RE: PH Origins: Head-up displays

[loudlashadjuster]

Yup, had it in my 535d too, got used to it very quickly and the sat nav and cruise control integration was excellent.

For long motorway night drives, it was brilliant being able to turn the screen off, dim the binnacle illumination right down and pretty much just use the HUD.

Having said that, I don't have it it my current car and don't miss it all that much, but if it was available I would definitely have specced it.

[speedster986]

These systems really excel when you are driving in unfamiliar surroundings in inclement conditions. A late night dash to a Welsh ferry port in the fog made me a convert and really appreciate the technology.

[16v stretch]

I have it in my 3 series,

Honestly, if I look at the dials now it takes me a second to register where things are.

It gives you a breakdown of junction layouts and what lane to be in when using Sat Nav, the speed limit, whether cruise/limiter is set as well as what I've set it to as well. Also gives me track info/radio station name/audio input name if I'm switching using the steering wheel controls.

Only thing I wish it did extra, is what gear I'm in if I'm using manual shifting, oh and a "next track" button on the steering wheel.

[RemyMartin81D]

I like it in my C6, it's very handy to not have to look down at speed once your used to it, it becomes subconscious.

[T1berious]

16v stretch said:

I have it in my 3 series,

Honestly, if I look at the dials now it takes me a second to register where things are.

It gives you a breakdown of junction layouts and what lane to be in when using Sat Nav, the speed limit, whether cruise/limiter is set as well as what I've set it to as well. Also gives me track info/radio station name/audio input name if I'm switching using the steering wheel controls.

Only thing I wish it did extra, is what gear I'm in if I'm using manual shifting, oh and a "next track" button on the steering wheel.

^This^

I had it on a loan 420i and thought it was really good, it was on the 440i we purchased and considering the amount of configuration you can do with it you can tailor it for how you want.

very useful and means I can spend more time watching the road than the speedo.

[Herbs]

16v stretch said:

I have it in my 3 series,

Honestly, if I look at the dials now it takes me a second to register where things are.

It gives you a breakdown of junction layouts and what lane to be in when using Sat Nav, the speed limit, whether cruise/limiter is set as well as what I've set it to as well. Also gives me track info/radio station name/audio input name if I'm switching using the steering wheel controls.

Only thing I wish it did extra, is what gear I'm in if I'm using manual shifting, oh and a "next track" button on the steering wheel.

I'm sure it has the next track button already It's the arrows to the right hand side from memory.

[Somebody]

Herbs said:

I'm sure it has the next track button already It's the arrows to the right hand side from memory.

Next and previous buttons are by the radio controls to the right. You can also do it remotely on the steering wheel: press the knob, then roll the knob down to highlight the right arrow (left arrow/previous track is roll up), and press the knob again.

[Osinjak]

Have it on my 3 Series too. Initially I was a bit meh but after two years I think it's brilliant, really comes into its own when overseas for the speed limits and nav around areas you don't know. Wouldn't be without it now, frau loves it as well.

[MrNoisy]

Speedgirl said:

Aren't HUDs for cars a bit pointless. Yes in a combat aircraft they display essential data onto screen / visor when you bend your neck but in car you can actually see how fast you're going never mind the speedo, and hear the revs never mind the tacho. If that's too difficult you should be on the bus, at the back. If they were any good for racing they would be in F1, and for safety the po-po would use them. Gadget for gadgeteers I say.

If they had windscreens in F1 they'd have a HUD. All the often needed information on an F1 wheel is about as close to the eye line as can be achieved. The wheel is in fact the F1 equivalent of a HUD surely? If not, why not just have gauges mounted in the cockpit like in t'olden days?

I can happily drive my none HUD equipped cars but I find the HUD on my Vette is naturally where I look now, even more so when on track. FWIW, when I first got it I did think it was a bit of a gimmick and flashed it around in pub talk scenarios. Not now though, it does have real benefit.

[unsprung]

MrNoisy said:

I find the HUD on my Vette is naturally where I look now

Me too. As others here have mentioned, one's relationship with the HUD data / images becomes organic.

By the way, I had a look at your PH profile and it appears that we're running twins of a sort.

[99dndd]

Are there any cars out there with no instruments, just a HUD?

[loudlashadjuster]

99dndd said:

Are there any cars out there with no instruments, just a HUD?

I doubt that would satisfy some arcane bit of legislation, although with the move to virtual displays etc. I can't see there being any real reason to insist on a 'physical' dash display.

HUDs, with their limited contrast and hence need for larger text/icons, are also not well suited to dense display of information as you might see in even a relatively plain modern binnacle. Some stuff can be relegated to the main info screen, but you probably want some of this stuff permanently on display without having to faff about in menus.

[unsprung]

99dndd said:

Are there any cars out there with no instruments, just a HUD?

