keck314 Posted May 19, 2002 Share Posted May 19, 2002 Hey all...I got my First GPS, an Etrex Legend today. As I was showing it off to my friends at a graduation party, one of them suggested that we move away from direct sunlight which, according to him, can degrade the liquid crystals in the display. I have heard similar things concerning laptop screens, so I imagine that there is some grain of truth to this advice. Nevertheless, I cannot imagine that Garmin wouldn't include some type of shielding in a device that is designed for hiking. Can any of y'all with models of the eTrex line (or any other model, really), comment on this? Basically I figure that a GPS would be more robust than a laptop when it comes to outdoor use. -Jonathan PS: This is my first post here, so...Hi! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delete windows to communicate freely with me. Quote Link to comment
sc Posted May 19, 2002 Share Posted May 19, 2002 If an LCD display is allowed to heat up enough (e.g. leaving it on a dashboard of a parked car) then it will go black when the liquid crystal material reaches a certain temperature. *Usually* the process is reversible and the display returns to normal when the temperature comes down. I don't think that the sort of exposure to sunlight involved in normal use will be a problem, though. Quote Link to comment
+Lazyboy & Mitey Mite Posted May 19, 2002 Share Posted May 19, 2002 They can fry but as sc said it takes awhile. I've seen one unit end up with a permanent black spot. It wasn't big but it was annoying. It was on the dashboard all day. So it got very hot. Never Squat With Yer Spurs On Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted May 20, 2002 Share Posted May 20, 2002 I have heard of this happening, but I doubt it's anything to be concerned with in normal use. My GPS3+ typically rides on my dashboard between caches. It does get mighty warm. I haven't had a bit of problem. I don't leave it up there when I'm not actively caching, however. Quote Link to comment
Couch_Potato Posted May 21, 2002 Share Posted May 21, 2002 As mentioned above, when liquid crystal displays get too hot they tend to turn all black. Basically that's because the liquid crystal itself is melted and now it's just a liquid. The reverse of this is also true. If the display becomes too cold it will not work either. As the liquid crystal cools it solidifies and then the screen remains blank. In either situation allowing it to return to room temperature should return it to normal operation with no adverse effects. if you want to learn more about how LCD's work, check this out. Mike I'm not lost! I just don't know where I am. Quote Link to comment
DARC Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 The LCD screen has a UV protection layer to prevent damage from direct sunlight. LCD screens will go black if exposed to high enough heat (usually +110F) but they will always go back to clear once the temperature returns to nominal. The main LCD concern at high +158F degree temperatures the liquid in the LCD display expanding to the point of bursting the containment (breaking glass or leaking out past leads). At those temperatures, your greatest concern is the battery leaking. Quote Link to comment
+CYBret Posted May 31, 2002 Share Posted May 31, 2002 The first time I left my eTrex Venture on the dash for any length of time (a little over a half hour) I came back out to find that it had shut itself off. I turned it on, laid it in the dash again and it did it again. Everything was fine after I let it cool down. Anyone else have this happen? Quote Link to comment
phantom Posted June 1, 2002 Share Posted June 1, 2002 Hope you enjoy your new GPSr and the sport of Geocaching. Just using the unit in the sun wont hurt it...just dont let it get too hot. Have fun and stay safe. phantom KB5YUE "Free your mind" - The Matrix Quote Link to comment
Team Dragon Posted June 1, 2002 Share Posted June 1, 2002 I've left it on the dash, middle of summer, all day in the sun, in the Arizona desert. After it cooled down, it was fine. Having lived in PA for a few years, my opinion is that yours will be perfectly fine. Quote Link to comment
+GeoVamp Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Sun lihgt burns...bad for Geovamps skin but it is ok for LED just not temp.I almost killed a Gameboy like that a few years ago left on my car seat all day. I would follow my GPS to the gates of Hell if it pointed that way. Quote Link to comment
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