Hey! I can't see the audio display!

RGG · 04-05-2009, 11:09 PM

On my 135i (non idrive), when I wear polarized sunglasses, I can see the climate control display perfectly, but the audio display window appears black, presumably due to the orientation of a polarized screen on the audio display. Every time I adjust audio I have to lift up my sunglasses -- very annoying! Anyone think this should or can be corrected?

MOCKBA · 04-05-2009, 11:19 PM

Get polarized sunglasses with different orientation. I can see screen in my polarized sunglasses without a problem. I bought them for $15 at walmart.

guardianangel3290 · 04-05-2009, 11:22 PM

Lester · 04-06-2009, 08:01 AM

There are posts on here about using a piece of 3M overhead projector transparent sheets, cut to size. Just orient the sheet to the right angle while wearing your sunglasses, then cut a piece to fit.

jeremyc74 · 04-06-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Get polarized sunglasses with different orientation. I can see screen in my polarized sunglasses without a problem. I bought them for $15 at walmart.

Your glasses aren't polarized then. If you get glasses with a different orientation you'd be able to see the radio display but not the climate control.

This whole thing is a screw up on BMW's part, and it's pretty sad that it's gone on this long without being corrected.

SlickShift · 04-06-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

This whole thing is a screw up on BMW's part, and it's pretty sad that it's gone on this long without being corrected.

You'd think they woud've fixed this in 2005 when E90 owners were complaining about it.

Eyeman · 04-06-2009, 08:52 PM

I'm sure the BMW engineers do this polarization on purpose to help cut different angles of glare. I guess they just don't want us to drive in polarized sunglasses. Actually I use mine less now even though I have the display fix.

Btw, if you need a piece of polarizing overhead transparency film, PM me your address and I'll mail you piece, no charge, I bought a bunch already.

jksgoh · 04-06-2009, 09:05 PM

interestingly ive never had trouble when wearing my sunnies (which are polarised) and no one else that has been in my car has had a problem either.
i wonder if there is a regional difference as im in australia?

Lester · 04-06-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksgoh

interestingly ive never had trouble when wearing my sunnies (which are polarised) and no one else that has been in my car has had a problem either.
i wonder if there is a regional difference as im in australia?

Yes there is. Polarized light travels in a counter-clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere. This explains the difference.

MOCKBA · 04-07-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Your glasses aren't polarized then. If you get glasses with a different orientation you'd be able to see the radio display but not the climate control.

This whole thing is a screw up on BMW's part, and it's pretty sad that it's gone on this long without being corrected.

Are you sure? You mean you can control polarization of rays emitted by screen pixels? And switching between screens happens by changing polarization of pixels? It is awesome.

jeremyc74 · 04-07-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Are you sure? You mean you can control polarization of rays emitted by screen pixels? And switching between screens happens by changing polarization of pixels? It is awesome.

Are you serious?

The top screen is polarized 90 degrees out from the bottom one. No matter what polarization the glasses have, one of them is always going to be blacked out. BMW should have made them both the same, like every other manufacturer, so we dont have this problem.

Yearofthe1 · 05-13-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Are you serious?

The top screen is polarized 90 degrees out from the bottom one. No matter what polarization the glasses have, one of them is always going to be blacked out. BMW should have made them both the same, like every other manufacturer, so we dont have this problem.

Nope, I just picked up a pair of Maui Jims, and I have no trouble seeing any of my screens. The M.J.'s seems to be polarized at two 45 degree angles, so that if I tilt my head to either side, only then do the screens disappear.

Maybe BMW designed these screens so only the high-end polarized sunglasses will work with them

warmtoes · 05-13-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yearofthe1

Nope, I just picked up a pair of Maui Jims, and I have no trouble seeing any of my screens. The M.J.'s seems to be polarized at two 45 degree angles, so that if I tilt my head to either side, only then do the screens disappear.

Maybe BMW designed these screens so only the high-end polarized sunglasses will work with them

I have Titanium Maui Jims and I can't see the audio display unless I tilt my head sideways. Maybe it's a screwup in the factory that makes the audio head unit.

10000111 · 05-13-2009, 05:51 PM

My '06 MINI has this exact problem, with my prescription sun glasses, I can't see the display, but with my Aviators I have to tilt my head for the lettering to "disappear "

singular · 05-13-2009, 05:58 PM

BMW wants you to buy the iDrive.

04-05-2009, 11:09 PM	#1
RGG New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL iTrader: (0)	Hey! I can't see the audio display! On my 135i (non idrive), when I wear polarized sunglasses, I can see the climate control display perfectly, but the audio display window appears black, presumably due to the orientation of a polarized screen on the audio display. Every time I adjust audio I have to lift up my sunglasses -- very annoying! Anyone think this should or can be corrected?
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04-05-2009, 11:19 PM	#2
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	Get polarized sunglasses with different orientation. I can see screen in my polarized sunglasses without a problem. I bought them for $15 at walmart. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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04-05-2009, 11:22 PM	#3
guardianangel3290 Free at last 287 Rep 986 Posts Drives: 2006 Audi S-line Quattro Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico iTrader: (0)	__________________ If the possibility exists that you may have "failed" in either a normal or "epic" fashion, please follow this link.
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04-06-2009, 08:01 AM	#4
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	There are posts on here about using a piece of 3M overhead projector transparent sheets, cut to size. Just orient the sheet to the right angle while wearing your sunglasses, then cut a piece to fit.
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04-06-2009, 08:52 PM	#7
Eyeman Colonel 121 Rep 2,037 Posts Drives: 2008 135 blk, blk, step Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1994 Porsche 968 Cab [0.00] 2017 AMG GTS [0.00] 1994 Porsche 968 Coupe [0.00] 1977 Mercedes 450SE ... [0.00] 2008 135 [8.00]	I'm sure the BMW engineers do this polarization on purpose to help cut different angles of glare. I guess they just don't want us to drive in polarized sunglasses. Actually I use mine less now even though I have the display fix. Btw, if you need a piece of polarizing overhead transparency film, PM me your address and I'll mail you piece, no charge, I bought a bunch already.
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04-06-2009, 09:05 PM	#8
jksgoh Major 142 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	interestingly ive never had trouble when wearing my sunnies (which are polarised) and no one else that has been in my car has had a problem either. i wonder if there is a regional difference as im in australia?
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05-13-2009, 05:51 PM	#14
10000111 Future 135i Owner 0 Rep 54 Posts Drives: Montego Blue 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCal, USA iTrader: (0)	My '06 MINI has this exact problem, with my prescription sun glasses, I can't see the display, but with my Aviators I have to tilt my head for the lettering to "disappear " __________________ Montego Blue 135i MT/M Package/ iDrive
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05-13-2009, 05:58 PM	#15
singular Captain 21 Rep 935 Posts Drives: BSM 135i ppk cab Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	BMW wants you to buy the iDrive.
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