'09 Murano - Can't see center-stack display screen with sunglasses on

[coachro]

When I put sunglasses on, I lose virtually all visibility of the center-stack display. This is a big deal for multiple reasons. Not seeing the backup camera is dangerous. Taking attention off the road by trying to look closer at the display or by looking above or below my lenses is dangerous. Plus it's very annoying. I've read reviews where others have mentioned this.

Does anyone know how prevalent this issue is? Has Nissan acknowledged the issue?

Does anyone know the cause? Does it occur with all polarized lenses? Lenses of certain tint colors? Does it just happen to some people with some color visibility deficiencies? Any clues?

TIA for any info.

[Timmbo]

I have polarized Ray-Bans, I can see the center display just fine, I know the camera is sometimes difficult to see on a sunny day, especially if the sun is to the back of the vehicle, otherwise I am just fine with the current set-up. I wish there were back up sensors as well, I have both the camera and back-up sensors and front sensors on my Armada.

[martinrrrr]

No problem seeing the display with my 47 year eyes while wearing sunglasses. Have you tried adjusting the brightness? I installed the wiring harness and had to disconnect the battery cable. Afterward, with everything re-connected I noticed that the display was much dimmer than before. I turned the brightness up and everything was just fine. You can change it by going to Status or Info and your dash.

[Rex]

Not uncommon with Polarized lenses, Try sitting really low or way up high and see if there's any change. Possibly tilt your head from side to side and you should see a change.

I realize these are not options for you while you're driving, but will help confirm it's the sunglasses polarization effecting your visibility of the screen.

I wonder if the screen angle can be adjusted??

[brainguyus]

I wear polarized Serengetis and I've never noticed a decrease in visibilty, (other than the fact I'm almost 50 and generally can't see worth a crap anymore ). However, I do wish that Nissan would have provided a little more shade for the screen from overhead sun.

Have you tried this with different sunglasses?

[Eikon]

Not all polarized shades have the same polarization pattern.

Ever wear a set of them and tilt your head side to side. You'll notice what your viewing will brighten or darken as you tilt your head.

What's happening is you've got a set of shade with a polarization pattern that is opposite of the polarization on the center console stack. Tilt your head and you'll see what I'm saying.

[AZhitman]

^ Correct.

My Maui Jims are fine, but when I wear my Spy or Persol shades, I can't see my Nav screen...

[2tigers]

Wait till your 85 with bifocals in Central Ca. with sun shining most of the time. Still like the car even if it is difficult to see the screen.

[coachro]

More pieces to the puzzle:

- No, it's not the brightness adjustment. I've got it on max. And it's an even an issue with headlights off, when screen is brightest.

- Various light conditions (more sunny or cloudy, moonroof shade open or closed) doesn't make a big difference.

- I use two pair of sunglasses (both prescription by the way) and it's exactly the same with both.

- But... (and I thought I'd checked this before, but I guess not)... realized today that I can see it fine from the passenger side with either of those sunglasses on.

- Tilting / turning / moving head is not adequate. Doesn't change much at all. Starts getting better with straight-on view (won't do while driving) or like I said, from passenger side.

Now I realize why I've gotten mixed responses when asking other people how it is for them. They've always been on the passenger side. Will now test this with other people in the driver's side and sunglasses on.

So based on the above, I definitely think there's an unusual situation on this particular unit.

[coachro]

Ok... this is now confirmed. Apparently something is up with my unit. When I've asked other people to look at it before, they've always been looking at it from the passenger side. I've now asked people to look also from the driver's side. The screen goes virtually unreadable with sunglasses on. Will address with service dept now that I know how to demonstrate it to them.

[Bunshaw]

coachro, another test you can do as well before finally considering the unit bad. Visit the dealer and take a look at another MO's screen to make sure it isn't the pattern in your glasses. IMO, that's a good test to do next to have more proof for the service dept. Now if the screens in other MO's has the same visibility issue then there won't be much the dealer can do because replacement won't fix it. If you do that and find that is the case then unfortunately it would require you to either replace your glasses, live with the poor visibility, or purchase another (different) vehicle. I know that's probably not what you want to hear but it's most likely the situation you will face at the dealer. From what I understand these systems are very expensive to replace and there will most likely be pushback.

[coachro]

Bunshaw,

You're exactly right. Was going to be my next step.

[coachro]

Looked at a couple others on my dealer's lot. First one actually was similar to mine. Could see screen fine from passenger side, but not from driver side. Then looked at another and it was different. Fine from driver's side, but not from passenger side. I won't bother jumping to conclusions, but net of it is that mine is unacceptable. It's dangerous. Service Mgr agrees. Opening a file on it and will see what happens.

[Timmbo]

Looked at a couple others on my dealer's lot. First one actually was similar to mine. Could see screen fine from passenger side, but not from driver side. Then looked at another and it was different. Fine from driver's side, but not from passenger side. I won't bother jumping to conclusions, but net of it is that mine is unacceptable. It's dangerous. Service Mgr agrees. Opening a file on it and will see what happens.

Keep us posted!

[Bunshaw]

Not what I expected but certainly possible. I know some consumer manufacturers (HP, LG) often source their LCD panels from multiple sources. It makes sense that as long as the screen is within spec that Nissan/Infiniti's vendor could do the same as well yielding a different pattern maybe? Not really sure, just speculating at this point. At least there is some hope that you might be able to find a screen pattern that works for you. Something else to consider when you were checking those patterns, do you recall if they were NAV or not?

[coachro]

Dealer service swapped out my display, putting in one from another vehicle that I'd described in an earlier post. Now I can see it perfectly from the driver's side (with sunglasses on), but screen visibility is significantly diminished from the passenger side (with sunglasses on). Obviously that's much better for me in so far as it's now less of a safety concern. But they'll still look into it because these should be clearly visible from both sides even with sunglasses on. Dealer service mgr has been in contact with Nissan technical and they'll look into it further.

[Timmbo]

My screen is fine (on both my Armada & Murano) when I am wearing my Ray-Bans, but I noticed when I was filling up at a Shell station, I could not see the screen at all with my shades on, but I took them off and I could see everything in great detail. It must simply be a case of a certain type of screen.