This won't answer your question in full, as the following is not about a HUD solution. It might, however, feed your curiosity (or your ire!).

The Tesla Model 3 has no HUD. Its dashboard also has no instruments. Nor a binnacle.

At first glance, the dashboard resembles the sort of soulless futurism that was popular in prototypes and science fiction of the 1970s. But there's no mistaking the large and centre-mounted flat-panel display. Touch operated, natch.

"But look at the tiny fonts," somebody might say. "I can't be bothered to spend time staring at small bits and bobs while I'm driving."

And those observations are accurate. But, apparently, this screen transforms when you drive. It displays the most important information (for example: your speed as well as the optimal lane in which you should travel) using large numerals and large, high-contrast images. Somebody on this forum undoubtedly knows the details (I don't).

Furthermore, from one article, I got the impression that your speed could appear as an overlay -- semi-transparent numerals -- that are, like, half the size of the screen. And these numerals become darker (more red?) as you approach or exceed the posted speed limit.

I don't want to represent this user experience, simply because I know little about it. I am nevertheless confident that the boffins and user experience people at Tesla have crafted and interrogated their solutions in depth.

Unlike with internal-combustion cars, there's no need for dedicated instruments for oil, water temperature, etc. And the Model 3 is equipped with technology that will, pending subsequent over-the-air software updates, allow for various levels of autonomous driving -- one of Tesla's ultimate strategic goals.

With such a future now visible on the horizon, one can begin to imagine how people in cars will be doing a lot more than monitoring their motor. Hence, instrument minimalism.


Below: the front interior of the Tesla Model 3

[RSchneider]

None of the automotive HUDs I experienced so far work for me, in contrast with those I use in the plane. In a car the thing is not projected into infinity but much closer, so the eyes have to refocus to read it. And then they are not projected into the line of sight but much lower, defeating the purpose of having the information displayed right where you look. Right now a distractive gimmick rather than a useful tool.

[99dndd]

unsprung said:

This won't answer your question in full, as the following is not about a HUD solution. It might, however, feed your curiosity (or your ire!).

That's actually very interesting, you have to respect the way that Tesla have really re-thought the car from the ground up.

[TooMany2cvs]

99dndd said:

you have to respect the way that Tesla have really re-thought the car from the ground up.

They haven't.

All they've really done is make an electric car with a very, very big battery.

[unsprung]

TooMany2cvs said:

They haven't.

All they've really done is make an electric car with a very, very big battery.

Until recently, OEMs relied on a culture of goods-dominant logic. A manufacturer creates and then transacts a sale.

Conversely, Tesla has introduced a culture of service-dominant logic. Here, a manufacturer co-creates products and related services in a collaboration with customers. The sale tends to be less of a transaction and more the first step in a relationship.

This has been present in other product categories, but not among automotive brands of significant volume. This is a rethink of cars from the ground up.

[TooMany2cvs]

unsprung said:

Until recently, OEMs relied on a culture of goods-dominant logic. A manufacturer creates and then transacts a sale.

Conversely, Tesla has introduced a culture of service-dominant logic. Here, a manufacturer co-creates products and related services in a collaboration with customers. The sale tends to be less of a transaction and more the first step in a relationship.

This has been present in other product categories, but not among automotive brands of significant volume. This is a rethink of cars from the ground up.

I think you wanted this thread -> https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

BTW, Tesla aren't an "automotive brand of significant volume". 76k vehicles delivered globally in 2016? That's about half of Audi's sales in the UK alone. The rest of your post is unfathomable bullst.

Edited by TooMany2cvs on Tuesday 12th December 18:18

[saaby93]

TooMany2cvs said:

99dndd said:

you have to respect the way that Tesla have really re-thought the car from the ground up.

They haven't.

All they've really done is make an electric car with a very, very big battery.

Surely anyone could have done that
As well as packaging it with the battery out the way below the floor (look at the way the latest prius plugin loses half its boot and a rear seat)
they made a car with that elusive factor - desire

[theseoldcars]

gregg88 said:

Perfect for the classic car enthusiast - anyone know of a good quality unit that runs on batteries [prefer to to hard wire in my classic

You could get an Android-based phone (used or an inexpensive new one) and use the Ulysse Speedometer app, which is what I have. Relative snapped this shot of mine (just my phone on the dash) in action several years back. Don't have any of it on during the day, alas, but it was still legible from what I remember.



Not a great pic, admittedly (it's sharp and you don't get any ghosting or double images in real life), but gets the idea across. That wasn't on maximum brightness, either. I suspect they've updated it to offer more functions since; I haven't used the HUD mode for a while.

Edited by theseoldcars on Tuesday 12th December 18:31

Edited by theseoldcars on Tuesday 12th December 18:32