Using GPS with gloves

[Hytheman]

I have a Garmin GPS 9x3 which I installed in the summer and has worked well. Having now given in to winter I have put on gloves which, of course, do not work on touch screens.
I’ve looked at buying special conductive gloves but, having invested in expensive heavy weather gloves some time ago, I don’t really want to go down that route. What I have been looking at is a stylus which I can simply pick up and use when needed. There seem to be thousands available at all sorts of specs and prices and I am confused.
Does anyone have experience of a waterproof stylus which works well or can give me a spec which I should be looking for? Your help would be appreciated.

 

[johnalison]

I used to use a cheap stylus on an old iPad. I don’t remember the name but it didn’t cost much and even cheaper ones were available. I have a fancy stylus for my new iPad but I would have thought that anything under the heading of touch- screen stylus would probably do. They seem to cost around 50p.

 

[thinwater]

This is just one of the ways in which touch screens and menu-driven stuff sucks. I've had them. IMO, any gear that cannot be operated from the buttons is unsuitable for use. It's not just the glove issue, it is operation when getting tossed around.

Can you operate it just from the buttons? I bet you can.

 

[PaulRainbow]

This is just one of the ways in which touch screens and menu-driven stuff sucks. I've had them. IMO, any gear that cannot be operated from the buttons is unsuitable for use. It's not just the glove issue, it is operation when getting tossed around.

Can you operate it just from the buttons? I bet you can.

Can i get £5000 of that bet please ?

https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/p/697232

 

[rogerthebodger]

I live and sail in a place where gloves are never required even in winter. In fact, winter is the best time to sail where I keep my boat

I only where a shirt to keep the sun burn from getting too much

 

[Refueler]

Stylus do not often work on other items ... I have already 4 different stylus for this reason ...

But I now use gloves with tip pads ... the gloves are wool / poly and I can use when flying models in winter at -10C etc .. (My radio has touch screen)

Cost ? About 15 euros of eBay ....

I have another gloves ... bit heavier if needed - but then only on big screens ... cost .. about same

No need to spend mega on it and as I say many stylus are specific to type of screen ... plus an item that can easily be mislaid.

OK ... they are years old ... but still work fine and still available online ...

 

[Sandy]

I just remove the glove for X seconds.

I also use a couple of these for when it is really, really cold.

 

[Refueler]

I used to use a cheap stylus on an old iPad. I don’t remember the name but it didn’t cost much and even cheaper ones were available. I have a fancy stylus for my new iPad but I would have thought that anything under the heading of touch- screen stylus would probably do. They seem to cost around 50p.

Stylus are particular to the screen type and they are not universal ....

 

[Daverw]

I’ve used a small patch of silicone sealant on the tip of glove finger, worked well and cheap

 

[Davy_S]

As a cheapskate i would simply cut a slot in the glove so i could poke my finger out.

 

[johnalison]

Stylus are particular to the screen type and they are not universal ....

They are at least dead cheap. It might be worth borrowing one to try.

 

[rogerthebodger]

If it's just to touch the screen you could get a knitting needle and poke it through the back of the glove so you can clench your fist and poke the knitting needle st the screen button

 

[thinwater]

I stand corrected. My plotters have both buttons and touch screen. I had one that was all touch screen once and returned it after a week.

Simply put, I would not buy that. Such a devise cannot be all-weather, all condition. Cute at a boat show, but not what we REALLY need in many cases.

• I hope a stylus works for you. I will be following with interest.
• Most likely the gloves will need to come on and off. But that should not be too often. Since plotters/GPS did not exist when I started, I'm pretty sure my needs are not that frequent.
• Take lots of gloves. IME, no matter how fancy the gloves, and I've had top notch ones and still do, if it is wet they get wet on the inside for some darn reason, such as you described, so you need a fresh pair or two.

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I didn't mean to sound critical. I made the same mistake once. I think touch-only systems are a major failing on the part of Garmin et al, they do it to save money, and we enable them by buying the stuff.

 

[thinwater]

As a cheapskate i would simply cut a slot in the glove so i could poke my finger out.

