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Why does the GPS screen switch from white to black?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by priusenvious1, Dec 26, 2012.

  1. priusenvious1

    priusenvious1 Member

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    Just wondering... I know when it gets dark out and the auto headlights turn on, the GPS screen switches from a white background to a black one. But it's equally easy to read in the dark. I'm just wondering what purpose this serves?

    Also, I noticed this can be overridden by using the scroll wheel to adjust interior lighting next to the steering column on the left by the
     
    #1 priusenvious1, Dec 26, 2012
  2. DoPeY5007

    DoPeY5007 Member

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    It is night mode.
     
    #2 DoPeY5007, Dec 26, 2012
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yes, it's a night mode. Having a bright white background on at night, esp. if it's very dark out can be very annoying and almost blinding to some.
     
    #3 cwerdna, Dec 26, 2012
  4. GolfBum

    GolfBum New Member

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    Yes it's "night mode." Having the white background at night would create too much light in the cabin and make it more difficult to see. Other things inside the cabin, like the HUD intensity, also auto-adjust to the light outside. You want screens and displays to be bright enough that you can see them but not so bright that it causes your iris to close and thus making it harder to see at night.

    The same light/dark background switching occurs on the display panels of aircraft cockpits.
     
    #4 GolfBum, Dec 26, 2012
  5. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I did not like the black background of night mode so switched mine to only day mode. The white light at night is not a bother to me.
     
    #5 jdcollins5, Dec 26, 2012
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  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    My Garmin does the same thing.
     
    #6 El Dobro, Dec 26, 2012
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Extra light within the cabin at night causes the pupils to constrict and reduce distance vision. That is why manufacturers try to reduce the amount of light in the cabin after dark. For this reason it is best not to use high powered fog lights at night unless you truly need them in foggy conditions.
     
    #7 F8L, Dec 26, 2012
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