices.

-Chris

Thanks Chris. I don't use any of those and the ones I do use will no longer update the ActiveCaptain information. My main navigation program that I use most on the iPad is PolarView MX and it looks like they have decided, at least for now, to opt out of the Active Captain program.

Al, S/V Finlandia

[svfinlandia]

I just received the following email from Jeff :

The problem with PolarView is that is isn't a successful enough product and the developer doesn't want to spend more time and resources with it. That's the bottom line with it.

I haven't heard of another developer who is rejecting the next API. In fact, new developers have contacted me about getting started with it.

I'm not sure if community communications is something Garmin is used to yet. This is all new to them. You'll just have to trust me that their intentions are in the right place and the future of ActiveCaptain is very solid over the long term. It is in a much better state today than it was when Karen and I ran it. Give it until the end of the year to see what's coming.

I wrote back and told him that I do trust him, that he is never steered me wrong, but I do wish that Garmin would put out a press release or an article in the boating magazines to let the world know that it will be a while before everything settles in and works again.

Al, S/V Finlandia

[basssears]

Just tried to update on PolarView, got the notification that data won't be downloadable after around May 23rd, but then continues on trying to download and gives error "Unable to connect to ActiveCaptain host" so looks like PolarView is out as of now?

Sigh...

[TheThunderbird]

Any less dramatic heading, for st close to a misinterpreted ranting!?

They didn't steal the candy box.

[uncle stinkybob]

Originally Posted by TheThunderbird

Any less dramatic heading, for st close to a misinterpreted ranting!?

They didn't steal the candy box.

But it's next in line for popular topics here, right next to political vomiting, banning and morals.

[trifan]

Originally Posted by Bleemus

Why can't the PR team at Garmin put out a simple press release outlining the future of Active Captain and it's availability on the web and products other than Garmin branded ones? As a guy who was married to a high profile PR person for many years this current lack of clarity would be unacceptable. They are damaging their brand, encouraging people to migrate to the inferior Waterways Guide, and basically showing the PR policy of amateurs. Tsk tsk.

Unfortunately, with extant educational standards, this behavior is the norm and I fear it will only worsen. It is incredibly difficult to find employees with critical thinking skills, knowledge of basic grammar and math comprehension. Logic? Forget it. So I don't wonder that Garmin's PR sucks. Sadly, they are not alone.

[zboss]

The new Garmin all-in-one app sucks and there was nothing wrong with BlueChart. I’m basically copying over all the info from activecaptain so I don’t have to use it anymore. I’ve stopped using the new Garmin app... it’s too buggy, to kludgy, and too limiting. I’ve started using the navionics app for planning.

[roland stockham]

Just checked mine using Plan2nav (Cmap product for android) software and no apparent issues so does not seam to apply to all software. One issue I have found with freeware/open source is that updates take longer. Understandable as they rely on the community to do them rather than a paid full time team. I love open source and there are some really good programs out there but you have to accept a few limitations. This is different to 'freeware' which is not really free just paid for by advertising rather than subscriptions.

[svfinlandia]

Originally Posted by TheThunderbird

Any less dramatic heading, for st close to a misinterpreted ranting!?
They didn't steal the candy box.

Sorry Thunderbird. I guess I should have put a question mark after the title.

Al, S/V Finlandia

[northwestsailor]

Several points:
1) I use the Charts & Tides app on my iPad for AC. Just updated without errors.

2) Garmin as a company makes great products. However they do seem to have a corporate policy of abandoning legacy hardware and software when they have something better that is selling well. Just my observation after several both marine and aviation related products and services that were “terminated”.

3) for better or worse I have sworn off Garmin products for that reason. Have had problems with other brands too so I guess you have to “pick your poison.”

4) it would a big pity if AC does become proprietary in the end. I would not switch to Garmin because for it but would probably make me distrust the company even more even though they have every right to do what they want with the information we as boaters have entered freely.

[Argyle38]

Originally Posted by roland stockham

Just checked mine using Plan2nav (Cmap product for android) software and no apparent issues so does not seam to apply to all software. One issue I have found with freeware/open source is that updates take longer. Understandable as they rely on the community to do them rather than a paid full time team. I love open source and there are some really good programs out there but you have to accept a few limitations. This is different to 'freeware' which is not really free just paid for by advertising rather than subscriptions.

Same here. This is my offline app that I have been using for a while. DL'd the updated database a couple of weeks ago. Seems to be no problem.

Plan2nav is ok, but hopefully with Garmin owning Navionics as well, the AC database will be available for that app sometime soon.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by svfinlandia

Of course it still works on the website, as long as you have Internet service. What we're talking about here are apps on things like iPad and cell phones so that you can use ActiveCaptain when you do not have Internet service by downloading it when you do and using it when you are out of range.

Al, S/V Finlandia

THat stop working before the Garmin purchase. Best work around I found was to buy the Aqu Map app, which is a good backup chart as a bonus