HUD is no longer an expensive option. IMHO, Nav is the only time the HUD is really useful. "Elevating navigation data into the driver's line of sight, Garmin's first ever head-up display aims to reduce distraction and looks pretty cool." Garmin HUD projects directions onto your windshield | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews A New Way to View Directions in the Car: Garmin® Introduces Its First Portable Head-up Display (HUD) » Garmin News Releases
That sounds like a great idea. As long as the display isn't too busy or distracting - this one isn't - then driving in unfamiliar territory should be much easier. Maybe Garmin should partner with automobile manufacturers, and make this kind of thing standard.
This looks very cool, but I'm not sure how I'd get it situated on the deep dash/raked windshield in my '06 with my short little short person arms. Also, the referenced CNET article claims use of cell phones, even with hands-free cradles, is now illegal in cars in California. According to our DMV, it is not. Yet. California Safety Laws - Cell Phone, Seat Belt, Car Seat, Child Safety Laws in CA at DMV.org: The DMV Made Simple What is, and has been for some time, illegal in California is anything mounted on the windshield. For example, it is illegal to mount a GPS unit on the windshield—it's fine on the dash, but, again considering the depth/angle of the windshield in the Gen II, this was never an issue for me. I do wonder how California law enforcement will interpret HUDs. However they can best boost income for the state would be my bet...
You'll just have to find someone with long arms to help you. Whether the long arm of the law is any help is another matter.
This reminds me of a little doojigger my grandfather kept in his early 60s, electric-nothing car, ginormous American car (which wasn't a Ford because of ol' Henry's anti-semitism). He had a ruler with a notch cut in one end so he could reach across and flip up the door lock on the passenger side. Easier, I think, to rig something similar than to keep a longer-armed person around. Much more peaceful as well.
Just back from some errands and enforced time looking at my dash. I don't see where this sort of device could rest without blocking a vent or sensor or something, given the almost HUD that the car itself uses...But then again, my spatial recognition talents are pretty close to non-existent, so I could be wrong...I still think it's a neat idea, just not for me.
Oh yeah. I could use the one I keep in my kitchen to reach anything above the 2nd shelf...Or get a second one to keep in the car to use when I go grocery shopping so I don't have to wait around for someone to reach the stuff I want that is ALWAYS at the back of the top shelf... It's a conspiracy, I'm tellin' ya...
Here's a good review of the Garmin HUD: Garmin Heads-Up Display (HUD) review - Bonnie Cha - Product Reviews - AllThingsD
Thanks for posting the review. On reflection( ), I reckon I'll stick with my dash mounts for my smart phone and gps. I am so directionally challenged that the info supplied by this device would be insufficient for me and I'd be distracted by seeking other directional clues. Still, it's a nifty idea.
I like HUDs, but not for this. Best application I have seen is simply a speed display projected into the drivers line of sight. Audi does this better than any I have seen.
