watched a local car TV programme where the new BMW 5 was driven....one option that is on offer is a windscreen display, simialar to what pilots would would see in fighter aircraft....
speed etc

What a wonderful option on the 8 this would be! Never have to look down or see that horrible little icon that says ' change up' !

 

They've been available in Pontiac Grand Prix and Bonnevilles, and Chevy Corvettes for some time now, and are also available aftermarket too.

---jps

 

MY 93' Nissan 240SX SE coupe had a heads-up display for the speed in the bottom right corner of the windshield in a small square area tinted transparent gold (about 3 inches wide by 4 inches tall). The numbers were smaller than that though.

Would be kewl to have a complete heads-up display of gauges and such wrapped around the bottom of the windshield.

 

does anybody know what Mazda have in the pipeline as options ?(other than those that we know already)

I guess I'm looking for some insider info here!

 

cadillac has had hud's available for years as well as the newer night vision system.

 

so these GM HUDs... are they projected onto the windscreen, or are they a transparent "lens" (dunno what to call it) which has the image on it...??

yes, that would be definitely cool, but my concern is not one of cost (who cares, right?? it's a doodad, they're suppost to cost too much) but between focussing on something that's inside your windshield all the time, and trying to see out of the windscreen, it might be hard on the eyes...

if it were up to me, and i could just snap my fingers to get it done, an optimal system would be projected onto the windscreen from two sources, so you get the 3D perspective, and could focus out of the window (say a virtual 20" in front, and it would move closer or farther dependant on speed...) leading drivers to look a safe distance ahead while taking a strain off their eyes...

then again, there's nothing much wrong with glancing down at the ol' dials...

 

the gm huds are projected. if you look at the gm cars w/ huds, at least on the pontiacs and 'vettes, and look on the dash over the pod housing the dials and all the o-meters you'd see a black indented square or rectangular thing that looks like it's covered by a black piece of plexiglass, and that's the projector. i thought the nissan ones were the same, at least on the old altimas. i think those things're nice, but pretty unnecessary :D so i doubt mazda or many other companies will incorporate it anytime soon...

i haven't seen the one on the new 5-series, but the gm ones don't really look that cool. it's basically just numbers projected onto the windshield, kinda boring... it'd be cool if they make it project a simulated tach in full color, a digital speedo (which they already do), and maybe even a real-time birds eye view of a nav map... but then again, that might be an overkill :p i have heard the new bimmer one projects in color and has nav directions, so maybe it is really cool. i'm surprised tho that it hasn't appeared on many japanese cars. seems like just the thing japanese companies like to do

 

Actually, it's a lot easier on the eyes. First of all, think about it, the instrument panel in your car is even closer than the bottom of the windshield, and you have to move your eyes down, and adjust to the brightness (remember, it's in the shade, compared to the outside). Second, remember that it's a reflection, so you're not focusing on the windshield, but a point even further out.

I owned a '98 Grand Prix with a HUD for some 4 years. At first, I wanted the HUD because it was a cool techno-gadget, but it ended up being a very useful and convenient item. With the stereo controls on the wheel and the display on the HUD, I could operate the stereo with both hands on the wheel, and not take my eyes off of the road. The turn signal, low fuel, and "check idiot light" indicators in your field of view was much more effective than in the instrument panel. The best was that the speedo was right in your field of vision, and on long trips, I found that my eyes were not as strained from having to constantly refocus on the speedo in the IP. After owning the car for a couple of months, I found that it was actually easier to follow the digital speedo than the analog one.

---jps

 

Its kewl. When i had a new vette for a day i loved the HUD.

To add somethign else here, cars equipped with this have a special coating on the windsheild to allow for this clear projection. I have heard its 2x expensive to replace this kinda windshield. Not a major issue (insurance covers it) just a lil fact.

 

ah, sweet... so the focal point IS virtually out in front of the car... well, super spiffy then
that's definitely an over-expensive doodad i'd buy, had i the money.

 

I'd be straight in the queue for a HUD. I saw the 'Fifth Gear' show too and thought 'ugly car but great HUD'.