If you are a cheapskate you wouldn't do that with a Goretex glove!

 

[Davy_S]

If you are a cheapskate you wouldn't do that with a Goretex glove!

Probably not, but i use fingerless gloves for fishing and a bit like mittens then folds over the fingers keeping them warm, anyway, it only needed a tiny slot to poke the finger out

 

[thinwater]

Probably not, but i use fingerless gloves for fishing and a bit like mittens then folds over the fingers keeping them warm, anyway, it only needed a tiny slot to poke the finger out

Yes, I have used them.

The other problem with touch screens is how sensitive they are to finger moisture. Too wet or too dry they don't work right. Too sweaty they can grab and stick. Just not suitable for the cockpit IME. A poor design choice that the customers accept.

Hytheman: Send Garmin the question. Ask them how they would use it i a cold rain. If the answer is poor, tell them it is not fit for purpose and you won't buy a touchscreen-only system again. It is the only way they will get the message.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Yes, I have used them.

The other problem with touch screens is how sensitive they are to finger moisture. Too wet or too dry they don't work right. Too sweaty they can grab and stick. Just not suitable for the cockpit IME. A poor design choice that the customers accept.

I have fitted dozens of touchscreen MFDs for customers and have two myself, i've never had an issue and i've never had a complaint from a customer.

Hytheman: Send Garmin the question. Ask them how they would use it i a cold rain. If the answer is poor, tell them it is not fit for purpose and you won't buy a touchscreen-only system again. It is the only way they will get the message.

If a touchscreen is not fit the the OPs purpose, he shouldn't have bought one. All manufacturers offer lots of choices, touchscreen, buttons, both, it's up to the end user to buy what's suitable for their needs.

Maybe the OP should have chosen one of these instead : GPSMAP 1022 | Garmin

There is also a remote (as there is for Raymarine touch screens).

 

[thinwater]

I have fitted dozens of touchscreen MFDs for customers and have two myself, i've never had an issue and i've never had a complaint from a customer.

If a touchscreen is not fit the the OPs purpose, he shouldn't have bought one. All manufacturers offer lots of choices, touchscreen, buttons, both, it's up to the end user to buy what's suitable for their needs.

Well, here is a first for you. In the future you will ask the customer. I don't mind touch screens, but I do not believe they are a good standalone tech for cockpits. I think you should be able to access vital functions from buttons. Mine are set up that way. You feel differently.

How do they work in the rain? Do they work in rough conditions, when it feels like someone is pulling on your shoulder? Are they as robust in these conditions as a few buttons? Imagine a car or aircraft with all touch screens--sounds unsafe to me, and I believe expereince shows they can be.

But the market likes them. Reminds them of their smart phone, I guess. I like Carplay in my car fine. But a boat is different.

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I started sailing before GPS, so I'm not very dependent. I can switch gears to the old ways without thinking about it.

 

[Refueler]

They are at least dead cheap. It might be worth borrowing one to try.

True .... buy a whole bag of different ones till you hit the one that works ...

 

[Refueler]

Yes, I have used them.

The other problem with touch screens is how sensitive they are to finger moisture. Too wet or too dry they don't work right. Too sweaty they can grab and stick. Just not suitable for the cockpit IME. A poor design choice that the customers accept.

Hytheman: Send Garmin the question. Ask them how they would use it i a cold rain. If the answer is poor, tell them it is not fit for purpose and you won't buy a touchscreen-only system again. It is the only way they will get the message.

Touch screens are sensitive to two main factors :

Cold

Wet

Many screens will become intermittent in touch as the screen approaches low temps ... often failing to respond below 0C (luckily most people do not sail in such temps !!) This is when BUTTONS take over.
Its a common problem with models such as camera Drones with Tablet flight display / control.

My Garmin UHD throws complete wobblers when any water runs down the screen ... you can squirt water at it and its fine - but when that riverlet of water comes down from cabin top and runs down the screen ... it throws a fit. Then its Lock screentouch out and revert to BUTTONS.