New HUD

Beckave · 16th March 2008, 00:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker)

I noticed the same thing with the new HUD. It's only a problem, for me anyway, in high ambient light conditions. I thought something was wrong at first because all I could see is the red LED flashing once and the handset as displaying 1.0. I put my hand over the HUD for a little shade and I could then see the green LED flashing also. I had no problem seeing the green LED in medium to low ambient light conditions.

Parker

Im finding the same thing... I cant really find a good spot to see both red and green lights. I've moved it around 3 times now. I can usually see the red just fine, but im having trouble seeing the green, especially in ambient light, darness is better but still hard to see. Im moving it around again tomorrow =) At least the handset is there but i'd like to be able to use the HUD!

Parker · 16th March 2008, 05:42

I think that I might have a solution to the problem of not being able to see the green LED in higher ambient light- Create a mini-backdrop for the LED. Color the back half of the top LED black to reduce the effects of ambient light. I haven't tried it in the water yet but I did try it before and after coloring by shining a pretty strong white LED light on it in while in HUD test mode and the green was much easier to see after adding the black. See attached pic.

And if it doesn't work- never mind!

Parker

dgschott · 17th March 2008, 00:26

I think we'll let you give it a test run and report before we do that! lol. What did you use? A Sharpie?

Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker)

I think that I might have a solution to the problem of not being able to see the green LED in higher ambient light- Create a mini-backdrop for the LED. Color the back half of the top LED black to reduce the effects of ambient light. I haven't tried it in the water yet but I did try it before and after coloring by shining a pretty strong white LED light on it in while in HUD test mode and the green was much easier to see after adding the black. See attached pic.

And if it doesn't work- never mind!

Parker

Parker · 17th March 2008, 00:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by dgschott)

I think we'll let you give it a tet run and report before we do that! lol. What did you use? A Sharpie?

Can't say I blame you! I'll be back in the water on Saturday. Yes, a Sharpie for testing and if it works I'll try something like an epoxy coating that will last.

Parker

Philippe GERIN · 17th March 2008, 20:59

Nice!
I just preped my Meg for a dive tomorrow before reading your post. I actually wrapped the HUD with a loop of black electrical tape and punched a little hole just where I need it: facing my eye.
Now if your solution works, that's even easier. Let us know.
Best
Philippe

Parker · 18th March 2008, 07:41

Quote: (Originally Posted by Philippe GERIN)

Nice!
I just preped my Meg for a dive tomorrow before reading your post. I actually wrapped the HUD with a loop of black electrical tape and punched a little hole just where I need it: facing my eye.
Now if your solution works, that's even easier. Let us know.
Best
Philippe

Hi Philippe,

I will have it in the water this weekend. With the dual HUDs on my unit I should be able to get some pretty good comparisons. One is painted and the other is not. If it works well I will paint them both the same way.

Take Care!
Parker

snicks · 18th March 2008, 15:48

Im having the same problem (would have opted for single LED HUD had I been given the choice) with ambient light, so I was wondering:

Wouldnt a correction marker with white paint be a better color than black?
Assuming the paint is stable enough for in-water use...

Greets
Dirk

Parker · 18th March 2008, 17:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by snicks)

Wouldnt a correction marker with white paint be a better color than black?
Assuming the paint is stable enough for in-water use...
Greets
Dirk

Figured black would be best for blocking ambient light and offer the greatest contrast. Couldn't hurt to try white tho, let us know how well it works.

Parker

Parker · 23rd March 2008, 03:03

I tried out the mod on the new style HUD today and I was able to see the green LED much better. I had the other HUD (without the mod) next to it for a direct comparison- same angle, same distance. Painting it didn't work very well, at least with what I had to paint it with, so I went with a little different approach. I used heat shrink tubing (easy on the heat!) and carefully cut away a section to expose the LED. See attached pics.

It's a cheap and easy mod that seems to work well for higher ambient light conditions. Let me know if you come up with a better way- I'm always open for suggestions- especially if they work!

A design change where the LED's are repositioned to sit side by side so that they both face the diver would probably work best, for me anyway! But I'm not sure how that would affect someone that has a problem distinguishing colors, which is why the original HUD was modified in the first place. Anyway- just a thought!

Parker

brockbr · 23rd March 2008, 22:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker)

I tried out the mod on the new style HUD today and I was able to see the green LED much better. I had the other HUD (without the mod) next to it for a direct comparison- same angle, same distance. Painting it didn't work very well, at least with what I had to paint it with, so I went with a little different approach. I used heat shrink tubing (easy on the heat!) and carefully cut away a section to expose the LED. See attached pics.

It's a cheap and easy mod that seems to work well for higher ambient light conditions. Let me know if you come up with a better way- I'm always open for suggestions- especially if they work!

A design change where the LED's are repositioned to sit side by side so that they both face the diver would probably work best, for me anyway! But I'm not sure how that would affect someone that has a problem distinguishing colors, which is why the original HUD was modified in the first place. Anyway- just a thought!

Parker

I have to say that while on a deco stop at 20 feet with Parker, the difference was (pardon the pun) night and day.

