Has anyone here had any experience with the Varizoom VZ-TFT TFT 5.6" Color Monitor?

I am confined to a wheelchair (quadriplegic), and unable to get close to the viewfinder of my GL2. When I am inside, the LCD screen is somewhat suitable. However, when outside the brightness makes it impossible to see the 2.5" LCD even with a Hoodman). I am hoping that the 5.6" size of the Varizoom product, along with the sunshade available for it will help resolve this problem.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Thank you.

Hi Jeff

I have no experience of these screens, but I'm currently researching a TFT to go with my XL1s.

According to Ken Tanaka (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9117), the Nebtek (http://www.nebtek.com/lcdmon.html) NEB50XL is a better quality monitor, and its greater brightness might be more suitable for you. The Panasonic 7" that Nebtek markets is even brighter (400NIT compared to the 350NIT of the 5.6") if you can go that far.

HTH

Hello Jeff,
I owned a Varizoom-branded 5.6" LCD for a while (I am not certain it's the same unit as the one you're considering, but it looks close) and was dissapointed with its performance. It was a relatively coarse (low-resolution) display and was quite dim even in indoor conditions. Adjusting the brightness had some very poor consequences on the image.

Brightness of LCD displays is often expressed in NIT's. As a benchmark, Nebtek (http://www.nebtek.com/lcdmon.html) sells some of the brightest and best LCD displays available. They are, of course, a bit more expensive than other comparably-sized models mainly due to their brightness and resolutions. Nebtek can also adapt their monitors to use Canon BP-series batteries as a power source. (Most LCD's use 12v or a/c.)

While it might have some downsides (like blocking real vision) unless modified what about something like the Olympus Eye-Trek? Since it is on the eyes it shouldn't be as susceptible to glare problems.