readability of TAD symbology over map

[twistking]

This already bothered me in the "old" module.

If you have the map activated on the TAD, the symbols and text are very hard to read. I mostly deactivate the map to have the tad symbology over black.

 

I just assume, that on the real A-10C, the visibility must be better somehow: Maybe there is an option to down down map brightness but leave symbology as is? Or the colour/contrast/brightness of the map is better adjusted to make the symbology stand out more, or they simply choose map data with a different color palette with readability in mind?

 

I find this especially problematic on the caucassus map, default (auto) zoom, where the map is very bright and has strong colour contrast.

[BuzzU]

You can't read it when you darken it?

[twistking]

yes. well i darken it depending on the lighting conditions, to make the whoel tad readable as a whole. but i still find that the symbology is a bit hard to read against the map background. of course that also has to do with monitor resolution and monitor quality (i am "only" on 1080p) and i am sure with big, high quality screens it's generally easier. but that doesn't change the fact that the tad symbology is not ideal over the very bright, contrasty map - especially in caucasus - and i would assume that on the real aircraft the colors would be adjusted better to make readability as good as possible.

[BuzzU]

I agree the default brightness is too bright. I always have to adjust it. However, the black background for the symbology is a good thing. Compare it to the Hornet map that doesn't have a black background. It's much harder to read for me.

[twistking]

yes, the black background is very good, but it's a crutch also. the map is important and deactivating it, simply because the map data is too colourful and bright, seems wrong.

 

on caucasus it has quite a lot of white and green areas. not really good if you want to overlay with a bright green text. i am sure that in reality the air force would adjust the colours to be more muted... or they would have asked the manufacturer to add in an option to adjust the map background independently from the overlay.

giving some brown tint to the map would help immensly with reading the green overlay...

[Emmy]

You've got "handles" on the MFCDs for Brightness, Contrast, Symbology, etc. IRL, nothing in an aircraft that is shared will probably ever be exactly the way YOU want it so there will be some fiddling required. Even in a simple C172 you'll need to tweak seat height, radio volume, lighting, display brightness, throttle / mixture tension, etc.

 

It's part of life as a pilot.

[Frederf]

Bright/contrast adjust the sensor display and if gain affects the map that would too. Use the rocker switches on the corner of each MFCD. Symbology rocker handles the drawn elements, basically anything which is a green text or line. I find dialing back contrast to have a major effect on the TAD map layer readability.

[twistking]

You've got "handles" on the MFCDs for Brightness, Contrast, Symbology, etc. IRL, nothing in an aircraft that is shared will probably ever be exactly the way YOU want it so there will be some fiddling required. Even in a simple C172 you'll need to tweak seat height, radio volume, lighting, display brightness, throttle / mixture tension, etc.

It's part of life as a pilot.

i think you missunderstood me. i felt that there was not enough options to fiddle. i do not expect ED to set up the module exactly like i prefer.

 

but maybe i just missed the following:

... Symbology rocker handles the drawn elements, basically anything which is a green text or line. I find dialing back contrast to have a major effect on the TAD map layer readability.

i never realized there was a symbology rocker (after many year flying the module)... i will test that out. it's probably all i need to mute the map, but keep the symbology bright. thanks!!!

 

[Frederf]

Even cranking the SYM value does little for the readability. The other aspects of the display are simply too bright at default. I find that setting the map layer to manual instead of auto I can pick the map layer that I like and it remains for all zoom levels.

[twistking]

Even cranking the SYM value does little for the readability. The other aspects of the display are simply too bright at default. I find that setting the map layer to manual instead of auto I can pick the map layer that I like and it remains for all zoom levels.

that's another good idea. will play around with it tonight...

 

[twistking]

@Frederf thanks again. i tested it and i am happy now. i just did not realize before that you can indeed adjust map and overlays independently. so much better now...

[Ziptie]

I agree the default brightness is too bright. I always have to adjust it. However, the black background for the symbology is a good thing. Compare it to the Hornet map that doesn't have a black background. It's much harder to read for me.

 

Seems like you might now be aware, but if you are I apologize for giving information that isn’t needed.

 

The Hornet HSI is able to be viewed without the moving map, left column of OSB, middle OSB, press it twice and this will disable the map. Similar to how the SA page can have the moving map displayed or not displayed.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Ziptie

[BuzzU]

Yes, I know that but I thought we were talking about reading the map? ;)

[Ziptie]

I agree the default brightness is too bright. I always have to adjust it. However, the black background for the symbology is a good thing. Compare it to the Hornet map that doesn't have a black background. It's much harder to read for me.

 

The bolded section is why I replied as I did. Seems I am unable to interpret your statement. Apologies.

 

 

Cheers,

 

Ziptie

[Meyomyx]

Set each one to 20,35,63 (day or night) - then use the "DSP" rocker (top right). You can tweak the BRT from 25 down a few notches on the odd occasion. I bind "DSP" to a pair of keys for each MFCD so I can alter the brightness easily.

 

Some maps its worth turning Auto charts to Manual - then use the "ADJ" rocker (top left) to set the chart you want. This works particularly well for the Gulf charts ...