Laptop + sunlight = bad!

[Frangible]

Well, I got an older laptop, with a color active matrix screen running Win2k and GPS software, and hooked my non-mapping GPS up to it in the car.

At night, it works great. During the day... I can't see the laptop's screen due to sunlight.

Anyone have any suggestions that don't involve significant capital outlay?

Thanks.

PS-- I have a PocketPC iPaq that works fine in sunlight, but the GPS software I have for it doesn't do routing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Reptilezs]

what about some sort of sun shade on the sides and top of the screen

 

[Eugene]

That is a common problem with laptops. The ipaq works because its display is reflective (like the lcd in a watch) so the more ambiant light the brighter it gets. Most laptop and other lcd displays are backlit so light washes them out. Your best bet is a shade. I wish someone would make a laptop with a slot to slide a thin mirror in between the backlight and the screen to make it reflective to switch between indoor and ourdoors.

 

[Nanook]

Hoodman has the answer to your prayers:

http://www.hoodmanusa.com/powerbook.asp

 

[inluxication]

[ QUOTE ]
Eugene said:
I wish someone would make a laptop with a slot to slide a thin mirror in between the backlight and the screen to make it reflective to switch between indoor and ourdoors.

[/ QUOTE ]

Second that! Especially because I'm sure a large fraction of the power goes into the backlight -- why not use reflection when there's plenty of ambient light?

 

[NewBie]

[ QUOTE ]
Frangible said:
Well, I got an older laptop, with a color active matrix screen running Win2k and GPS software, and hooked my non-mapping GPS up to it in the car.

At night, it works great. During the day... I can't see the laptop's screen due to sunlight.

Anyone have any suggestions that don't involve significant capital outlay?

Thanks.

PS-- I have a PocketPC iPaq that works fine in sunlight, but the GPS software I have for it doesn't do routing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


Sure, add a reflective polarizer (such as 3M DBEF) between the LCD backlight and the LCD (there are two orientations you can use it, one is wrong and will make it look purple). Then add a AR coated film (not AG!-which most laptops have) to the front of the LCD. Your display will be 30-50% brighter, and the AR will make a major difference, as it will reduce the ambient reflection and increase the contrast ratio due to the reduction of reflections that wash out your display in bright sunlight.

Any idea of how many hours are on the laptop? When the bulbs get around 10,000 hours on them, they will be about 50% their initial brightness. So, if it has seen alot of hours, replacing the bulbs with new ones will give you an extra kick.

Other than that, you can custom modify your backlight, if you have the tools, knowledge, and experience, to make it brighter, but the other items I mentioned should get you there.

 

[NewBie]

BTW, I happen to have a 15" in my pickup. Zoom in on the picture, it works nicely. I run that, a custom switching power supply I made, with a Mini-ATX mobo, a 12ch GPS, with a 2,500.00 Lucent GPS antenna, for fun.

http://www.molalla.net/~leeper/trucki~1.jpg

 

[Eugene]

That is an option since you will be in a car and have plenty of power add an extra light and supply for it if possible. Do you have a car or van/truck/suv? most cars seem to allow a lot more light in than any other vehicles. My extended cab truck with factory tinted windows is much darker inside than cars

 

[Frangible]

I don't think any of the hoods will work (it's a Toshiba Libretto 50CT, pretty small)... so I got Routis for my iPaq and that works pretty well. But now I gotta figure out how to mount it at just the right angle.