HUD Advice and feedback

[onpole01]

hi guys,

i'm looking for some feedback, advice or other suggestions re a HUD unit. Been wanting one for a couple of years now but haven't spent the dollars because they've been pretty standard...until now! Well at least I think so-I have found a couple of (hopefully) universal after market models that have improved graphics and capabilities from some of the earlier basic models.

Below are two from ebay-the first is pretty pricey and the second is actually my preferred choice and pretty good with price as well-if it's no good I'm prepared to write it off for that sort of money (BTW you'll have to highlight the link and right click to open it-can't seem to make a hyperlink doh)




http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220585792311&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:MOTORS:1123


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200456591986&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:MOTORS:1123

The BMW HUD (not shown above) displays gear number speed etc. None of the above appear to display the gear number but the second one has rpm and gear shifter lights and other info that might be close-anyway when you have a look you'll see what I mean. I can't seem to find a youtube clip on the one I want so if anyone can help with that too that'd be great-just so I am clear my preference is the USA one but I'd love to hear you're feedback on these or any other models

Thanks heaps guys

[onpole01]

Bump for additional help!

Well it looks like I'm gonna go with the cheaper one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200456591986&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:MOTORS:1123

Basically it looks like it has better graphics and RPM readout. It has shift warning that can be programmed by driver as well. The more expensive unit has more features and does more but im not sure it is wrth the extra dollars and there is some unnecessary stuff displayed. So I'm gonna take a punt and do it.

So this is where I need some help-does anyone for dollars/beers/pizza etc want to have a crack at installing it in my car Or failing that can anyone recommend a good auto electrician or similar that can fit this? It will involve i assume some cord linking (what the hell do I know) with speedo tacho temp gauges etc.

Probably won't have it for 10 days or so, so roughy early May. I live in Sydney can travel to wherever you are or if peeps have recommendations of guys that can do it please let me know-anywhere in Sydney be fine.

thanks guys and I look forward to receiving your recs!

[Bizi]

Quick reality check (hopefully you've not ordered it yet):
Seems the seller is not aking any responsibility for it...

DISCLAIMER: THIS PART IS PRODUCED FOR OFF ROAD OR SHOW PURPOSE ONLY. USER MUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS-ANY MODIFICATION OR ANY MISUSE OF THIS PRODUCT IS AT HIS/HER OWN RISK. THE MANUFACTURER, DISTRIBUTOR & RETAILER WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR USING THIS ITEM OTHER THAN SPECIFIED ABOVE. ANY USE OF THE ITEM OTHER THEN ITS INTENDED PURPOSE VOIDS ANY WARRANTY.

Aside from the poor spelling ('then'? :p) it would appear you'd need to prove the device was not used in a road registered car (if you take the above literally). Are you convinced it will work as well as advertised? I'd hope that you could get some independent verification, first.

Did anyone else express interest in such an accessory?
Has it been tried & discussed in any of the other US/UK/Euro/Asia forums and reviewed in Aussie conditions?

I ask in case you could link to such discussions, as it would be good to share and encourage others - especially as the ad you linked has an 'offer' price which I guess would suit group buys.

What was your landed price, all up in AUD?

Wasn't a HUD recently discussed as an iPod App? :D That was a funny one!

[onpole01]

Quick reality check (hopefully you've not ordered it yet):
Seems the seller is not aking any responsibility for it...


Aside from the poor spelling ('then'? :p) it would appear you'd need to prove the device was not used in a road registered car (if you take the above literally). Are you convinced it will work as well as advertised? I'd hope that you could get some independent verification, first.

Did anyone else express interest in such an accessory?
Has it been tried & discussed in any of the other US/UK/Euro/Asia forums and reviewed in Aussie conditions?

I ask in case you could link to such discussions, as it would be good to share and encourage others - especially as the ad you linked has an 'offer' price which I guess would suit group buys.

What was your landed price, all up in AUD?

Wasn't a HUD recently discussed as an iPod App? :D That was a funny one!

Hi Bizi,

Thanks for your post. I haven't ordered it yet, I ditched ebay and went to their site as I wanted something else as well but couldn't complete the transaction until they contact me to discuss shipping. I read the disclaimer and I'm not too concerned. There are other units advertised that do exactly the same thing that don't have a disclaimer so I believe these guys are just being OTT with their liability concerns. This company also sponsors a few car sites such as this one in the States and selling these HUDs so I guess that's something-not much but something. End of the day it's not a big outlay and my expectations are not huge. These units are fairly low tech and are (speed, rpm, speed warning etc) not a full integration like BMW/Corvette systems. RE other threads-there is very little talk of HUD anywhere-I checked on US (found a bit) nothing on UK or Asia.

