MIP technology

pilleus

There is no choice which MIP display the different companies are using. I have to take it or not.

When I compare four MIP displays I have here, then I can see very easy, that there are differences in readabilty in daily and changing conditions (indoor, outdoor, sun, clouds, perspective).
I have a Casio GBX 100, a Garmin Fenix 6X Pro, a Garmin Fenix Forerunner 255 and a Suunto Vertical. And the quality and sharpness, the white and black color of the MIP display is exactly in the order I listed the watches.

For me Casio is state of the art and everybody can check and see it in reality beneath other watches with MIP display. On the little screen of the GBX 100 I can read even messages due to the sharpness of the display.

MikkoKartano

@Johann Yep, not much have been changed during past years. One area where there are differences is screen brightness / backlight. I think Vertical has great brightness, better than rivals. Reflectivity is not that bad, at least I can read screen without any problems in sunlight.

I actually created very short video about map and compass vs Epix2 (amoled and compass in maps suck) to another forum. It’s reflective yes, but so is amoled. And without backlight activated, MIP is way better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JUS43kXgx4

inkognito

@Johann Note that the perceived screen reflectivity is directly dependent on the “glass” material and its thickness. When comparing my old S9 (non-baro, mineral glass) to my new SV (sapphire), I must admit that Vertical’s screen is for me more challenging to read, especially at non-ideal viewing angles, without backlight or when it is darker outside. Now, I finally understand why some people complained about readability of S9B (sapphire).

pilleus

@inkognito said in MIP technology:

I must admit that Vertical’s screen is for me more challenging to read, especially at non-ideal viewing angles, without backlight or when it is darker outside

Also my experience. For example the map view is quite different between running/walking and biking or kayaking, where the watch is mounted on the bike or kayak. Without a permanent backlight it is very difficult to view the details of the map, because the perspective cannot be changed as it can be done on the wrist. On the wrist during running I use the best perspective/angle of the display and have best results. Also due to the fact, that I activated backlight when the wrist will arise.

pavel.samokha

@pilleus said in MIP technology:

Casio GBX 100, a Garmin Fenix 6X Pro, a Garmin Fenix Forerunner 255 and a Suunto Vertical.

Not a fair comparison IMHO:

Casio has monochrome screen. Monochrome -> More Contrast, Colours -> Less Contrast
Fenix and Forerunner are probably has non-Sapphire glass, so less durable, but Sapphire glass has more glare, true

pavel.samokha

@Johann said in MIP technology:

It seems that it has not changed much in the last decade.

That’s unfortunately how the market works.
Most people prefer bright and shiny OLED (and similar) screen -> more demand -> more companies produces such display because it’s more lucrative market -> more innovations such companies do -> we have better and cheaper OLED displays

And there are much less companies doing MIP displays and some even stop producing them

I wish we had better transflective MIP displays - in terms of resolution and colors, but unfortunately it looks like the future is for OLED/IPS displays

pilleus

@pavel-samokha

When I look on a display I can see differences. Sharpness, colors, material of the glass, backlight or other reasons. I see the content better or not so well. And I can create an order. What I have done. Nothing else.

No problem if you see it differently, but for me this is a fact and no question of fairness. I didn’t criticize the Vertical for that.

freeheeler

@pavel-samokha said in MIP technology:

unfortunately it looks like the future is for OLED/IPS displays

Brad_Olwin

@pavel-samokha That is too bad. I was waiting for MY perfect watch, which has yet to be made by Suunto:). A 9PP sized watch with zero bezel (I know this will require new and invisible antenna technology); okay a smaller bezel and maps with a high resolution MIP display for battery life as good a the Steel Vertical. I still think the 9PP is my favorite watch, a marvel of technology and so comfortable.

pavel.samokha

@Brad_Olwin said in MIP technology:

A 9PP sized watch with zero bezel (I know this will require new and invisible antenna technology);

Not only that, my understanding is that MIP requires larger bezels because of the backlight

I would also love to see such MIP device but it seems that the industry is moving in another direction. But well, who knows, maybe there is a startup somewhere (zero knowledge, just dreaming)

Jamie BG

@pavel-samokha
F6x Pro comes in 3 glass variants - gorilla DX, sapphire, or garmins power glass (combo of gorilla and solar); there may have been different country/later variants with power sapphire (sapphire and solar combo).
They all have varying degrees of visibility but generally in sunlight there isn’t an issue with any of them.