Raymarine P70S

[Daverw]

Just fitted a new autohelm Ev1 tiller with the P70S display, very impressed with its control over the last few weeks, however just done my first overnight trip and whilst the display is spot on the buttons are impossible to see in the dark. Going to speak to Raymarine at SIBS but what do other users do to get round this what seems is a design flaw

 

[prv]

I just remember where the buttons are. Day or night - either way I don’t want to have to be looking down and reading labels at a critical moment. Bottom left is standby, bottom right is auto, middle two pairs are 1° left and right on top and 10° on the bottom. The top outer corners are for the config menus and rarely used.

The problem I do have with the buttons is that they’re not as tactile as the old units, which had two big easily-found round buttons for auto and standby. The new design looks sleeker but is not as practical when you need to disengage the pilot instantly to steer round a last-minute crab pot, or engage it in a hurry to deal with something else.

Either way I can’t see Raymarine retooling for a new design, so talking to them at SIBS might make you feel better but won’t achieve much else.

Pete

 

[Daverw]

Agree about them not doing anything and would not expect this but if they don’t get feedback they will never have a chance moving forward. Back lighting on anything used outside should really be the norm, no bothered if is red or white.