Garmin HUD projects directions onto your windshield

[Kaido]

Article: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_...hud-projects-directions-onto-your-windshield/

Full PR on Engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/08/garmin-head-up-display/

Pic: http://asset0.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim2/2013/07/07/Garmin_HUD_1_610x349.jpeg

* $129.99 MSRP
* At least $29.99 more for Garmin's StreetPilot or Navigon app for your smartphone (required to power the HUD)
* Pairs via Bluetooth to Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone 8
* Integrated USB port on the vehicle power/adapter cable to charge smartphone
* Auto-adjusts brightness based on ambient light & is visible in direct sunlight
* Projects onto transparent film on the windshield or an attached reflector lens
* Due out this summer
* Projects the following: (and more)

-Turn arrows
-Distance to next turn
-Current speed
-Current speed limit
-Estimated time of arrival
-Graphic lane guidance
-Traffic delays
-Upcoming safety camera locations
-Excess speed warnings

Yeah, I'll definitely be picking this up :thumbsup:

 

[Throckmorton]

Why can't it just reflect off the windshield without some special film?

 

[NutBucket]

Since when has CA banned windshield mounts/dash cradles? I don't recall seeing anything about either.

My complaint is I have to use Garmin's app. Nice idea though.

And I'm not sure about the need for the film. I do know that GM vehicles with factory HUD do have a different windshields than those without. I would assume there is some sort of film that is added.

 

[Fritzo]

I wondered if they were going to do something like this to compete with smartphones. Bit concerned there's no video of the device in action. Not sure how a HUD would work without a special coating.

 

[KentState]

Since when has CA banned windshield mounts/dash cradles? I don't recall seeing anything about either.

My complaint is I have to use Garmin's app. Nice idea though.

And I'm not sure about the need for the film. I do know that GM vehicles with factory HUD do have a different windshields than those without. I would assume there is some sort of film that is added.

GM does have a different windshield, but it's not necessary for it to work. I added the HUD to my Corvette after the fact and it worked fine. Probably was within 95% of what the special windshield could offer.

 

[Kaido]

Why can't it just reflect off the windshield without some special film?

The film gives it a special surface to reflect off of, especially in bright situations where there is glare and the image would normally get washed out. You can buy film off eBay for like ten bucks and just use an app on your smartphone if you really want to.

 

[Kaido]

I wondered if they were going to do something like this to compete with smartphones. Bit concerned there's no video of the device in action. Not sure how a HUD would work without a special coating.

They include transparent film to tack onto your windshield.

 

[Kaido]

Since when has CA banned windshield mounts/dash cradles? I don't recall seeing anything about either.

My complaint is I have to use Garmin's app. Nice idea though.

And I'm not sure about the need for the film. I do know that GM vehicles with factory HUD do have a different windshields than those without. I would assume there is some sort of film that is added.

Yeah, it would be cool to have one directly interface with something like a Bluetooth OBD-II scanner.

I was just wondering how well it would work with Google Maps, since I usually use that app to find places on my iPhone since it has the super-easy search feature. I guess you could google the location then send to the Garmin app, then Bluetooth the data to your HUD unit & the audio to your car stereo.

I will definitely be picking this up for my project car since I'm putting in a DMR head unit, which will be used for Bluetooth calling & audio streaming. Will be cool to throw that much tech into an old car!

 

[Jinny]

HUD is really old school technology.

i would imagine coming back to smashed windows if one forgets to remove this device from the dash.

 

[Kaido]

HUD is really old school technology.

i would imagine coming back to smashed windows if one forgets to remove this device from the dash.

I don't think that's a big deal these days - I used to hide my GPS in the glovebox, but they go for like $79 new at Staples these days, and everyone leaves them stuck on the suction cup mount permanently these days, so meh.

I think a whole-windshield HUD would be cool, coupled with a mini-projector...something where there could be a faint, transparent overlay on the actual road from the driver's POV, basically a giant augmented reality display. We already have the mapping technology for it, as well as the GPS & projection systems, someone just needs to make it. A really cool related project is building projection for artistic purposes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0XKmU5hF5s

 

[ponyo]

GM does have a different windshield, but it's not necessary for it to work. I added the HUD to my Corvette after the fact and it worked fine. Probably was within 95% of what the special windshield could offer.

Yup. I added HUD to mine and it works great on regular windshield.

 

[Jinny]

I don't think that's a big deal these days - I used to hide my GPS in the glovebox, but they go for like $79 new at Staples these days, and everyone leaves them stuck on the suction cup mount permanently these days, so meh.

I think a whole-windshield HUD would be cool, coupled with a mini-projector...something where there could be a faint, transparent overlay on the actual road from the driver's POV, basically a giant augmented reality display. We already have the mapping technology for it, as well as the GPS & projection systems, someone just needs to make it. A really cool related project is building projection for artistic purposes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0XKmU5hF5s

I respectfully disagree, my sisters car got broken into for an old piece of shit cd player. she forgot to remove the faceplate. I don't think bums or thieves know better.
*i live in san francisco , maybe thats why.

 

[Kaido]

I respectfully disagree, my sisters car got broken into for an old piece of shit cd player. she forgot to remove the faceplate. I don't think bums or thieves know better.
*i live in san francisco , maybe thats why.

Wow, I was going to say, do you live in a big city? Here in Hartford it's not too bad. I didn't think anyone cared about CD players now because you can get them so cheap aftermarket...must be kids doing it, because what's worth the risk when you get get a Boss CD car receiver for like $70 these days?

