Transflective Mode
A partially reflective layer lets the display use ambient light by day and a backlight by night -- readable in almost any condition.
What It Is
A transflective LCD replaces the fully mirrored reflector of a reflective display with a partially reflective, partially transparent layer, and adds a backlight behind it -- combining both modes in one panel.
How It Works
In bright ambient light, the partial reflector bounces enough incoming light back through the display for the segments to read clearly, just like a reflective panel -- so the backlight can stay off to save power. In low light, the backlight shines through the same partially transparent layer, keeping the display visible in the dark. The panel works well across the full range between those two extremes.
Pros
- Readable across the widest range of lighting conditions, from bright sun to darkness
- Backlight can be switched off in bright conditions to save power
- One design covers use cases that would otherwise need two different display modes
Cons
- Slightly lower peak contrast than a dedicated reflective or transmissive panel in its best-case lighting
- More complex construction than either mode alone, with a modest cost premium
Best For
Portable and outdoor-indoor products that move between lighting conditions -- handheld instruments, automotive and off-highway dashboards, field equipment.
Need a Segmented LCD Built to This Spec?
Every BIBA segmented display is engineered from a blank sheet around your product -- the layout, icons and connector are drawn to match your exact requirement.