Transflective panel w/Anti-reflective touch

miatacarpc · 04-09-2008, 09:57 AM

I'm putting together my carpc for my convertible (see if you can guess the make from my screen name), so I've been scouring the web looking for suppliers of TF panels w/AR touch, and the only place I've been able to get responses from is WinMate (http://www.winmate.com.tw).

They have been very responsive and helpful, but they are quoting me $510 for an AUO C070VW02 (LED-backlit, 7" 800x480) plus a transflective panel upgrade, with an AR touchscreen. The kit will include the inverter, touchscreen USB controller, A/D board, OSD button board etc.

On top of that, I've got to pay shipping to USA from Taiwan, which they are putting at about $100-$140

So... $610-$650 for a single-unit quantity of TF touchscreen with AR coating.

Sound like a rip-off? Any other suggestions for suppliers?

kelmk · 04-09-2008, 11:21 AM

You can just buy a CTF700-SH for that price from cartft.com
Do not skimp on a screen for a convertible. I bought 3 screens before finding this one and it's the only one visible in direct sunlight.

miatacarpc · 04-09-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kelmk

You can just buy a CTF700-SH for that price from cartft.com

Truth be told, that would be at least $60 more (10%), in addition, I'm looking for a panel that I can mount into a double-DIN sized opening. This would not fit that bill unless I disassembled it, in which case the warantee would be voided and all the issues that implies.

Also, it looks like the touchscreen on that model is anti-glare, which is not ideal, since it can cause a washing-out in direct sunlight. The one I've requested is anti-reflective, which should be better. It also increases the cost a bit (like $25 or $50, I can't remember).

kelmk · 04-09-2008, 01:32 PM

You will have to go with a glass capacitive touch screen if you want anti reflective. I have been talking to a manufacturer in India that is going to sell me one for $110 but $70 shipping.
I have the CTF700-SH in my convertible and the visibility is awesome. There are very few occasions where I can't read the screen. The glare is very minimal and waaaaay better than any lilliput of xenarc.
So the quote you got above sounds like a decent price.

miatacarpc · 04-09-2008, 04:49 PM

The touchscreen I'm getting is resistive, AFAIK, I'll check.

kelmk · 04-09-2008, 05:12 PM

Resistive screens only let through about 80% on the light from the LCD. The glare reduces visibility further. The way the anti glare works is by roughing the surface to diffuse the reflection. Not good in direct sunlight.
The problem I have with my resistive touchscreen even though the lcd is very bright in sunlight is the finger prints make it hard to read. After a few days of use the finger prints will be so bad that it won't be visible in direct light any more. They don't wipe off like an iphone either because the surface is textured. You will have to use a cleaning solution. For this reason I have been using my stylus almost exclusively.
The capacitive screen is glass so finger prints won't be as much of an issue and will wipe off easily. Light transmission is closer to 100% and results in a much brighter image.

miatacarpc · 04-09-2008, 06:01 PM

What you say is true for anti-glare TS. The antiglare treatment diffuses incident light, thereby reducing glare, but also reducing visibility in incident light. It's two things that reduce the transmitance, AFAIK, the anti-glare treatment, and the dielectric between the plates.

The latter we can't do much about, but the AG treatment, in my case, will be replaced by AR treatment, which allows more light through. Not sure of the final transmittance ratio.

quantum · 04-09-2008, 07:33 PM

This is the same AUO panel / setup I have been using for almost 2 years. I got one of the first off the assembly line when they came out with the LED backlight instead of the CCFL.

IIRC, the touch screen that came with it was listed as anti-reflective, direct from the manufacturer, never had a problem with fingerprints or sun glare. I've seen some (and have some) that look like damn mirrors! Unless they (winmate or the mfgr) are doing something special to it, it does not come stock as a transreflective. I'll see if I can find the PDF data sheet if you like.

Price seems about right, maybe a hair high, based on shipping, duties, etc. I paid about $400 shipped when all said and done. But it was a special case, I had a good connection, tears were involved and it was direct from the mfgr.

I don't think the extra $200+ would leave enough room for profit and a transreflective upgrade, but I wouldn't know for sure. Are you positive it is going to be transreflective? I'm curious about that.

Overall, I LOVE this panel, and don't see any reason why you couldn't use it in a convertable as-is.

miatacarpc · 04-09-2008, 08:44 PM

They are doing a transflective upgrade on the panel. I confirmed this with them several times. Glad to hear it works well.

Looks like a decent deal based on these two responses. I'll wait and see if there are any more before ordering. Anyone have experience dealing with WinMate?

DigitalVampire · 04-10-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by kelmk

You will have to go with a glass capacitive touch screen if you want anti reflective. I have been talking to a manufacturer in India that is going to sell me one for $110 but $70 shipping.

Could you please share the manufacturer details.

kassman · 04-26-2008, 08:20 AM

Based on what I read on their site I would ask what the Viewing Angles are for that panel. Some of their panels are as low as 60degx40deg if I am reading it correctly.