Both my Outbacks never had issues with any of my polarized glasses.

 

There's different types of polarisation. One pair of my polarised glasses don't have a problem with screens, the other does. Sometimes you can turn the screen thru 90° (e.g. phones) and it will cause or cure a problem.

 

They should offer a consistent angle, but maybe cheaper sunglasses aren't made with with care. The best orientation for polarization in sunglasses is generally to block horizontally polarized light.

Screens would presumably be designed with this in mind.

 

+1 on no screen issues in my Outback or WRX with polarized sunglasses. Agree with previous post that it is likely dependent on the lenses. I have used multiple pairs across both cars and have had no issues with any of the sunglasses that I have.

 

I have issues with one pair, not the other.

 

No issue on my '23 OB with any sunglasses, but the glare with the sunroof open can make the screen unreadable at certain angles without sunglasses.

 

Some polarized sunglasses do cause issue with the infotainment screen in our 2021 Touring. I just tilt my head slightly and I'm able to see the screen fairly well.

 

It's not the screens fault. If you tried to watch TV on an led screen, same thing will happen.

 

The display definitely appears a little dimmer with polarized sunglasses on, but it's still very much usable.

 

A slight correction.

The display definitely appears a little dimmer with polarized sunglasses on, but it's still very much usable.

 

I have a bigger issue with my 2012 Sonata than I do with the 23 OB. The former doesn't have a fancy infotainment center.

 

When I had my 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, it was near impossible to see the small LCD-type radio/audio screen with polarized lenses on. It would practically go black.

That was a test point for me when we were looking at Outbacks. My 2021 is fine with Polaroids, a bit less contrast, but very visible and readable with an old pair of prescription polarized sunglasses and also with my current drugstore cheapo polarized clip-ons. I prefer polarized sunglasses for glare and especially on the water and at the beach for fishing.

 

2023 OB with 11" screen. No issues with two pairs of sunglasses (both Oakleys)

 

A polarized filter passes only the light that does not match its orientation.

Only the part of the light wave that is not aligned with the slots in the filter can pass through. Everything else is absorbed. The light coming through the filter is considered polarized.

In short reflections (light) coming from one direction/angle are absorbed or blocked.

So, because sunglasses do not offer a consistent filter orientation from manufacturer to manufacturer, they vary in how you will see (or not see) your screen.

Finally, polarized lenses are notorious for affecting depth perception. In sports like baseball, softball and auto racing where it's crucial to make split-second decisions according to the speed and distance, polarized lens should be avoided.

Wow! My Physics of Optics class that I took decades ago finally paid off.

 

Finally, polarized lenses are notorious for affecting depth perception. In sports like baseball, softball and auto racing where it's crucial to make split-second decisions according to the speed and distance, polarized lens should be avoided.

Wow! My Physics of Optics class that I took decades ago finally paid off.

That one seems to be a myth - not backed by any science I'm aware of. Could simply be that sunglasses in general might tend to have slight misalignments that could affect an athlete under very specific circumstances but hardly something your average driver should concern themselves with. IMO, as someone who's always worn them, the advantages of polarized lenses when driving far outweigh any possible downside.

 

I did test drive 2020 outback and I could not see anything while wearing polarized/prizm Oakley, but it is fine in 2023 , but I keep my screen clean and use Screen ProTech

 

I did test drive 2020 outback and I could not see anything while wearing polarized/prizm Oakley, but it is fine in 2023 , but I keep my screen clean and use Screen ProTech

I discovered Screen ProTech the other night! Did you get the anti-glare protector? Do you have pictures of it?

 

No, regular hd screen, I can't take photos of it hard to see it on a photo
But I can see some uneven areas and edges with my eyes and also there are some dark spots when I wear glasses , areas where I tried to remove bubles and pressed too hard

 

One particular pair of Raybans caused me issues in my 2022. Other Raybans and none of my Oakley polarized lenses had issues. That same pair of Raybans causes issues at gas pumps and those screens. Weird that one ouf of 7 or 8 pair of glasses had a problem. That particular pair of Raybans are also 11yrs old, while all of the others are maybe 3. For whatever that's worth.

 

I owned a 2022 Outback Wilderness and sold it for a 4Runner after getting more into off roading. Now that the 2024+ outback resolves some of the flaws I had with mine (and the 4runner is getting tiring to drive over distance), I'm thinking about getting back into an OBW. Did the 2023 head unit refresh ever change the screen polarization to work with polarized sunglasses, or is it still an issue?

I have Smith polarized sunglasses and do not notice any issues with the information screen.

 

I did a bit of digging around today and the consensus seems to be that issues with depth perception are individualized - that is, the issue isn't polarized lenses, but that some people have a depth perception issue with polarized lenses.

That may seem a nit, but there is a difference between "polarized lenses are a problem" and "some people have a problem with polarized lenses."

 

The glare is extra bad with light colored seats.

 

I got my 2024 in and am happy to report no issues with my polarized glasses. Reflections (and a lack of screen brightness) yes, but the screen itself is totally visible!

 

This is one thing I was worried about when I got my Outback as I could barely see the aftermarket head unit I had in my RAV4. But with my Maui Jim polarized sunglasses, I generally don't have a problem. I do wish the screen could be a bit brighter as if the sunroof is open, the screen can get washed out but it's washed out with or without the sunglasses.

 

I have a 2024 Outback Wilderness and Oakley Holbrook Prizm Polarized, and they cause rainbows on my screen. No issues with these glasses on any other screens, except maybe the random gas station. I can still read what's on the screen but it's annoying.

If I switch to non-polarized lenses, I see the reflection of the dashboard in the windshield. The polarized lenses eliminate this. It's quite a conundrum.

Do any of those aftermarket screen protectors eliminate the rainbow with polarized lenses?

 

Exactly this for me - same car, same exact sunglasses, same annoying behavior. Geez, you must be my long-lost twin! 😉

 

I just picked up a new pair of prescription polarized sunglasses. The lenses are Crizal by Essilor of America. They are fine for the dashboard, but nearly unreadable for the infotainment system. There's no improvement from tilting or turning my head. It's not that the sunglasses are dimmer - they simply eliminate the contrast of everything on the info screen, except the top row. Yuck.

YMMV, but if it's serious $$ for your lenses, as mine were, my recommendation is to stay away from polarized, unless you have actual good experience with the specific lenses that will be used. Ask your optometrist what they will be using. And don't get Crizal.

I can't speak for 2023+ cars, mine is a 2022 Touring.

 

That's not good. How are they with phone screens, tablets, etc? Any difference if you turn them thru 90°?

 

I ordered polarized Cocoons (www.cocoons.com) sunglasses to fit over my trifocals. There is a very minor polarization issue with the lower right-hand corner of the head unit that I can get around by moving my head.

The glasses work great. I highly recommend them.