Went for a ride on sunday and used my garmin from my truck. I had a really hard time seeing the screen in the sunlight.
Are the garmins that are made for the motorcycle easier to see the screen? Don't want to spend the extra money if it's not better.

 

Not in my experience. Its not a big deal to me tho, I can see it most times, and if it gets washed out in the sun, I just shade my hand over it when I need to see it.

 

You can experiment a bit with some cardboard and tape, fabricating a sun cover that keeps the screen in the shade as much as possible, while letting you see it.

Then, make a pretty version from sheet plastic.

Once you get it looking good, market it on ebay and make a forture.

 

Yes to your ? about better vis in direct sun light. The first generation Zumo 450 and 550 were the best in my opion in direct sun light. The newer 660 and 665 are pretty good, but not as good as the first. I think both have been discontinued though. You can still find them on flebay though. Or you can drop a grand for one of the newer ones. You can also find a velcro shade on ebay for your gps for around 10 bux.

 

I put a visor on my 660 that was made for it. Helped a little but still hard to see in the sunlight.

 

Same problem. I like my phone (serves as GPS, music and commo) about handle bar height on the right and that places the screen almost horizontal and, therefore, hard to see in the sun--self-inflicted wound. I find that the more vertical (and higher) you can position it the better but mounted on the handlebars you can only get so much. I probably need to go ahead and punch a hole in the fairing for the Ram mount up high and centered near the windshield but I just haven't gotten around to doing it.

 

I never use my gps anymore. Same problem you are having, couldn't see! I now use my phone gps and plug it into the aux. port and use the voice command that come thru the speakers. Works better than trying to see the screen. The app I use is WAZE, works great.

 

I put my Garmin in the "night mode" and leave it. I can see it all the time. I have a shade on it too. I might be worth a try for some of the GPS's.

 

IMHO the shade was a serious waste of money.

 

+1 Night mode seems to work a little better