Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: chap on June 05, 2012, 11:30:10 AM

Title: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: chap on June 05, 2012, 11:30:10 AM
On my 2010 ABS C14. If the sun is shining on my display I cannot read it with my poor worn out eyes. i am assuming it is either backlight issues with the display, or the dispaly is not a high visibility one. If increasing the backlight helps, what backlight LED's are you using to improve the daylight visibility?? When my display is unreadable my GPS is still quite clear.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: OregonLAN on June 05, 2012, 11:48:19 AM
Living in the NW, I have no problems with the sun...
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: Conrad on June 05, 2012, 11:53:11 AM
The LCD display on the C14 is sometimes prone to 'darkening' once the sun is shinning on them, mostly while parked and it doesn't even have to be that hot out. Once you get moving it seems to clear up. From your discription, this doesn't sound like what you're talking about though.
 
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: chap on June 05, 2012, 11:57:27 AM
The LCD display on the C14 is sometimes prone to 'darkening' once the sun is shinning on them, mostly while parked and it doesn't even have to be that hot out. Once you get moving it seems to clear up. From your discription, this doesn't sound like what you're talking about though.

No its nothing to do with heat. It is just the direct sun on the display. If I change direction and the display is shaded the dispay is readable again
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 05, 2012, 01:25:17 PM
You need to turn up the brightness knob.   But seriously folks...I've never had a problem with mine.  Have you compared it to another C14 in the same conditions?
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: ZG on June 05, 2012, 01:33:07 PM
Living in the NW, I have no problems with the sun...

 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: chap on June 05, 2012, 01:41:26 PM
You need to turn up the brightness knob.   But seriously folks...I've never had a problem with mine.  Have you compared it to another C14 in the same conditions?

I haven't. there are not many (or any) of these new gen C14's around here. I was expecting to hear from others with the same issue. I was thinking about trying a brighter backlight, but it would be great to see the experience of others. just really need to see the trip meter, and fuel level so I get fuel before it stops running.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: RBX QB on June 05, 2012, 02:14:58 PM

 :rotflmao:

That's just mean... (tho, the sun IS out right now).

Seem to recall a recent post about an aftermarket shield that fit the top of the gauges to help shield the displays... I'll see if I can find it.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: Conrad on June 05, 2012, 02:33:09 PM
That's just mean... (tho, the sun IS out right now).

Seem to recall a recent post about an aftermarket shield that fit the top of the gauges to help shield the displays... I'll see if I can find it.

Some guys were making their own sunshades with an old helmet visor.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 05, 2012, 02:38:38 PM
I've got the sunshade and to tell you the truth, it don't shade that much, at least from my perspective.  And you will know when you go on reserve.  Ain't no missing that warning message.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: stevewfl on June 05, 2012, 02:56:59 PM
I've got the sunshade and to tell you the truth, it don't shade that much, at least from my perspective.  And you will know when you go on reserve.  Ain't no missing that warning message.

+1

hijacks the whole bike
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: JerBear on June 05, 2012, 04:08:42 PM
Are you wearing any type of sunglasses?  When I wear my amber colored clip-on's the display practically vanishes.  Gray color it is fine.  If you are not wearing sunglasses and it is hard to see it is glare or your eyes because with no shades, it is easy to see.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 05, 2012, 04:40:07 PM
Polarizing lenses play heck with LCD screens...
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: just gone on June 05, 2012, 06:14:22 PM
You need to turn up the brightness knob.   

Never a problem with mine because my brightness knob goes to eleven..8)..but seriously folks...


Maybe one of those sun shields (http://www.glarestomper.com/) that are made for a GPS will help?
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: gPink on June 05, 2012, 06:18:13 PM
My 08 fades sitting in direct sun. Fades back in 10ish minutes on the move.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: chap on June 05, 2012, 10:08:15 PM
Are you wearing any type of sunglasses?  When I wear my amber colored clip-on's the display practically vanishes.  Gray color it is fine.  If you are not wearing sunglasses and it is hard to see it is glare or your eyes because with no shades, it is easy to see.

