X-108 Info Any way to increase readability of OLED in sunlight (3 Viewers)

[DD5LP]

I have one of the recent versions of the X108G Outdoor, I think with the OLED rather than LCD display.

I have problems being able to read it in any level of sunlight. I have checked in the advanced menu and brightness is set to 100% but the option to adjust contrast shown in the manual simply isn't in the menu.

This could be as an OLED is considered high contrast.

Adjusting the brightness value in the menu down to 30% has no effect on the brightness.

I have sent an email to Xiegu with no response so far.

Has anyone else seen the same problem - no way to adjust the display on the OLED equipped X108Gs ?

73 Ed DD5LP.

 

[Oleg Kulagin]

In my transceiver, the brightness of the display is also not adjustable. 1% or 100% - there is no difference.

 

[DD5LP]

In my transceiver, the brightness of the display is also not adjustable. 1% or 100% - there is no difference.

Thanks Oleg, that would suggest this is either intentional or a general fault.

I have not had a reply to my email to Xiegu as yet.

73 Ed.

 

[Oleg Kulagin]

Probably due to the fact that the display mode is not set correctly, frequently used segments for the year of operation burned out, and steel instead of white - yellow.

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It does not interfere with work, but it is aesthetically unpleasant.

 

[DD5LP]

Probably due to the fact that the display mode is not set correctly, frequently used segments for the year of operation burned out, and steel instead of white - yellow.


It does not interfere with work, but it is aesthetically unpleasant.

My rig is very new and I don't have the failure you are seeing - all colours are fine. It's just that the contrast is bad that I can't read the screen in any level of sunlight. It's fine indoors but as it's called the "outdoor" model, it should be easy to read in sunlight.

I wonder however if the move to the OLED screen from the LCD screen was a mistake by Xiegu as it seems that problems are starting.

Ed.

 

[DD5LP]

Just to say Xiegu have simply not replied to my question. Perhaps I sent it to the wrong place (I used the form on their website). Does anyone have a direct email address. As I bught my X108 second hand as a private sale over eBay, I have no dealer to go back to.

Does anyone have the circuit diagram of the OLED version of the X108G? I've looked at the circuits in the files area here and can't find any display board shown (perhaps I've missed it).

73 Ed DD5LP.

 

[DD5LP]

Just an update, that I have now had a reply from "Curry" at Xiegu. He has confirmed that there is no contrast control for rigs that are fitted with the OLED screen and suggests that I contact the dealer where I bought the rig to look into why the brightness control does not work. My problem is that I bought the unit second hand as a private sale and even though the rig is about 6 months old, the 1 year Xiegu warranty is only valid if the rig is bought from an approved Xiegu dealer. I have asked if I can get a circuit diagram of how the OLED is connected to the main board so that I can investigate the problem myself, given that the warranty does not apply. I am awaiting a reply to this question however I suspect the answer will be no.

73 Ed DD5LP.

 

[DD5LP]

OK, as I suspected XIEGU have gone quiet.

I would like to know however whether this is a general problem (possibly fixable through a firware upgrade) or whether this is either a design flaw or faulty OLED display in my unit.

Oleg has already confirmed that the brightness setting in the engineering menu has no effect on his OLED display - the same as I am seeing.

Does anyone monitoring this list have an OLED equipped model where the brightness setting in the engineering menu actually works please?

73 Ed DD5LP.

 

[DD5LP]

OK, it appears to me that Xiegu made a bad decision going to OLED displays as the way they have it installed in their "outdoor" version of the X-108, it is unreadable in sunlight. I have tried a stick on polarising filter as designed for reading smart phones in sunlight. It actually made it worse but what I have now got is a "small rig" shade designed for use on camera LCD displays and that along with a tilt stand which is designed for computer tablets helps greatly. Not perfect but with a little effort the screen is readable. The name of the shade is rather relevant for the "Small Rig" as well!
73 Ed.

 

[Anibal]

It is frigten to me to read what you wrote. I am trying to make effective the warranty with Radioddity where I've purchased my rig and I haven't any response yet.

The issue appeared unexpectly. I haven't used the radio since I received it, because I haven't a proper antenna (I live in a appartment) so, actually this radio was in the box unused for a few months. A few days ago, I tried to power on and the display never got brigth as before, it seems to be only 20% of bright, no matter if the brighten control is set to 100% or 10%, the bright is very dimmed and unchangeable. I am very dissapointed.

 

[DD5LP]

Hi Anibal. It sounds like you have an actual hardware fault, rather than what I am seeing, which I believe is a design fault. As you bought from a dealer they should repair or replace the unit ideally. In my case I bought my unit seconf hand (albrit unused) from another amateur and in that situation Xiegu officially give no warrenty service. It does appear that the brightness setting has no effect at all and that sounds like an error in the firmware to me. In your case, if I understand correctly, the display was bright but has gone dim - that sounds like a hardware fault, that Radioddity should be able to address.
In your case you are using the unit indoors if you ever try to use it outdoors the problem will be much worse.
I presume you have done a rest to factory settings and the problem is still there? As it's still in the warrenty period, you should wait and see what Radioddity suggest before you do anything though.

