Button control on a sailboat chart plotter.. A must have?

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wipe_out

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Coming from a nice dry pilothouse motorboat to a sail boat I am wondering if knobs and buttons are an absolute must on a chart plotter for a sailboat? Some seem to report that is the touch screen gets wet you have a problem controlling the plotter.. Is this the case? Are some brands better than others with regards to controlling the plotter with a wet screen?
 
I’ve had both and allow the touch screens are no issue, found at light with gloves on buttons useful especially zooming in and out on screen
 
I've got a B&G Vulcan and found the touch screen no problem and the interface much faster to use than buttons / jog wheel.

Sometimes when the boat is rolling it's hard to tap the right place, but that's also the same with buttons, especially on smaller units.
 
No problem with my Raymarine Axiom plotter either - except that it won’t work through ordinary gloves but I rarely wear them anyway. I put a pair of “touchscreen gloves” intended for phones on board, but haven’t used them yet.

I don’t miss push-buttons, but there are a few interactions (setting radar gain and suchlike, for example) that feel nicer when done by twirling a knob instead of dragging a virtual slider. The difference isn’t enough for me to insist on physical controls, though, especially since in my mounting location that would mean having to have a smaller screen to make space.

Pete
 
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pvb said:
I prefer buttons.
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No offence, but have you played with a touch screen interface? The gestures are the same as a tablet, and so much faster to move the view around, zoom, tap on an AIS target or buoy. You don't have to slowly place the cursor over an object and then press the info button, just tap on it :)
 
dolabriform said:
No offence, but have you played with a touch screen interface? The gestures are the same as a tablet, and so much faster to move the view around, zoom, tap on an AIS target or buoy. You don't have to slowly place the cursor over an object and then press the info button, just tap on it :)
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Yes, on another person's boat, but I still prefer buttons (just as I prefer a regular keyboard and mouse).
 
pvb said:
Yes, on another person's boat, but I still prefer buttons (just as I prefer a regular keyboard and mouse).
Click to expand...

Fair enough, I can't argue as I hate mice, I use a keyboard and wacom pen / tablet and am stuck in my ways ;)

edit: with the tablet I can use the pen or touch so it operates the computer as if it was an ipad.. scroll, zoom etc
 
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on more than one occasion I have asked bandg if its possible to introduce some voice commands. so far their response had been to get an external control panel.
surfing down some difficult waves with both hands full I would be very happy with some basic commands such as zoom in and out.
 
Kerenza said:
on more than one occasion I have asked bandg if its possible to introduce some voice commands. so far their response had been to get an external control panel.
surfing down some difficult waves with both hands full I would be very happy with some basic commands such as zoom in and out.
Click to expand...

+ 1 .... altho a thought to plotter interface would be better :encouragement:

edit: or maybe remote buttons on the wheel / tiller?
 
All good to know..
The plotters with buttons seem significantly more expensive so at a basic level I would probably prefer not having the buttons in favour of a bigger screen as long as the device is functional when I need it to be which it sounds like it will be..
 
dolabriform said:
edit: or maybe remote buttons on the wheel / tiller?
Click to expand...

Raymarine do actually sell that:

RCU-3Remote.jpg


Not sure how much useful control you get with three buttons though :D

Pete
 
If worried about touchscreen usage which might under certain conditions be challenging I would ensure any plotter has the ability to pair with your iPad or other tablet as IMHO the ability to read the AIS and radar etc via the pad or when tucked under the sprayhood / dodger or down below is a distinct advantage partcilurly in cold wet conditions . This depends on your crewing set up but also makes it much easier to show crew if applicable route etc.. personally I don't use the buttons on Raymarine that much now but gives a degree of comfort . I guess this all really turns on sailing location and price difference but amortised over the life of a plotter might not be that much?
 
ashtead said:
If worried about touchscreen usage which might under certain conditions be challenging I would ensure any plotter has the ability to pair with your iPad or other tablet as IMHO the ability to read the AIS and radar etc via the pad or when tucked under the sprayhood / dodger or down below is a distinct advantage partcilurly in cold wet conditions . This depends on your crewing set up but also makes it much easier to show crew if applicable route etc.. personally I don't use the buttons on Raymarine that much now but gives a degree of comfort . I guess this all really turns on sailing location and price difference but amortised over the life of a plotter might not be that much?
Click to expand...

The B&G app on the iPad is really responsive, just like using the unit directly, plus you can update the software on the B&G over wifi. ( ok.. I'm biased ;) )
 
With a deck saloon, I have plotters both inside and out. I much prefer knobs and buttons outside, but the touchscreen is fine for inside. The Raymarine MFD outside can hardly be used using the touchscreen controls when it is wet. Fortunately, it is a "hybrid", and has buttons as well. The Garmin, inside, only has touchscreen, and is fine, but I detest its Mickey Mouse charts.
 
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