Non fogging instruments / gauges (esp. SeaStar "Pro" line)--worth the premium?

ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
1,858
Non fogging instruments / gauges (esp. SeaStar "Pro" line)--worth the premium?

Anyone here have experience stepping up to "non-fogging" instruments / gages?

For example, going from SeaStar Amega to SeaStar Premier Pro:
http://www.seastarsolutions.com/prod...ntation/amega/
http://www.seastarsolutions.com/prod...ier-pro-black/

Did you find that the no fog instruments truly had significantly less (or no) condensation on the insides of the domes? Enough to be worth the price premium?

Was there anything else you really liked about such an upgrade? (Maybe the "higher line" also had better accuracy / responsiveness, smoother "sweep", better lighting / readability / visibility, whatever)

Reason I ask: I want to add / replace a gage or two or three, but right now my boat has a mish-mash of lower-end gages; most are Amega--and they do fog something terrible in the early mornings (though they clear up when the sun comes out; plus I'm working on a ventilation system for the console). I'm trying to decide whether to "go cheap" and round out with Amega (because "no-fog" is all hype?), or step up to something like the Premier Pro line (or other similarly priced suggestions?).

(Also note: my old boat has a full set of lower-end Teleflex Morse (SeaStar) gages similar to the Amega line...never had any issues with them in over 10 years other than fogging, so I'm sure the Amegas are fine for me as far as quality / longevity)
 
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dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,337
Non-fogging is a marketing term for a "sealed" unit.

Sealed units will only "fog" once the seal(s) has been compromised, allowing moisture in gauge.

If you want to save a couple of bucks and don't care about condensation (fog) in your gauges go for it. As a Saltwater boater, ANY moisture inside an electrical comportment is detrimental to the longevity of the device. Effectively, the first step towards ultimate failure of the device.
 
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ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
1,858
I don't think the SeaStar Pro gages are sealed, just an anti-fog coating on the inside of the lens:

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gener...uges-fogged-up

Suggests to me no difference between Amega or the Pro lines as far as the actual ability for moisture to get inside, just the Pro (supposedly) won't fog.

So, anyone using SeaStar Pro gages? Are they really less prone to fog, and does that last?

If I want TRUE no-fog, do I have to step up a few more levels to actual sealed gages?
 
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