Is Active Captain the only solution??

[Out-Station]

Hi all, looking to find some PC based software to run my garmin G2 charts in. I once had homeport, thought it was great, seems like homeport is now dead in the water. From quick bit of research it looks like active captain (not pc friendly, only phones and i-pads) is where its all at unfortunately. Just thought i would check to see if anyone had come up with another garmin friendly PC planner style software option?
Scott

[stevej]

1695956[/URL]]Hi all, looking to find some PC based software to run my garmin G2 charts in. I once had homeport, thought it was great, seems like homeport is now dead in the water. From quick bit of research it looks like active captain (not pc friendly, only phones and i-pads) is where its all at unfortunately. Just thought i would check to see if anyone had come up with another garmin friendly PC planner style software option?
Scott

I Havnt found anything to replace homeport

Decent sounders with shit software options

i don’t know how many times I’ve had to reset them to do a update

[Out-Station]

Steve, can i still download homeport, garmin website wouldn't let me?

[Dignity]

Steve, can i still download homeport, garmin website wouldn't let me?

Well that's a bugger. I use it constantly even though it is a little bit retro.
Active Captain is not very friendly on older systems. Not everyone updates their hardware every 2 years which is what the manufacturers seem to expect these days. When you consider a current model around 10 inches is 3 grand and you need another transducer around 1 to 2 grand, it's not what the zverage boatie can afford.

[Out-Station]

Yep, seems a bit lacking in the Garmin stable. I ran homeport for a good 4 or 5 years, thought it was great, ah well, im only 49.25 so might have a chance at making active captain work.

[Ah Me Ting]

Steve, can i still download homeport, garmin website wouldn't let me?

Looks like the "HomePort" software is available to download here:

https://www8.garmin.com/support/down...ls.jsp?id=7264

[Ah Me Ting]

Yep, seems a bit lacking in the Garmin stable. I ran homeport for a good 4 or 5 years, thought it was great, ah well, im only 49.25 so might have a chance at making active captain work.

Just a couple of 'heads up' if using ActiveCaptain:

1. Watch if downloading 'community' quickdraw contours ... it automatically, and irreversibly, signs you up to uploading and sharing your own QuickDraw contours (many users don't want to give away their detailed mapping and got a rude shock when their contours were uploaded)

2. Software updates (firmware) tend to glitch more than direct PC download IME, and per online user groups. Once a software update is loaded, there is no going backwards, easily (some online hacks to do it that are not supported by Garmin). I use direct internet download and install via SD Card and haven't had issues (previously ActiveCaptain downloads created issues for me)

3. Watch out for 'map updates' which are expensive and often not the best value for money option. You might be better off buying a new map product than upgrade an old existing one, so check the options, details, and not assume you're presented with the best value option.

NOTE: Garmin have just recently announced the new Garmin Navionics+ mapping products for Garmin Chartplotters. Again, check the detail, as it appears from the US users, the new products are not different than the g3 mapping products but come with an 'annual subscription' (g3 maps you own and decide if you want to pay for an update). Reports of needing the subscription renewed or lose the map access after the 12 months.

[Ah Me Ting]

Well that's a bugger. I use it constantly even though it is a little bit retro.
Active Captain is not very friendly on older systems. Not everyone updates their hardware every 2 years which is what the manufacturers seem to expect these days. When you consider a current model around 10 inches is 3 grand and you need another transducer around 1 to 2 grand, it's not what the zverage boatie can afford.

Yeah, look, I went through the whole research about 12 months ago. IME you don't need t spend those $$$

Garmin Ultra 105sv comes with maps included and transducer ... currently $2,666

https://www.anacondastores.com/fishi...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

The Ultra 125sv, so next screen size up at 12", with same in built maps and with a good transducer is currently $3,550

https://www.anacondastores.com/fishi...90169408-black

I think a lot of users get caught up in the 'flagship' GPSMAP range, for which you have to buy maps and transducer separately. For most recreational fisho's the Ultra range provides exceptional value, IME. I'm running an Ultra 125sv and have had the GT54 and now GT54 transducer reading the bottom and fish out in 80m of water off the Tweed Coast. If deeper water coverage is needed, the GT51 transducer comes on special from time to time around the $600 to $650 mark.

[tunaticer]

I think they have dropped the ball offering apps that are not as good as the old Mapsource they used to have.
Especially in waypoint management and editing.
I haven't found a decent program since Mapsource.

[Out-Station]

Yep, seems like hard work, aka flogging a dead horse. I tried downloading homeport but getting various error trying to run it (new laptop). Anyway, thinking ill give active captain a go and work from there. Bloody frustrating though. Thanks for the help all.
Scott