Operating Temperature Range for Marine Chartplotter

[Dockhead]

Now here's a question I bet no one can answer, but just in case . . .

I am thinking about acquiring a Lowrance Elite-5 DSI to use on my dinghy. Despite its pompous name, this is a dirt cheap device which does depth (actually, fish finding, so relatively high res picture of the bottom) as well as plotting.

I tend to go far and wide on my dink, which is a rib with a 25 horse remote steered motor, so is a proper little motorboat. I often find myself going up rivers, and in waters with big tides, you really need to know what the depth is doing. I have run aground so many times in my dinghy I can't count them, with the result that my prop is chewed up.

I have done some open water motoring in my dink, as well -- in fact I crossed the Solent four times in winter year before last.

Here's the catch: I also need a plotter for my snowmobile, and I don't want to buy separate devices. Can these things be used in cold weather? I ride my snowmobile sometimes in temperatures down to -30C.

[colemj]

Where on the Solent do you ride your snowmobile??????

And (ahem) do you really need a chartplotter for a snowmobile? Seems like at most a cellphone with mapping would work just fine.

Mark

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by colemj

Where on the Solent do you ride your snowmobile??????

And (ahem) do you really need a chartplotter for a snowmobile? Seems like at most a cellphone with mapping would work just fine.

Mark

Mark, it is very dangerous to stand between a gearhead and his toys...

Jim

[colemj]

Ah, but this is a Dockhead, not a gearhead.

A gearhead would buy two chartplotters...

Mark

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by colemj

Where on the Solent do you ride your snowmobile??????

And (ahem) do you really need a chartplotter for a snowmobile? Seems like at most a cellphone with mapping would work just fine.

Mark

Umm, well, I don't live in the UK . . .

Yes, you really need a chartplotter for a snowmobile, the way we ride them, anyway, which is in the wilderness. No trails of any kind where I ride. Getting lost and finding your way is the second main activity, after overcoming obstacles like thawing rivers, steep cliff faces, and impenetrable woods. We are lost all the time, and it's really no good to stop and wait for a cellphone mapping app to load up. Then you might see more or less where you are, but that doesn't always help all that much finding the next break in the trees.

The main thing is to have a clearly visible track to show the way you came in. That would change my life on the snowmobile.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by colemj

Ah, but this is a Dockhead, not a gearhead.

A gearhead would buy two chartplotters...

Mark

Ah, yes, but I have so many electronic toys already that it is embarrassing. I already qualify for a wholesale discount at GPS R US. It's better to use them for multiple purposes, where possible

[JPA Cate]

Maybe Spetsnaz have some for sale, second hand....

Good luck finding what you want, the temperature requirements are serious.

[Delancey]

Maybe put it in the freezer for awhile and see if it works? The only harm I could see is from condensation occurring internally after you take it out, but if it's sealed maybe not an issue. Just a thought.

Opps, missed the part about "thinking about acquiring" so maybe not an option or could try with another similar one you already possess.