What’s going on with Boating app by Garmin (Formerly Navionics)

[Sylvain]

Hello,
Since January 19, 2024, with version 20.0 of Boating (formerly Navionics), Garmin’s control is now total.

For now, the Boating app is still free…

The automatic annual subscription for charts has replaced the previous model of purchasing one year of chart usage.

At the end of the subscription, if you don’t renew, the charts will disappear from your device. You’ll need to pay and reload them unless this renewal is properly set up in your Google/Apple account with a valid credit card.

Before version 20.0, once the usage right expired, the charts remained available but without updates or advanced features (like AIS, etc.).

Will Boating’s features evolve as well? For now, there are plenty of crashes, bugs, and screen freezes, including entirely black or white maps.

Before version 20.0, you could use a single license on five devices simultaneously, mixing Apple/Android tablets and smartphones. Now, it’s limited to two devices, both using the same operating system.

[WPI]

I wasn’t a big fan of the app to begin with, but to test it out, I renewed my subscription this year. The two-device limit is really disappointing. Onboard, I have my tablet, a backup tablet, and my phone. Now I have to choose.

The tide and current data have improved, but it’s still not great. In short, the app was average but economical, and now it’s not even economical anymore.

[Author]

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