Using GPS with gloves

[Refueler]

What I do not like about Touch Screens is when boats moving about and you Touch the screen and you've just missed the actual command you want ... or scroll actions when you don't want it etc.
Many Touch Screen / Button combo units .. not only Plotters .... are less functions by BUTTON ... or the sequence of buttons / Menu to get desired action can be a real pain.

 

[Baddox]

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

I live in NE England too.

A stylus would end up jabbed through the screen or dropped over board on our boat as it moves around.

 

[PaulRainbow]

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.

---

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

But the point is, if you don't like touch screens buy one with buttons. Don't buy a touch screen and then complain that it doesn't have buttons.

What would be the point of contacting the manufacturer and complaining that you can't press any buttons on their touch screen model MFP ?

 

[thinwater]

But the point is, if you don't like touch screens buy one with buttons. Don't buy a touch screen and then complain that it doesn't have buttons.

What would be the point of contacting the manufacturer and complaining that you can't press any buttons on their touch screen model MFP ?

I agree with that! Of course, this had not occurred to Hytheman when he bought it. Live and learn, don't we all.

Because if no one tells them they don't like something, how would they learn about it? It's feedback more than a complaint. And maybe some of your customers would like to have buttons as an option, they just never complained to you because it was not your failure.

Some of this is personal preference. But I think it is fact that one of the reasons touch screens are pushed into the market in many things is that they save money. All of the updates are software only.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I agree with that! Of course, this had not occurred to Hytheman when he bought it. Live and learn, don't we all.

Indeed we do.

Because if no one tells them they don't like something, how would they learn about it? It's feedback more than a complaint. And maybe some of your customers would like to have buttons as an option, they just never complained to you because it was not your failure.

I think the way we buy has a bearing. Many people scour the internet for the cheapest deal (myself included), in the case of some products we then miss out on the advice we'd get from the local expert. The biggest chandlery in my area used to have a big electronics section and employed a guy who was very knowledgeable regarding electronics. Now, they have a big internet presence, a tiny, tiny, handful of electronics and the guy is no longer there.

My regular customers (and some new ones) will ask advice about options for whatever electronics they are interested in and i can find out what they need/use it for etc and make some suggestions. For instance, if they don't want fancy sonar or radar, no point getting a MFD that costs more for those features. Others will ask me to fit whatever they have picked up from the internet, which is often not the best choice (radar and fishfinder support etc when it's not needed/wanted) and i can match any internet prices anyway, so they miss out on free advice.

Some of this is personal preference.

Of course. I'm happy with touch screens on the flybridge because the most i'd use them in is a bit of light rain, any more and i'm off down below in the warm and dry In different circumstances i'd probably want buttons too, but i think i'd still want touchscreen too, for whenever i can use it. With todays menus structures and heavily loaded features, buttons can be a bit clunky.

But I think it is fact that one of the reasons touch screens are pushed into the market in many things is that they save money. All of the updates are software only.

Possibly, but touch screens and "glass helms" do look "pretty" and are easier to waterproof (hence making them cheaper perhaps).

 

[Neeves]

I agree with that! Of course, this had not occurred to Hytheman when he bought it. Live and learn, don't we all.

Because if no one tells them they don't like something, how would they learn about it? It's feedback more than a complaint. And maybe some of your customers would like to have buttons as an option, they just never complained to you because it was not your failure.

Some of this is personal preference. But I think it is fact that one of the reasons touch screens are pushed into the market in many things is that they save money. All of the updates are software only.

I agree with Thinwater - deck equipment should be all weather.

You can use WIFI to a tablet and only use the tablet indoors, or you could house your chartplotter/GPS in a dry air-conditioned command station - but this is PBO and screens are best at the helm and not everyone can have a palatial reverse cycle A/C navigation station.

The fact chart plotters are sold as being sufficiently weatherproof such that they can be installed at the helm omits the critical fact that they cannot actually be operated, as intended, because you cannot use a touch screen in the wet and at low temperatures.

The fact that they are not of marketable quality and being inaccurately promoted seems appropriate.

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

With all products on the market - the designers trend the designs all the time and regardless of consumer purchasing - we end up with what I term the Ford Sierra factor.

