Garmin Active Captain Bug

A

alnav

Well-Known Member
GOLD Sponsor
Sep 16, 2009
2,789
West River, MD
Boat Info
40 MY
Engines
QSB 425
I noticed at the end of last season that my Active Captain app would not display MFD screens on either my phone or iPad. I installed the latest updates today and thought it might clear up the problem but it didn't. So, got on the phone to Garmin Support. The tech had me disable cellular data on my phone and tablet and that cleared up the problem. He said the problem was known and that a fix will be in the Q2 (next few weeks) or Q3 update. The capability for devices to process cellular data whilst on wifi is relatively new (may only be 5G capable devices) and the dual data sources confuse the Garmin software. The problem for sure extends to Active Captain Community sync and may also affect chart and software updates (did the s/w update via SD card). Anyway, I thought I would pass this on in case others who may have a new phone or cellular tablet run into the issue before it is fixed.
 
alnav said:
I noticed at the end of last season that my Active Captain app would not display MFD screens on either my phone or iPad. I installed the latest updates today and thought it might clear up the problem but it didn't. So, got on the phone to Garmin Support. The tech had me disable cellular data on my phone and tablet and that cleared up the problem. He said the problem was known and that a fix will be in the Q2 (next few weeks) or Q3 update. The capability for devices to process cellular data whilst on wifi is relatively new (may only be 5G capable devices) and the dual data sources confuse the Garmin software. The problem for sure extends to Active Captain Community sync and may also affect chart and software updates (did the s/w update via SD card). Anyway, I thought I would pass this on in case others who may have a new phone or cellular tablet run into the issue before it is fixed.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads up. I updated all the Garmin devices through the cellular network three weeks ago (Iphone 5G) without issues. I'll be at the boat this weekend and see if any issues with the app.
 
Thanks for the heads up Al, Great info. Will also check it out this weekend.
 
Thanx for the heads up. I have not used ActiveCaptain yet, as I just ordered a Garmin Echomap UHD 74SV for my 220 Overnighter (my 1st real Garmin chartplotter) and won't have it till early next week.

Wanted to go for the 94SV (Older eyes = love for bigger screens), but boat has no room for it, being a 22 footer.

This will surely be something I will be aware of before getting all miffed about why there seems to be a problem.
 
SKybolt said:
Thanks for the heads up Al, Great info. Will also check it out this weekend.
Click to expand...

So I guess I am confused @alnav, I am able to use Garmin Helm on both my Pixel 6 pro and my android tablet. Both 1243's are at the latest firmware. Perhaps this is an Apple bug?

The Active Captain app is still real buggy with updating the mfd's via the app though. I still find it much easier to still use the mSD card.
 
SKybolt said:
So I guess I am confused @alnav, I am able to use Garmin Helm on both my Pixel 6 pro and my android tablet. Both 1243's are at the latest firmware. Perhaps this is an Apple bug?

The Active Captain app is still real buggy with updating the mfd's via the app though. I still find it much easier to still use the mSD card.
Click to expand...
I think you need to have a real-time active 5G connection for the problem to manifest. But, it could be just an Apple problem.
Agree on using a card instead of Active Captain, at least for major updates.
 
SKybolt said:
So I guess I am confused @alnav, I am able to use Garmin Helm on both my Pixel 6 pro and my android tablet. Both 1243's are at the latest firmware. Perhaps this is an Apple bug?

The Active Captain app is still real buggy with updating the mfd's via the app though. I still find it much easier to still use the mSD card.
Click to expand...
I don't see the issue on the Apple products - yet..... I did the latest updates off my Iphone with 5G without any hiccups at all last month. The only important thing is to have the Iphone on active power (plugged in) during the update process.
Hmmm or was it through the marina's WiFi......? My phone defaults to WiFi..
 
ttmott said:
... Hmmm or was it through the marina's WiFi......? My phone defaults to WiFi..
Click to expand...

alnav said:
I think you need to have a real-time active 5G connection for the problem to manifest. But, it could be just an Apple problem. ...
Click to expand...

Well same for me, I wasn't on 5G or LTE when I tested that and since you must have wifi on for Active Captain not sure how to test that. My phone is always connected via cell service and wifi on at the same time. I do have my phone set for downloading on both WiFi and Cell so that shouldn't come into play.
 
So there was another update that I did not check the fix's for, 26.20 but with that everything seems to work just fine. Connected 5G/LTE and WiFi and the Helm works just fine, although the layout is a little strange for some reason but it does still work. This with a Pixel 6 Pro.

