What size for cockpit display?

[seahouse]

I find I've been toning back on my MFD size wants with the passage of time. I think I made a good move by NOT buying the MFD (multi-function display) at the time of purchase of the boat, and the choices are getting ever wider. I realize now that I would have gotten one too large for the cockpit, so the delay has benefited me in more ways than one ($! ).

Any one else out there get what ended up to be a screen they now consider too large and in the way (and courageous enough to admit it )?

So what does everyone consider to be the ideal size of display for the binnacle on our boats? I would think you would not want to exceed the width of the top of the binnacle, and would need to mount a grab bar close to it. Your experiences?

Thanks in advance for your input - Brian.

[Russ]

My garmin440s is not big at all but very easy to read. Larger model would be nice also.

[yukonbob]

I think mine is 4.5 or 5.5 inch (diagonal) Garmin 400 something. I'd rather be watching the water, boat, scenery, friends, and just about anything else other than the display. I usually to turn the 'fish' on the depth off, cause there are so many down there and not many like to actually bite, and thats just annoying. I might go one size bigger to the 7.5 (i think thats the next size up?) but no bigger. Have buddies with 15 inch displays. They're not for watching your favourite tv show (although I think they can) but it just gets in the way, and don't even think about having it on after dark and trying to navigate.

[seahouse]

Yukonbob

and don't even think about having it on after dark and trying to navigate.

You mean because even the dimmest setting is still too blindingly bright?

[K9Kampers]

...consider too large and in the way...

My GPS is a Garmin handheld, the 72 I think, that was originally mounted on top of the binnacle. I stopped doing that for two reasons. I found it to occaisionally be in the way while tacking, and I once found myself in an unintended gybe whereas the mainsheet got looped around the GPS tearing from it's mount, fortunately landing in the cockpit rather than overboard.

Secondly, my style of sailing has me sitting either aside or just forward of the binnacle. When the GPS was was mounted, it needed to be loosened - turned - tightened on every tack. When I do need it, I place it in swivel drink holders mounted to each side of the binnacle (which too, are sometimes in the way).

I don't use the GPS much anyway, and if I had a larger unit like y'all are talking, I would prefer to have it mounted on a swing-out bracket in the companionway.

[JohnCFI]

Mine is a Garmin 451S, I chose it based on advice on this forum, and as it fitted neatly on top of my pedestal on a swivel mount. I had in mind to create a 'safety cage' around it, but have not got round to it yet.

[yukonbob]

Yukonbob

and don't even think about having it on after dark and trying to navigate.

You mean because even the dimmest setting is still too blindingly bright?

Yes

[Russ]

Yukonbob

and don't even think about having it on after dark and trying to navigate.

You mean because even the dimmest setting is still too blindingly bright?

Mine dims nicely at night. Does it automatically based on time of the sunset. In fact, at night is the only time I really need to use it. It gets pitch black up here at night, no lights on shore etc. I still use other tools (flashlight, ears) to watch for stuff, but it's great for night nav. Not a replacement for common sense.

[Highlander]

Well to each his own but as u get older so do ur eye's LOL I have a 10" Lawrence been a while since I used it @ night but I do believe it has a night vision set up just like my trk gps & I'd never go any smaller than a 7" , the 10" is really great when u go into a multi screen set-up they r still large enough to see without having to zoom in & out LOL
here's an old video of my set up from when I was installing all my instruments on the pedestal , gps, wind ind., depth finder, auto pilot , multi functional switch board
http://s235.photobucket.com/user/maccut ... 2.mp4.html

J

[Russ]

My 5.5" Garmin works just fine. Like many things, bigger is probably better, but this thing is fine for my old eyes and doesn't get in the way.

[yukonbob]

Ya the 5.5 is fine with dimming (mine does the same) but I was referring to the large 15" plus ones. I can't imagine even with a dimmer that the tv screen in front of you would not blind you regardless. I'm sure they're fine in a large multi crew boat with night vision set on but for one person that screen and trying to watch in front of you, I don't know.

[133bhp]

FWIW I use a cheap Chinese 7 in android true GPs tablet running navionics mounted on the binnacle using a good car mount. I wouldn't want any thing bigger. Its been fine in all weathers for over ayear, Cling film or a plastic bag if really bad. strong Direct sunlight needs a good squint but so did a $700 plotter! Have a android smartphone for a backup running the same (at no extra cost) Wind and depth etc on the bulkhead are standard 100mm square types.

[BOAT]

Thanks to you Captain Brian for starting this thread. I am looking for a plotter right now as I write this and I am not real thrilled about having a huge object on the wheelhouse. I also do not always sit behind the wheel so that swivel swivel crap hits home for me.

K9 Kamper and his dogs really hit a nice note with this one:

I would prefer to have it mounted on a swing-out bracket in the companionway.

Hmmm - I think if I were to go to a huge display that would be the only way, and it sure does make locking away your equipment easy. Hmmmm - I would like to hear more discussion on this.

[Russ]

Thanks to you Captain Brian for starting this thread. I am looking for a plotter right now as I write this and I am not real thrilled about having a huge object on the wheelhouse. I also do not always sit behind the wheel so that swivel swivel crap hits home for me.

I'm sure mine is designed to be viewed directly from a close distance. In the companionway, I wouldn't be able to use the buttons or read it well. Others may work differently.

[BOAT]

I'm sure mine is designed to be viewed directly from a close distance. In the companionway, I wouldn't be able to use the buttons or read it well. Others may work differently.

Well THAT sucks! I don't have a plotter right now so I'm not up on how they operate but if Captain Russ says they need to be close to the operator that sort of scrubs the idea of the companionway all to hull. Now what?

I guess seahouse is right - I should be carefule about getting too much bulk on the wheelhouse. Maybe I should just shop for a 5 inch display. (Geeze!) I would like a depth sounder but I could care less about a fish finder. (I don't fish). Are they mutualy exclusive or is depth sounding mean your just gonna pay for fishys anyways?