Cases & Screen Protection

Protecting displays and handheld electronics

A case or screen protector only works well if it is cut for the exact model it covers, since bezel shapes, button positions and port cut-outs vary between generations of the same product line, so check the model number before ordering rather than assuming a case will fit a similar-looking unit. Tempered glass protectors resist scratching and impact better than film, though film copes better with curved or non-flat screens.

For helm displays left exposed between trips, a UV-resistant cover fitted over the whole unit does more to prevent sun damage and salt build-up than a screen protector alone, and is worth budgeting for alongside the display itself. Handheld devices such as VHF radios and GPS units benefit from a case rated for the same conditions the device itself is built for, so check the IPX rating lines up before you buy.