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Reflections / Washout on Model 3 Screen

cab

Active Member
Sep 5, 2013
1,029
714
Grapevine, TX
So, I don't own a Model 3 (yet anyway), but have rented one for a day and have test driven twice. On all occasions, but particularly when I had one for a full day, I noticed reflections and even washout on the center screen. The 1/3 of the screen farthest from the driver seems especially susceptible to this (you know, right where Tesla chose to put the navigation directions). At one point I even noticed it seemed a bit washed out and went on to check the brightness setting - it was at 100%. Heck, at one point, during my performance 3 test drive all of the fingerprints were practically glowing in the mid-morning sun!

I can see, of course how one person's daily commute could expose this (based on angle of sun relative to the car, etc.) more than another and so could the person's distance from the screen (i.e. shorter/taller drivers).

Our Model S, conversely, seems to have very little issue with this (not surprising given that it is much more inset, angled toward the driver, etc.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed this and if so how annoying have you found it to be? I can't imagine there is any real solution (note: I did see one you-tuber had attempted a mode to angle it slightly more toward the driver but it does leave a unsightly gap).

Here are a couple of examples of shots I took while parked:

AfqSPEAg502gVZgG03haC2S-Ch89cbJeRCwpfruh7yAHqBm-GK3AYoQB-eidx4bnEeOEpR6scaTCGkGkEF_lmaVW59GDHMh9SJ3uRExAPaYBTnScf0hlpJFrtLC6tfpFdMdbbwgCMZZERcQ_J6M0CkovVvUpqKIvVfASw5j9fGtViKOOR2g7kPwOmN64__nf87YQaSBqLTgzkwstKVXTYCeaHoXMGNUawkQ1tH6fLolzg0tEA-YEWLxKAce7Gs1U5uuFLfCZTzTZw984zyMV4jnIlSbEcnUSdCAhGFYwncFzs_PYL1lnT6lTrBI4_I4-IB5FCt7mJuO1QBMIyXpp1mTzUNDHEwgM_3eBr8LA3v8ho5GatFr5Dl6azIMexXapKkJoqZejL3guaVAa78stVwt2-GzmN0renlKpA-4I5Qr_k34vCffuwywFuKT2TwsCW1dOMfhWm8maiSP5jsUNgK1P3ancVP4M-J8V9KL-zGPfFbI5jRRXOV3BP8YyvNDZ0DcNJe0EKnofja4TEvcih69tXldVQIQpLUHlIMVtomla7JkXpPOsIFyRMcKnGXIl1sA6uSxUp37o9Dnlf1NU3cHk8KwDo3JGcV-R3qfPtN-F8KKCylzpNE2BsZGqn0x1=w1668-h1251-no


seTQu1Coqv2A9jWprO35VdXBvESYMU3B91l7CbNtKLySBnyShzVW4xXUoN-CfWDKH8yymU8Avp67Yequ5MtZXnY2Rp16K1VjFU1EJAJQgk7ErMn4cZ7zItKPP1cMpT2fehi6NKNAZYDQ-wR2ZC32LuKEh7p2l4HVSg_KRssjSQLZ71mbSc4ceK6rFcGcK3BxpmehunH-u5vS_VUwwyYz4-Od8vnOtl8PoXJPSqH30rmMQRp2q3OBO3dAIzMes92L1seb5FpVSRmDBOwBrofhUAYR8NMauY8d3bE57kQf-w3_8a49m1NWCNRFET6jEQh9BsFIxG_h67jy5ekkMnk3_OObmg1r_L-KR4EoHekwlxq7Rxj6OpzdDTgQhur-7y9DJE856pxeloPauMfGLYo9vZYVfHjWfmnrnvlH58Ks2QCaMQDTgLd301iUZqatoDkaYgP4cueHQbhGOLaLvLRBwqFOMU_6Sm0jWD6JbyTzJlTI5ibIDW0RqmCn_f3-4xviYgP1DeMbL55DrfAUcsoUvPMw0m12UVcquu8yjsDNCBZ0NAndbKKwbRQmWodHHuPFs1qnDlxOAGGoJBVu5e7sGDxHo9aOqGPAwfb1Zs6GzwcC09LOJNqSInYAA5DCynzb=w1668-h1251-no
 

Runebane

Member
Jul 12, 2018
282
231
Visalia, CA
Honestly, I've only noticed reflection once on my 3 in the month I've had it. On my old car, the display was ALWAYS getting glare and I was having to shade it to back up at least half the time. Not so in the 3. I thought I was going to have to buy an antiglare screen for it, but haven't seen the need yet.
 
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ulrichw

Member
Apr 1, 2016
141
247
SF Bay Area
[...]
Here are a couple of examples of shots I took while parked [...]

In order to accurately represent the reflections you need to take the picture with the camera lens placed as close as possible to where your eyes would be.

It looks like you're holding your camera right next to the steering wheel which will first of all increase the percentage of the screen covered by reflections, and second of all change the angle (I'd say the camera is forward of a normal eye position, showing more of the view out the side window than you'd see with your eyes).
 

cab

Active Member
Sep 5, 2013
1,029
714
Grapevine, TX
In order to accurately represent the reflections you need to take the picture with the camera lens placed as close as possible to where your eyes would be.

It looks like you're holding your camera right next to the steering wheel which will first of all increase the percentage of the screen covered by reflections, and second of all change the angle (I'd say the camera is forward of a normal eye position, showing more of the view out the side window than you'd see with your eyes).

I thought that might come up, but honestly, I only took the pictures because that's basically what I was seeing at eye level. It's not like this syndrome is particularly hard to replicate.
 

FourOhFour

HTTP Error
Jun 30, 2018
51
80
Connecticut
If you don’t own a model three you’re not allowed to complain on the forum.
Says who? Seems to me someone who takes the time to drive one has every right to ask questions about their experience without having to make an expensive purchase first. I mean, isn't that the smart way to go about things? Ask questions first?
 

HelloJohnny

Member
May 19, 2018
790
886
Riverside, California
That is one of the downsides of having a large center screen. Visibility will be reduced with light hitting the screen causing glare.

As others noted for possible solutions:
• Install Matte screen protector to reduce glare
• Install tint with a darker shade to reduce light reflection

I had this issue when I took delivery of the car an drove a week without any tint. Once I had tint installed 35% all around it greatly reduced the glare coming from the passenger window.
 

Skione65

Active Member
May 5, 2016
1,453
716
Kentucky
The beauty of the model 3 is if you don't like it, you can change it.

Apply the matte screen and tilt the display:View attachment 333516

@chojn1,

What’s on your dash? Love it. Keep us posted on availability of the tilt display. I’m in for one! P3D+ coming in 12 days! Can’t wait to put Cobys ‘works of art’ to use. Hope he’s well! As you remember I ordered ‘one of EVERYTHING”!!!:)

Ski
 

chojn1

Member
Sep 21, 2017
393
1,060
Sugar Land
@chojn1,

What’s on your dash? Love it. Keep us posted on availability of the tilt display. I’m in for one! P3D+ coming in 12 days! Can’t wait to put Cobys ‘works of art’ to use. Hope he’s well! As you remember I ordered ‘one of EVERYTHING”!!!:)

Ski

Hi Ski,

Thanks so much for supporting the kids.
Dash is synthetic leather.

CJ
 

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