On an overcast night you can't see anything without a light. That would mean that you're always pointing the light at the sails and to the tunnel vision view you get when you point it at the sea around you. So here you are with a large light in your hands pointing it around to see, your steering the boat and adjusting the sails all at the same time.

And your right. having a 4 inch wireless dial in my lap would be terrifying. We have ours wired and mounted permanently at the helm. It keeps me from dropping it and since it's hardwired it's lit all the time.

But I could add that all you guys like AIS. Why have one. You can always use your senses to tell the distance of the other vessels, direction they're traveling, speed and closest point of approach. If a good sailor can use the hairs on the back of his neck he can surely use his senses to to all that other stuff.

I'd be first to admit. I'm a wimp.