Garmin 276C question

johnlt · 06-24-2005, 04:40 PM

Just received and installed my new 276C. Love the functionality and hi res display. Rode to work this morning in the dark and display readability was great. During the daytime, it was another story. I find that even though the resolution is much better than my SP-III, the contrast isn't nearly as good and it is much harder to see during the day. In direct sunlight, it becomes a little better but normal non-direct daylight, the contrast is very poor. I mounted my SP-III on a RAM mount next to my 276 and the difference in contrast is dramatic. I've got the background light maxed and don't see any other menu item to adjust. I researched this pretty well prior to deciding on the 276C and never heard of this as an issue so I'm hoping there is another control somewhere. Any ideas?

SteveAZ · 06-24-2005, 06:38 PM

No other control than the angle you mount it at. There is a night set of colors (dark background w/light lines) that don't work well during the day too. You need to put it so that you are looking at very close to directly on the perpendicular to the display. I've seen the 276 side by side to the SPIII and hands down the 276 was much better...

BeemerBill · 06-24-2005, 07:10 PM

Me thinks you got a different 276C than I do.

Kaumajet · 06-24-2005, 07:33 PM

Hit the on/off key momentarily to open the backlight/sound pop-up. Then press the up arrow on the four-way switch repeatedly until the light is all the way up.

johnlt · 06-25-2005, 07:33 AM

Just got back from a ride with my SP-III and 276C mounted side by side on my RT. On my ride this morning the SP had better contrast except in direct sun where the 276 had better contrast. Anything other than direct sun on the face of the displays, the SP had better contrast and was easier to see. The 276C had much better resolution and was clearer but more difficult to see because of the contrast. At 60 mph and arms distance away, I'm not sure I can really appreciate the additional resolution. The difference was unambiguous. I have a few pics I'll email to anyone interested that clearly shows the difference. Not withstand the above, the 276C display is really beautiful. At night, it is truely outstanding and much better than the SP. I love the flexibility and functionality of the 276 over the SP and am sure I'll be happy with it but the lack of contrast in daylight is a little dissappointing. I verified I had the background brightness at maximum but still it is lacking. I'm just surprised that I have not heard of anyone else mentioning this. Maybe it's my "old eyes"!!!

Boon Booni · 06-25-2005, 08:28 PM

Have you tried changing the color scheme to something else?

wickedsprint · 06-26-2005, 06:44 AM

You sure it isn't a 176C lol

06-24-2005, 04:40 PM	#1
johnlt ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Tucson Oddometer: 570	Garmin 276C question Just received and installed my new 276C. Love the functionality and hi res display. Rode to work this morning in the dark and display readability was great. During the daytime, it was another story. I find that even though the resolution is much better than my SP-III, the contrast isn't nearly as good and it is much harder to see during the day. In direct sunlight, it becomes a little better but normal non-direct daylight, the contrast is very poor. I mounted my SP-III on a RAM mount next to my 276 and the difference in contrast is dramatic. I've got the background light maxed and don't see any other menu item to adjust. I researched this pretty well prior to deciding on the 276C and never heard of this as an issue so I'm hoping there is another control somewhere. Any ideas? __________________ Johnlt 2007 BMW R1200 RT, 2002 Suzuki DRZ400S, 2000 Suzuki DR200 1985 BMW R80RT, 1975 BMW R75/6 Yamaha WR250R

06-24-2005, 07:10 PM	#3
BeemerBill fillerup agin' Joined: May 2005 Oddometer: 611	Me thinks you got a different 276C than I do. __________________ "the difference between an ordeal and an adventure is usually attitude"

06-24-2005, 07:33 PM	#4
Kaumajet H.I.D. Positive Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Ottawa Oddometer: 10,137	Hit the on/off key momentarily to open the backlight/sound pop-up. Then press the up arrow on the four-way switch repeatedly until the light is all the way up. __________________ *"I understand the dilemma. Correct spelling takes time that could be spent licking the windows on the short bus."* mac62 *"There is just something special about a stripper with a tail"* ilmostro

06-25-2005, 07:33 AM	#5
johnlt ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Tucson Oddometer: 570	Just got back from a ride with my SP-III and 276C mounted side by side on my RT. On my ride this morning the SP had better contrast except in direct sun where the 276 had better contrast. Anything other than direct sun on the face of the displays, the SP had better contrast and was easier to see. The 276C had much better resolution and was clearer but more difficult to see because of the contrast. At 60 mph and arms distance away, I'm not sure I can really appreciate the additional resolution. The difference was unambiguous. I have a few pics I'll email to anyone interested that clearly shows the difference. Not withstand the above, the 276C display is really beautiful. At night, it is truely outstanding and much better than the SP. I love the flexibility and functionality of the 276 over the SP and am sure I'll be happy with it but the lack of contrast in daylight is a little dissappointing. I verified I had the background brightness at maximum but still it is lacking. I'm just surprised that I have not heard of anyone else mentioning this. Maybe it's my "old eyes"!!! __________________ Johnlt 2007 BMW R1200 RT, 2002 Suzuki DRZ400S, 2000 Suzuki DR200 1985 BMW R80RT, 1975 BMW R75/6 Yamaha WR250R

06-25-2005, 08:28 PM	#6
Boon Booni Red Clay Halo Joined: Aug 2003 Location: Richmond, Va Oddometer: 11,189	Have you tried changing the color scheme to something else? __________________ Maybe Old's Cool is a bunch of dirty old men who swear because , let's face it, old bikes run on blasphemy as much as they do gasoline and oil. --Jinx You can be Han Solo, and I can be another Han Solo...

06-24-2005, 06:38 PM	#2
SteveAZ Studly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2002 Location: AZ Oddometer: 805	No other control than the angle you mount it at. There is a night set of colors (dark background w/light lines) that don't work well during the day too. You need to put it so that you are looking at very close to directly on the perpendicular to the display. I've seen the 276 side by side to the SPIII and hands down the 276 was much better...

06-26-2005, 06:44 AM	#7
wickedsprint Banned Joined: Oct 2004 Location: USA Oddometer: 2,386	You sure it isn't a 176C lol

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