Dim NAV display

[2001LC]

I don't have a NAV, but have been looking at getting a second 100. I test drove a 2005 with NAV and couldn't read the display with my Rx sunglasses. I checked and contrast & brightness were turned all the way up already.

How much do these NAV screens dim with age or are they just not very bright?

 

[shanester]

I don't have a NAV, but have been looking at getting a second 100. I test drove a 2005 with NAV and couldn't read the display with my Rx sunglasses. I checked and contrast & brightness were turned all the way up already.

How much do these NAV screens dim with age or are they just not very bright?

I have an 02' LC with NAV. The lack of brightness that you experienced could have come from the headlight switch not being in the correct position - which is easy to do. I will say that they aren't the brightest NAVs (my Prius is much brighter) but they don't present any sort of problem for me at least.

 

[2001LC]

Headlight switch for day time, what like a dimmer switch?

 

[camino70]

Yup, on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.

 

[2001LC]

Thanks, I'll try next test drive and see if I can see the light

 

[arcteryx]

I dont have a problem viewing my screen in the daylight

 

[jLB]

I don't have a NAV, but have been looking at getting a second 100. I test drove a 2005 with NAV and couldn't read the display with my Rx sunglasses. I checked and contrast & brightness were turned all the way up already.

How much do these NAV screens dim with age or are they just not very bright?

Perhaps a silly question, but are your Rx sunglasses polarized?

 

[2001LC]

Perhaps a silly question, but are your Rx sunglasses polarized?

Not a silly question, they are polarized. It's difficult reading LCD/LED's with them but readable, the NAV was not. I take it you're thinking polarized is the issue. If so I'll need a no NAV set-up.

Are these NAV easy and cost effective to swap-out for same year non NAV set-up?

 

[jLB]

Not a silly question, they are polarized. It's difficult reading LCD/LED's with them but readable, the NAV was not. I take it you're thinking polarized is the issue. If so I'll need a no NAV set-up.

Are these NAV easy and cost effective to swap-out for same year non NAV set-up?

In my 06, the NAV/MFD is usually pretty readable except in 2 situations:

1) certain situations where direct sunlight is hitting the screen.
2) If I'm wearing my polarized sunglasses
​

To verify that it is the polarized glasses, try rotating your head slowly from eyes level to one eye over the other to see if the screen "appears" somewhere in that rotation.

Nav swap out cheap/easy ?

The issue that you run into is that a large chunk of the HVAC is controlled through that display.

I remember a thread where someone swapped out a pre-2003 NAV and it was a fairly involved process
Pre 03 Factory NAV to Double Din, Climate Knobs Conversion?

I'd assume the same could be done for the 03+, but I doubt it would be cheap or easy. If you can figure out a cheap and easy way to do this, you should be able to make a small fortune selling a kit here on mud. Most if not all of the 03+ vehicles intended for the continental US seem to have the NAV system (the exceptions seem to be cruisers that were originally sold in other markets Hawaii/non-US) so just finding the non-nav parts in the US would not be trivial.

 

[2001LC]

Thanks jLB,

I'd say you've confirmed it's the polarized glasses, I'll try your suggestion next test drive. I suppose I could get yet one more pair of glasses, but darn I have three different types of Rx's now. These MauiJim sunglasses are by far my best Rx lenses at ~$700, and great for driving and biking.

So I've been looking for a unicorn, 03+ w/out NAV, so much for NAV being listed as a Toyota option.

I'd been reading through the link you provided and got lost, 19 pages is a ton of info. After searching NAV and reading for days (going blind) I've come to the conclusion NAV system are not for me. Your right a simple relatively and inexpensive solution has not been produce that I saw.

 

[Sandroad]

I also have MauiJim polarized Rx sunglasses and I have no problem reading the nav display on my '04 from the driver's seat. The polarization angle from that seat gives me full brightness (reduced of course by the dark glasses!). Only when I tilt my head do I lose the view due to polarization. I suspect that '05 you test drove did in fact have a nav screen brightness problem. Don't give up yet; try another one with nav and see what you find. And for sure don't give up the MauiJim. They are good.

 

[2001LC]

@Sandroad yours single or progressive Rx lensess?