660 Hard to see

[Ted]

Just fitted a 660 to replace my old 550. Went out ths weekend and found it almost impossable to see the screen. It is fitted to ram mount on crossbar in the same place my old 550 was and never had a problem except in very strong sunlight from behind. It was quite a bright sunny day but still seemed dull even out of direct sun. Have the screen brightness turned up to max. Any suggestions as to maybe a different postition or a sun shade, if anyone makes one.
The unit is fitted as in post 5 of this link.
Thanks .
http://ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297570

 

[Canuck]

Just checking, but you did adjust the brightness level right? Asking because I had no issues being able to see mine!

 

[Ted]

Yep think so. Settings, Display, Brightness,, set to 100%
Have used it in the car no problems but first time on the bike, seems to have a lot of reflections from me and helmet etc when on the bike. Was thinking of a different mounting position maybe the TT one on the headstock. But its a bit low and need to look down rather than just a glance in it's current position. May have just been the day as the sun was bright and still a little low. Will try again this weekend,don't think there will be much sun about

 

[AndrewD]

It's bright enough for me but in the car it was reflecting.

I got a £3 sun sheild that clips on, would work on the bike too, but the best fix was an anti-reflective screen protector, works a treat

 

[Big_Steve64]

It's all about angles. I really struggle to see mine, even on 100% brightness.
I had one of those flappy, bendy sun shields that velcro around the top. That flew off in France last summer

I have just got the hard plastic one from NN's http://www.nippynormans.com/products/gps/item/sun-shade-for-zumo-660-wun-8600812
Expensive, but it won't fly off! I can't recommend it as I only got it yesterday and have not tested it yet. It is much better than the textile one though.

I am pretty sure someone on here (1150 owner?) will come up with one made out of an old washing up liquid bottle and some gaffer tape that cost 12p.
Nothing wrong with that

 

[AndrewD]

12p!! Us 1150 owners aren't made of money you know!

It's all about angles. I really struggle to see mine, even on 100% brightness.
I had one of those flappy, bendy sun shields that velcro around the top. That flew off in France last summer

I have just got the hard plastic one from NN's http://www.nippynormans.com/products/gps/item/sun-shade-for-zumo-660-wun-8600812
Expensive, but it won't fly off! I can't recommend it as I only got it yesterday and have not tested it yet. It is much better than the textile one though.

I am pretty sure someone on here (1150 owner?) will come up with one made out of an old washing up liquid bottle and some gaffer tape that cost 12p.
Nothing wrong with that

 

[Big_Steve64]

Andrew, loving your anti glare film idea, just found some on eBay to try
Nice One.

Sorry for any offence my last remark may have caused any sensitive 1150 owners

 

[boxer]

but the best fix was an anti-reflective screen protector, works a treat

Which one was that then?

 

[AndrewD]

They are on eBay about £2 delivered, just the stick on protector type you put on a mobile etc...

Have a look as I got mine months ago.

It's all about angles. I really struggle to see mine, even on 100% brightness.
I had one of those flappy, bendy sun shields that velcro around the top. That flew off in France last summer

I have just got the hard plastic one from NN's http://www.nippynormans.com/products/gps/item/sun-shade-for-zumo-660-wun-8600812
Expensive, but it won't fly off! I can't recommend it as I only got it yesterday and have not tested it yet. It is much better than the textile one though.

I am pretty sure someone on here (1150 owner?) will come up with one made out of an old washing up liquid bottle and some gaffer tape that cost 12p.
Nothing wrong with that

Which one was that then?

 

[Ted]

It's all about angles. I really struggle to see mine, even on 100% brightness.
I had one of those flappy, bendy sun shields that velcro around the top. That flew off in France last summer

I have just got the hard plastic one from NN's http://www.nippynormans.com/products/gps/item/sun-shade-for-zumo-660-wun-8600812
Expensive, but it won't fly off! I can't recommend it as I only got it yesterday and have not tested it yet. It is much better than the textile one though.

Looks like a solution. When you try it, if we get some sun, post up a report.
Thanks

 

[Pablo1]

i get same problem , well its not really a problem as i rely more on the voice prompts from sat nav, be interested to see if the nippys shade works.

 

[cookie]

i get same problem , well its not really a problem as i rely more on the voice prompts from sat nav, be interested to see if the nippys shade works.

it does work. visibility is greatly improved IMO.

getting it on and off, which is necessary whenever you remove the GPS from the mount is very awkward though. it's held on by 2 elastic bands, which are a total faff.

 

[bmstan]

i get same problem , well its not really a problem as i rely more on the voice prompts from sat nav, be interested to see if the nippys shade works.

I bought one from NN's marked as "NavGear" and for me I don't find it of much use. I also think it is badly designed for attachment. The rubber bands that hold it on are badly placed.The vertical band runs into the mounting rebate at the bottom of the 660 so that when you mount it you have to take care to pull both sides of the band outwards to ensure that the unit sits in correctly and doesn't fall out (more than once) even when I thought I had been carefull. At least it fell out before I moved off! The band retaining lip at the bottom of the shade is narrower than the 660 rebate so the band always gets pulled in. It should be the same width as the top retaining slots, then it would run parallel and outside the 660 rebate. Then you have the horizontal band which also crosses the rebate so you have to stretch it around the back of the bike mount as you try to fit it. All good fun especially when its raining.
It seems that someone designed it without bothering to actually fit it to a bike mount. I did leave feedback on NN's site last year but never heard from them.
Marks out of 10, not many

 

[boxer]

Marks out of 10, not many

That's being a tad generous.

I'd describe it as badly designed, unusable shite.

 

[boatman]

Contact a company called glare stomper good piece of kit that works !!!!!! and not expensive

 

[Ted]

Tried both the NN sun shade and anti reflect film but nether works. The NN one is a pig to take on/off with all its rubber bands as well.
Seems to be when in strong sun light, not so much the brightness more a contrast issue. Easiest way to describe it is when lane assist picture comes on it is just like looking at the junction on a foggy day, can just make out the direction arrows and faint road outline but nothing else. Had a 550 for several years and although there were times it was difficult to see don't recall it being this bad, I could move my head around and see it but on the 660 makes no difference. Have contacted Garmin and they say only brightness and no contrast adjustment. Only said to send in for testing. May do that. Ihad a fault on the 550 and sent it in and got a factory recon 660 returned so just wondering if it dose have a fault. Have a look at the picture any 660 owners your opinion please. or solutions.
Again no probs in the car or on normal(dull) days and set to 100% brightness.
Thanks

 

[aspiring]

you could try fitting it lower,maybe off the clutch perch/master cylinder.that way more of your shadow would cover it.not the ideal solution as you have mentioned but it seems to be too exposed to sunlight when fitted that high.have you tried tilting it a few degrees forward or backwards,this may help a little.

 

[davegs]

you could try fitting it lower,maybe off the clutch perch/master cylinder.that way more of your shadow would cover it.not the ideal solution as you have mentioned but it seems to be too exposed to sunlight when fitted that high.have you tried tilting it a few degrees forward or backwards,this may help a little.

Nippys sell a sunshield looks good have a look at his ad's on here.

 

[mvrandery]

I had one that was unreadable in direct sunlight. Fitted the same as the OP

Called Garmin tech support and they agreed to exchange it for another.

The one I got as a replacement is easily readable in the sun

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Contact a company called glare stomper good piece of kit that works !!!!!! and not expensive

http://www.gps-shades.co.uk/

Also found this to be a fairly big improvement on my 550 due to the depth of the shield.