Fishfinder sun shield

Yachter Yat · November 17, 2018, 06:24:39 AM

Could somebody please tell stupid me: What the hell is wrong with these fishfinder manufacturers? I don't know why these things don't come with a screen cover that could be made to double as a shade cover. I mean, wouldn't it make sense to have the screen cover somehow be capable of simply being attached to the top of the unit in order to shade the screen from the sun? My Raymarine A70 is mounted on the dash, ahead of the wheel, and (most of the time) I find, in order to get good, acceptable screen visibility, I have to shade the screen. Years ago, I cut this piece of cardboard (from the back of a pad of paper) a few inches or so wide. I tape this to the top of my fishfinder, with painter's tape, every time I go out. Amazingly effective at improving my screen visibility. Not sure if there are any finders out there equipped with this. If not, just seems it should be something they should be thinking about. Anybody else find themselves having to do this?

Yat

Mooch · November 17, 2018, 10:10:26 AM

I know some of the newer units perform better in strong light, but I have not had any issues with my older (10 yr) Garmin 12" MFD. I have no meed for screen shade as I can crank up brightness to point of needing two pairs of sunglasses. Of course, having a Skip HT probably helps some too.

Fisherdv · November 17, 2018, 10:13:18 AM

I have never had the need for a sun shield with Lowrance units. I think it really depends on the ff screen.

AJFishin · November 17, 2018, 10:19:12 AM

Extra profit💰💰 Plus they figure there are only a few people out there that need one, so why not charge for one.
I would say same goes for, why doesn't Garmin supply their spray shield for their transducer?
:twocents:

Fisherdv · November 17, 2018, 10:42:34 AM

Quote from: AJFishin on November 17, 2018, 10:19:12 AM
Extra profit💰💰 Plus they figure there are only a few people out there that need one, so why not charge for one.
I would say same goes for, why doesn't Garmin supply their spray shield for their transducer?
:twocents:

For real, Garmin knows that's a known issue with their transducers

Yachter Yat · November 17, 2018, 11:37:34 AM

I don't know if this problem is exclusive to Raymarine. I'd find it hard to believe that it is. All I can say for sure is: When that sun is high and shining down on that screen, it can get pretty hard to see at times. Again, that little cardboard "sunshade" seems to do the trick. Go figure.

Yat

Fisherdv · November 17, 2018, 12:04:34 PM

Quote from: Yachter Yat on November 17, 2018, 11:37:34 AM
I don't know if this problem is exclusive to Raymarine. I'd find it hard to believe that it is. All I can say for sure is: When that sun is high and shining down on that screen, it can get pretty hard to see at times. Again, that little cardboard "sunshade" seems to do the trick. Go figure.

Yat

Fish at night, that will solve your problems

Yachter Yat · November 17, 2018, 12:18:11 PM

Fisher: That's pretty funny. No more night stuff for us. If I even use the words "fish" and "night" in too close proximity in a sentence in front of my wife; I get that "look". You know the one, don't you?..........The one that makes you begin to wonder how long it will take you to learn how to cook for yourself? :hoboy:

Yat

Mooch · November 17, 2018, 01:16:35 PM

Quote from: Yachter Yat on November 17, 2018, 11:37:34 AM
Again, that little cardboard "sunshade" seems to do the trick.

Yat, why use a piece of cardboard when you could buy a perfectly good skip top for 3 grand? (You know how much we like spending your money.

)

Short of that, have you tried adjusting your Brightness manually. Auto doesn't always work as advertised.

croaker stroker · November 17, 2018, 01:26:54 PM

The new Fishfinders claim to be clearly visable in direct sunlight. They are faster, have better resolution, are much brighter, and some use Thin Film Transistor technology (TFT) instead of LED. So viewing with Polarized sunglasses is not a problem.

Santa will bring you one. Just add it to your wish list.

As meticulous as you are......you are using a cardboard shade ?? Really ??

Hunter · November 17, 2018, 05:11:35 PM

Yacht.... Sounds to me like you just need a quick and easy solution that won't involve buying a new display.. I think if you drop by any hardware store you can pick up some blank corrugated plastic sign material and easily fab something up. The stuff is light, fairly rigid, waterproof and UV tough.. might cost a buck or two at most.

Yachter Yat · November 18, 2018, 05:48:32 AM

Mooch: Skip top? Can't do that. My baby lives in the garage. With the canvas up and the sun blocked it seems better, but one course change and............. I've played a bit with the brightness, but maybe I'm missing something with that adjustment. Have to admit, I never really got completely through the "learning curve" with this thing. Remember, this is a Raymarine finder, and so, not being a trained F18 pilot, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage. Guess I'll have to reread the "Bible" that came with this thing. I'm sure there's a "Let there be light" section in there somewhere. (ha)

Croaker: Santa came early this year and delivered a new Kubota BX23S tractor. Not sure if "she's" coming back this way anytime soon. Even so, I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to ask for any more at this time. You understand, right? (haha)

Hunter: Thanks! You've given me and idea. Maybe something a little less "flimsy" that I can quickly attach with some snaps of some kind would be better. Attaching snaps to a shade should be simple............attaching snaps to the finder? Gonna have to work on that.

Yat

Hydroman · November 18, 2018, 06:46:25 AM

Just get some VELCO strips to secure your custom visor.

Jim

Yachter Yat · November 18, 2018, 10:04:22 AM

Hydro, thanks. Yeah, Velcro sounds like it might be a good option. A bit concerned about "screwing" anything into the side of that thing. Something tells me I'm going to continue to have this "sun" problem, so I'm looking for a way to make a quick and easy job out of mounting that shade cover.

Yat

Danno · November 18, 2018, 10:07:29 AM

Go Taps Plastics and get some dark colored plastic sheet. Then use the velcro as previously noted.

croaker stroker · November 18, 2018, 10:27:35 AM

I made one out of a black plastic battery box, cut at an angle and attached with velcro.

Didn't use it long before getting a better fishfinder.

croaker stroker · November 18, 2018, 10:32:01 AM

Quote from: Yachter Yat on November 18, 2018, 05:48:32 AM

Croaker: Santa came early this year and delivered a new Kubota BX23S tractor. Not sure if "she's" coming back this way anytime soon. Even so, I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to ask for any more at this time. You understand, right? (haha)

Yat

Doesn't hurt to ask.... Just wear a helmet and be fast on your feet. :twocents:

CS

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Fishfinder sun shield