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Instinct 2 Solar (Tactical) "Washed Out" Display: Anyone else having this problem w/their display?

DevilFrog
over 3 years ago

T

The GI2 (on right) is much more "washed out" and closer to purple when compared to the original's vibrant blue (on left); both are backlit to 100%. Moreover, the viewing angle on the GI2 is simply terrible... clearly, the new "domed" PowerGlass does not add one of the primary advantages of having a domed crystal which is improving the visibility at acute angles (especially underwater) by mitigating light reflectiveness. I'm not impressed at all. As opposed to the original solar models, the new GI2s have a "full" solar panel behind the display, so this may be the cause of both the tint and viewing discrepancies; I've contacted Garmin support and am waiting for some explanation... hopefully it is just that I may have a defective watch (which can then be replaced by Garmin).  Also, much as I appreciate the improved display resolution of 176x176 (which does make the text look crisper), they've taken advantage of that to make the overall text smaller in order to fit more data displayed on the screen size; that's all well and good, but it does make it more of a strain for legibility... not all of us have a 25 y/o sight. As usual, Garmin did incorporate a font size setting; I've provided them with that feedback and feature suggestion, so hopefully they will add that in a future update.  Has anyone else noticed this issue? 

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I opened a ticket with Garmin support about this. They said the ability to see the screen more clearly when it’s upside was intentional because the Tactical could be used on the inside of the wrist. Apparently they didn’t change the polarization for just that one line.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to chriswinterhack

    I'll guess I'll have to ask why the changed it for non-tactical users like myself then. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to chriswinterhack

    LMAO... wow.  Well, I guess that instead of revising it they'll just make lemonade from lemons and promote that; ironic how that "feature" wasn't even hinted at in their product videos, documentation, or even alluded to (for case usage) in any product description write-up.  Moreover, after receiving direct complaints by several users, and the product engineering team responding to the same with half-assed answers such as: "its a different screen than the original instinct and therefore it wont have as steep of viewing angle, and will have a different hue." not one of them thought to mention that intentional design... until after the polarization issue was specifically mentioned in the forum.  If that is the way the watch was intentionally designed to be primarily worn they should've mentioned it.  Hey, that does work MUCH better far as legibility (while backlit) is concerned, but the majority of users do not wear the watch on the inside of the wrist (and considering that several poster alluded to 'the majority's case usage needs' I think that it is fair of me to make that statement).  Good save, Garmin; you get a solid "A"...  for Absurdity.  I guess that's as good of a fix as we're going to get, and "inside the wrist" is simply how we'll have to get used to wearing it if we want to wear it; lets hope that doesn't affect sensor accuracy.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 9098866

    Lol... in the event you want to go "Tacticool" but don't feel like paying the extra $200 for it.  

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to DevilFrog

    Yeah, Imma call BS on this one. For reasons already mentioned by you, PLUS wrist gesture does NOT work reliably when wearing it inside the wrist (I sometimes did that with IG1 in the past already and didn't struggle with screen readability there BTW). 

    If they had introduced an option besides "wrist left/right" to set "outside/inside wrist" in order to to adress wrist gestures, etc. I would have believed them actually.

    As it stands, I still think it's faulty design/manufacturing.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 6383867

    I’m sorry if I missed it but have you seen anyone that has the correct polarity on the I2? If so, I’d love to have mine replaced with one that can easily be read at night.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 6383867

    Exactly.  And if it's just going to be denied then the very least Garmin should do at this point is, as you said, tweak the firmware and introduce a better "wrist/wear" selection into the settings.  While they're at it, also include a "font size" selection feature (since the system font is overall much smaller, and therefore only adds to the legibility issue).  At least then we could swallow that explanation a bit easier, and the problem could be mitigated a bit.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    i don't know if it is the same for you but when you look the watch from the right (opposite to left) side, the display is PERFECT whatever the angle

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to chriswinterhack

    Yes!  Have yet to say anyone state that/show images.  Keep in mind to is forum is filled with issues posts, so if you’re not having or seeing an issue, it’s unlikely you’d follow this thread.   Still- I’d love to know our screen issues are anomalies and not the norm.