Garmin 550 screen hard to read in sunlight?

[+Cache Liberation Front]

Hi all,

 

I'm all good to go in purchasing a Garmin 550, upgrading from my 60CSx, but it seems there are quite a few who claim the screen is near unreadable in direct sunlight.

 

I never had a problem reading my 60CSx while out hiking, and I'm wondering if in the 550 I'd actually be downgrading.

 

Thanks for your thoughts,

J.

[+twistyipper]

Hi all,

 

I'm all good to go in purchasing a Garmin 550, upgrading from my 60CSx, but it seems there are quite a few who claim the screen is near unreadable in direct sunlight.

 

I never had a problem reading my 60CSx while out hiking, and I'm wondering if in the 550 I'd actually be downgrading.

 

Thanks for your thoughts,

J.

I just did that trade off a while ago and am pleased with the results--screen a bit difficult to get used to but the options and the screen choices plus paperless and the camera make it all worthwhile--Keep the 60 for your second then you have the best of both worlds--IMHO--twisty

[+ecanderson]

Hi all,

 

I'm all good to go in purchasing a Garmin 550, upgrading from my 60CSx, but it seems there are quite a few who claim the screen is near unreadable in direct sunlight.

 

I never had a problem reading my 60CSx while out hiking, and I'm wondering if in the 550 I'd actually be downgrading.

 

Thanks for your thoughts,

J.

The 450/550 are better than the 200/300/400, but still won't be what you're used to with the 60CSx. I passed on Wherigo and a camera and opted for the Dakota 20. With that unit, the sun can actually be a distinct advantage - angle it any way except directly behind the sun and you'll be very happy with the results. Angle it just right using the sun, and you'll never see a screen that bright even with a good backlight. Lights it right up. Garmin did well with that particular touch screen and LCD.

[+Cache Liberation Front]

Thanks for the replies, comrades.

 

I never even considered the Dakota line, just "ASSuming" it was inferior to the Oregon line. I'll go to Garmin and do a comparison now, thanks.

[+splashy]

The 550 with sun in the right view angle is near to perfect, as it is with the backlight.

As a gps it's an A

 

EDIT the camera is a problem in bright sunlight, you have to shield the screen a bit while making a picture.

Edited April 9, 2010 by splashy

[+Chrysalides]

I've found the 300 to be usable in the sun when angled right as well. The problem with the 550 is that, when using it as a camera, it may be difficult to angle it the right way.

 

The Dakota has 2 major disadvantages to me compared to the Oregon : it has a much lower resolution screen (not in terms of viewable area, but in terms of pixels - you only get half the pixels, meaning less detail) and it only stores 2000 geocaches instead of 5000. Of course, my 300 stores 2000 as well, but then again, I'm not upgrading. Yet.

[+ecanderson]

The screen resolution of the Dakota 20 is 112dpi. The Oregon 450's resolution is 157dpi. The difference in screen width is 0.1". The Oregon's screen is a good bit (0.4") taller, though.

 

But as we've discussed before - you gotta see what's there before the "how much is there" becomes really important. Your description of the 200/300/400 screen fits ... "usable". Was just out for a whole (sunny - YAY!) day again yesterday with a fellow cacher who uses a 400. Watching him deal with the sun numerous times reminded me again that I surely wouldn't want to trade screens. Fortunately, Garmin recognized the problem and made significant improvements for the 450/550.

 

In the "shade", I still much prefer the screen of my eTrex to any of the touch screen models, including my Dakota 20. But out under the big yellow ball in the sky, both look fantastic as long as you don't accidentally hit exactly the wrong incident angle and blind yourself.

 

I can't overemphasize the need to get somewhere that will let you take both a Dakota and newer Oregon out the front door in the sun to make the comparison to the older Oregon series.

Edited April 9, 2010 by ecanderson

[+Redwoods Mtn Biker]

I'm currently testing the Oregon 450, which has the best Oregon screen yet. For handheld use, these units aren't a big problem. You'll intuitively tilt it for the best view. For fixed-mount, non-powered use (e.g., bike handlebars), only the Dakota and Oregon 450 series are up to snuff, IMHO.

[+Cache Liberation Front]

I'm currently testing the Oregon 450, which has the best Oregon screen yet. For handheld use, these units aren't a big problem. You'll intuitively tilt it for the best view. For fixed-mount, non-powered use (e.g., bike handlebars), only the Dakota and Oregon 450 series are up to snuff, IMHO.

 

Does the 550 have the same screen as the 450?

[+Redwoods Mtn Biker]

No. I've verified this with Garmin. I hope to have a review of the 450 posted by Tuesday. My impression is that it is viewable from a wider range of angles in sun.

[+Cache Liberation Front]

No. I've verified this with Garmin. I hope to have a review of the 450 posted by Tuesday. My impression is that it is viewable from a wider range of angles in sun.

 

Excellent, thanks for the help!