Cars were basically boxes of various designs and were quite distinct from each other .. along comes something like Sierra and the 'jelly mould' look gets in ... wasn't long before most followed suit. Didn't matter that initially consumers were wary of the look .... now its old hat.

Neeves comment :

"The fact chart plotters are sold as being sufficiently weatherproof such that they can be installed at the helm omits the critical fact that they cannot actually be operated, as intended, because you cannot use a touch screen in the wet and at low temperatures."

Yep ... my Garmin UHD ... BUT it does give you most functions via buttons when conditions are bad to use the screen. But its a compromise with buttons .. and often too many sub dialogues to go through ..

 

[Sandydog2]

Obviously you wouldn’t want to wreck a good pair of waterproof gloves, but you can buy the conductive thread and sew a few stitches into ordinary gloves.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I agree with Thinwater - deck equipment should be all weather.

You can use WIFI to a tablet and only use the tablet indoors, or you could house your chartplotter/GPS in a dry air-conditioned command station - but this is PBO and screens are best at the helm and not everyone can have a palatial reverse cycle A/C navigation station.

The fact chart plotters are sold as being sufficiently weatherproof such that they can be installed at the helm omits the critical fact that they cannot actually be operated, as intended, because you cannot use a touch screen in the wet and at low temperatures.

The fact that they are not of marketable quality and being inaccurately promoted seems appropriate.

Jonathan

As usual, you cannot see past what you want for yourself, nothing else is any good.

Millions of people are happily using touch screens, those that want buttons can choose the models with buttons.

For your information, the current touch screen MFDs work perfectly OK in the rain.

The OP hasn't complained that his doesn't work in the rain or cold, he simply asked for some options as to how to use it when wearing gloves.

 

[thinwater]

Indeed we do.

I think the way we buy has a bearing. Many people scour the internet for the cheapest deal (myself included), in the case of some products we then miss out on the advice we'd get from the local expert. The biggest chandlery in my area used to have a big electronics section and employed a guy who was very knowledgeable regarding electronics. Now, they have a big internet presence, a tiny, tiny, handful of electronics and the guy is no longer there.

My regular customers (and some new ones) will ask advice about options for whatever electronics they are interested in and i can find out what they need/use it for etc and make some suggestions. For instance, if they don't want fancy sonar or radar, no point getting a MFD that costs more for those features. Others will ask me to fit whatever they have picked up from the internet, which is often not the best choice (radar and fishfinder support etc when it's not needed/wanted) and i can match any internet prices anyway, so they miss out on free advice.

Of course. I'm happy with touch screens on the flybridge because the most i'd use them in is a bit of light rain, any more and i'm off down below in the warm and dry In different circumstances i'd probably want buttons too, but i think i'd still want touchscreen too, for whenever i can use it. With todays menus structures and heavily loaded features, buttons can be a bit clunky.

Possibly, but touch screens and "glass helms" do look "pretty" and are easier to waterproof (hence making them cheaper perhaps).

Lots of good points, all correct.

I don't like "feature heavy" electronics. I find they add clutter and bring very little or no value to me. I very seldom change screens, because if it is not on the home screen I probably don't need it or want it. It's sailing, not a moon launch.

I feel the same way about cell phones. I use it as a phone, to navigate when traveling, and occasionally to web surf (in a stor, perhaps). Very few apps. The calculator and saves me carrying that, and the camera can be handy (though I have a separate camera for things that matter). The hot spot feature is handy when cruising. My home screen is less than half full.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Lots of good points, all correct.

I don't like "feature heavy" electronics. I find they add clutter and bring very little or no value to me. I very seldom change screens, because if it is not on the home screen I probably don't need it or want it. It's sailing, not a moon launch.

I feel the same way about cell phones. I use it as a phone, to navigate when traveling, and occasionally to web surf (in a stor, perhaps). Very few apps. The calculator and saves me carrying that, and the camera can be handy (though I have a separate camera for things that matter). The hot spot feature is handy when cruising. My home screen is less than half full.

I'm almost the opposite, but respect your views....

He who dies with the most toys wins

 

[Refueler]

I'm almost the opposite, but respect your views....

He who dies with the most toys wins

Now that's where I reckon I can be a contender !! 5 boats .... 4 cars ... tractor on way ... mini excavator ... 6 outboards ...... 2 caravans ... ~80 RC models .... I could fill this page with 'toys'

As they say we never grow up - the toys just get more expensive !

