Touch Screen Plotters?

[Greenman]

I am possibly looking for a new chart plotter, but I am concerned with the trend towards touch screens. I don't have a lot of faith in their longevity.

Does anyone have any experience with touch screens? Specifically the GPSMAP 740

Garmin GPSMAP 740 Color Preloaded Marine 7 inch Radar GPS Chartplotter, 010-00835-02

Thanks.

[captain465]

Don't know about the 740, but I have a 5212, and I love it!! Makes navigation very easy..........It shows the way into tough areas with adotted line to follow!
This is not to say that it is the ONLY nav aid to rely on, but it sure does make life easy!

[senormechanico]

I've got a Garmin 5208 and like it very much.
I also repair electronics with touch screens.
As long as you don't poke them with sharp things, they're fine.

[Hirophant]

I have a pocket PC with a touchscreen, and although I was sceptical about whether it would last long without getting all scratched, after 2.5 years of daily use with both stylus and fingers it is still in almost perfect condition, whereas the joystick is now rather flaky and the hardware buttons feel loose. Completely the opposite of what I expected!

[CarlF]

Over the years I've had much more trouble from troublesome buttons, track pads, and rollers than touch technology. No moving parts.

I use a Garmin 5212 and very happy. Be careful to only use recommended cleaners. I believe all of the modern chartplotters (touch and not touch) have anti-reflective coatings that can be easily damaged by the wrong cleaner (ammonia for example).

Carl

[Pelagic]

The problem with Touch screens on boats is that in a seaway, you tend to touch them a bit hard at times. All it takes is one brute with long dirty fingernails to do permanent damage.

With high humidity and a salty environment, they will smear more and if cleaned harshly, will wreck the screen finish.

These are what the commercial guys found out so general preference is for replaceable membrane keyboards.

Personally, as the captain, I don’t like hands waving in front of the screen when I am observing something.

[senormechanico]

Tell 'em to use fingernail clippers?

[Minggat]

Touch screen protectors work PDAs. Anybody know how to get their hands on large sheets that can be cut down to fit?

[SeaKing]

What about the issue of needing gloves on, having to take them off to use the plotter may be annoying to say the least.