[OTZ80] [Poll] Do you want a backlit screen?

[DJ Omnimaga]

Yeah, I hope without back light it can still be readable. I think the Casio FX 9860G II got a backlight and it can be turned off. I am not sure anymore, though. I hated how on the Nintendo DS when we turned off the backlight, we hardly even saw anything, like the old GBA.

[yunhua98]

voted yes, probably a greenish blue one like the Casio Backlight, with a button on the side like the volume button for iPod Touch to control it.

[Happybobjr]

i not sure which to vote for.  It all depends on how much more the screen would cost.

[t0xic_kitt3n]

There are two types of backglights: LED and EL
LEDs are cheaper, but use more power and some areas of the screen will be brighter than others.
EL panels are what is used on watches, look better, use less power, and cost more.

[willrandship]

I think flourescents are worth noting. LCD monitors use them, not EL. they have a prism and a strangely focused fresnel lens to spread it perfectly across the screen. very expensive, VERY bright and very hot, but very nice. Also requires a special power supply.

LED and EL are the two we will probably be using though, as flourescents aren't very suited to carrying around. They are a valid type of backlight though.

[t0xic_kitt3n]

They are hot? My laptop screen stays pretty cool.

[Deep Thought]

What are those little lights called that basically sit at the sides of the screen (in front) and light the screen sideways from there? Maybe we could use those.

[Builderboy]

My stance on all of this is to make a calculator that has a screen shade like the 84 so that in relatively good light, we don't need to use a backlight.  I really don't see a need for it IMHO, if there isnt enough light to see the screen, there wont be enough light to write down calculations or read equations.

[Deep Thought]

My stance on all of this is to make a calculator that has a screen shade like the 84 so that in relatively good light, we don't need to use a backlight.  I really don't see a need for it IMHO, if there isnt enough light to see the screen, there wont be enough light to write down calculations or read equations.

Agreed, I voted no because I don't think there are any real reasons to have a backlight except for gaming, and even then, adjusting contrast should be fine. It's a calculator, anyway.

[DJ Omnimaga]

I agree with Builderboy. The 84+, 89T and Casio FX-9860G screens are easy to read IMHO.

I think in order of readability the calc screens (including only the ones with no backlight) rank this way, from best to worst:

-Casio FX-9860G
-TI-89T/84+/84+SE
-TI-73/83/83+/86/89/92+
-TI-Nspire/CAS (contrast too light)
-TI-83+ Silver Edition (screen too dark)
-TI-85 (blue-ish screen)
-TI-82/92/Casio 9x50G series (blue screen and in CFX case, color)
-TI-81 (contrast way too light, screen too dark)
-TI-80 (same but 10x worse)

[MRide]

I agree that generally, the screens are readable.  However, maybe we should have it be like watch lights.  You know, blue/green light, stays on for a few seconds with option to turn it on longer.

[DJ Omnimaga]

They tend to be a bit hard to read, though. The contrast on watches sometimes dims when using that light. It would need to not ruin the display quality.

BTW here's the FX-9860GII in action:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoPYr-QU-tw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoPYr-QU-tw</a>

[Deep Thought]

Heh, the time in the video's 13:37

[DJ Omnimaga]

Yeah lol, I didn,t remember the calc had a clock actually. Maybe he added an add-on, though.

[Ranman]

I have a Casio 9860G Slim... And the backlit screen is awesome!

TI should take some notes.