Screenshot_20220412-184959.png


EDIT: So I am confused, they not only released 26.20 but also 27.10. All in a short amount of time, must be many bug fixes.

GPSMAP 1223/1243/1253 software version 27.10
as of April 7, 2022

Changes made from version 26.20 to 27.10:
  • Added support for quickly reviewing and modifying overlay toolbars.
  • Added support for pan-tilt-zoom IP cameras and target tracking.
  • Added support for controlling Power Pole shallow water anchors with overlay toolbar.
  • Added support for Garmin Voice Control using compatible USB-Bluetooth headsets.
  • Improved transfers of Android and iOS Activecaptain file transfers while app is minimized.
  • Added support to display Mercury Cruise overlay bar and control where available.
  • Added ability to select Heave preferred source if multiple sensors are present.
  • Other improvements and bug fixes.
Changes made from version 26.10 to 26.20:
  • Fixed an issue with SideVu causing units to freeze after long periods of time.
  • Fixed an issue with LiveScope Color Limit when used with Blue Palette.
  • Fixed an issue with depth range shading.
  • Other improvements and bug fixes.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for heads up. I’ve always thought it took too long to do the Garmin updates over the air and will start using an SD card. I’m assuming I can download the updates from the Garmin website?
 
SKybolt said:
So there was another update that I did not check the fix's for, 26.20 but with that everything seems to work just fine. Connected 5G/LTE and WiFi and the Helm works just fine, although the layout is a little strange for some reason but it does still work. This with a Pixel 6 Pro.

View attachment 124251

EDIT: So I am confused, they not only released 26.20 but also 27.10. All in a short amount of time, must be many bug fixes.

GPSMAP 1223/1243/1253 software version 27.10
as of April 7, 2022

Changes made from version 26.20 to 27.10:
  • Added support for quickly reviewing and modifying overlay toolbars.
  • Added support for pan-tilt-zoom IP cameras and target tracking.
  • Added support for controlling Power Pole shallow water anchors with overlay toolbar.
  • Added support for Garmin Voice Control using compatible USB-Bluetooth headsets.
  • Improved transfers of Android and iOS Activecaptain file transfers while app is minimized.
  • Added support to display Mercury Cruise overlay bar and control where available.
  • Added ability to select Heave preferred source if multiple sensors are present.
  • Other improvements and bug fixes.
Changes made from version 26.10 to 26.20:
  • Fixed an issue with SideVu causing units to freeze after long periods of time.
  • Fixed an issue with LiveScope Color Limit when used with Blue Palette.
  • Fixed an issue with depth range shading.
  • Other improvements and bug fixes.
Click to expand...
I think 26.20 was a bug fix for the January major update; that's what I installed last week. 27.10 just dropped and looks like it's the major April update. Voice Control looks interesting although there's not much documentation (as usual).
 
alnav said:
I think 26.20 was a bug fix for the January major update; that's what I installed last week. 27.10 just dropped and looks like it's the major April update. Voice Control looks interesting although there's not much documentation (as usual).
Click to expand...

Going to give this a try at some point in the next week. Will report back if anything to report.

But yes voice control looks interesting, I like the with compatible head sets and none are listed.
 
I think the coolest thing in this update, if you have the OnDeck hub, is that you can now control any NMEA switches you have connected right from the ActiveCaptain app. Can't wait to get back to the boat to install the updates.
 
bobeast said:
I think the coolest thing in this update, if you have the OnDeck hub, is that you can now control any NMEA switches you have connected right from the ActiveCaptain app. Can't wait to get back to the boat to install the updates.
Click to expand...

Being able to control lighting and such remotely IS pretty cool, I use mine (Maretron) a lot. For some reason I always forget to turn the engine room lights off and had to go back to the boat to check, and now I don't. What a pleasure to this, you will love it!
 
I installed 27.10 today and had no problems with cellular data or Helm view so looks like the fix was in the update.
I did open the imbedded manual and was pleased to see it is very much up-to-date and seems to have good descriptions of all the new functions. I came home and reviewed the entire manual and think it is much better than before so I take back my snide comment about poor documentation. BTW, what led me to the manual was to find the "Settings" menu that used to be on the home page; it's now under an "Options" button floating the presets icons on the new Home page.
Looks like Voice Control requires a USB dongle that is not available yet as far as I can tell; wonder what that is going to cost.
While I was searching the Garmin site I happened on discontinued models and the 86XX MFDs are listed there. Those are the ones that sell with imbedded charts. I take that to mean Garmin may be going all in on subscription-based charting, like the just-released Navionics charts for Garmins.
 
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