Raymarine Dragonfly

[tsugg]

I have the first generation and they changed the micro card door(it's a magnetic operation) after with some complaints about the door failing sometimes underwater. But I rolled mine (PA)three times in a row(I know)trying to learn how to surf launch in 3' surf, the launch attempt was a complete failure but the dragonfly is still working great

[da22y]

I returned my dragonfly 5 and back to my old HDS 5 for the following reason:

1. GPS zoom in/ zoom out "steps" is to big, can't fine tune the zoom to my liking . HDS 5 has better zoom capability.

2. Sonar in auto mode sometime lose it's bottom lock. Switch to manual and it work again.. not reliable as HDS 5.


Other than that dragonfly 5 is very good in all other aspect .

1.Not as bulky and heavy as HDS .
2. HDS has magnetic card reader door( no good), Dragonfly has tight rubber seal door ( better)
3. one cable instead of two.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by tsugg

I have the first generation and they changed the micro card door(it's a magnetic operation) after with some complaints about the door failing sometimes underwater. But I rolled mine (PA)three times in a row(I know)trying to learn how to surf launch in 3' surf, the launch attempt was a complete failure but the dragonfly is still working great

I purchased the Dragonfly7 last August, when it failed for the second time right before a kayak tournament, I did not have time to re-rig or wait 6 weeks for another repair, so I purchased a new unit last march, the magnetic card reader doors are identical on both units. I blame a rolling of the kayak for accellerated corrosion leading to the failure of the card reader in my first unit. The water proofing standard on the website says IXP6 and IXP7. How can it be both? Unsuitable activities for IXP6 are any sustained immersion. The fact that your unit has survived 3 rolls without incident seems like a miracle.

[Fomen]

Well, unfortunately when you run DC current over salt water (12 VDC from the battery), it immediately starts to corrode due to electrolysis. It's the same thing that happens when you blend ferrous and non-ferrous metals and submerge them in salt water. Some metals are more prone to electrolysis, thus they are intentionally used to divert corrosion away from the "important" components. If you've ever owned a boat with an outboard, you will see zinc anode plates affixed to the lower unit. By doing this, electrolysis occurs at the anode, and not on the outboard. So if salt water (even in minute amounts) gets into that card reader, and there is DC battery current pumping through it, it immediately starts to corrode. This could probably be overcome by smearing a really thin layer of clear silicone over the edges of the door to the SD Card. Not only will it help keep it closed, but it will waterproof it as well. If you do it, make sure you don't use 5200 or 6200 RTV silicone/adhesive, as you will probably never get the door back open. I haven't done it, but I think I will with whatever unit I buy.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by Fomen

Well, unfortunately when you run DC current over salt water (12 VDC from the battery), it immediately starts to corrode due to electrolysis. It's the same thing that happens when you blend ferrous and non-ferrous metals and submerge them in salt water. Some metals are more prone to electrolysis, thus they are intentionally used to divert corrosion away from the "important" components. If you've ever owned a boat with an outboard, you will see zinc anode plates affixed to the lower unit. By doing this, electrolysis occurs at the anode, and not on the outboard. So if salt water (even in minute amounts) gets into that card reader, and there is DC battery current pumping through it, it immediately starts to corrode. This could probably be overcome by smearing a really thin layer of clear silicone over the edges of the door to the SD Card. Not only will it help keep it closed, but it will waterproof it as well. If you do it, make sure you don't use 5200 or 6200 RTV silicone/adhesive, as you will probably never get the door back open. I haven't done it, but I think I will with whatever unit I buy.

Agree, regardless of which brand fishfinder one buys, priority should be to add additional waterproofing to all openings: Dialectric paste on the plug pins, silicon, or electric tape over the card reader doors..etc.