What was Garmin thinking.

[Last Mrk]

Been using the iQue for a couple days now and overall it's been great.

The reason for this post is that in daylight in the car, the reflection off of the screen makes it IMPOSSIBLE to see the screen. It's great after the sun goes down though. Never had this trouble with my old monochrome Street Pilot because the screen seems to have a non-reflective finish.

Is there a good non-reflective screen protector that anyone can recommend?

I had the mp3 locking problem several times and decided to wait for an upgrade to try them again.

As I was doing a soft reset, I realized I don't know how a hard reset is done and to avoid doing so accidentally, can someone describe that?

[tomac14]

Hi Last Mrk:

I agree with you about the glare from the screen.

The screen is practically unreadable during the day when mounted on a dash where the antenna can receive the best signals. The reflections washout the map on the screen.

I even checked to see if I had the brightness set to max. And I did.

I hope someone knows of an anti-reflective screen cover we can put on the iQue.

tomac14

[PDAFreak]

I think the screen is easier to read than my Tungsten C, and am also glad I can turn the backlight off!

Hard reset - hold the power button down while punching the reset button. Continue to hold power button down for several seconds. When you let go, a message will appear on the screen asking you to hit UP button to erase, or DOWN button not to erase. Can't very well do it by accident, so don't worry too much.

[dcchan2]

The hard reset procedure is described in the manual (Page 1.6 of the "iQue 3600 integrated handheld operating instructions"). Briefly, it involves holding down the Power button (starting with the unit on) while performing a reset, let go of the Power button when the logo is displayed, and select the option to delete all data.

[tomac14]

Hi PDAFreak:

Your Tungsten C probably was not intended or designed to sit in bright sunlight on the dash of an automobile.

The iQue 3600 was meant to sit on the dash of a car in bright light.

Only it was NOT designed to do that either.

This is a big oversight on the part of Garmin.

Garmin may have tested the iQue in a laboratory but NOT in actual use on a car dash.

tomac14

[PDAFreak]

True, but I always hated the StreetPilot III type screen. It was designed to be viewed from one angle only. The passenger couldn't even see anything on the screen, practically.

I was disappointed by them using the screen that backlights from the rear. That does away with the reflective background, but it still does better than my TC that I had been using with a Navman sleeve, and much much handier. I can actually carry ths one around in the woods while hiking and not get lost! (Which I just dod last weekend on a cloudy day in heavy woods. Pretty scary. I know, stupid not to at least carry a compass. I have one now!)

S.

[Garv]

I also had the same issue. I was using the WriteRight screen protectors and the glare made it close to impossible to see the screen while using the auto nav kit in sunlight. I then switched to the Brando screen protector (bought the Clie V70 version I think) and it works much better. I still turn the iQue on full backlight when in the nav kit, but can see it quite well.

I do have to close the moonroof shield though to cut down a little of the light coming in.

[omnibus]

Mine works pretty well in sunlight with a little strategic placement and tweaking.

Try it with the Ique as vertical as possible. Then rotate it slowly and the sun reflection should be cast away from you at some point. Lastly adjust or shut off the backlight.

I'm using a home made screen protector made from a peice of vinyl sheeting from Wal-mart and it's reflective as hell. Check the following link http://epinions.com/content_1950392452

[Last Mrk]

It's not the sun reflection that's bothersome, it's the overall reflections of what ever is in view between me and the iQue. It could be me I'm seeing, it could be the interior of the car, the windows of the car anything and everything is reflecting off the screen.

Just like a mirror, I could use the iQue to look around corners. :(

[CougerofEQ]

Originally posted by Last Mrk
It's not the sun reflection that's bothersome, it's the overall reflections of what ever is in view between me and the iQue. It could be me I'm seeing, it could be the interior of the car, the windows of the car anything and everything is reflecting off the screen.

Just like a mirror, I could use the iQue to look around corners. :(

I've heard that people who are far-sighted will often focus too far out and can cause such an effect. Im near-sighted and dont have the same issue so maybe its true???

[Last Mrk]

Originally posted by CougerofEQ
I've heard that people who are far-sighted will often focus too far out and can cause such an effect. Im near-sighted and dont have the same issue so maybe its true???

Gee thanks for the free optical exam. I guess I can skip my annual exam now. :p

[CougerofEQ]

CougerofEQ<<< Jack of all trades, master of none.....

[LuvMyIQUE]

Wow, I just tried it, it does work pretty well as a mirror. Nice undocumented feature. Not only will it help me find my way around town, now I can also use it to look at my ugly mug in the morning.

[jackT]

The mirror problem is not only the particularity of the iQue... I used before a pockect PC device and the problem was the same.
I resolved this problem by using a Seidio (www.seidio.com) multimedia mount with a 360 degree swivel adapter.
This allow to ajust the angle of the iQue and to avoid completely the mirror problem.

JT

[Hammonddave]

Look at the positives... now you can remove that ugly rear view mirror in your car and just use the Ique instead....

[Berty]

:cool: I used my IQue for the first time on my motorcycle handlebars yesterday. Of course, I was using its audio through my helmet. But when I miscalculated what 'In .2 miles...' meant, I decided to peek on the map. Full sunny day, and I did not have a problem, with a short glance, seeing where the little triangle was in relation to the turn. That's all I wanted to see, not the details or the street name.
I told the IQue that I am on a bicycle, and it brought me home through the most scenic streets I've seen. Some were fully covered with trees, yet it did not mis a beat. Good investment! Now, if I can only find a way for the wind not to flip the cover back up....

[jh26]

You don't get the mirror effect when you put it on your motorcycle. The glare problem seems to be a reflection of brightly lit objects inside the car such as the back of the rear view mirror or, when vertical, other car windows. I've noticed that I can see the screen quite well when it's hit with full sun, but when the iQue is shaded and it's not dark outside the screen is very hard to read. If I keep trying to tweak the angle until it's just right I can usually get it to reflect the underside of the car roof and then at least the map is readable again.

[darelldd]

Originally posted by Berty
Now, if I can only find a way for the wind not to flip the cover back up....
1. Ride slower
2. Rubber band!

:D

Thanks for the good info, guys. I'm upgrading from a StreetPilot III, and am trying to decide between the Ique and the new StreetPilot 2610. It sounds like for in-car nav, the 2610 is probably still the better choice.

[CougerofEQ]

Originally posted by darelldd
1. Ride slower
2. Rubber band!

:D

Thanks for the good info, guys. I'm upgrading from a StreetPilot III, and am trying to decide between the Ique and the new StreetPilot 2610. It sounds like for in-car nav, the 2610 is probably still the better choice.

I was on the same fence - but since the 2610 wasnt out and I was starting a new job, my choice was made for me.

I just did my expense report and the palm functions of the iQue are really nice to have. Its also nice have my schedule on the unit with driving directions a click away. Its really a tough decision - but you cant loose either way.

[darelldd]

Originally posted by CougerofEQ
Its really a tough decision - but you cant loose either way. [/B]
It IS a tough decision, and I hate not having a delivery time on the 2610! Grrr.

OK, sorry to have yanked this off-topic. Back to the reflective screen problem...