Lot of talk in the States though as HUD units are pretty common, I found a thread of guy taking an oem HUD from a dodge or something and retrofitting into a subaru-go figure. some of the stuff possible with HUD on the latest Camaro is awesome-if you're into that sort of thing Check out 2010 Camaro HUD youtubeclip

In terms of group buys you're the first that's responded to this thread so I think most of the interest in after market HUD on the forum is low. These after market HUDs are far better than Iphone apps that rely on GPS for speed-fairly inaccurate. The HUDS I'm looking at are either connected thrugh the comms port or directly linked to speedo tach etc.

Happy to b a guinea pig and see if it is something other peeps might be interested in once I have it up and running. Ive checked a lot of youtube clips and seeing it makes so much sense to me ie having the speed etc in a spot where the perif vision can catch it without taking your eyes off the road to look down into the console. I may have a place that can do it now but if anyone has any recommendations please let me know.

Cheers

[Ramesh]

I have always wanted one on the BMW but wouldn't, mind it on our GTi with out looking at what comes in the box it be hard for me to say if I can install it. But saying that it should not be hard unles you need the box to plug into the cars can-bus system.

[onpole01]

So I went back into eBay and did it there. I bid 125 usd and it was accepted. Delivery was 20 usd so a up aud 160 delivered. Hope I don't have to wait too long

[Pharkus]

How well does the HUD work in full sunlight? I'd imagine it would be useful for night time driving to some extent (if it isn't too bright). But your peripheral vision should still be able to take in your speedo and other instruments well enough. Good on you though for venturing out to be the first to try this. Who knows, other people may follow your lead.

[onpole01]

Hi Pharkus,

You got me thinking of my cars over the years and there isn't a single one i can recall including my GTI where my peripheral vision has included sight of any of the dash instruments-for me to sight my speedo my eyes must look down and refocus onto the speedo. Maybe it's my seating position or something else? Anyways I know from what I've read others talk of the relief of not taking their eyes off the road to view the speedo so it must be a pretty general thing.

Th daylight view is supposed to be fine (there is a refelctive tape/patch that come with all the units to bounce the image off) but I guess I'll know when I get it. Similar models demoed on youtube look pretty good in daylight so fingers crossed this model is as good.

I am also a wannabee pilot and F1 driver so I just love these types of gadgets-but ultimately if this unit comes good I know it's gonna be a bit of pretty useful kit.

[onpole01]

Some guy modded his HUD and came up with this-unreal!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6HtTFTqXlg

[onpole01]

Or this BMW with gear indicator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Le8sjLOys&feature=related

[Bizi]

Thanks for the detailed reply and updates. I hope that it does what it's advertised to do and gives the same reading as your car.

If it helps your driving and saves you from a ticket it has paid for itself. :)


Another benefit is that your GTI will be fairly unique and interesting to forum members when you get along to GTGs. :) You will be on pole with this mod!

[Yes, I'm interested in F1 and aero HUDs, too. The pilot license discussion would be a very good one to have as I believe that there are a few wannabe pilots in our ranks. :)]

[Pharkus]

onpole01

Yeah, must be your seating position mate. I'm not the tallest guy and unlike most people like to sit up a bit so I can see most of my hood. However, my seating position still allows for my periphery to see the speedo. I guess a shift indicator would be an awesome function of a HUD as you would probably like to see your revs more than your speed. Manual here so gear indicator is not an issue (one of the other reasons why I didn't go DSG).

[onpole01]

Gday Bizi,

Mate i came so close to going for my GFPT this year but with my kids and some plans for investing this year I'm gonna leave it for a while. Don't know if there's any plane spotters here but I know a good place where there are planes-a-plenty and god parking for a GTG with planes haha.

I think it should work ok and at that price happy to take a punt. As soon as i get it and have installed Ill post al the details.

Cheers mate


Thanks for the detailed reply and updates. I hope that it does what it's advertised to do and gives the same reading as your car.

If it helps your driving and saves you from a ticket it has paid for itself. :)


Another benefit is that your GTI will be fairly unique and interesting to forum members when you get along to GTGs. :) You will be on pole with this mod!

