Calling LCD screen owners

**AlienEclipse** · 10-02-2003, 04:13 AM

I'm designing an interface for my CarPC software (yes, yet another).
Currently i don't have a screen, i'm waiting to buy digitalww 7" VGA in-dash motorized screen (when it does finally arrive). And while waiting, i'm going to focus on my software. But i'm unsure of decent button sizes for touch screen use and readable text sizes etc.

Attached is a concept image in two sizes. What i'm wanting is for you guys to display this image on your screen, sit in your seat and just see if everything is a good size etc.. and report back (PLEASE).

both are the same image, one is 800x480 and the other is 640x480
Please do take the time

**PTCruiser** · 10-02-2003, 05:43 AM

you can go for smaller font size...

800x480 or 800x600...forgett the 640x480 on a VGA 7"

**cproaudio** · 10-02-2003, 06:17 AM

I think the font size is ok for the wide screen.

**AlienEclipse** · 10-02-2003, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by PTCruiser

you can go for smaller font size...

800x480 or 800x600...forgett the 640x480 on a VGA 7"

resolution is not really important. My app will be resizable, but only by stretching the graphics. Thats why i need to know a common size for the elements at around the 800x600 res mark to get the proportions right.

So your saying that while you would be scanning through the list from the drivers seat (not leaning forward), that smaller text would be still easily readable.
Can you give me some indication on how much smaller/the best size.

I see that the font size in your app is 12, mine is 22 (wow). So i 12 very readable from a eye-to-screen distance of ~1 meter.

What about the button sizes, are they to big also.

**AlienEclipse** · 10-02-2003, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by PTCruiser

you can go for smaller font size...

800x480 or 800x600...forgett the 640x480 on a VGA 7"

Here is the same image with the font size of 17 - half way between your 12 and my 22. What is that font size like.

**PTCruiser** · 10-02-2003, 07:07 AM

yes 12 bold is already quite readable...

Depend also of the contrast you get.
But the best is that this feathure can be a user settings

**AlienEclipse** · 10-02-2003, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by PTCruiser

yes 12 bold is already quite readable...

Depend also of the contrast you get.
But the best is that this feathure can be a user settings

Thanks.
Font size will be a feature.

On another note, what about the colours i was using. How readable was the text in that colour. Could you please give an opinion of it in both day and night.

**Seraph** · 10-02-2003, 12:03 PM

At nights, you don't really want to stare at a blue screen in the dark. It will make your eyes tired very quickly and your eyes are better at seeing things like orange and red at night. If it is totally dark you want to use B&W. Just a little humanfactor research I did a while back in college. That's why the lights in the plane cockpits are orange.