# Balmar SmartLink — user reviews > 14 indexed App Store user reviews of Balmar SmartLink by CDI ELECTRONICS, LLC, rated 2.69/5 from 13 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/balmar-smartlink/id1456407105/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/balmar-smartlink/id1456407105.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 4 ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not ready for prime time *2023-06-05, version 2.2* This system has so much potential but in my opinion the gateway and app haven’t yet reached a quality level sufficient to release to consumers. While there is a lot of potential, I fought stability issues last year and missed release of the upgrade that fixed much of this. What other app makes you search for updates rather than notifying you. Now that I have the latest stability of the gateway is better but this weekend I find out the Advanced Settings page is unusable. Goes crazy after changing a parameter and won’t let you save the change. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2023-03-28, version 2.1.2* It simply doesn’t work. When I call support I get a message to leave my number and they’ll call back. They never do. ### 1/5 — Never works when you need it *2023-01-19, version 2.1.2* Just get victron if you want something that works. I like the Balmar brand but they really dropped the ball on this app. First of all it never connects unless you disconnect the whole system then it will work once then not again until you disconnect the thing. When it works the first time there is very little info that it gives you. The voltage should have hundredths. Should give you history ect. The alternators are good. ### 1/5 — Buggy application *2022-11-06, version 2.1.2* Brand new install by the book SG 200 shunt - MC618 - Bluetooth. Worked for an hour. Now the application is in « initialize gateway ». Should work out of the box … ### 1/5 — Have to update components sequentially *2022-09-14, version 2.1.2* Absolute nightmare to update. Just a very rudimentary product and UX ### 1/5 — Unit is freezing since firmware update *2022-02-14, version 2.1.0* I updated the firmware on the shunt. Bluetooth and screen and now the unit freezes. The only way I can get it working again is to pull the fuse out for a while. ### 2/5 — Needs to be more stable *2022-06-27, version 2.1.1* Software locks up trying to connect to the network on a frequent basis. When this happens the only resolution is to disconnect it from power. Upon reconnecting to power it will connect for a while and the it locks up again. From firmware version to firmware version the state of health changes radically, from always being at 100% to dropping to 57% just from updating the firmware. It would also be nice to eliminate the startup screen choice of demo or actually running the app. Just launch the app. Historical information would also be nice. ### 2/5 — App doesn’t see the Bluetooth connection *2022-03-12, version 2.1.0* On first use after install, the app works. On repeat uses, the app can’t find the Bluetooth transmitter. Frustrating to have to keep uninstalling and reinstalling the app and/or disconnecting and reconnecting the BlueTooth cable. ### 2/5 — Finicky *2020-09-06, version 1.5.2 (95)* The Bluetooth Link had difficulty connecting and although able update the BL quickly, it wouldn’t upgrade the shunt or display from iPhone running iOS 13.6 despite trying all the tricks suggested. Wouldn’t read battery status either. Finally I ran the app from iPad running iOS 12.4.5 and uogrades worked perfectly. ### 3/5 — Needs update *2024-07-07, version 2.2.2* Every time I start my engine the app freezes up and I have to do a hard reset It also seems to not agree with my Magnum charger/inverter with battery monitor by 7% on SOC My only 2 issues I like that I can monitor remotely from my flying bridge while cruising ## Most praised reviews (4 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — App works fine *2023-07-26, version 2.2.1* Seems to work as designed for me. No complaints. ### 5/5 — More than a display *2021-12-07, version 2.0* The app provides much more than the Display/ Monitor. It provides all of the parameters of the battery on one screen. It is much more efficient in setting up the initial configuration such as battery chemistry, capacity, and charge settings.Again, one screen shows all the settings. And finally, you can upgrade your system firmware as new releases are available! ### 4/5 — Security *2024-12-25, version 2.2.2* The app work, I can use advance setting but I notice there is no security feature. Therefore anyone with the app can program any Balmar system. Be careful in RV park. People can get into the system and set adjustment that would damage the battery or alternator! Not recommended ### 3/5 — Needs more functionality *2020-06-29, version 1.5.1* This is a very basic app that displays the information already available on the monitor. It needs graphs with a history of voltage, SOC, and Amps used to make it worth the $50 investment in the Bluetooth dongle. Also, every time it starts you need to choose to use it or have a demo, which seems silly, just connect. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*