73 Ed.

 

[Anibal]

Hi Anibal. It sounds like you have an actual hardware fault, rather than what I am seeing, which I believe is a design fault. As you bought from a dealer they should repair or replace the unit ideally. In my case I bought my unit seconf hand (albrit unused) from another amateur and in that situation Xiegu officially give no warrenty service. It does appear that the brightness setting has no effect at all and that sounds like an error in the firmware to me. In your case, if I understand correctly, the display was bright but has gone dim - that sounds like a hardware fault, that Radioddity should be able to address.
In your case you are using the unit indoors if you ever try to use it outdoors the problem will be much worse.
I presume you have done a rest to factory settings and the problem is still there? As it's still in the warrenty period, you should wait and see what Radioddity suggest before you do anything though.

73 Ed.

Edward

Have you seen the "Xiegu X108G & X5105 facebook group"?? there are some folks talking about display replacement and other spare parts purchased from Xiegu. A guy says the display replacement procedure is tricky but he made it pretty well.

In my case, the seller gave me a RMA (a prepaid shipping label only inside USA) for return the broken radio, so I have to pay the international shipping cost from Peru and it is expensive. After that, I have to pay the shipping cost plus taxes for the new equipment that I will receive from the seller.

So, to apply the warranty could be more expensive (since I live in Peru and I have to afford the international shipping costs) than repair my radio by myself.

I've try to use my radio at night, the display is more dimmed than you can see in the photo.

73

 

[DD5LP]

Hi Anibal,
As I bought my X108G from a private seller, although the unit was less than 3 months old, the Xiegu warranty states it is only valid to the first purchaser as all repair work is done via the dealer network.

As for replacing the display, my physical solution with the sunshade (meant to be used on a camera's LCD screen) appears to be working fine.

As I worked in IT for over 40 years and system security was one of my responsibilities, I will not go anywhere near the FaceCrook site. I have seen too many deep problems caused by viruses transferred over it, even without considering the personal data theft questions.

My latest problem (listed in another thread) is that the Lithium button cell that keeps the clock (and possibly other things) working in the rig has gone flat despite the fact that it is supposed to be a rechargable cell. Either the X108G charging circuit isn't working or it was a bad component. I'm starting to think the later versions of the X108G with their "updated technology" like the OLED screen, actually have more problems and design flaws than the earlier models.

73 Ed.

 

[Dave Sargent]

Hi Guys
just to put an oar in the works I have the same problem and contacted Xeigu to get a replacement screen and was told that they don't have replacement screens anymore, I'm looking at putting a TFT screen in as a replacement and see how that works. We will see how that works. My present screen has lost the brightness and is very unevenly lit.

Regards
Dave ZL2TLF

 

[DD5LP]

Hi Dave,
I look forward to hearing how you go with replacing the screen. I wonder if this is "just" a matter of replacing the OLED with a TFT or whether the driver logic also needs some changes and perhaps also to system firmware needs to be different? However the firmware for the OLED screened models still has a setting for brightness which is totally ineffective with the OLED screen, hopefully this works with the TFT screen.
Do you have the part number for the TFT scrteen and have you managed to source one from another supplier as Xiegu are not able (or willing) to supply one?

73 Ed DD5LP.

 

[Dave Sargent]

Hi Ed
This is the replacement that I'm going to try not a great cost if it doesn't work.

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The specs say it is a replacement for the 1.8" OLED and I'm sure the size was 1.8 inches. I will keep you informed I have done the unspoken and that is ordered the screen without pulling the radio apart to check it is the correct one, Xiegu would not supply me with a part number or where to source a replacement. The cost is not high and if not correct I will use it for projects on my Raspberry PI3.

 

[DD5LP]

Hi again Dave,
the part number for the OLED screen is on page 21 of the service manual (available via a link in one of the threads here on this foorum) and is
Item:OLED panel Specs:1.77"160128 colors OLED Package: TAB Brand:RiTdisplay MPN:RTD9916812000

I agree, at that price it's worth a shot! - unfortunately my only purchase from Aliexpress so far (replacment lithium rechargable, solder in batteries - also for the X108G, never arrived - so i might see if I can get the TFT display part through eBay or Amazon.

This seems to be the same one over eBay -

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Most of the display boards I am fining are designed to plug straight onto an Arduino or similar and some even have a microSD card slot on the back of them - crazy cheap prices!

73 Ed.

 

[DD5LP]

The service manaul is also available online - here:

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73 Ed.

 

[DD5LP]

From the RITdisplay website at:

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From the AliExpress ad - the sp[ecs for your replacement are similar - however I suspect you will have to desolder itfrom it's Ardino compatible board:

 

[DD5LP]

From the RITdisplay website at:

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You must be registered for see images attach

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From the AliExpress ad - the sp[ecs for your replacement are similar - however I suspect you will have to desolder itfrom it's Ardino compatible board:

You must be registered for see images attach