 

[Kaido]

Looks like you get 2 options for the HUD - either a transparent film for your windshield, or an included reflector:

http://gizmodo.com/garmins-new-hud-projects-turn-by-turn-directions-onto-700999091

It looks like the reflector is a pop-up unit:

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18t8i5ugljk0sjpg/ku-xlarge.jpg

Neat!

 

[NutBucket]

That pop up is stupid. Might as well just stick the phone on a dash mount.

 

[Slickone]

The HUD is only sitting a few inches higher than a unit would on your dash. What's the point? And it's monochrome and very basic.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Since when has CA banned windshield mounts/dash cradles? I don't recall seeing anything about either.

My complaint is I have to use Garmin's app. Nice idea though.

And I'm not sure about the need for the film. I do know that GM vehicles with factory HUD do have a different windshields than those without. I would assume there is some sort of film that is added.

Since as long as I've lived here, which is coming up on 25 years.

Seems they've relaxed the law a bit though in recent years.

Residents of California and Minnesota used to be subject to a GPS windshield ban. More recently, these states have upgraded their statutes to allow windshield mounting when placed in specific locations.

 

[acx]

From California DMV:

(12) A portable Global Positioning System (GPS), which may be mounted in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver and outside of an airbag deployment zone, if the system is used only for door-to-door navigation while the motor vehicle is being operated.

 

[Kaido]

Hudway for iOS is a neat HUD : (Android version in Feb 2014)

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/10/31/hudway-ios-heads-up-display-video/

 

[olds]

Since when has CA banned windshield mounts/dash cradles? I don't recall seeing anything about either.

My complaint is I have to use Garmin's app. Nice idea though.

And I'm not sure about the need for the film. I do know that GM vehicles with factory HUD do have a different windshields than those without. I would assume there is some sort of film that is added.

20+ years ago
Oops, beaten to the punch

 

[Kaido]

Garmin HUD+ announced: ($180)

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod155059.html

From the press release:

http://garmin.blogs.com/pr/2014/01/garmin-announces-new-automotive-navigation-devices.html

HUD+ with New Companion Smartphone App

Garmin HUD+HUD+ combines Garmin’s popular portable head-up display with a new, free companion smartphone app. HUD+ projects crisp and bright directions onto a transparent film on the windshield or an attached reflector lens. It receives navigation information from a Bluetooth®-connected smartphone running the free Garmin HUD navigation app, available from the App StoreSM, Google PlayTM, or Windows Phone® Store. By providing comprehensive road guidance at a glance and right within the driver’s line of sight, HUD+ can help increase safety and reduce driver distraction. HUD+ has a suggested retail price of $179.99.

From the product page:

Advanced Navigation Through Projection

* Beams navigation information onto your windshield
* Provides directions, ETA and lane guidance
* For use with the free Garmin HUD navigation app*
* Works with your compatible Bluetooth®-enabled smartphone

Keep Your Eyes Ahead

Garmin HUD+ beams navigation information onto your windshield for easy viewing while driving. It receives data wirelessly from your compatible smartphone running the free Garmin HUD app.

The device offers far more navigation detail than other portable HUD systems, displaying turn indicators, distance to your next turn, current speed and speed limit, and estimated time of arrival. HUD+ lets you know what lane to be in for your next maneuver as well as alerts you if you exceed the speed limit. With an in-app purchase, HUD+ can even warn you of potential traffic delays.

Set Up and Start Navigating

Using HUD+ is simple. Just apply the transparent film on your windshield (or attach the included reflector lens) and place the device onto your vehicle’s dashboard. Using your compatible smartphone, download the free Garmin HUD app and follow the instructions to pair it with HUD+ using Bluetooth. Once paired, you can enter your destination on your phone and HUD+ will offer turn-by-turn directions to get you there. An integrated USB port on the vehicle power/adapter cable allows you to charge your phone while you’re on the go.

 

[Kaido]

Engadget has a hands-on with one of Garmin's HUD prototypes:

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/07/hands-on-with-garmin-hud-prototype/

This one is a different project from the HUD+ and adds infotainment to the mix:

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/07/garmin-hud/

 

[bruceb]

The only thing I don't like about this is the need to use a Smart Phone with it. They need to offer the same HUD features on an ordinary type of GPS unit. There should be no need for a Smart Phone (and probably the data usage with it as well) just for vehicle navigation systems.

 

[smackababy]

The only thing I don't like about this is the need to use a Smart Phone with it. They need to offer the same HUD features on an ordinary type of GPS unit. There should be no need for a Smart Phone (and probably the data usage with it as well) just for vehicle navigation systems.

This! If a stand alone unit can do GPS without a smart phone, why can't this? I understand cost, but the stand alone units aren't that much. A nuvi 55 is $130. Now, if you put the projection technology along with the GPS stand alone technology together, it couldn't possibly cost that much. You know the nuvi doesn't cost that much product AND the screen isn't some trivial cost of less than 5% of the BOM price.

 

[Kaido]

This! If a stand alone unit can do GPS without a smart phone, why can't this? I understand cost, but the stand alone units aren't that much. A nuvi 55 is $130. Now, if you put the projection technology along with the GPS stand alone technology together, it couldn't possibly cost that much. You know the nuvi doesn't cost that much product AND the screen isn't some trivial cost of less than 5% of the BOM price.

I think even a combo unit would be cool (Nuvi + HUD)...one of the new Nuvi's has a monster 7" screen with a wireless backup camera, so why not offer one that has a wireless HUD? That way you & your passengers can setup the navigation, make route adjustments, etc. and it beams it to the driver's POV.