newbert

I'm using my iPhone along with my Varia Radar on my recumbent trike. While the radar and app work well together regarding audible warnings, I have a very hard time reading the iPhone screen in sunlight as a visual aid.

Does anyone know of a screen film that would make the iPhone's screen more visible in sunlight while not adversely affecting using the touchscreen? Or perhaps a specific type of sunglasses that might do the trick?

FWIW, my iPhone is in an Otterbox case and held to the trike using a RAM X-Grip.

Thanks!
Bert

njkayaker

Simple answer: no (I'm pretty sure).

The problem is that phone screens work by emitting light and they aren't powerful enough to compete with the sun. Any filter you use will just mean blocking light being emitted by the phone (making the problem worse).

Cycle computers have screens that actually reflect sunlight back through the LCD elements. That is, they don't rely on the anemic light generated by the device.

The phone screen would be easier to see in a shadow.

Kedosto

You’re not trying to use the phone outdoors while wearing polarized sunglasses, right? Phone screens are difficult to see in bright sunlight. They’re almost impossible to see through polarized lenses in the sun.

spelger

I can read my Samsung phone just fine in the sun, but while riding I do have to remove my prescription transition glasses off.

50PlusCycling

You can see it better if you change the angle. I use a Topeak case and bar mount, which is stable and solid, and I don’t have any issues with visibility.

slowpacer

I used white text over dark background in cycling app, but i use a smartwatch now instead. Riding is more enjoyable for me when not looking at a computer or phone constantly.

Ironfish653

You can get screen protectors with anti-reflective (AR) coatings that can reduce / eliminate the glare and reflections caused by bright sunlight.
​I'm not a big fan of the built-in screen protectors on the OtterBox case anyway, it seems a little bit hazy to me, and I don't like the touch feel of it.
Someone mentioned polarized sunglasses, and they do funny things with phone screens, so check what kind of lenses you've got.
Changing text size /color, backlight and brightness settings may help too.
Also, everyone's vision is a little different, so what works for some may not work for you.

newbert

No, I'm not wearing sunglasses of any kind. It sounds like my only option is to play with the angle that the phone is displayed at.

Thanks.

biker128pedal

Make or find an anti glare cover/shade.

Mark Stone

Hi Bert -- My suggestion may be a little expensive, so hold on to your hat! I use an Apple Watch series 5 in conjunction with my Eye Phone and it is nice and readable in direct sunlight. But, like I said, they ain't cheap. Apple watches are da bomb!

newbert

I already have an Apple watch (SE). But, as far as I know, there is no Varia Radar app for the watch, only for the phone. Is there any way to have the watch display an app that is only native to the phone?

Thanks!

Get.Schwifty

100% While smartphone screens are art among light-emitting displays, that makes them near worthless in direct sun, and why even a black-and-gray LCD from 30 years ago looks better in sunlight.
(You should study engineering and go past LCD/LED to the next generation – Light Absorbing Display or something, for use in daylight &#128513

I think I get OP's point...why can't I mount my already very advanced cycle computer on my handlebar? I'm the same – not going to buy one. I keep my phone in my pocket, silently computing and judging me.