Skywatcher Synguider problem

[gordonewen]

Anyone using a Skywatcher Synguider - I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago and tried to use it last night. The unit poweers up ok, you can see the screen is red in colour. However, I find it impossible to read the text or see the star 'screen' without a torch. Has anyone got this problem? the text is there but it is incredibly faint. I have tried different power sources and voltages (6V, 9V, and 12V)all with the same result. Supplier is getting back to me tomorrow, but I would appreciate your opinions. Maybe my eyesight is failing.....

Cheers

[Psychobilly]

I often find the display very hard to read as well.. the viewing angle is pretty poor on it and you need to be pretty much square onto it... nthe supply voltage wont make much difference as there a voltgae reg inside the unit .....

[gordonewen]

Billy, thanks for the quick reply. Could you se the screen ok, what colour was the text?

Cheers

[Psychobilly]

its all shades of red I guess in an attempt to make it night vision friendly...

[gordonewen]

Thanks again. Personally, I think if the level of visibility I am experiencing is normal the unit is just about useless. can't see the point of needing a torch to use it.

Cheers

[Psychobilly]

Anyway you can take a pic of the screen .. I definitely don't need a torch to read mine...

I knew I had a pic somewhere... just had to find it...

[pook]

Was it particularly cold? LCD screens can be pretty poor in very low temps.

[reddoss]

Someone else on this forum had the same problem recently and fixed the problem by attaching a magnifying lens. See the link below.

http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-help/128669-improving-visibility-autoguider-screens-synguider-nexguide-etc-lens.html#post1680517

[gordonewen]

Thanks to all of your replies. I had another go last night and I find it almost impossible to see the screen info. I have even sat in a cupboard in an attemot to get total blackness, its just about readable, but no good in my light polluted skies. I am seriously thinking of changing it - I notice that the Baader LVI guider has a screen that can be brightness adjusted, and while its more expensive it sounds like a better bet (plus the screen is seperate to the scope).

thanks

[Ransu]

Was it particularly cold? LCD screens can be pretty poor in very low temps.

I have use mine synguider at -22C, no problems, coming little bit slower, but not any problems to read. In that temperature celestron cg5-gt hand controller is causing problems, being almost impossible to use sooo..slooooow.

[steppenwolf]

Having tested this piece of kit, I have to say that the viewing contrast on my review item was absolutely fine. The angle you have to tilt your head to was uncomfortable at times but this had no effect on the viewing quality. What voltage are you running this unit at?

[barkis]

Not sure if it would improve clarity much, but have you removed the screen protective membrane?

Ron.

[gordonewen]

Yes, I did remove the film, but still no good. Maybe my eyes are not particularly sensitive to the screen colours, I also find the Celestron handset screen a bit difficult to read.

Cheers