My transflective upgrade - CTF700-SH w/comparisons

utd09bry · 06-21-2008, 11:10 PM

I, like many others, have put up with a glary and sun-destroyed screen for too long.

After much research and pondering, I finally made the jump and purchased my first transflective screen.

Many options were out there, but the winner and final decision for me was the CarTFT CTF700-SH.

I'd like to share some comparisons to my old screen, and show just how awesome this new one is.

For reference, my old screen is a Lilliput EBY701..

(Click the thumbnails for a LARGER version of the picture)

Here is the old screen, powered off to show normal reflection.

Mirror anyone?

With PC on... and indirect bright sun.

The next three shots show a direct light comparison of the old and new displays.

Once again, mirror reflection

CTF700-SH. Scatters light very well!

Here is an outdoor shot, with the sun hitting them both pretty hard

Reflection comparison

Installed!

This is the most glare I could pick up at the time. Amazing visibility!!!

Some final thoughts..

1) I HIGHLY recommend the CTF700-SH screen. It has amazing visibility even in direct sunlight (I have seen it in very bright conditions not pictured here, and it performs extremely well).

2) The only problem I have had is with fingerprints, which show up when the sun is hitting the screen. Wiping it with a glasses/screen cloth fixes it quickly and easily.

3) The case is larger than what I had been used to, so it may not fit everyone's current setup. It doesn't fit quite as well as my lilliput did, but I may tinker with that later.... works fine for now.

If I manage to snap some better bright conditions I will update this thread...

BhashaZ · 06-22-2008, 06:25 PM

Seems to be performing quite well! I currently have the Xenarc 700-TSV and am looking to upgrade to transfeflective. In doing my research, it seems that the MAIN two choices we have (for 7" screens) are the CarTFT CTF700-SH, or the LinITX Transreflective. What made you choose the CarTFT over the LinITX? I am actually also leaning towards the CarTFT, but I don't know if it is necessarily better.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

utd09bry · 06-22-2008, 10:37 PM

It was my understanding that I wouldn't be able to get anything from LinITX shipped to the US. If that's not true then I was mistaken..

But really I had seen some shots on mp3car of the CarTFT screen, and it looked to really be exactly what I was looking for. Sunlight readable, to me at least, is a pretty high point and finding anything that goes beyond that was just not in my interest. In addition to the posts here, CarTFT has a really neat road test they did and their shots were very convincing as well.

Here is that road test: http://www.cartft.com/community/Story/death_valley/

Taken from their pics... This is pretty much as bad as it gets (as long as you wipe the fingerprints off)! http://www.cartft.com/community/Stor...thValley_8.jpg

All in all, let's just say that I am extremely satisfied (and that's a good thing considering it had to ship from Germany!)

I had a very bright drive today, sun hitting my screen head on.... and I could perfectly read it. I had heard from others about how this screen looked as good in the sun as their old one did in the shade. Let me tell you it's damn close

BhashaZ · 06-24-2008, 04:43 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. One more question, which I don't know if you'd be able to answer, but do you know the actual dimensions of the LCD itself? I plan on replacing my Xenarc 700-SV, which fits PERFECTLY in the OEM nav location in my car. So I'm hoping you may be able to tell me the dimensions, though I doubt it since you didn't open it up. But know knows, you may have stumbled upon it while doing your research! If it's the same as Xenarc, I will be swapping mine soon!

utd09bry · 06-24-2008, 05:26 PM

As fortune would have it, I have it all taken apart on my kitchen table at the moment... I'm trying to flush mount it into my dash. I'll get you some measurements this evening.

BhashaZ · 06-24-2008, 06:36 PM

Oh that would be wonderful! Definitely looking forward to it! If you can take pictures next to a metric ruler that would be even better!

Thanks again!

BhashaZ · 06-24-2008, 06:38 PM

Oh man...I just read my last post and realized I had so many typos! Glad you were still able to decipher what I was trying to ask!

utd09bry · 06-24-2008, 11:57 PM

I can take pictures if you'd like... not sure if I have a metric ruler around here though.

To the best of my ability, the dimension of the screen (this is without the frame) is ~6.5" wide by ~4.125" tall

tolisn · 08-01-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by utd09bry

I can take pictures if you'd like... not sure if I have a metric ruler around here though.

To the best of my ability, the dimension of the screen (this is without the frame) is ~6.5" wide by ~4.125" tall

Do you have a any pictures of the inside of the casing or the dismantled screen ?

I would like to know if the controller board is the same size as the screen panel and if the buttons on the bottom reside on a separate pcb.
I have a mazda6 motorized screen mount that can accept a screen size of 168mm x 105mm and I'd like to know if this would fit in.
The buttons I don't need since everything can be adjusted using the remote control.

utd09bry · 08-01-2008, 06:11 PM

yeah i do have some pictures... i meant to post them a while ago. ill update this evening

tolisn · 08-04-2008, 07:17 AM

Can you please upload your pictures

utd09bry · 08-04-2008, 04:08 PM

yes, im sorry... ive been really busy lately. now facing a tropical storm.. but ill have them up in a few

utd09bry · 08-04-2008, 04:47 PM

Best shot I have of components. There is a main board (shown), a smaller board (shown), and third board -even smaller. The three fit side-by-side behind the screen. The smaller boards are for the inverter and touchscreen.

There is a 4th circuit board, very thin/skinny, - not pictured - for the the buttons and IR sensor.

These next two show the dimensions of the bare screen with touch screen (click to enlarge)

Enjoy..

tolisn · 08-05-2008, 12:00 AM

OK. Thanks for the photos. They sure are a big help.

mpr90 · 08-09-2008, 04:49 PM

Useful photos, thanks - I too have the CTF700-SH screen and am looking to remove it from the case and mount it in t a custom double DIN frame for my 2002 Miata.

Does anyone know whether this screen will fit in either of the bybyte LCD frames? (Refer to this and this for details.) I'm trying to come up with a mounting solution that avoids bondo, fabrication, etc, by using off the shelf parts.

Thanks,
MPR.