[Yes, I'm interested in F1 and aero HUDs, too. The pilot license discussion would be a very good one to have as I believe that there are a few wannabe pilots in our ranks. :)]

[onpole01]

After I posted earlier i took a big drive and noticed my direct line of sight is about 3/4 up the windscreen or just under that. I am definitely not seeing any of the speedo in my peripheral vision, in fact the steering wheel actually covers part of it (say at 1250h position) and I don't wear glasses, have good eyesight but the font (for want of a better description) on the speedo is quite small-so If my line of sight is 3/4 up the screen there's no way I am going to see it as it is way underneath my peripheral area. Maybe there's someone who can expand on this , an optometrist perhaps? I am just under 6ft and have not raised the seat in any dramatic fashion. I do notice some 'younger drivers' seated quite low but I'd find that height to be untenable for street driving. Anyways, interesting...

So unfortunately no gear indicator on any after market HUD from my research which would be great for DSG people, but the one I went for seems if the pics and blurb are correct show speed and rpms, and can also select a shift rpm point that lights up-for $160 bucks I've gotta give it a go.



onpole01

Yeah, must be your seating position mate. I'm not the tallest guy and unlike most people like to sit up a bit so I can see most of my hood. However, my seating position still allows for my periphery to see the speedo. I guess a shift indicator would be an awesome function of a HUD as you would probably like to see your revs more than your speed. Manual here so gear indicator is not an issue (one of the other reasons why I didn't go DSG).

[Ramesh]

I wonder if it's possable to pigback a second mfd and then project that up to the windscreen?

[Bizi]

OnPole, just in case I've missed this fact: do you have your driver's seat in the lowest possible height setting?

I wonder if you could adjust your seating position lower, in order to see the instruments from a lesser angle. Provided you can get comfortable in that seat position.

[Pharkus]

The "proper" P-Plate driving position is:

1. Seat as low as possible
2. Seat as far back as possible (you may wish to attach wooden blocks "Indiana Jones" style to accomodate for your feet not being able to reach the pedals), this also alleviates the need to indicate and head check (you will be looking out the rear passenger window if you glance sideways if your seat is position correctly)
3. Have clear view of speedo so that you know when you are double the legal speed limit and should consider slowing down, or if the revs are right to drop a burnout.

*sarcasm if you aren't sure.

@onpole01 - have you also tried adjusting the steering wheel position?

[WingnutR32]

@onpole01 - have you also tried adjusting the steering wheel position?

This was one of the first things I had to adjust for my seat position. The steering wheel angle isn't fantastic to hold, but allows me to see the dash.

[onpole01]

Love it!!!




The "proper" P-Plate driving position is:

1. Seat as low as possible
2. Seat as far back as possible (you may wish to attach wooden blocks "Indiana Jones" style to accomodate for your feet not being able to reach the pedals), this also alleviates the need to indicate and head check (you will be looking out the rear passenger window if you glance sideways if your seat is position correctly)
3. Have clear view of speedo so that you know when you are double the legal speed limit and should consider slowing down, or if the revs are right to drop a burnout.

*sarcasm if you aren't sure.

@onpole01 - have you also tried adjusting the steering wheel position?

[onpole01]

HI guys, what's wrong with my eyes! Hahaha. I think I have no ability to focus on fine/small items below my direct line of sight-am I supposed to be able to focus on the speedo within my peripheral vision? Would me focusing on the speedo then not be within my peripheral sight? Large items below my direct line of sight are ok but fine/small items eg speedo are impossible-cannot be clearly read within peripheral vision for me. I am not sure whether if you need to focus on something whether that's still within the peripheral range? Any opthamologists out there?

I adjusted steering wheel and lowered seat marginally but to no avail-still no abilty to read the speedo within peripheral sight due to above mentioned inability to focus. mmm..interesting

[onpole01]

So here's my install update:

no install today as my install guy has spoken with VW and they reckon getting a signal/pulse from the speed wire may either not be accurate or cause the car speedo its own accuracy issues. So we're now going thru a can bus adapter as Ramesh pointed out, my guy has ordered it from Stinger? Price is $258 delivered and apparently this has speed, rpm and many other capabilities. So I'm at $260 bucks before he's even started working on it but I assume a can bus adaptor will be a far quicker job than wiring up thru ecu

So hopefully next week...