You could NOT see the non-modified LED in direct light from the normal angle (90* - Pointing straight up), but with Parker's modification, it worked PERFECTLY and I could even see it from a few feet away.

InnerSpace would do well to do this from the factory.

Of course, it would still be (c)2008 Steve Parker

16th March 2008, 00:09	#21 (permalink)
Beckave New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tampa / Philly Posts: 8	Re: New HUD Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker) I noticed the same thing with the new HUD. It's only a problem, for me anyway, in high ambient light conditions. I thought something was wrong at first because all I could see is the red LED flashing once and the handset as displaying 1.0. I put my hand over the HUD for a little shade and I could then see the green LED flashing also. I had no problem seeing the green LED in medium to low ambient light conditions. Parker Im finding the same thing... I cant really find a good spot to see both red and green lights. I've moved it around 3 times now. I can usually see the red just fine, but im having trouble seeing the green, especially in ambient light, darness is better but still hard to see. Im moving it around again tomorrow =) At least the handset is there but i'd like to be able to use the HUD! __________________ Becky Kagan Liquid Productions, LLC
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17th March 2008, 00:26	#23 (permalink)
dgschott Liquid Productions, LLC Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aston, PA Posts: 115	Re: New HUD I think we'll let you give it a test run and report before we do that! lol. What did you use? A Sharpie? Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker) I think that I might have a solution to the problem of not being able to see the green LED in higher ambient light- Create a mini-backdrop for the LED. Color the back half of the top LED black to reduce the effects of ambient light. I haven't tried it in the water yet but I did try it before and after coloring by shining a pretty strong white LED light on it in while in HUD test mode and the green was much easier to see after adding the black. See attached pic. And if it doesn't work- never mind! Parker __________________ David Schott Liquid Productions, LLC Last edited by dgschott : 17th March 2008 at 00:50. Reason: I can't spell
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17th March 2008, 00:36	#24 (permalink)
Parker what bubbles? Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 60	Re: New HUD Quote: (Originally Posted by dgschott) I think we'll let you give it a tet run and report before we do that! lol. What did you use? A Sharpie? Can't say I blame you! I'll be back in the water on Saturday. Yes, a Sharpie for testing and if it works I'll try something like an epoxy coating that will last. Parker
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17th March 2008, 20:59	#25 (permalink)
Philippe GERIN ccr apprentice Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Menton, France Posts: 621	Re: New HUD Nice! I just preped my Meg for a dive tomorrow before reading your post. I actually wrapped the HUD with a loop of black electrical tape and punched a little hole just where I need it: facing my eye. Now if your solution works, that's even easier. Let us know. Best Philippe
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18th March 2008, 07:41	#26 (permalink)
Parker what bubbles? Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 60	Re: New HUD Quote: (Originally Posted by Philippe GERIN) Nice! I just preped my Meg for a dive tomorrow before reading your post. I actually wrapped the HUD with a loop of black electrical tape and punched a little hole just where I need it: facing my eye. Now if your solution works, that's even easier. Let us know. Best Philippe Hi Philippe, I will have it in the water this weekend. With the dual HUDs on my unit I should be able to get some pretty good comparisons. One is painted and the other is not. If it works well I will paint them both the same way. Take Care! Parker
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18th March 2008, 15:48	#27 (permalink)
snicks New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 25	Re: New HUD Im having the same problem (would have opted for single LED HUD had I been given the choice) with ambient light, so I was wondering: Wouldnt a correction marker with white paint be a better color than black? Assuming the paint is stable enough for in-water use... Greets Dirk __________________ Weltmacht mit drei Buchstaben? ICH!
(Online)

18th March 2008, 17:36	#28 (permalink)
Parker what bubbles? Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 60	Re: New HUD Quote: (Originally Posted by snicks) Wouldnt a correction marker with white paint be a better color than black? Assuming the paint is stable enough for in-water use... Greets Dirk Figured black would be best for blocking ambient light and offer the greatest contrast. Couldn't hurt to try white tho, let us know how well it works. Parker
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23rd March 2008, 22:56	#30 (permalink)
brockbr Train Wrecked ;) Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabaster, AL Posts: 198	Re: New HUD Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker) I tried out the mod on the new style HUD today and I was able to see the green LED much better. I had the other HUD (without the mod) next to it for a direct comparison- same angle, same distance. Painting it didn't work very well, at least with what I had to paint it with, so I went with a little different approach. I used heat shrink tubing (easy on the heat!) and carefully cut away a section to expose the LED. See attached pics. It's a cheap and easy mod that seems to work well for higher ambient light conditions. Let me know if you come up with a better way- I'm always open for suggestions- especially if they work! A design change where the LED's are repositioned to sit side by side so that they both face the diver would probably work best, for me anyway! But I'm not sure how that would affect someone that has a problem distinguishing colors, which is why the original HUD was modified in the first place. Anyway- just a thought! Parker I have to say that while on a deco stop at 20 feet with Parker, the difference was (pardon the pun) night and day. You could NOT see the non-modified LED in direct light from the normal angle (90* - Pointing straight up), but with Parker's modification, it worked PERFECTLY and I could even see it from a few feet away. InnerSpace would do well to do this from the factory. Of course, it would still be (c)2008 Steve Parker
(Offline)

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