Any Updated Experience with Garmin BlueChart?

FootballFan

Well-Known Member
Jun 20, 2012
3,567
Florida
Boat Info
Marquis 59
Engines
MTU Series 60
I have been holding off upgrading my iPad ios due to concerns about messing up the current version of Bluechart.

Thought I had read somewhere that it is being replaced but there were problems with the new app.

Any current insight to the BlueChart world?

Thanks,

Mark
 
Bluechart and ActiveCaptain seem ok with iOS 11.2.5, but it's my off-season so I haven't given them much of a test. Do you know of any specific issues?
 
I tried their new Android app. But I can't get it to download any Active Captain data, always get an error message... Oh well... Have not tried it again as the boat is on the hard. I'll search again in the spring..
 
Could someone help with the difference between BlueChart and the Active Captain App?

I do have Garmin electronics on the helm and will eventually get around to enabling the network.

THanks
 
The Active Captain app combines the functions of BlueChart Mobile / AC with Garmin Helm (WiFi remote of your plotter). It also includes utilities such as OTA updates.
 
Could someone help with the difference between BlueChart and the Active Captain App?

I do have Garmin electronics on the helm and will eventually get around to enabling the network.

THanks
Active Captain overlays BlueChart and provides on the charts Active Captain current data provided you update regularly. Active Captain updates separately from the BlueChart's updates much like opening a web page. Active Captain provides traveler inputted information on places, stops, fuel, hotels, marinas, routes, etc. As well as information, the traveler's rate their experience. It's a nice feature to have for traveling. I use it constantly in the Bahamas.
 
Roller Coaster,

We are right by you and I am just wondering are you using an IPad that has the built in gps and cell service or an external gps antenna?

I want to use an IPad as a back up for my Garmin 8212.

Thanks
Ed
 
To address the original question, BlueChart Mobile has been discontinued per the Garmin site and a search of the App Store for it was negative. So, if you want to keep using BlueChart Mobile it might indeed be a good idea to not do anything that would break it.
As noted previously, the new "Garmin ActiveCaptain" app combines the previous functions of BlueChart Mobile, Garmin Helm and ActiveCaptain. A good thing for Garmin owners is that it will utilize whatever charts you already own for your MFD instead of having to pay for a separate subscription. Not so good news for non-Garmin owners who will have to buy a Garmin Chart to use the app. I think any chart you might buy is going to be more expensive than what the BlueChart Mobile fee used to be.
 
To address the original question, BlueChart Mobile has been discontinued per the Garmin site and a search of the App Store for it was negative. So, if you want to keep using BlueChart Mobile it might indeed be a good idea to not do anything that would break it.
As noted previously, the new "Garmin ActiveCaptain" app combines the previous functions of BlueChart Mobile, Garmin Helm and ActiveCaptain. A good thing for Garmin owners is that it will utilize whatever charts you already own for your MFD instead of having to pay for a separate subscription. Not so good news for non-Garmin owners who will have to buy a Garmin Chart to use the app. I think any chart you might buy is going to be more expensive than what the BlueChart Mobile fee used to be.

That's exactly where I am at.

I have been using BlueChart for my Active Captain data.

Have read that BlueChart is out of the app store. Also read that if you had purchased maps for BlueChart, but not yet downloaded an area, you are able to anymore. I just tested this and was able to download.

Also went thru the reviews on the App Active Captain in the App Store - they were horrible. Doesn't instill a lot of confidence in the app. One comment that was particularly disturbing was the requirement to login each time (have not downloaded the app, so can't confirm).

The vision of being able to manage my Helm plotter charts is good. I already have most of the charts on the helm equipment (Garmin), but from what I am reading this will give me updates.

I am worried about my iPad upgrading - then BlueChart doesn't work - then I don't have the easy access to the AC Database. We are in new areas all the time and I have really come to depend on the AC data for hazards, local knowledge - and finding marinas.

Would hate to cruise without BlueChart.

Mark
 
That's exactly where I am at.

I have been using BlueChart for my Active Captain data.

Have read that BlueChart is out of the app store. Also read that if you had purchased maps for BlueChart, but not yet downloaded an area, you are able to anymore. I just tested this and was able to download.

Also went thru the reviews on the App Active Captain in the App Store - they were horrible. Doesn't instill a lot of confidence in the app. One comment that was particularly disturbing was the requirement to login each time (have not downloaded the app, so can't confirm).

The vision of being able to manage my Helm plotter charts is good. I already have most of the charts on the helm equipment (Garmin), but from what I am reading this will give me updates.

I am worried about my iPad upgrading - then BlueChart doesn't work - then I don't have the easy access to the AC Database. We are in new areas all the time and I have really come to depend on the AC data for hazards, local knowledge - and finding marinas.

Would hate to cruise without BlueChart.

Mark
Mark, I installed ActiveCaptain too late in my season to give it much of a workout underway but I have played with it several times over the winter and it seems to work fine. I just fired it up and did not need to login although it did do a Face ID check at one point when I accessed my chart library. If I were you I would install the app and get it set up, a no-brainer if you already own Garmin charts. I have had both BlueChart and ActiveCaptain installed concurrently for several months so I don't believe there is a problem having both. I found the initial setup to be cumbersome and confusing which may have led to some of the bad reviews. You do need to have a Garmin Express account set up and your devices and charts registered for everything to work. The plotter needs to have the latest software version installed to be able to interact with the app. If your MFD has w-fi, the app can update both your charts and the system software.
 
Active Captain overlays BlueChart and provides on the charts Active Captain current data provided you update regularly. Active Captain updates separately from the BlueChart's updates much like opening a web page. Active Captain provides traveler inputted information on places, stops, fuel, hotels, marinas, routes, etc. As well as information, the traveler's rate their experience. It's a nice feature to have for traveling. I use it constantly in the Bahamas.

Mott, they both do that. Active Captain data is part of the legacy Bluechart Mobile app as well as the new AC app.
 
Roller Coaster,

We are right by you and I am just wondering are you using an IPad that has the built in gps and cell service or an external gps antenna?

I want to use an IPad as a back up for my Garmin 8212.

Thanks
Ed

I have both apps on both of my iOS devices. My iPad has cell/GPS. I don't use Bluechart Mobile when a legit plotter is available, but I like to have a back-up. I've used it on friend's boats and on the 280, but I find it to be a fairly lousy plotter. Panning/zooming sets orientation from Head-Up to North-up. As a result, I steered a 27 Formula out of a mangrove channel and into mud! It was 100% my fault, but I was frustrated enough with the app to complain to Garmin. They quickly replied and informed me that BCM is a plotting tool, and not a navigation tool. No apologies. That was years ago. They never addressed that issue, so I guess they take that stance seriously.

Last fall I bought a Garmin 741 to serve as a back-up to my 8212, as a secondary screen and to provide WiFi connectivity. (had I planned far enough ahead, I wouldn't have needed to install a card reader for the 8212...?)

I haven't had a chance to connect the AC app to the plotters via WiFi yet.
 
RollerCoastr,

I guess I made the same mistake as you I installed the card reader also and I just talked to my buddy to get me a 741 because he gets a discount from Garmin at the up coming boat show. I was mainly going to use it for an MFD for engine data.

Ed
 
I have Garmin 7612xsv's. Interested in any experience integrating with iPad.

Thanks
 
Well on the bright side, now we have plenty of SD slots to work with!

I look forward to hearing about your integration.
I hope to finish up the install of the 8212 when it gets a bit warmer and as time permits between carpet jobs on 3 boats so our boat always comes last. I tore all the old Ray Marine stuff out and the old wiring and started from scratch
 

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