How useful would SAT NAV be in a drop top (the sun)?

[mgMINI]

Do you guys really think that SAT NAV would be as useful in a drop top with the sun shining down on the display? Color screen phones, PDA's, and notebooks aren't. Please don't reply "you can just put the top up", the point of this car will be to have it (the top) down as much as possible or just buy the hardtop instead.

MG

[Washy]

If you have the top down and your shades on you wont be able to read the screen anyway
The nav screen on my M3 is useless if you have sunglasses on I am guessing but I think the MINI is the same set up as the 3 series.

To answer your original question I think it will be difficult to see in the sun with the roof off

[ButtonIt]

It's enough when the sun shines on it through the window!!!

[StevePSB]

I wouldn't think it'd be very good with any kind of direct light hitting it, especially the kind of light you'd get when the weather is good enough to have the roof down...

[font]

I was able to read my sat nav screen today with the sun shining directly upon it through the window, but it would have been difficult with sunglasses. I was also able to see some fingerprints, though. :-)

[whineguy]

Please remember that, in the U.S.A. at least, the mere fact of having a sat nav system installed in your car gives law enforcement authorities the ability to track your movements all the time. This is so even if your have turned off the system. The only way to avoid that is too physically remove the entire system from your car, which voids the warantee ON THE ENTIRE CAR.

[HerbMarshall]

Too bad the screen is stationary. The Toyota Camry Solara Convertible has a "tilt screen" to help solve the problem.

[Paul]

I've driven a few hundred miles in a Sat Nav equiped Convertible, and the Sat Nav screen was tricky to see, but the tiny leds on the steering wheel mounted dials where almost impossible. Very tricky when following directions on some pace notes and you need to be able to see the odometer!!

[Apial]

I have only minor problems with my Becker Traffic Pro. Direct sunlight does cause a deterioration of the display ,causing slight problems reading small text. This is perhaps because I have chosen to use the positive LCD display mode at all times for aesthetic reasons. Moving your head usally solves the problem. The system of course though primarily gives directions via its "voice" anouncements, so the screen is of less importance.

[Goonery]

Nope , have to disagree, the Sat Nav screen is pretty visible in high sin conditions if you play with the brightness settings, but the voice bit helps anyway, as its telling you what to look out for.
Over 9000 miles now, and a lot of it in full sun, no real problem for me even with the shades on, however the readout for clock and mileage odo in the speedo/tacho , are useless.

Ooops should have said SUN

[Paul]

By tricky, I mean not as easy as in broad daylight, not hard to see. The main thing I didn't like was the tiny odometer etc, which became very hard indeed to read. At least Trevor H-B was sat next to me and shared my pain (as we struggled to follow directions) so at least the big cheese should be aware of this design "feature".

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

By tricky, I mean not as easy as in broad daylight, not hard to see. The main thing I didn't like was the tiny odometer etc, which became very hard indeed to read. At least Trevor H-B was sat next to me and shared my pain (as we struggled to follow directions) so at least the big cheese should be aware of this design "feature".

Phone mount that allows time to be read in any lighting condition , its hands free too

Why don't car manufacturers provide a phone mount kit as standard BTW, or is that another thread entirely

[abs0lutely]

If it's the same as on the M3 then there are very clear and accurate voice commands also. I've never had a problem viewing or using my sat nav with the roof down in the M3.