How to clean the display of a GPS?

REM

I did a search on this forum and unless I'm doing something wrong I don't see a thread on the best way to clean the display of a GPS. Can I use the same LCD cleaner on my Garmin 660 as I do on my laptop display? Also are those clear shields that go over the display good or are they actually a detriment?

Tim

LCD cleaner should work well, but use it in a tiny quantity, touch screens are not quite as "sealed". I've never seen the need for those clear shields except on the outdoor models, but other people like them. I've had the best luck with the ones by Invisible Shield.

REM

Thanks Tim, Happy New Year!

AngelArs

Use a good quality microcloth and some water. The best microcloths come from Germany and are available online at car detailing sites.

greenapple

Use a good quality microcloth and some water. The best microcloths come from Germany and are available online at car detailing sites.

Did the same thing. Microfiber cloth works great. Found out that Garmin screens require less cleaning than the TT. Finger print marks are pretty bad with TT's.

AngelArs

Microfiber cloth works great.

The ones from Germany work great. The ones from discount stores like walmart, k-mart, etc. don't work that great. BTW-there are 3 different types of Microfiber cloths so make sure you use the right style for the right job, and never wash them with regular laundry soap or you will ruin how they work. Same goes for drying them in a clothes dryer.

infama

What about the damp paper toweletttes use to clean eyeglasses?

gatorguy

My experience with them are some are a bit TOO moist and wick moisture around the edges of the screen. I haven't seen where it effects the electronics, but Tim seemed to indicate that many screens are not completely sealed, which of course could create an issue.

infama

My experience with them are some are a bit TOO moist and wick moisture around the edges of the screen. I haven't seen where it effects the electronics, but Tim seemed to indicate that many screens are not completely sealed, which of course could create an issue.

The ones I am talking about are not very damp at all.

They use some kind of volatile alcoholic solvent that is LCD safe for sure and there is no chance of any moisture seeping in.

eagle5

My past experiece with the screen protector was the touch screen effect was not as effective as before, so found myself hitting the screen harder to type in etc. Not recommended in my book!! . :)

eskimo

LCD cleaner should work well, but use it in a tiny quantity, touch screens are not quite as "sealed". I've never seen the need for those clear shields except on the outdoor models, but other people like them. I've had the best luck with the ones by Invisible Shield.

I got the Invisible shields and can't wait to try them on.

rav

LCD cleaner should work well, but use it in a tiny quantity, touch screens are not quite as "sealed". I've never seen the need for those clear shields except on the outdoor models, but other people like them. I've had the best luck with the ones by Invisible Shield.

I got the Invisible shields and can't wait to try them on.

Where did you buy that and is that Invisible Shield a name brand?

eskimo

http://www.invisibleshield.com/gps/garmin/nuvi-760.php

here you go

jakman

Microfiber cloth works great.

The ones from Germany work great. The ones from discount stores like walmart, k-mart, etc. don't work that great. BTW-there are 3 different types of Microfiber cloths so make sure you use the right style for the right job, and never wash them with regular laundry soap or you will ruin how they work. Same goes for drying them in a clothes dryer.

My old t shirts work great and don't come from Germany!!!! :)

Mark29

For my TomTom 920, I bought a screen protector for Play Staion Portable, it's a perfect fit. I clean it with eyeglass cleaner and a microfiber cloth, or pre-moistened eyelgass towlettes. I don't have any problem with touch screen sensitivity.

Mark

c$$lguy

LCD cleaner should work well, but use it in a tiny quantity, touch screens are not quite as "sealed". I've never seen the need for those clear shields except on the outdoor models, but other people like them. I've had the best luck with the ones by Invisible Shield.

I got the Invisible shields and can't wait to try them on.

Hi Eskimo,
How is your experience with the shield? Is it worth to buy?

PaulyWally

I'd like to suggest that you use any one of the following five products:

(1) Purosol (www.purosol.com)
(2) Marine Shield screen cleaner (www.marineshieldproducts.com)
(3) Formula MC (www.pecaproducts.com)
(4) Eclipse Optic Cleaning System (www.photosol.com)
(5) Klear Screen (www.klearscreen.com

I've used items (3) and (4) on my camera lens and item (5) on my
laptops and desktops.

