Garmin GNS 430 - How to dim display for night ops?

[fireflybob]

Been night flying tonight in a PA28 -161 which is fitted with a Garmin GNS 430 but nobody seems to know how to dim the display for night operations - have taken a good look in the manual but cannot find anything.

Anyone out there know whether there is an option for this or should it be an auto facility based on ambient lighting level?

Thanks for any help.

[Chilli Monster]

Large (outer) Right knob - turn right to select the 'Aux' group of pages

Inner (small) Right knob - turn clockwise 4 clicks until you get to a page which says "display" as one of the options.

Highlight display and select - a small window appears stating "auto" or "manual". Select manual and adjust the lighting level on the menu supplied.

When the unit is powered down it wil always revert to 'auto' mode when switched back on. This changes the lighting level by use of a photocell on the front of the control panel.

[SR20flyDoc]

Power the 430 while holding the ENT button. Now you can make some changes that are stored for display , slope and lag.

S.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Are you sure the photo cell isn't U/S ? The auto function seems to dim the unit satisfactorily on the units I have seen.

[alphaalpha]

You'll probably find that the auto-dim is working fine. If your dome light is anything brighter than pretty dim and it's shining onto the 430, it will fool the 430 into thinking it's daytime. Try turning all the lights right down and see what happens.

AA.

[S-Works]

I have the same problem with mine, the red dome light shines onto the photocell and the unit does not dim properly. If I hold my finger over it then it dims. I just go into the settings and dim it down manually now.