C1000 Screen - Visibility Outside Options

[uMP2k]

As a Zaurus newbie (so new I have not even bought one yet ) I am wondering what the useability of the C1000 is outside.

Although I am new to the Z I have a lot of experience with PDAs (going back to the Newton and including a good number of Pocket PCs) and am wondering how the Z compares in this respect. My current Pocket PC, and Axim x50v, has a great screen but even that has its limits in direct sunlight so I am not expecting miracles.

I guess I just want to know that the Z screen is not a complete hopeless case in the sun.

[daniel3000]

The screen is not transflective, so if the sun shines brighter than the backlight behind the screen, you have no chance.
I can read the screen with maximum backlight outside in the shade without a problem. In direct sunlight it's inconvenient to impossible.

If you need a palmtop with excellent readability in direct sunlight, I recommend the HP 200LX :-)

daniel

[uMP2k]

The screen is not transflective, so if the sun shines brighter than the backlight behind the screen, you have no chance.
I can read the screen with maximum backlight outside in the shade without a problem. In direct sunlight it's inconvenient to impossible.

If you need a palmtop with excellent readability in direct sunlight, I recommend the HP 200LX :-)

daniel

Well I guess that is a bit disappointing -especially as I live in sunny Perth, Western Australia.

Still, I am so damn keen to try one of these that I will probably still get one and see if I can live with it.

[daniel3000]

You could maybe build some kind of sunshield (like a big lens hood) from black thick paper.
I did this for a digital camera which did only have a screen and no view finder. Worked very well.

daniel

[wrc4]

You could maybe build some kind of sunshield (like a big lens hood) from black thick paper.
I did this for a digital camera which did only have a screen and no view finder. Worked very well.

daniel

Since it's a clamshell you could make a shade by holding the device upside down. You just need to adjust the Screen Rotate parameters.

Also, if you do that in Z Emu, you will get the D-pad on your left hand, making it more like GBA.

[nilch]

If you so want a Zaurus and readability in the sunlight - get a Zaurus SL-6000.
The screen is bigger (4"), better and sharper and absolutely readable in sunlight.

Its just not a clamshell type - thats the downside.

[bluedevils]

and the limited flash on the 6000 is another downside. For my 3100, I think my sunglasess help, when the polarization lines up properly.

[Snappy]

I think the C3200 is using a transflective screen ... yes?

[bluedevils]

no. all clamshells use the same basic screen. Transmissive.

[uMP2k]

Thanks everybody for your comments.

It does sound like the C1000 is not going to be great for outdoors use, but this was really more a curiosity thing than any burning need for an outdoors PDA.

I do use my PDA (what ever it might be at the time) for watching movies, or playing a game of quake,on the bus going to work quite a bit, but I am guessing the Z should be able to cope with that.

I also find that the anti-glare screen protector from boxwave that I use on my Axim helps in the sun and as it is the same physical size screen (from what I can work out) then I might give that a go as well.

[uMP2k]

Welll I went ahead an got myself a C1000 and do you know what - the screen visability issue turned out to be a complete non-issue.

The screen on the C1000 is excellent. Indoors I have not seen anything like it and even out in the sun it is no worse than any of the screens I have had on Pocket PCs. If I use maxim brightness (which because of the excellent battery life I am able to use most of the time) then I can see the screen in most situations and those that it cannot cope with, well neither would the screen on my Axim x50v.

[bluedevils]

I'm glad to hear the good news. It's a fine machine you have there.

[deluxe]

You could maybe build some kind of sunshield (like a big lens hood) from black thick paper.
I did this for a digital camera which did only have a screen and no view finder. Worked very well.

daniel

Since it's a clamshell you could make a shade by holding the device upside down. You just need to adjust the Screen Rotate parameters.

Also, if you do that in Z Emu, you will get the D-pad on your left hand, making it more like GBA.

Anyone know where those parameters are stored?
I would love to rotate my screen the "other" direction, so the wifi card doesn't dig into my hand, and the jog wheel's accessible, when I have the screen rotated and folded back.