Garmin BlueChart Mobile - iPhone / iPad app - New Scuttlebutt or Gouge?

[JimFromMD]

So back in Feb/March there was a press release about Garmin teaming with ActiveCaptain to develop and release the new BlueChart Mobile iPhone/iPad app. Latest I saw was that it was due in June 2012. Garmin's website says "Summer 2012"....

Anyone heard/seen any new scuttlebutt or gouge about when we may actually see it released?

 

[kaz911]

For the BlueChart mobile to be released - Garmin needs to release the "Network" hardware/gateway first.

And as I can see you have the 720 - you might not be able to use it - unless Garmin makes it NMEA2000 based. Once can hope for a "Multi box" that is NMEA2000 and CAN net based. I would love a box with Ethernet & Wifi, CAN Network and NMEA2000.

But if they want to do "Advanced" things with the gateway - it needs to have CAN Network - else Garmins product will be "behind" Raymarine & Furuno in "Wireless access" - which I don't think will happen.

But I think in general - that what we are waiting for is a Major refresh of the entire Garmin GPS line since the 700 series is the newest - and that is now 2 1/2 years old. And with the Major refresh we will get the "Wireless Interface" as add on module to older units. The 6000/7000 series is 2 3/4 years old - and the 4000/5000 series is 5+ years old.

 

[JimFromMD]

All the wireless stuff would be great, but I'd be happy to just be able to view / search / review my charts from my phone or somewhere other than the boat. I really like using the laptop software to pre plan my routes, but it would be great to be able to have access even to just the charts from the iphone or ipad when talking to someone or finding/showing a place to meet up. I know there are other packages out there already available like navionics etc, but after making an investment in all the electronics and vision chip... it's not fun to have to drop more cash for another capability that's not compatible.