Cars are becoming more powerful, safer, and comfier, and with a range of new tech features, more convenient and easier to drive. All new cars today have power windows as standard, while models and trims higher up can also include a head-up display that shows vital trip info without the driver lifting eyes off the road. It’s these details that keep drivers focused while minimising distractions when driving.
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What are Head-up Displays?
The head-up display, or HUD, is a technology that projects an image of vital driving and vehicle data onto the windshield or a panel and in the driver’s line of sight. This can include basic parameters such as current speed and engine load, safety and convenience-focused data such as speed limit signs, real-time navigation and even in-depth vehicle diagnostics. The main purpose is to keep your eyes glued to the road and limit glances down to the dashboard or screens.
Premium car brands have incorporated vehicle HUD systems into their entire line up as standard or optional equipment. For cars that miss out, there are always aftermarket units, that match or exceed original equipment for functionality and accuracy, without the high price. All units are compact, easy to install, compatible with a range of vehicles, and display all the vehicle and driving data you’ll need while at the wheel.
Metrics that Matter
Both in-car and aftermarket HUDs differ in what they project onto the windshield or pop-up panels. All units have a speed readout, and most include RPMs and fuel level readouts – basic info to keep within speed limits, avoid hefty fines or demerit points, and ensure engine longevity with timely gear changes and consistent fuel pressure. The tech though has developed to include other useful data:
- Prevailing speed limits – units can work with car radars and cameras to give alerts that you’re driving at or above the current speed limit.
- Sat-nav guidance – ensure you get to your destination without having to take your eyes off the road to glance at the Sat-nav. Advanced systems superimpose routes onto the windscreen and display real-time arrows for turn-by-turn guidance.
- Integration with vehicle safety and infotainment systems – depending on the vehicle and included safety feature set, a HUD can also inform drivers of engaged safety and driver assistance tech, such as cruise control or lane-keep assist and give legible and audible alerts. Some also display media info, such as music tracks
Aftermarket head-up displays go one step further, by including metrics left out in in-car units. This includes:
- Muly-directional compass with a high refresh rate.
- Coolant temperature and battery voltage with respective alerts.
- Fatigue reminders every four hours of continued driving.
Types and Features to Look for
HUDs come in two basic variants – those that project data and images directly onto the inside of the windscreen and a car HUD display that projects info onto a screen that rises out of the dashboard. The first is generally offered as part of standard or optional equipment in the car. An aftermarket vehicle HUD is usually the dashboard screen type, can be retrofitted to older cars, and is much cheaper. It can also connect to your phone to include navigation and traffic data in vehicles without Sat-nav.
When buying an aftermarket HUD for cars, consider a few key features:
- Legibility and display quality – readouts are displayed on easy-to-read and bright colour or monochrome screens in high resolution. Drivers can manually adjust brightness levels or choose auto-brightness to counter direct sunlight or glare from oncoming traffic.
- Durable build – durable plastic housings, working temperatures of -20 to +70 and included short-circuiting protection ensure that your head up display lasts in temperature extremes and during voltage surges.
- Customisation – while the berth of parameters can present a distraction in itself, drivers can choose which HUD data matters most. Some units can also toggle between data and allow for varied image and font sizes and colours, besides brightness levels.
- Connectivity – dash HUDs can connect directly to the OBDII port, a 12V outlet or have integrated Bluetooth for wireless connectivity.
- Simple installation – look for plug-and-play HUDs that are installed within minutes.
Advantages to Enhance Driver Safety
Head-up displays are a smart piece of technology that many drivers can appreciate for their safety benefits. Drivers can keep their eyes on the road at all times, without constant distractions. This is beneficial in varied driving scenarios and settings. HUDs can be lifesavers in dense urban traffic, cutting reaction times to constantly changing conditions; a welcome addition on highways and rural roads with reliable real-time data such as navigation and weather updates; and when building confidence and proper driving habits in learner drivers. All types include real-time alerts and relevant traffic info that ensure safer driving.
Besides the safety benefits, HUDs help with vehicle diagnostics, ensuring the engine and cars last longer and that drivers avoid expensive repairs. Moreover, nice features like phone integration help manage calls and messaging without incurring fines and give owners of older vehicles the benefits of satellite navigation. And the low price, easy installation, clear readouts and compact size of aftermarket units are just some of the reasons why head-up displays are too hard to pass up as a functional and safety addition to your car.
