With modern conformal coatings for electronic circuits being highly resistant to immersion - even in seawater - I wonder when we will see the first truly immersable beach detector.
The battery would still have to be encased, but the rest of the circuit could just flood. No screen display, of course, but switches and lights could do the biz while immersed.
Result - lighter, more compact, neutrally buoyant, less water resistance while in use.
Of course, the rest of the package, rods, etc would need to be “submerge then forget” as well. Just a quick hose down to get rid of salt stains and be ready for next time.
Service would be easier with no pressure testing after repair. Circuit boards these days aren’t normally repairable anyway, so simple component swap would make service quick and less expensive.
The battery would still have to be encased, but the rest of the circuit could just flood. No screen display, of course, but switches and lights could do the biz while immersed.
Result - lighter, more compact, neutrally buoyant, less water resistance while in use.
Of course, the rest of the package, rods, etc would need to be “submerge then forget” as well. Just a quick hose down to get rid of salt stains and be ready for next time.
Service would be easier with no pressure testing after repair. Circuit boards these days aren’t normally repairable anyway, so simple component swap would make service quick and less expensive.