 

[thinwater]

Deleted

 

[Neeves]

Lots of good points, all correct.

I don't like "feature heavy" electronics. I find they add clutter and bring very little or no value to me. I very seldom change screens, because if it is not on the home screen I probably don't need it or want it. It's sailing, not a moon launch.

I feel the same way about cell phones. I use it as a phone, to navigate when traveling, and occasionally to web surf (in a stor, perhaps). Very few apps. The calculator and saves me carrying that, and the camera can be handy (though I have a separate camera for things that matter). The hot spot feature is handy when cruising. My home screen is less than half full.

To add to the few apps I use would be weather, from our Bureau of Meteorology. The radar page of their app gives excellent indication of rain, how much and when. So if I had a chart plotter out in the open I'd know when the problems might start

Cameras on phones - most people seem to forget the function is there - just think of the number of times photos are asked for - and everyone carries a phone with camera. The camera is perfectly adequate for photos on YBW.

Jonathan

 

[dunedin]

......

Cameras on phones - most people seem to forget the function is there - just think of the number of times photos are asked for - and everyone carries a phone with camera. The camera is perfectly adequate for photos on YBW.

Jonathan

You seem to have a different perspective on mobile technology.
Most people I know use their phone as their primary /only camera and take lots of photos. Certainly I have hundreds of great photos of this years sailing cruises, using my phone. Under 20 using the camera, all telephoto zoom ones. (Plus lots of drone photos)
And doing repairs etc the phone is the most used tool in the box. Both torch and camera - before, during and after shots, particularly to see into confined spaces.

 

[Neeves]

You seem to have a different perspective on mobile technology.
Most people I know use their phone as their primary /only camera and take lots of photos. Certainly I have hundreds of great photos of this years sailing cruises, using my phone. Under 20 using the camera, all telephoto zoom ones. (Plus lots of drone photos)
And doing repairs etc the phone is the most used tool in the box. Both torch and camera - before, during and after shots, particularly to see into confined spaces.

People may take lots of photos, my perspective is similar to yours, though age seems to be inversely proportional to the numbers of photos taken by 15-30 year olds vs 55-70 year olds - and guess which age group is more numerous here.

Today's youth uses a phone as an extension of self - and taking pictures is almost automatic.

Like you my use of an 'old fashioned' camera is greatly reduced but they still have a role if you want your images to look good in print.

Taking photos is one thing - using them here is a different problem. A picture is still worth 1,000 words - its a pity that more, of the many pictures that are taken, are not included in posts. They maybe the most used tool in the box - that is not reflected here.

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

You seem to have a different perspective on mobile technology.
Most people I know use their phone as their primary /only camera and take lots of photos. Certainly I have hundreds of great photos of this years sailing cruises, using my phone. Under 20 using the camera, all telephoto zoom ones. (Plus lots of drone photos)
And doing repairs etc the phone is the most used tool in the box. Both torch and camera - before, during and after shots, particularly to see into confined spaces.

I have over 4Gb of piccies on my phone .... camera gets used every day ... I even have a clip on set that gives super macro and long distance shots etc.

I have pocket Fuji Digital - very good but really whats point when phone is in pocket ... only advantage of course is the optical zoom part.

I also have a reasonable Fuji DSLR ... but its a lump and really only used when I need the Zoom function and detail.

 

[Mister E]

Back to the point about gloves. Could I get some more information about the conductive thread, as in does it actually work?

 

[Refueler]

Back to the point about gloves. Could I get some more information about the conductive thread, as in does it actually work?

Yes but like stylus ... thread / gloves also do not work every screen ... which is basically reason I have two different touch screen gloves ...

But at price online for gloves - why bother with thread ? The gloves are dirt cheap and you can read what screens they are for ... buy different ones ..

 

[Mister E]

Yes but like stylus ... thread / gloves also do not work every screen ... which is basically reason I have two different touch screen gloves ...

But at price online for gloves - why bother with thread ? The gloves are dirt cheap and you can read what screens they are for ... buy different ones ..

I have waterproof gloves that if I am careful then I can sew some thread into the outer layer and not peirce the membrane.
I could use different threads on different fingers.