Is the sunlight problem really _that_ bad??

monkeyBox · 05-02-2006, 08:42 PM

I know some of the people here say that their touchscreen LCD's are practically "unusable" during the daytime. Some are even willing to shell out an additional $400 for a special transflective upgrade. But is there anyone out there who disagrees? Is there anyone out there who's figured out how to live with sunlight glare without spending a large wad of dough? I'd hate to spend money on my carpc only to find out I can't use it during the daytime. Has anyone tried implementing some kind of "hood" or something that helps block the sunlight?

scott_fx · 05-02-2006, 08:48 PM

it's usable, i usually have to cover the screen a bit with the hand that is touching the buttons. but it can get pretty bad in mid afternoon with the top down

senseless228 · 05-02-2006, 08:51 PM

the good old hand covering the screen is where its at...but yea, at first you deal with it, but over time, it gets more bothersome, 7" lilliput here...luckily i know, roughly, where the buttons are, but its still a hassle. I'm waiting till I start my new job and save money to get some tint on the windows, hopefully that helps. Passangers wearing light/bright colors, or having light/bright seats makes the matters worse.

Megalomaniac · 05-02-2006, 09:38 PM

5% tint so you can't see up in my window

dune · 05-02-2006, 09:57 PM

7" Xenarc here, same problem. I just got my system up an running a few weeks ago and for the cost of the screen I'm a bit dissapointed with the sunlight readability. I'm going to have some better tint installed, which should help, but certain times of the day make it nearly unusable. Placement of the screen also has an effect, a lot of factory LCD's have them set back in the dash with a "hood".

I don't plan to spend more money trying to upgrade the LCD, going to hold out for SED.

JimmyFitz · 05-02-2006, 10:34 PM

My car is a convertible and I can't see my Xenarc screen at all if the sun is out. I have learned where the next song button is and I don't really need to see the screen. Shading it with my hand only helps a little. If I need to use the Nav system I can always put the top up. I would likely spring for a brighter screen if it was a reasonable cost, but not at another $400.

Megalomaniac · 05-02-2006, 10:53 PM

u should make everything voice activated,lol just a thought

nameeri · 05-02-2006, 11:41 PM

Im keeping my fingers crossed on my transflective upgrade.

monkeyBox · 05-03-2006, 12:06 AM

Well, unless I get into some more cash soon, I think this problem put's a decent carpc slightly out of my price range

. Hopefully some more affordable solutions will be made available soon.

nameeri: I'm still interested to see how it turns out for you. I dunno, If it works really well, I might be convinced to spend the extra cash.

3g Jester · 05-03-2006, 12:10 AM

i remember reading something about someone putting in new bulbs in their lilli and it made it 10 times brighter. i dont remember the exact details. just the thread..and i havent opend my lilli so i dont know whats in there.

scott_fx · 05-03-2006, 01:38 AM

monkey, dont let the screen deter you. it's still functional and you can always make an 'i-drive' sort of interface. just use your imagination and then build it

Haystack · 05-03-2006, 03:12 AM

or you could use an inlay for the screen.

sama · 05-03-2006, 03:16 AM

you could get some ultra high density fiber optics cable, and attach it to some glasses like a tube to one eye, then connect it up to the screen on the other. that way, one eye can watch the roadh, and the other has a periscope style view of the screen.

MatrixPC · 05-03-2006, 11:36 AM

Yes, the glare/reflection is really anoying most of the time, but that is ONLY if you keep your eye on the screen the whole time.

I use remote to control the song selection and basic navigation in RoadRunner. So I barely use touch screen and most the time I don't bother look at the screen while driving.

In my Supra, I have no touch screen. My only mean to control the carpc is either mouse or remote. And lately, car2PC Mbus adapter. Controlling song is a piece of cake with this little adapter.

For 400+ upgrade is a big money. No I am not ready for that yet.

rsd212 · 05-03-2006, 12:17 PM

Im thinking of also adding a character LCD (though nobody has a 40x2 or 40x4 transreflective in red, grr), and using that to display next driving direction, song title, etc. That, combined with voice control, gestures, or external buttons would reduce your dependence on the screen.

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