Worried now. Xenarc in Sunlight - cabriolet

**DropTop** · 03-20-2005, 01:04 PM

I've been reading the LCD section (and the others) for so many hours now...

Anyway, I'm worried about viewability of my screen in sunlight as I've read a few posts about even the Xenarc being crap in direct sunlight.

If it's that bad I may as well not bother with a car PC at all! Could someone else with a cabriolet please tell me it's all ok...?

Matt

**Bugbyte** · 03-20-2005, 02:11 PM

It's true. Direct sunlight on a consumer level LCD will make it extremely difficult to see. It that will be an issue with your install, don't do it. You will be disappointed.

That said, my screen, while not in a convertible, is on top of the dash and in a non-tinted window car. It's a Xenarc and does relatively well when it's bright.

**CdRsKuLL** · 03-20-2005, 02:28 PM

which ever lcd unit you get, it will be crap in direct sunlight.. you wont be able to use it and will find yourself as I do moving my hand over it to cause a shadow so I can see whats going on, with the roof up its only when the sun is low and shines directly onto the screen I cant see it. I have had both lilliputs and xenarc screens and to be honest the xenarc seems slightly better and brighter.

CdR

p.s hope to see u in two weeks at the UK meet.. defo worth attending as you get loads of ideas for your install

**live2themaxuk** · 03-20-2005, 05:47 PM

yep. xenarc is better in the sun

**Vinister** · 03-20-2005, 07:52 PM

I have the Xenarc in a bmw cabrio. I switched to the high-bright model and it's slightly better, but still washes out in full sun, obviously. You just can't expect a screen to put out more light than the direct sunshine - you're dreaming.

That being said - it doesn't take away from a carpc setup. You're not staring at the screen while driving anyways - or rather you shouldn't be. the gps calls out directions, you can hear the music, so what's the big deal? When you're cruising around in the full sun in a cabrio, don't you usually just turn it up and cruise?

Since you have to touch it to do anything, your hand shadows it as you reach for it, and you can see what you need to see. I strongly recommend you come up with a way to keep the steering wheel controls (either ir or i-bus), or have some other easy controller so that you can at least use the volume and skip without looking at the screen.

Your only alternative is daylight-viewable marine monitors, of which there are many, but they will kick your *** at night and will cost more than a few carpc setups combined.

if you drive a cabrio in a sunny place and can afford a carpc, LIVE WITH IT!

**DropTop** · 03-21-2005, 02:42 AM

Vinister - thanks mate, glad to hear you're using one ok in a cabriolet. I don't suppose it'll be too much of a problem, given that I'm in the uk

I like the idea of separate controls. My Golf doesn't have them as standard, but I might butcher a mini numeric keypad and relocate the buttons - that'll help fill in some of the blank space next to where the screen is going!

CdRsKuLL - I'm hoping to make it to the meet. Billing aquadrome is less than a mile from me, so the only problem I'll have is when the missus drops a last-minute weekend get away on me (usually to see the inlaws

).

I think I'm going to invest in a Xenarc this month (overtime cheque has just cleared

) and do some tests with my sff desktop and an inverter. I can always sell it afterwards!!!

Cheers dudes,
Matt

**DropTop** · 03-21-2005, 02:46 AM

And here's a random thought...

In work we use these thin mesh glare filters on our monitors. would one of these work if I chopped it down to 7"?

And what's the deal with the 'extra brightness' model? I can't find details of it anywhere.

**Bugbyte** · 03-21-2005, 02:51 AM

You can try the mesh filter. It may help with glare, but it will also cut down on the brightness of the monitor.

The high bright monitors usually cost a good bit more. I believe they run in the 500+ nit range. Many of the monitors you see here are in the 300-400 nit range.

**Saab9-5** · 03-21-2005, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by DropTop

And what's the deal with the 'extra brightness' model? I can't find details of it anywhere.

You can

for "sunlight readable lcd". One such hit is Vartech Systems which has several models: http://www.vartechsystems.com/produc...e-Monitors.asp
They have specs but no pricing.