Screen too dim in sunlight?

NathanOfSeattle · 10-04-05, 04:28 PM

So I am thinking about getting navigation for my x50v. I assume that that also includes getting a good holder for my car. I have not gotten any of these items just yet, but I was curious to know if the screen is not visible on sunny days.

For those that use navigation in their cars and place it on a PDA holder, is the screen not visible on sunny days? What is your experience? Again I have not gotten a PDA holder for my car yet. I just notice that when I use my PDA outdoors in the sun, I can barely see the screen.

Thanks for your responses in advance!

c00lk1d · 10-04-05, 04:58 PM

not sure but you'll get that with most screens... cellphones, PDA's, laptop...

but if the sun is not shining directly on the screen it should be ok i think... atleast it is with an ipaq... still waiting for my Axim.

MSAgent · 10-04-05, 05:03 PM

There is a screen protector that's supposed to help this but it reduces the color quality of the screen. look at cases.com

mlazzaretto · 10-04-05, 05:26 PM

I use my Axim with a Seidio mount in the car. There are very few times that I am unable to read the screen due to sun glare. On the one or two occassions in the past year that this has happened, I have been able to tilt the screen in one direction or another to fix the issue.

JakeRich · 10-04-05, 05:29 PM

Get a non-glare screen protector to knock down the reflections, most are on the order of 95-99% clear. I also find that in the X50 series that in bright sunlight it actually helps to have the sun more directly on the screen rather than at an angle because the side angle highlights any dust on the screen while the direct angle makes the screen more visible, although the color washes out somewhat.

nealh · 10-05-05, 12:29 PM

you will find I believe issues with sunlight is affect by the car, the windshield slope and where you live

I have a Brando antiglare screen protector and live in FL..I have issues with the glare at times...if I tilt the pda it helps but unfortunately it is the nature of the setup...with that said...you will still be able to see the screen and with voice prompts this is not a big issue

also you have many options as where to make the pda..vent windshiled center, to the left..so will be better than others

cherrylee14 · 10-05-05, 01:13 PM

I'm using anti-glare screen protector (which is 'must' if you use your axim with gps) as well. I set the brightness as max since it's conntected to powered mount, I don't have to worry about battery. I have no problem seeing it at all.

oldmanflair · 10-05-05, 01:33 PM

I'm apparently one of the minority that uses my Axim (X50v) without a screen protector in my car. I use a vent mount in a Honda Accord which keeps the Axim low enough that glare isn't too much of a problem on sunny days. To help view the screen better, I use a high-contrast color scheme on the navigation software.

I also found that some navigation software packages, like Mapopolis, are difficult to read in all conditions due to the nature of the map display (small fonts, jagged lines, etc.). I found that other applications, like TomTom and iGuidance, were MUCH easier on the eyes.

10-05-05, 01:39 PM

I agree with the previous posts, plus most nav programs use voice guidance and turn by turn guidance. SO if you are in a situation where the screen cant be seen you are still ok.

JakeRich · 10-05-05, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by oldmanflair

I'm apparently one of the minority that uses my Axim (X50v) without a screen protector in my car. I use a vent mount in a Honda Accord which keeps the Axim low enough that glare isn't too much of a problem on sunny days. To help view the screen better, I use a high-contrast color scheme on the navigation software.

I also found that some navigation software packages, like Mapopolis, are difficult to read in all conditions due to the nature of the map display (small fonts, jagged lines, etc.). I found that other applications, like TomTom and iGuidance, were MUCH easier on the eyes.

Have you upgraded to the latest version of Mapopolis? It has improved the readability on the X50v.

RobMan · 10-05-05, 04:34 PM

X30 with OCN5 here. Mounted on left side of steering wheel, right at and just below dash level. I don't use a screen protector, and for the most part the screen is very readable. Occasionally some issues with glare. Most of the time, I find that I have a harder time viewing the screen thorugh my sunglasses. I just pop them up real quick and can glance at the screen.

rlagerstrom · 10-06-05, 07:28 PM

I have been experimenting with hand holding my Axim in different areas around my dashboard. I too, think that mounting it to the left of the wheel and below the windshield give me the best visability with minimal glare.

My questions now are what kind of mount allows me to mount the unit that far below the windshield, and do I have to go to a puck style receiver instead of a CF reader to get a good signal.

Ideally the Akron mount with built in GPS receiver sounds good, but how will it work when mounted like I mentioned. I drive a '02 Chevy Tahoe

Robert Strom

G M Fude · 10-06-05, 07:41 PM

I don't have any problems with seeing my X50v, using a standard Brando (i.e. anti-glare) screen protector, and I have a very large sunroof in my Subaru Forester. The screen seems plenty bright enough. Visibility isn't perfect but is definitely quite adequate, even when wearing sunglasses (either refelctive or polarising lenses). FWIW I use Destinator 3 but I don't imagine that makes much difference, all the navigation apps I've seen are quite contrasty.

kelsdogz · 10-06-05, 07:54 PM

My 2 cents.........I am using a Garmin Gps-10....puck style.
Also using the Seidio windshield mtg. Had it mounted low on the center console, but felt it took my eyes to far away from the road. Currently mounted on windshield in center of dash.
Seemed no matter which way I turned cradle, the next turn caused glare.
Ended up fabricating a 3 sided "hood" from plexglass that I slide into the CF card slot to shield the screen from the sun.
Still get glare, but very much reduced.

oldmanflair · 10-07-05, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by JakeRich

Have you upgraded to the latest version of Mapopolis? It has improved the readability on the X50v.

I just performed a two-day test drive of Mapopolis 4.42 and Mapopolis Beta 4.50.28. Both were too buggy to be usable, as the bottom bar continually became corrupted (snowy static appearance). It didn't cause any other issues (no Axim resets required, etc.).
My initial guess was that interoperability with Wisbar was the culprit, but I didn't bother doing any other testing to verify.

In any case, I saw an incremental improvement in the display, but it was still quite jaggy compared to the competition, and in my opinion, too cluttered to read at a quick glance while driving.