Cortex Onboard

This app is really great, responsive and fully featured. Super easy setup (basically no setup required). It's a convenient backup to our Cortex handhelds. My only wish is that it supported split screen so we could layer it on top of Navionics Boating.

The system has many plug and play features but they are cumbersome to access. The anchor watch mode seems to activate sporadically when tested. The Man over board is very Accurate. To access the onboard WiFi (Starlink) has been an on going challenge . To integrate with Navionics software has not been possible. Garmin support has been at at a loss for help. Hope they get all the kinks out.

The IOS app works decently well but there’s a lot left to be desired. Forget trying to use the Onboard app as an anchor alarm - they still haven’t fixed its ability to alarm with the screen off. The Android app does though. There are occasional hiccups with the connectivity the M1 has with itself presumably, but usually resolves itself 30min later. The app will strangely disconnect from the cortex at odd times, even though the onboard WiFi signal is strong. The other issue we discovered recently is the missing feature parity between IOS and Android apps - IOS can modify the speaker audio level, Android cannot. Android has a bunch of VHF settings that are missing from IOS. So if you don’t have a Cortex handset you will need both phone types to fully manage it. There’s more than just these examples too. Very weird. Lastly, the app is intentionally handicapped to force you into buying their subscription for remote management. I suspect some of this logic is also responsible for the random network disconnects if your location physically becomes 10-20ft away (even though the Cortex and your phone are connected to onboard WiFi).

Big fan of cortex, please keep up the development!

The idea of the Cortex is fantastic but the execution leaves much to be desired. I’m in tech and have spent more than a day trying to get this to function correctly. It seems to be both an issue with the WiFi hardware (weak signal even standing next to it) and the software. State management seems to be an issue and the WiFi networking will make you tear your hair out. And good luck trying to use the boat network. This needs lots more investment from Garmin to justify the price and make it a recommended buy. For now, skip it.

Garmin tech support barely know they own Vesper. The onboard app has never worked and a Garmin can’t or won’t be bothered to help despite repeated attempts and replacement hardware. The VHF is glitchy and I can’t honestly say I trust it. We often get disconnect alarms, usually in the middle of the night, often during passages, disconcerting to say the least. Hopefully Garmin take this product seriously and supply the necessary support and updates.

IMO Vesper is the best marine hardware and software company out there. Everything they do exudes quality, care, and thoughtful consideration. Cortex is no exception, and is a central and critical piece of safety equipment aboard my sailboat. Vesper support is excellent, they’ve been very receptive and responsive to suggestions, and continually rolling out improvements. I do hope all of these positive qualities continue following the Garmin acquisition.

Great tool to use with the Cortex onboard the boat. The Anchor Watch is the best on the market!