Protecting your touch screen plotter

[TheOffice]

After a torrential downpour the touchscreen on my plotter died. Luckily, it also has a wheel/mouse.

Has anyone used an iPad screen protector or the like to protect their plotter?
Or just a large zip-lock bag in heavy weahter?

[BigAl.NZ]

Im sorry I dont have a answer - mine also is in a exposed cockpit. What brand was yours?

[TheOffice]

It’s a Raymarine Es series

[slug]

Originally Posted by TheOffice

After a torrential downpour the touchscreen on my plotter died. Luckily, it also has a wheel/mouse.

Has anyone used an iPad screen protector or the like to protect their plotter?
Or just a large zip-lock bag in heavy weahter?

Sun , rain ,winch handles ....display screens never pass the test of time when mounted on the exterior

Don’t mount them outside

[CaptnKen]

I've used saran wrap. Works well on phone also

[Dieter Hugel]

Great idea using Saran wrap.

So do you just put it on the screen or actually wrap it around the whole chart plotter?

I too have had issues with rain/condensation/dew on the screen and go back to the joystick and wheel. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Martkimwat]

Very interesting as I've got a Raymarine E7 as well and the first time I turned it on this season, the screen had gone (grey barring and no image) and yes it's mounted outside. I'm hoping Raymarine will offer me an Axiom 7 in exchange as they don't make the E7 anymore and the fixed price repair cost is nearly as much as a basic Axiom 7 at the moment. All very well saying don't mount it outside but I single hand my boat, mounting it internally is not terribly useful, and the previous Standard Horizon i180 worked for years mounted outside.

[alansmith]

I use an iPad. My sweet wife bought me a watertight pouch for it. Google water tight pouches for your display. But you have a power cord or communication combo cord. I’m sure you could use some rubber cement to seal that hole.

[surazo]

In my experience is better to use a zip lock bag avoiding close completely to avoid the condensation or put into the bag a silica gel

[nortonscove]

Originally Posted by slug

Sun , rain ,winch handles ....display screens never pass the test of time when mounted on the exterior

Don’t mount them outside

Ten years and counting on my plotter with no issues to report.

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by slug

Sun , rain ,winch handles ....display screens never pass the test of time when mounted on the exterior

Don’t mount them outside

What if you need the data while at the helm?

[nepal]

Plotter inside, tablet with navionics or opencpn outside. But usually there is enough time to go inside and check. The situation can be different for sailing rivers and lakes.

[UFO]

Originally Posted by TheOffice

It’s a Raymarine Es series

I hope it is not an ES125 - I just had to replace both of mine (inside and out) at only 3 1/2 Yeas old - Just out of warranty.


Touch screen died on both and is a KNOWN issue with the model, to such a degree that you can no longer get parts to fix them as they have all been used in Warranty claims and they stopped producing them because they are rubbish.


I did manage to wrangle a very good deal on Axioms because they were just out of warranty, but still a painfully expensive issue to occur after only such a short period of time.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by TheOffice

After a torrential downpour the touchscreen on my plotter died. Luckily, it also has a wheel/mouse.

Has anyone used an iPad screen protector or the like to protect their plotter?
Or just a large zip-lock bag in heavy weahter?

Have used both screen protectors and large bags. Obviously when putting on the protector get all the air bubbles out. Would get the PET film instead of glass for better anti-glare. Not sure if it will save it in a downpour though.
The bag works best to keep it dry in the cockpit, but not great for visibility or responsiveness of touchscreen.