Weatherproof housing for tablet

[eddystone]

Have a Gerutek housing for my Samsung Tab A tablet (T580), running Navionics; at first it was great but the flexible plastic screen protector is not directly attached to the screen and it's increasingly difficult to use the touch screen. It's also unreadable in direct sun and when covered in rain droplets. I've investigated weatherproof tablets and they're upwards of £600. The Samsung tablet itself is very good. Any ideas on a protective weatherproof housing with a screen protector that attaches directly to the tablet screen?

 

[Refueler]

You'd be amazed what you can do with Clingfilm ......

I regularly clingfilm Keychain cameras and they go underwater without problem.

 

[eddystone]

I was thinking of removing the screen protector and replacing it with a tempered glass stuck directly to the tablet screen

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

In view of improvements in the waterproof qualities, their wireless connectivity and their viewability in sunlight, it's my view that it's better to mount an actual plotter/MFD in the cockpit and mirror it on a tablet below decks. The OP may well be intending a very simple setup to suit his boat or style of sailing, he hasn't imparted that information, but it's my intention to mount a B&G Vulcan on the hatch garage, retain the somewhat obsolete Raymarine A65 on the chart table as backup, and use the wifi embedded in the Vulcan to connect to my Galaxy Tab 'A' for use below decks.

 

[Aeolus]

Second hand Samsung Tab Active tablets are not very expensive these days and don't need weather proofing. Plus the battery is removeable so easy to replace if the old one is duff.

 

[eddystone]

Second hand Samsung Tab Active tablets are not very expensive these days and don't need weather proofing. Plus the battery is removable so easy to replace if the old one is duff.

I'll definitely follow that up; haven't really got a space for a plotter above decks. There is an oldish Garmin 750 at the chart table I really just use as a screen for AIS data and I much prefer Navionics chart to Garmin blue charts. I don't really want to spend much on the boat as be looking or new boat next year

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I don't have a plotter but keep a tablet below decks. I have the charts/plotter on a smartphone which I keep in a pocket and works well for me as it's easy to angle and toggle with my thumb. I also have a h/h gps which I keep in another pocket.

One idea I read about was to build a small box , similar in size to a shoe box, with the plotter at the bottom and the sides painted black. This helped with the sunlight problem.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Have a Gerutek housing for my Samsung Tab A tablet (T580), running Navionics; at first it was great but the flexible plastic screen protector is not directly attached to the screen and it's increasingly difficult to use the touch screen. It's also unreadable in direct sun and when covered in rain droplets. I've investigated weatherproof tablets and they're upwards of £600. The Samsung tablet itself is very good. Any ideas on a protective weatherproof housing with a screen protector that attaches directly to the tablet screen?

I have the same Tab A tablet as you and I just wrap it in clingfilm if it's likely to get wet.

 

[Refueler]

Clingfilm if pulled taut and single later across screen will still allow touch screen to work ... screen is still clear to read.

As to sunlight viewing - how many screens really are good in sunlight ? I have various screens supposed to be Sunlight readable - they are better than 'ordinary' screens but still not truly readable. With FPV / Telemetry . Drone screens we use in RC - we either make or buy sun shields ..... basically a 3 sided shield with a back that tablet sits in.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...&_odkw=folding+sunshield+for+tablet&_osacat=0

Not perfect - but do help.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Clingfilm if pulled taut and single later across screen will still allow touch screen to work ... screen is still clear to read.

As to sunlight viewing - how many screens really are good in sunlight ? I have various screens supposed to be Sunlight readable - they are better than 'ordinary' screens but still not truly readable. With FPV / Telemetry . Drone screens we use in RC - we either make or buy sun shields ..... basically a 3 sided shield with a back that tablet sits in.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...&_odkw=folding+sunshield+for+tablet&_osacat=0

Not perfect - but do help.

Reminds me of those WW2 "war at sea"-type films, where the radar operator worked with his head and the screen under a hood.

 

[Refueler]

Reminds me of those WW2 "war at sea"-type films, where the radar operator worked with his head and the screen under a hood.

It was only later that radar hoods were discontinued with daylight viewing TV based screens. Most of my years at sea ... I started 1973 .... we had cone shaped hoods that we looked at radar screens with in daytime. Even today - ECDIS and CAR's have partial screening to assist with daylight viewing.

 

[eddystone]

Right so short term compromise - cut screen protector off front half of housing, stretched clingfilm over the screen and clipped the two halved together again. Probably not weather proof but it it doesn't work then it's a Samsung Active 3 for Xmas.

 

[Refueler]

Right so short term compromise - cut screen protector off front half of housing, stretched clingfilm over the screen and clipped the two halved together again. Probably not weather proof but it it doesn't work then it's a Samsung Active 3 for Xmas.

Just out of interest ... the housing you have now does not allow Touch Screen to work ?? IMHO - that's an important part of any Tablet cover / protector ....

 

[eddystone]

Did when new but increasingly become difficult

 

[Neeves]

This question comes up frequently.

I have a waterproof case for my iPhone - to allow me to take pictures underwater.

What is wrong with such devices - if you use something supposedly designed to be used underwater but only use it on deck...

How about this sort of thing

Waterproof 10.1 Hard Tablet Case with Suction Mount | Jaycar Electronics

Seems worryingly cheap to me - I'd be happy to pay a bit more.


except that we have an all weather Chartplotter on deck and only use the tablet under cover - so my post is ... academic - I might change my mind and use the tablet on deck

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

On of the most difficult factors - is to get a hard protective case - but still maintain one of the tablets best functions : Touch Screen.

 

[Plum]

This question comes up frequently.

I have a waterproof case for my iPhone - to allow me to take pictures underwater.

What is wrong with such devices - if you use something supposedly designed to be used underwater but only use it on deck...

How about this sort of thing

Waterproof 10.1 Hard Tablet Case with Suction Mount | Jaycar Electronics

Seems worryingly cheap to me - I'd be happy to pay a bit more.


except that we have an all weather Chartplotter on deck and only use the tablet under cover - so my post is ... academic - I might change my mind and use the tablet on deck

Jonathan

That looks identical to mine, although from a different supplier, and no problem with the touch screen on my Samsung tablet. There was just enough room inside to fit a power cable through a drilled and sealed hole in the case so no problem with keeping it on all day.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[salar]

Here's what I use in my cockpit:
https://amzn.to/3y8NJjR