Garmin touchscreens

[gjgm]

How do these work, in anger? Fun to play with at the show, but what about bouncing about in the spray?
Are they practical, or is the experience the physical buttons system still works best?

 

[iangrant]

They work well

I've one up top and one down below and alongside it the button version.

The touch screen is easier to use even when it rolly polly time as the big "buttons" are easy to see and touch.

The screen up top even when covered in salty spray still works normally.

Ian

 

[AdeOlly]

I had a play with these at the show as well, very impressive bits of kit. In fact I was on the point of shelling out for the 750s model when I remembered I'm going to be putting the boat onto the market soon.....

The touch screen 'buttons' are nice and big, but obviously unlike real buttons you need to hit the right 'button' first time, you can't feel your way to the button then press. I have a touch screen in the Jag and manage to hit the wrong 'button' fairly frequently; I think the key is whether you are able to rest your wrist or not before stabbing the screen, which will of course depend on your helm layout.

 

[Lozzer]

I spent most of the summer using them. I have to say they took some getting used to only because it was my first time.

I found them to be very nice pieces of kit. Sometimes the finger slipped and hit the wrong button but this could have happened on other types of plotters.

I would be more interested in the long term affect of spray and direct sunlight on the screen and how this will relate to the touchscreen. I am sure they have been tested but what is the acceptable life span?

 

[asteven221]

Does the touch screen work with gloves on? If not then that could be a bit of a problem.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

How do these work, in anger? Fun to play with at the show, but what about bouncing about in the spray?
Are they practical, or is the experience the physical buttons system still works best?

Beat me to it! I was going to post asking how easy touchscreens are to use on a bouncy motorboat. I looked at the Garmins too but I'm really not sure I'd buy one because of the touchscreen system. I have a touchscreen satnav in one of my cars and thats definitely more difficult to use than a button or mouse controlled satnav. Its to do with not being able to rest your wrist on something to stabilise your hand before you hit the button

 

[aquapower]

Have used raymarine E140w and found myself using the buttons more than the touch screen, have only fitted one garmin and havnt had the chance to try one yet at sea.

 

[Bassplayer]

Having just bought a 750s, the best thing about it is that when travelling at 25kts you can "drag" the chart to see where you are going and then put it back again in 2 secs or less. Other makes you need to either zoom out and lose detail or wait for ages for the cursor to travel accross the screen before the chart begins to move. By the time you have zoomed, waited etc you have covered a lot of distance. A big vote for the Garmin (so far...)

 

[aquatom]

I have heard that Garmin do not repair their units, replace screens or pcbs. When under warranty they send a new one no problems there but when a bit older you would have to buy a complete new unit if the screen goes.

I'd like to think that they won't go wrong but it's still electronic an probably will!

 

[gjgm]

Well, I'm delighted to say that having measured the helm, it wont fit, so saving me £000 !!