I suspect that (1) is the safest followed closely by (2), (3) and (4).

hozer

My past experiece with the screen protector was the touch screen effect was not as effective as before, so found myself hitting the screen harder to type in etc. Not recommended in my book!! . :)

Well I like the ones I got from Amazon.com. The pressure to the screen is the same on my Nuvi 850 with no problems.

3 Pack Premium Ultra Clear Reusable 4.3" / 4.-Inch GPS LCD Screen
Protector with Lint Cleaning Cloth for Garmin Nuvi 200W, 205W, 250W, 260W,
600, 610,7XX,8XX, $6.99

check it out

Cya

Mark29

I'd like to suggest that you use any one of the following five products:

(1) Purosol (www.purosol.com)
(2) Marine Shield screen cleaner (www.marineshieldproducts.com)
(3) Formula MC (www.pecaproducts.com)
(4) Eclipse Optic Cleaning System (www.photosol.com)
(5) Klear Screen (www.klearscreen.com

I've used items (3) and (4) on my camera lens and item (5) on my
laptops and desktops.

I suspect that (1) is the safest followed closely by (2), (3) and (4).

You put a screen shield on a camera lens :shock: As lenses are curved, I'm curious how this worked - or do you mean the LCD?

Mark

cyfi6

The instruction manual states that you can use isopropyl alchohol

fr8hlr

Can you use Monster ScreenClean for plasma tv screens?

itisjustme

I'm a long time lurker who never really posts but on this one I have to speak up on because I have been using a LCD cleaner on all my computers for years and I also use it on my two Tomtoms.

It is called monitor lizard by super-seal. I am not a person who usually recommends anything as I have been burnt in the past for doing so but with this one I don't think anyone would be unhappy.

I never bought it or seen it in any stores but you can buy it on line and I am sure you can find it on a google search.

Mark29

I'm a long time lurker who never really posts but on this one I have to speak up on because I have been using a LCD cleaner on all my computers for years and I also use it on my two Tomtoms.

It is called monitor lizard by super-seal. I am not a person who usually recommends anything as I have been burnt in the past for doing so but with this one I don't think anyone would be unhappy.

I never bought it or seen it in any stores but you can buy it on line and I am sure you can find it on a google search.

Holy !*$&# - $13 for a 4oz bottle?? No thanks, I'll continue to use eyeglass cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

itisjustme

I'm a long time lurker who never really posts but on this one I have to speak up on because I have been using a LCD cleaner on all my computers for years and I also use it on my two Tomtoms.

It is called monitor lizard by super-seal. I am not a person who usually recommends anything as I have been burnt in the past for doing so but with this one I don't think anyone would be unhappy.

I never bought it or seen it in any stores but you can buy it on line and I am sure you can find it on a google search.

Holy !*$&# - $13 for a 4oz bottle?? No thanks, I'll continue to use eyeglass cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

I never said it was cheap but it works real well it even hides small scratches already in a flat panel. I do commercial and industrial processes so I actually spoke with the owner and I bought bulk in 4 gallon case lots so much less but I can tell you that little 14 dollar bottle will last you years.

7thsecond

Maybe I'm missing something here but why would you clean a screen that you're going to be touching all the time anyway? I haven't cleaned my screen once since I bought my GPS a few weeks ago. Now my PSP is a different story.

Mark29

Maybe I'm missing something here but why would you clean a screen that you're going to be touching all the time anyway? I haven't cleaned my screen once since I bought my GPS a few weeks ago. Now my PSP is a different story.

Fingerprints & dust will build up over time. I bought a PSP screen overlay for my TomTom 920, and use a microfiber cloth to wipe it off occassionally.

wscott52

I have some of these coming:

http://www.klearscreen.com/detail.aspx?ID=5
Klear Screen Travel Singles Kit


Will see how they work.

danpass

I breathe on it and use whatever cotton thing I am wearing/have nearby.

wscott52

I breathe on it and use whatever cotton thing I am wearing/have nearby.

