Is a 12” mfd too big for my helm?

[Tim francis]

43 Bruce Roberts cc. I’m planning on a 9 inch at the helm but I’ve been given advise on getting a bigger one first. I’ve decided not to put it under the dodger I don’t have. An iPad will work for foul weather and watches. I feel like it would be too big for some reason. Any experience? Thanks for your input.


I’m going with b@g h5000 ap. I’ll add the 1k,weather, radar etc. as money comes in from paychecks. Nmea2000 here’s a pic of the binnacle.

[Tim francis]

Not letting me upload the pics.

[Tillsbury]

I use a 12" iPad at the helm and the difference is enormous from 9". Make sure the resolution is suitably increased from the 9" though.

[Tim francis]

I’m guessing you have a bracket for it and charge it below when the battery gets low?

[steve77]

We have a Simrad NSS8 (8 inch) installed at the helm, and it is big enough for us. A 12" unit may be better, but just make sure it won't be restricting your forward vision.

How will you mount it? We purchased a Navpod that mounts on the binnacle guard and with the cutout already made for our chart plotter.

However you do it, I would recommend you make a cardboard mockup of the exterior dimensions and duct tape it in position. Try it out and see if the 12" unit really is too big or not.

Cheers!

Steve

[B23iL23]

If you have the room , mounting and clearance then go for it. We have a 9 inch on each helm and we find it plenty big enough.

[Simi 60]

9 inch?
I'm running 2 x 23 inch at the helm.
But I really do feel quite the lightweight compared to some (-;

[SV Siren]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

9 inch?
I'm running 2 x 23 inch at the helm.
But I really do feel quite the lightweight compared to some (-;

You kinda have that sports bar feel to it with all those displays...

[wingless]

Why not start w/ a cardboard mock-up to permit viewing / moving around from multiple angles to gauge the feel of the different sizes?

[B23iL23]

Suddenly I feel so insignificant!

Originally Posted by Simi 60

9 inch?
I'm running 2 x 23 inch at the helm.
But I really do feel quite the lightweight compared to some (-;

[RaymondR]

Looks more gin palace than sports bar.

I think your 9" is more appropriate for the cockpit of a sail boat than a 12" if it's to be installed at the helm where it needs to be. My experience is that you need to work a MFD fairly extensively because of the mass of information available via a single device.

Whilst it would be nice to have a large screen it is a fairly large piece of equipment to include in an already crowded work place.

I have opted for a 7" and a 9" at the helm as it provides redundancy and lessens the confusion and down time of switching between functions on a single screen.

[MV Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

9 inch?
I'm running 2 x 23 inch at the helm.
But I really do feel quite the lightweight compared to some (-;

I bow to you, sir!

[Shoalcove]

I have a 12” Raymarine chart plotter on our boat at the helm and I don’t regret it at all. I was able to get a great deal which made it cheaper than the 8” I was looking for. I’m a coastal cruiser and am not overly concerned about the extra amperage draw over a smaller plotter; the bigger picture is worth it to me.

[tarian]

While your at it put a DVD recorder in and a 45inch LCD and the projector
Screen

12 inchs what are we doing going for the biggest d... Competion and as for all those screens on that trawler
Oh look I can look at my engine going around and around , and my little red boat on the Screen going over an ocean , and a fish peeing in the water .
and if I really lucky I Can navigate the same stretch of water I have sailed since I was a kid ,but now I get to see myself on a screen with pretty pictures
Sorry rant over
When may I ask do people acutally look out of their boat and tear themselfs away from their Screens and see what is around them , in a good clear day to will see stuff honestly the tanker is that Big
Colregs. keep a good look out , not look at your screen all the time .
Ah more ranting time for my meds I think
Get what size you think your ego needs but if most get away with 8 to 10 inches enough said

[KadeyKrogen38]

I would suggest you review the power consumption of the 12” display, as it it heavy on amps. A 9” has lower amp draw and is fine for my helm on 38’.