We had some gloriously sunny days over the Memorial Day weekend here, which called to my attention that the black-text-on-gray/brown-screen setup of the Jetta's audio system is almost unreadable in direct sunlight. When the sun was high in the sky and I wanted to know what song was playing on the radio, I was SOL. "Ooh, what's that song? Hmm, looks like it's 'Glare' by Dim Letters on a Brown Background." (Of course, by the time I could snap a photo, the sky had grown overcast again, so this shot doesn't quite capture how obscured the text appeared to me in full, direct sunlight. You'll have to take my word for it.) Now, it wasn't totally washed out, but definitely couldn't read it if I only had time for a quick glance, like while driving on the freeway.
Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com @ 15,456 miles
carguy622 says:
03:58 PM, 05/27/09
"Glare' by Dim Letters on a Brown Background." That was good.
I can't stand when radio displays wash out, or cell phones for that matter *cough* LG Vu *cough*. You think the manufacturers would know that sunlight may, one day, hit the display.
Speaking of stupid audio displays. Before I bought my Miata I was reading the long term blog on your '06 and there was a mention of the Miata's display fogging up in warm weather. I figured they have probably fixed that by now... nope. My '08 still fogs up when it's even mildly warm out.
mikeolan says:
04:13 PM, 05/27/09
Why on earth would you own an LG Vu? Did you not see the iPhone next door? :-P
This is one thing Nissan and Honda get right- they have the glowing digits on the LCD on top of the backlight, so it's always visible.
jstandefer says:
04:45 PM, 05/27/09
carguy622: I've never heard of that problem with the Miata. We've had two '06s and currently one '08 (and prior to those, an '04 Mazdaspeed and '99 10AE... what can I say, we're addicted!), and I have never seen the audio displays fog up. (Dead insects inside the right tail light, on the other hand, has occurred on all three NCs!) What situation triggers the fogging? Just warm weather?
The sun washes out the audio display on my S60, which drives me nuts because I like the moonroof open. Of course, it also washes out all of the HVAC settings. Volvos seemed to be designed for dark, inclement weather... the only time the car seems good. Warm dry weather seems to annoy it... it's a good thing I live in San Diego. :-(
cartester16 says:
08:01 PM, 05/27/09
Doesn't the Jetta have the redundant radio displays in the instrument binnacle? Maybe that's the more upmarket models.?
moparbad says:
08:08 PM, 05/27/09
TDI has the Multi Function Display with radio info. in the intrstrument panel.
misterwuf says:
11:31 PM, 05/27/09
I bet that the reviewer was wearing polarized sunglasses which obscure the display in any lighting. I have this radio. It works like a backlit LCD watch display -- direct sunlight makes it easier, not harder to read.
-darren
tryan says:
03:20 AM, 05/28/09
misterwuf - I have an '08 GTI with this headunit and completely agree. I have never had an occasion where it has been completely washed out - even in direct sunlight.
redgeminipa says:
04:34 AM, 05/28/09
Maybe automobile companies should ask Apple how to make an LCD screen that doesn't wash out in sunlight. My iPhone is a perfect example. Full sunlight shining on that thing and it's still very easy to see everything on the screen. It's truly the best LCD screen I've experienced on a cell phone.
carguy622 says:
06:39 AM, 05/28/09
mikeolan: I didn't "own" the LG Vu for more than a day because of that issue amongst others. No iPhone for me though, the data plan is too expensive and the camera is mediocre. I'll stick with my Nokia N96 for now.
jstandefer: The display fogs up whenever the temperature is above about 70ยบ. After I put the top down it takes about 10 minutes to go away. I have two dead spiders in the right tail light thought! Here is the link to the edmunds' fogging issue:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2006/07/2006-mazda-mx-5-miata-foggy-radio-display.html
It's annoying!
zcalvert says:
07:16 AM, 05/28/09
i also have this head unit and have found that if anything, it actually looks better with direct sunlight. perhaps your sunglasses contributed to the problem?
(not blindly defending it... the sound quality blows)
dallasbill says:
01:26 PM, 06/ 1/09
Like moparbad said - it's on the MFD, too. Just press the menu button on the steering wheel and it will show.
How long have you REALLY been testing this car?
Did you REALLY read the owner's manual?