That's what I had been doing. The Klear Screen stuff does a nice job but it's not cheap.

mmsstar

My first Blackberry came with a nice little cloth, works on the new Cranberry as well as the Nuvi :lol:

I'm 5 ft.8

I breathe on it & use a microfibre cloth. I usually use a PDA wand or the soft erasure end of a pencil to punch in directions.

stockpile

I will let you in on a little secret that filled me with wonder and joy.

Scotch-tape:
You know the stuff that's a half inch wide that you use for wrapping gifts.

Take a piece and tape it to your screen, then pull it off.
Of coarse you'd have to do this a few times with new pieces to clean the whole screen.

This works mind blowing well on camera LCD screens, and the tip was given to me at a local camera shop.
The tech at the shop put about 4 strips across my LCD screen on my high end camera and them peeled them off all at once.

Mind blowing

:shock:

yeibitchai

Maybe I'm missing something here but why would you clean a screen that you're going to be touching all the time anyway? I haven't cleaned my screen once since I bought my GPS a few weeks ago. Now my PSP is a different story.

I just use bulk gun cleaning patches cut up from old cotton T-shirts. No solution. Or the bottom of my shirt if I'm out and about.

Been doing that for years and it works just fine. Sometimes, the screen does get "printed up" quite a bit and crap/dust builds up along the case edges of the screen. You've only had your GPS for a few weeks. See if you feel the same after 6 months.

airgunner23

Old tshirts.

wilsonhp

When you get your annual eye exam, get the optometrist to give you a couple of the glasses-cleaning microfiber cloths that they give away with glasses. Nice small size, usually in a plastic carry case to keep it clean. That case can fit into your GPS carry case, most likely.

Get a couple more next year, and toss the dirty ones.

Some do work better than others, so try a couple and find the one you like best. Don't need any chemicals.

jloh

Use a good quality microcloth and some water. The best microcloths come from Germany and are available online at car detailing sites.

Hmm.. I just use whatever T-shirt I'm wearing that day. I didn't know all my T-shirts were made in Germany!! For that matter I didn't know they were microfiber either?? So AngelArs how the heck did you know?? Are you going through my drawers again?!! After I told you not to?

smith

One can also use a good quality micro-cloth and some water.There are three different types of Micro-fibre cloths, so make sure you use the right and never wash them with a laundry soap or dry them in a cloth dryer.

Ragman

From Wally World get a small travel spray container. Use 2 parts vinegar 1 part water. Spray lightly on micro-fiber cloth, then wipe. Cheap.

tvman44

What I always do is breath on the LCD display to make it fog up and then wipe it with a clean micro fiber cloth. Works great. I also do this on camera lenses, DVD's, CD's.

tvman44

I breath on the display to make it fog up and quickly wipe with a microfiber cloth. Works great. I do the same thing with eyeglasses and camera lenses.

markob83

Always use a micro-fiber cloth when cleaning lcd screens. Using other forms of cloth may lead to scratches or static electricity which could damage the unit.

guy48065

My Nuvi500 will be used offroad so I bought a screen protector for a tablet and marked out a grid on it of squares that fit my display. Cut with an exacto. Got 4 out of it for $5.

ozarkie

I would strongly advise not using any vinegar solutions. That is acetic acid. Great for cleaning household windows, but not for delicate electronics!

Plain, clear water lightly dampened microfiber cloth is fine, if the screen is REALLY dirty. Otherwise the types of eyeglass cleaning cloths are perfect.

localinsight

I use the eye glass cloths or just breathe & wipe.

Like the suggestions about washing, I just wash separately
In hot water & hang dry.

Buy new ones when doesn't work.

Did write down the name of that
Expensive one online. Cleaned laptop
Screen & wasn't sure ok just to "dust"
Don't have lots of electronics but
Live in dusty area.

Landyman

I have a Montana 650t.

The evening before a week long trip, I switched on my Montana to check a few things.

While waiting for it to boot, I wiped the screen to remove finger prints.

I noticed something flash on the screen and after the boot discovered that all my settings had been changed to default.

Apparently there is an undocumented feature that touching the screen while booting will give one the opportunity of resetting the options. Further touching accepted the option.