Active Captin and Verizon Service

narcdawg

Ok..I plan to get a new cell phone. I have looked at the Active Captain site and this software looks very useful. In any event, does anyone on this site use active Captain on a Verizon phone..What model phone do you have?? and how well does it work? I have been told that many of the Verizon phones block aftermarket software from accessing the GPS in the phone, So you can load the charts but the GPS will not show your location.

If anyone has any information/ experience with active Captain on a Verizon phone I would love to hear what you have learned.

Adeline · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:00 am Post subject:

I use it on my Sprint (HTC) Touch. This device is the same as the Verizon VX6900. The app works beautifully. Very much like the desktop/laptop version. My device has a 240 x 320 display that is 2.8" diagonal. A larger display would be better. Sprint doesn't interfere with this app or my terrestrial gps app either. I'd be surprised if Verizon does.
You could shout out to Jeff Siegel , he may know the answer.
The app itself offers a free trial so you can't get hurt there.

Doryman · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:47 am Post subject:

I don't know if this is relevant, but on my Verizon BlackBerry Storm, I would have had to pay extra to enable the GPS on the phone. I have so many other GPS devices I didn't see the point (Garmin in the car, Raymarine and Lowrance in the boat.) However, I will try the Active Captain site and see how it works.

Warren

marvin4239 · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:09 am Post subject:

I had the same question a while back and what I found was you must have a phone with Windows Mobile Professional to run Active Captain. Verizon is supposed to be coming out with two new phones with this feature, according to the Verizon website they are to be released this month. I asked Jeff Siegel several months back about Verizon and he wasn't familiar with Verizon at the time.

On edit the Verizon XV6900 as Pete suggested appears to be using the Windows Mobile Professional so it may work.

Capital Sea · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:02 pm Post subject:

I have an Iphone 3gs and added Navionics for a few bucks. The phone has a built in compass and GPS and the program is operated with a touch screen and shows tide locations with data.
This will be a backup to the hard mounted system and paper charts & compass. Its real nice for planning.

thataway · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject:

Jeff Seigel (owner of Active Captain) has been a member of C brats. He has been working on several platforms, and I am sure that he will answer any of your questions--if you ask him.

ActiveCaptain · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject:

ActiveCaptain · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject:

Oops...one thing I forgot.

I currently also have 2 AT&T accounts including an iPhone 3GS. Apple has done a lot to update and fix the things that I originally didn't like about the iPhone for boats. It still isn't perfect but it's getting pretty good.

I plan on doing a variety of iPhone apps over the next few months. We're heading off on our boat for a planned 9 months of cruising. That'll be the perfect chance to do some real iPhone exploration.

If you have to use Verizon, the iPhone isn't a choice currently. If you're open to provider, the iPhone is really something you should consider. And note that we don't provide any software for the iPhone for ActiveCaptain today. My recommendations are honestly based on what I think is best and not how we'll make an extra $20...

narcdawg · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject: Thanks!

Thank you very much for your time in responding to my post,

I am STUCK with Verizon so I will head down to the store this weekend and pick up an Omnia. Then, not being a techy, I will probably be calling to find out how to get Active Captain to install and run, if I can manage not to smash the new phone when I try it myself. I just learned to send text messages and take a photo with my current phone, I am sure I will be lost when it come to loading softwear.

Adeline · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:53 pm Post subject:

Jeff,
Thanks for the very through and excellent discussion of the devices and issues. I am also about to "upgrade" my Verizon phone (and maybe also add an A T & T account because of the I phone. Your discussion really helps in the decision making.

Jeff always comes through, and offers a wonderful service for all of us boaters. Have fun on the cruise!

ActiveCaptain · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Thanks!

narcdawg · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject:

I called Verizon Tech...they claim the GPS is unlocked on the Omnia. I hope that is true. I looked at an Omnia that someone else has and it seems like a very nice phone. I really can't tell that phone from am iphone but again I know nothing.

Anyway, thanks again for all of the information, hopefully they will have a omnia in stock tomorrow when I stop by.

flrockytop · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:57 pm Post subject:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the detailed info. I used Active Captain a good bit on the first leg of my SuperLoop trip( Brownsville, Tx to Pensacola. It was great. I was also able to add a few new anchorages and POI to AC. I'll be looking forward to any aps you come up with for the Iphone. The things Verizon locks out of phones is the major reason I used AT&T. Thanks again.

Roger

Doryman · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:20 am Post subject:

Jeff, is the iPod Touch a viable option for Active Captain? I know it is for the Navionics charting software.

Thanks,
Warren