roybassist Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I've seen posts from a few people saying that they thought the screen of the Colorado wasn't as bright as the screen on the 60C/76C series, some of them saying they think they might have to run the backlight more on the Colorado. What doesn't quite add up for me, though, is that if it were that bad, it seems like there would have been a lot more comments about it by now. I'm considering whether to buy a Colorado, and this is a potential make-or-break issue for me. I currently own a 76CS. I know the screen on the Colorado is bigger and higher res than the one used in the 60/76 series; but if the brightness of the Colorado screen isn't at least comparable to the 60/76 screens, I don't think I want one. I am mostly concerned with outdoor daylight conditions, where I've never needed the backlight on my 76CS. If the Colorado screen is ok under those conditions, I think I would be satisfied with it. Since my interest is in its outdoor performance, going to a store and looking at it indoors probably wouldn't be much help. I would really appreciate hearing from more people who have both the Colorado and a 60/76 series unit regarding the comparative brightness of the screens. Any other comments regarding the usability screen would be welcome. Side-by-side comparison photos with a description of the ambient lighting conditions would probably be really helpful. Many thanks! Quote Link to comment
+apersson850 Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 My webalbum. Quote Link to comment
PerryB2 Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I don’t have a Colorado, but I did compare a Colorado 400t to a 60CSx at REI, both by the display counter and by the window with full sunlight. The Colorado was so dim without the backlight; to me it was not usable. If you can, try to find a store that has them and do your own comparison. Quote Link to comment
+WoodenShoe Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Anders, I think he wanted to do side by side without back lighting on. Your web album is with back lighting on at full was it not? I thought I remembered, when asked that you did not have a photo of the units without back lighting because you did not have enough sunlight at the time, and or could not get the right angle on several screens in the sun to get a accurate picture? Most comments on the 76/60 in comparison to the Colorado series with no back lighting that I have read in the forum said slightly less bright on the Colorado without the back light on. Some of this could be the background on the Colorado Bob Quote Link to comment
Didjerrydo Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I've seen posts from a few people saying that they thought the screen of the Colorado wasn't as bright as the screen on the 60C/76C series, some of them saying they think they might have to run the backlight more on the Colorado. What doesn't quite add up for me, though, is that if it were that bad, it seems like there would have been a lot more comments about it by now. I'm considering whether to buy a Colorado, and this is a potential make-or-break issue for me. I currently own a 76CS. I know the screen on the Colorado is bigger and higher res than the one used in the 60/76 series; but if the brightness of the Colorado screen isn't at least comparable to the 60/76 screens, I don't think I want one. I am mostly concerned with outdoor daylight conditions, where I've never needed the backlight on my 76CS. If the Colorado screen is ok under those conditions, I think I would be satisfied with it. Since my interest is in its outdoor performance, going to a store and looking at it indoors probably wouldn't be much help. I would really appreciate hearing from more people who have both the Colorado and a 60/76 series unit regarding the comparative brightness of the screens. Any other comments regarding the usability screen would be welcome. Side-by-side comparison photos with a description of the ambient lighting conditions would probably be really helpful. Many thanks! Quote Link to comment
Didjerrydo Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Yeah, the Colorado's display does seem a bit harder to see in average room light than the display of previous units like the 60's. It's fine outdoors or with the backlight though. Garmin must have to use some sort of polorization material over the LCD display that has an unfortunate side effect of reducing the visibility of the display somehow. Quote Link to comment
yogazoo Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 After using my Colorado in various lighting conditions, there is no question that the display is not as easy to see as the 60's, 76's, vistas, etc. That being said, I do believe that its a bit of a trade off. The Colorado does have a larger screen and higher resolution. In bright sunlight and with backlight on, IMHO, the Colorado is better givin the resolution and size. Anything in between though, such as a room moderately illuminated or a cloudy day, the older models take the cake. One thing I would like to comment on is the poor implementation of colors / contrasts on the menus. Take the trip computer screen for example. The dark grey field headers are just plain tough to see. Even if you load a white background screen, still, the grey shading of the fields and the darker letters is just a lousy setup. It would be nice to be able to customize those settings to change those colors and contrasts for easier viewing/reading. If the screen visibility is a fatal issue for folks considering the Colorado, Garmin may be good to make at least the menus easier to see. Quote Link to comment
