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

[pandroid]

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.

+1. I asked the same question before I bought my plotter and found that the views were split. In practice I find the knobs/buttons much more use at the helm, as you don't have to take your gloves off. The 'twist to zoom' knob is a lot easier to use than 'pinch to zoom' and I find I use that a lot, but I tend to use fingers to 'drag' the screen rather than use the joystick. I don't think I would be without the buttons option.

 

[dom]

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 .

+1, though a decent case is a must. Personally, I take the iPad to bed when just the Mrs is on watch. If one say wakes up to the sound of rising wind; knowing the STW, TWS, AWA, average wind speed, AIS, position data, etc., enables one to either go back to sleep if it's just a passing squall, or start to wake-up and pull gear on for a trip upstairs if circumstances require.

Edit: possibly worth mentioning that plotter software used to be written for buttons, whereas it is now written primarily for touch. The two user interfaces are very different and back-programming knob capability (not implying its a Luddite feature) will inevitably be somewhat compromised.

 

[Momac]

I found in wet weather and a lumpy sea the buttons/rotary control were essential. Also using the buttons keeps the screen free of smears . Pleased I had the e series with both touch screen and physical controls. The Axiom may be better and, as suggested , a cheaper option.

If looking for Raymarine equipment consider their factory refurbished items but be prepared to wait until things become available . Santa brought me a VHF. Other than the outer cardboard packaging it has the appearance of a brand new item and has a 2 year guarantee.
http://www.raymarine.co.uk/store/re...campaign=end_user–promotion–2018–refurbs-emea

 

[chubby]

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

I haven't actually used it yet but have just been through the same thoughts and wanted the axiom but the dealer suggested the eS range: I have the 7 inch, which has both touch screen and knobs, alternatively raymarine do a separate button control panel for the axiom series that might suit if you want to separate the two.