I have an amber lens on my Shoei helmet. If I raise it up I can see a little, but it is still basically blanked out in sunshine.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 06, 2012, 04:07:30 AM
You really need to compare this to another bike.  I'm thinking there are certain displays that are less bright than others here.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: Conrad on June 06, 2012, 08:29:11 AM
I've got the sunshade and to tell you the truth, it don't shade that much, at least from my perspective.  And you will know when you go on reserve.  Ain't no missing that warning message.

+1

hijacks the whole bike

If he can't see the display he's not going to see the flashing low fuel warning.    ::)
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 06, 2012, 08:57:04 AM
If he can't see the display then he needs to take it in to a dealer.  I've been in all kinds of weather with mine and never could I not see it, even in bright sunshine.  I believe that there is also a red light that comes on as a fuel warning.   :)
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: Conrad on June 06, 2012, 09:00:39 AM
If he can't see the display then he needs to take it in to a dealer.  I've been in all kinds of weather with mine and never could I not see it, even in bright sunshine.  I believe that there is also a red light that comes on as a fuel warning.   :)

No red light till you do the clearing procedure by pressing the two buttons in the magical sequence. I just went through it this morn myself.    :)
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 06, 2012, 09:02:13 AM
No red light till you do the clearing procedure by pressing the two buttons in the magical sequence. I just went through it this morn myself.    :)

sigh....
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: chap on June 07, 2012, 11:00:22 AM
If he can't see the display then he needs to take it in to a dealer.  I've been in all kinds of weather with mine and never could I not see it, even in bright sunshine.  I believe that there is also a red light that comes on as a fuel warning.   :)

I do't really want to take it to the dealer. The bike has no warranty. i have liberated it from the US into Canada. I am guessing I have some intensity problem with my display. is there any way to crank up the intensity (maybe some pot inside or something) The bike has very few miles. Only 1200 when I got it this spring.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: Conrad on June 07, 2012, 11:40:33 AM
I do't really want to take it to the dealer. The bike has no warranty. i have liberated it from the US into Canada. I am guessing I have some intensity problem with my display. is there any way to crank up the intensity (maybe some pot inside or something) The bike has very few miles. Only 1200 when I got it this spring.

You're in uncharted territory and far as I know.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: chap on June 07, 2012, 12:08:14 PM
I guess I won't worry about it for now. I'll wait until I put the bike to sleep for the winter, and have a look at the display. I am taking it apart anyway to change the speedometer face from those funny miles per hour to kilometers per hour.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 07, 2012, 12:12:22 PM
I do't really want to take it to the dealer. The bike has no warranty. i have liberated it from the US into Canada. I am guessing I have some intensity problem with my display. is there any way to crank up the intensity (maybe some pot inside or something) The bike has very few miles. Only 1200 when I got it this spring.

There is no brightness control that we're aware of....
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: gPink on June 07, 2012, 01:05:43 PM
I guess I won't worry about it for now. I'll wait until I put the bike to sleep for the winter, and have a look at the display. I am taking it apart anyway to change the speedometer face from those funny miles per hour to kilometers per hour.
If you have one of those slower black bikes changing to kph will make it seem faster. :)
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 07, 2012, 01:43:54 PM
Good point.  ZG, is that what you did, change the MPH to KPH to make appear faster?
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: Flathead on June 07, 2012, 02:59:58 PM
Good point.  ZG, is that what you did, change the MPH to KPH to make appear faster?
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: ZG on June 07, 2012, 04:56:40 PM
Good point.  ZG, is that what you did, change the MPH to KPH to make appear faster?

 ;D ;D ;D      :battle:
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: stevewfl on June 07, 2012, 05:31:26 PM
If he can't see the display he's not going to see the flashing low fuel warning.    ::)

Oh believe you me, he WILL see that (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/badteeth.gif)
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: VirginiaJim on June 07, 2012, 05:36:10 PM

 ;D ;D ;D      :battle:

 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: chap on October 16, 2012, 09:25:05 AM
I am the original post on this. I had Cateract Surgery last week.  Took the bike out on Sunday. Now I can see the dispaly perfectly in all light conditions. So nothing wrong with the bike, just had to install some Bionic parts on the owner.
Title: Re: LCD Display Hard to see in the Sun
Post by: OregonLAN on October 16, 2012, 09:36:35 AM
Yeah, it's amazing how much brighter things get when you can see correctly (or better). I can hardly wear my contacts in sunlight because everything is too bright...