920 Backlight and screen issue

[killerz298]

I recently purchased a 920 to replace my stolen 720. I also purchased a 720 for my mother and when I put the two units side by side the 920 screen seems very dim and blurry.

It seems as if the coating on the two units is different. Is it supposed to be this way. The screen on the 720 is very smooth and when a light is shining directly on it I see no texture. The 920 on the other hand looks, feels, and sounds like the screen has a texture to it. When I look at the device it looks like there is a film over it or something. It severely reduces the clarity of the screen.

Finally, on the 720 the menu is a bright and uniform white. The 920 on the other hand is dim and the right half of the screen looks like it is a blueish color.

Do you guys think I got a defective unit? Has anyone else had the chance to compare the 920 and 720 side by side? If I return this unit, will I just get the same thing in exchange?

I attached screenshots but they didn't come out very good. The first shot you can see the texture on the 920 screen on the left and the smooth 720 on the right. The second shot shows (not nearly as well as in person) the brightness difference in the screens.

 

[dhn]

Look carefully.......see if the 920 has a thin plastic covering on it that is supposed to be removed.

 

[killerz298]

Look carefully.......see if the 920 has a thin plastic covering on it that is supposed to be removed.

It had the standard black tomtom sticker on the unit so I don't see why it would have something additional. I will check when I get home though. That still wouldn't explain the bluish hue on the right side of the screen.

 

[dhn]

It had the standard black tomtom sticker on the unit so I don't see why it would have something additional. I will check when I get home though. That still wouldn't explain the bluish hue on the right side of the screen.

Well, it was just a suggestion .....

Maybe you have the 920's preference set for a brighter level than the 720.

 

[vrsixer]

Look carefully.......see if the 920 has a thin plastic covering on it that is supposed to be removed.

I never would have believe this until i saw it for myself. Sure enough i see a very thin outline on my 920T that looks like some sort of screen protector. It's so perfect that you have to look very closely. I doubt it's meant to be removed, but I guess if somebody is brave enough, please post to let us know if it makes a difference. I'm also disappointed with the glare of my 920T vs my Garmin 260W unit.

 

[killerz298]

Well, it was just a suggestion .....

Maybe you have the 920's preference set for a brighter level than the 720.

Check the picture I posted, the brightness settings were identical. I just checked out the 920 again and if there is a screen cover on this thing I can't see where (or if ) it ends. Even when the units are off, the 920 screen looks visibly darker than the 720.

What I really need is someone who has both these units and can compare them for me so I can tell if it is just my unit that is bad. I don't want to get stuck with a 15% restocking fee if they tell me it isn't "defective"

 

[vrsixer]

Sorry i'm no help, but upon further review, i put my 920 under a magnifier and what i thought was thin outline of a screen cover turned out to be the outline of the screen behind the protective anti-glare plastic. So nothing to peel off it seems like.

 

[killerz298]

Sorry i'm no help, but upon further review, i put my 920 under a magnifier and what i thought was thin outline of a screen cover turned out to be the outline of the screen behind the protective anti-glare plastic. So nothing to peel off it seems like.

Is the color in your 920 uniform throughout the device? For example, if you goto the menus, especially the brightness menu, is it a solid white on the whole menu? Also, when you have no route set, goto the route screen and it is a blue color on the screen there. Is your color on that screen uniform throughout?

 

[SoulDad]

you may have bought a bummed unit. can you take it back and swap it out?

 

[killerz298]

you may have bought a bummed unit. can you take it back and swap it out?

I bought it online and yes I still have 15 days in which to exchange it however if the unit isn't "defective" then I will be charged a 15% restocking fee and cost of shipping back to me. Therefore I want to avoid sending it back if this is just how the 920 is. If there really is a problem I will certainly send it back. I just need to establish that this is a "defect" first.



UPDATE: So I just read in a response on another forum that the 720 and 920 when put together should look identical. I was also informed that there was a bad batch of 920s going around and I guess this is one of them. I will set up the RMA tomorrow and get rid of this junk. I am just relieved that the unit really isn't supposed to be this way.

 

[SoulDad]

I bought it online and yes I still have 15 days in which to exchange it however if the unit isn't "defective" then I will be charged a 15% restocking fee and cost of shipping back to me. Therefore I want to avoid sending it back if this is just how the 920 is. If there really is a problem I will certainly send it back. I just need to establish that this is a "defect" first.



UPDATE: So I just read in a response on another forum that the 720 and 920 when put together should look identical. I was also informed that there was a bad batch of 920s going around and I guess this is one of them. I will set up the RMA tomorrow and get rid of this junk. I am just relieved that the unit really isn't supposed to be this way.

cool, sounds like you found a solution!

 

[killerz298]

Turns out I did have a bad unit. I got a replacement and now all is well!