I have the 9835 in my car, and I really do like that unit. However, now that I have the unit and XM radio, I leave the radio door open a lot more so when I'm channel surfing I can view artist information.

However, more and more I'm getting annoyed with the display of the Biolite because even in just a little sunlight, the display is nearly impossible to read. Then at night, it "dims" and again is hard to read unless it's completely dark inside the car. Yes, I know I can disconnect the headlight sensing wire, but then it's TOO bright.

Is anyone else experiencing difficulty seeing it when daylight, or do most of you just keep the radio door closed? If you do leave yours open and have this problem, any tricks to help make it easier to see?

I like all the features so I don't really want to "downgrade" my HU, but I'm just curious if anyone else is expereincing similar problems.

 

yup - major wash out with the 9835

 

Have you tried adjusting the angle of the tilt?
Have you tried changing the LCD contrast from the setp menu?

These may help.

 

also, iirc, the level of the dim that the HU performs when the headlights are turned on can be adjusted in the menus.

i'm not sure how washed out the biolite is, but i know even my traditional Alpine LCD is pretty washed out w/ even slight sunlight. i usually hover my hand over the display to read what i must.

also, my experience has been that tilting the display only makes it go from bad to worse, worser, and worstest.

(no, i don't care if they aren't real words. )

 

Phil,

Can you be more specific where in the menus I can adjust the brightness with the lights on? The only thing I was ever able to find was I could turn the dim from auto, but then it just kept it in it's "dim" setting all the time. Looked in the manual to no avail either.

 

I know you can adjust how low it goes at night. Unfortunately I cant tell you exactly where. My guess is in the menu, setting, display settings.

 

Chad,

i don't have a 9835 in front of me... actually, i regretfully don't even have access to one right now. umm... i may be able to get my hands on a 9855, find it there, then try to give you an idea from there...

as i recall though, it was in the advanced menu under setup -- along w/ the color adjustments and such....
i could be, but hope that i'm not, getting it confused w/ options that the 9855 has...
i'll try to grab the manual and see if it jars memories for me.


Keith,

as of now, it looks like i'm 99.5% sure of being at SESM. are you still planning on going? and should i plan on tuning your system for you? iirc, you mentioned that back from WTD3...

 

QUOTE:
"Can you be more specific where in the menus I can adjust the brightness with the lights on? The only thing I was ever able to find was I could turn the dim from auto, but then it just kept it in it's "dim" setting all the time. Looked in the manual to no avail either."

Then you've exhausted the menu options.


Did you attach the illumination wire when installing the HU? If so then disconnect, the 9835 will go full bright full time. I can read mine top-down in Houston mid day.

 

why would the head unit be brighter in the daytime with the ill wire disconnected?? (when the lights are off) the only time mine dims is when i turn on the lights

 

I believe he's making two separate statements. If you disconnect the illumination wire, it won't dim when you turn the headlights on.

Then he said that he can see it in the day no problem.

Maybe they did make it an option in the 9855. I won't be keeping this HU forever anyway.

Thanks gents for the input.