2018-06-12, 04:56 PM
What was the model of the rugged phone? The outdoors is such an under-served niche. Back in the 1990's in America there was a wireless carrier Nextel that did a great job of selling to people working in construction and other all weather jobs - they had rugged phones with "Push to Talk" buttons. Another carrier (Sprint) bought them and they disappeared. Since then there has been so little attention, other than from makers of cases such as Otter and Lifeproof, to people who go outside. If it weren't for city people dropping phones in toilets we probably would not be finally seeing waterproof phones! Nearly everyone keeps their phone in a case - whether they work indoors or out - so it makes no sense to me that we see such focus on the beauty of a new device that we never see naked again.
Another display device to consider is an e-reader, such as a Kindle. It uses little power and is easily read in direct sunlight. iKommunicate has written a web app for it, there are a few threads about it on this forum.
A usb power outlet at the helm is indispensable. I have considered making some sort of splash screen at the helm, or adding a large shallow compartment with a hinged acrylic front panel for various tablets and devices. The devices themselves come and go, so the trick is a versatile configuration.
A single large fixed mount touchscreen (weatherproof and daylight readable) at the helm is what many people desire, but these are uncommon and very expensive at this time, so like you I believe tablets and phones are the way to go.
Another display device to consider is an e-reader, such as a Kindle. It uses little power and is easily read in direct sunlight. iKommunicate has written a web app for it, there are a few threads about it on this forum.
A usb power outlet at the helm is indispensable. I have considered making some sort of splash screen at the helm, or adding a large shallow compartment with a hinged acrylic front panel for various tablets and devices. The devices themselves come and go, so the trick is a versatile configuration.
A single large fixed mount touchscreen (weatherproof and daylight readable) at the helm is what many people desire, but these are uncommon and very expensive at this time, so like you I believe tablets and phones are the way to go.