Didjerrydo Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 After using my Colorado in various lighting conditions, there is no question that the display is not as easy to see as the 60's, 76's, vistas, etc. That being said, I do believe that its a bit of a trade off. The Colorado does have a larger screen and higher resolution. In bright sunlight and with backlight on, IMHO, the Colorado is better givin the resolution and size. Anything in between though, such as a room moderately illuminated or a cloudy day, the older models take the cake. One thing I would like to comment on is the poor implementation of colors / contrasts on the menus. Take the trip computer screen for example. The dark grey field headers are just plain tough to see. Even if you load a white background screen, still, the grey shading of the fields and the darker letters is just a lousy setup. It would be nice to be able to customize those settings to change those colors and contrasts for easier viewing/reading. If the screen visibility is a fatal issue for folks considering the Colorado, Garmin may be good to make at least the menus easier to see. Yeah, I'm with you there. I'd like to see things like the ability to change the color of the track logs, satellite signal strenght bars on the satellite page as well as have the day/night changing color schemes! Quote Link to comment
+g-o-cashers Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Here are some shots to compare to my 60cs. Here are the conditions, Colorado has full battery so the backlight goes to max, shots are indoors during the day near a window with some ambient light. It is cloudy outside so there is no direct sunlight. I tried to eliminate reflections as best I could. I compared with no backlight, 1/2 backlight and full backlight, no flash was used on the camera. No backlight. This was the hardest photo to get because to my eye the Colorado is much worse. The Colorado seems much more sensitive to reflections whereas the 60cs is neutral in this respect. Background color is obviously different but it is hard to find a screen on both that has the same uniform color. 1/2 backlight. I find them similar at this setting, although I would give the edge to the 60cs. Full backlight. Colorado is the clear winner, the photo is pretty representative to what my eye sees. Hope that helps. I'll try to get some outdoor shots. GO$Rs Quote Link to comment
+Paul_Aris Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Here are some shots to compare to my 60cs. Here are the conditions, Colorado has full battery so the backlight goes to max, shots are indoors during the day near a window with some ambient light. It is cloudy outside so there is no direct sunlight. I tried to eliminate reflections as best I could. I compared with no backlight, 1/2 backlight and full backlight, no flash was used on the camera. No backlight. This was the hardest photo to get because to my eye the Colorado is much worse. The Colorado seems much more sensitive to reflections whereas the 60cs is neutral in this respect. Background color is obviously different but it is hard to find a screen on both that has the same uniform color. 1/2 backlight. I find them similar at this setting, although I would give the edge to the 60cs. Full backlight. Colorado is the clear winner, the photo is pretty representative to what my eye sees. Hope that helps. I'll try to get some outdoor shots. GO$Rs All shots look useuable. I can't wait to get my 400T. Quote Link to comment
freeday Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 great pics! ...but bad result for the colorado without backlight. did you use any shield like invisible shield without backlight the gpsmap is much better!! Does anyone have these pics comparing VISTA HCX with Colorado? Quote Link to comment
roybassist Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 Many thanks to those who have responded. The comments and photos you provided were just what I was needing! Very helpful. I really appreciate it! I think others will find it useful also. Quote Link to comment
teamdw Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 great pics! ...but bad result for the colorado without backlight. did you use any shield like invisible shield without backlight the gpsmap is much better!! Does anyone have these pics comparing VISTA HCX with Colorado? Here is a link to a pic of the Vista next to the Colorado http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...=183484&hl= Quote Link to comment
+g-o-cashers Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 did you use any shield like invisible shield without backlight the gpsmap is much better!! No invisible shield on either - my 60cs is badly scratched in a few places however. GO$Rs Quote Link to comment
freeday Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 great pics! ...but bad result for the colorado without backlight. did you use any shield like invisible shield without backlight the gpsmap is much better!! Does anyone have these pics comparing VISTA HCX with Colorado? Here is a link to a pic of the Vista next to the Colorado http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...=183484&hl= Thanks. In the pic both have brand new batteries and the backlight is turned all the way up. it would be interesting to see both without backlight. Quote Link to comment
geoprincesss Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 great pics! ...but bad result for the colorado without backlight. did you use any shield like invisible shield without backlight the gpsmap is much better!! Does anyone have these pics comparing VISTA HCX with Colorado? Here is a link to a pic of the Vista next to the Colorado http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...=183484&hl= Thanks. In the pic both have brand new batteries and the backlight is turned all the way up. it would be interesting to see both without backlight. Colorado looks good with backlight. Wonder what battery life is with backlight constantly on since it looks like that is the way most would use it due to faded screen without it. Quote Link to comment
freeday Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 did you use any shield like invisible shield without backlight the gpsmap is much better!! No invisible shield on either - my 60cs is badly scratched in a few places however. GO$Rs Thanks - so the Colorado screen is really awful without backlight i thought the problem is a bad shield Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.