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View Full Version : First ride with 2730 GPS, NICE, BUT..sun on screen makes it unreadable...

macc4s
02-03-2006, 04:01 PM
Took my first 150 miler today with the newly added Garmin 2730. Killer nice device, but the screen is totally obliterated by direct sun on it. I've seen shade units to help, but are there any other solutions, or is this just the way it is? Touch screen works pretty well, even with my older style THICK Gerbing heated gloves, but it's easy to input 2 or 3 screen taps and overshoot what you were trying to achieve. Great unit, I assume there really isn't a way around the backlight screen washout deal. Any ideas?
tricky_micky
02-03-2006, 04:10 PM
Took my first 150 miler today with the newly added Garmin 2730. Killer nice device, but the screen is totally obliterated by direct sun on it. I've seen shade units to help, but are there any other solutions, or is this just the way it is? Touch screen works pretty well, even with my older style THICK Gerbing heated gloves, but it's easy to input 2 or 3 screen taps and overshoot what you were trying to achieve. Great unit, I assume there really isn't a way around the backlight screen washout deal. Any ideas?

Mac

I run the 2610 on the bike, and like you, I have seen the home made shades some riders have. Not having one myself, I am like you, when the sun is direct, it does make the screen difficult to see.

Also, there was a thread some time ago about the screen misting up on the 2610 when the weather is damp and wet, my screen mists very slightly across the middle but does not cause any problems with the operation of the unit.

Something for you to watch for and would be interested on your findings should you get any wet weather LOL.

Stay safe and take care.

Mick
macc4s
02-03-2006, 04:22 PM
I sent them an e-mail question. I also am going to change the screen brightness and see if that makes a difference. We're supposed to get snow in the middle of the country this weekend, so it may be a bit before I know more. Thanks for the reply! Patrick
macc4s
02-03-2006, 04:23 PM
Nice spelling!!
tricky_micky
02-03-2006, 04:30 PM
Nice spelling!!

No problems MAC

The version you have has not yet been released here in the UK, and I think it will take a while for it to get here. Number of reasons I suppose, we do not have XM or is it XT radio over here and they will no doubt eventually, bring one out for the UK market.

I do a lot of travelling and the GPS really has been a friend to me and well worth the cost, plus, I can offset it on tax over here as I use it for the business ...... any excuse to get back at the tax man LOL :cool:

Mick
Louie Louie
02-03-2006, 05:33 PM
The 2730 is nice. However, If you wanna find a station on XM, or switch from xm to MP3, you almost have to stop the bike to get to the proper menu, etc. I decided on the 2610 and a separate XM(Sky Fi).
crazykz
02-03-2006, 08:12 PM
This is an issue with the screen on all the units but I've learned to deal with it. The functionality is worth the occasional sun issue.

Curt
sttourer
02-03-2006, 08:29 PM
This is an issue with the screen on all the units but I've learned to deal with it. The functionality is worth the occasional sun issue.

Curt

With all due respect :bow1: Master Curt, I must disagree with you on your first point. My 376C is perfectly readable in direct sunlight. A pleasant surprise after my experience on the SP3 even with a sunshade.

Pat
crazykz
02-04-2006, 08:46 AM
With all due respect :bow1: Master Curt, I must disagree with you on your first point. My 376C is perfectly readable in direct sunlight. A pleasant surprise after my experience on the SP3 even with a sunshade.

Pat

I knew someone would bust me on that part. Dammit Pat! Pat is right. I was too lazy to type the model numbers. The 26XX/27XX models all have this issue and I believe it is because of the touchscreen.

I don't think the X76C series has touchscreen so they have a better screen on them that is viewable in direct sunlight. However the con is that they use the Garmin's proprietary memory cards so you'll never be able to load all the maps into it. Not an issue for some people.

I still say that it is a minor issue compared to the functionality that you get from the unit.

Curt
NormanPCN
02-05-2006, 06:53 PM
I don't think the X76C series has touchscreen so they have a better screen on them that is viewable in direct sunlight. However the con is that they use the Garmin's proprietary memory cards so you'll never be able to load all the maps into it. Not an issue for some people.


The X76C screens are trans-reflective and that is why they are viewable in direct sunlight. They actually get better the more sun they get. In a backlit situation the transmissive (like the streetpilots) can do better since it can have a stronger backlight. Since cars have roofs this, backlight, is the bad light situation for cars.
Louie Louie
02-05-2006, 09:40 PM
The X76C screens are trans-reflective and that is why they are viewable in direct sunlight. They actually get better the more sun they get. In a backlit situation the transmissive (like the streetpilots) can do better since it can have a stronger backlight. Since cars have roofs this, backlight, is the bad light situation for cars.

I can attest to the fact that Norm's GPS looks like a big pretty plasma tv!