After installing a new Sony cdx-m630 & Lucid DCI I finally got out for a warm(relatively) sunny drive.
The very first thing I noticed is that the display is almost completely washed out in bright sunlight. Not good for a convertible.
The second ,less annoying, criticism is that without the remote you have to open the face to use the controls. This unit effectively makes direct operation a two door stereo when you add the factory door.
After hearing about a new Sony unit I went to Circuit City and found the cdx-ca810x. It has an LCD display that works well in daylight.The color of the display is also user selectable and the red is a reasonable match to the factory lighting. The unit is also easier to use & has less "flash" which I had disabled on the 630.
If the 810 had been available when I purchased the 630 it would have been an easy decision.
Both units sound the same and have the same audio specs.. www.crutchfield.com has info if anyone is interested.
Hopefully this info will help anyone trying to make this decision.
02/19/03 Just got out with the 810 in bright direct sunlight & the display is crystal clear.

 

I have the Sony CDX-M730 and I agree that you can't see the display in sunlight......but you can't operate the system that way w/o the remote......which is pointless to a driver. I leave my face down all the time except the time when I like to see the Spectrum analyzer to get a rough idea of what part of the freq. response is being employed.