The HUD+ product represents an effort by Garmin Ltd. (Olathe, KS) to “bring the futuristic heads-up display technology found in some luxury vehicles to the masses.” Although the HUD+ has been on the market for several years, the product has received several recent reviews. Based on the sustained commercial presence of the HUD+, a short report on the product seemed in order.
The HUD+ is an automotive accessory that beams navigation and related information into the driver’s field of view through the vehicle’s windshield. The HUD+ does not actually contain a GPS receiver, rather, it needs to work in conjunction with a smartphone (or tablet). The HUD+ receives data wirelessly from the driver’s compatible Bluetooth-enabled smartphone running the free mobile Garmin HUD navigation app. The operation of the device is illustrated in a video that can be found at the end of this article.
Installing the HUD+ seems to be simple. The first step is to either apply the supplied reflective/transparent film to the windshield of the vehicle or to attach the included reflector lens to the device. The two configurations of the HUD+ are illustrated in the figure below.
The Garmin HUD+. Projecting onto a transparent reflector mounted on the windshield (left) and onto an included reflector attached to the device (right).
The HUD+ is then placed on the dashboard of the vehicle. The device has a sticky rubber base that conforms to the dashboard and a hinge for angle adjustment. The HUD+ is connected to the 12-volt power (cigarette lighter) in the car. An integrated USB port on the charging cable base makes it possible to charge the smartphone at the same time that the HUD+ is powered.
Some of the specifications for the HUD+ device include the following:
- Dimensions: 10.8cm W x 8.8cm H x 1.9cm D
- Weight: 277g
- Operation temperature range: -15oC to 60o C
- Storage temperature range: -40oC to 85oC
- Operating voltage: 10V – 28V.
- USB socket voltage/current: 5V/2.1A
- Vacuum fluorescent display
- Displays two colors (green and red)
- Display brightness: 7,700 cd/m².
The HUD+ automatically adjusts the brightness level of the display so the projected image is clearly visible both in direct sunlight and at night.
The Garmin HUD app is compatible with the iPhone and iPad (available from the iTunes app store), as well as some Android devices (available from Google Play) and with Windows Phone 8 devices.
The HUD+ automatically turns on when plugged in and requests pairing with the driver’s smartphone. The connection is established by way of Bluetooth. Once paired, the device offers navigation information including turn-by-turn directions to a destination, distance to the next turn, current speed and speed limit and estimated time of arrival. The HUD+ lets the driver know what lane to be in for the next maneuver as well as alerts the driver if the speed limit is exceed. The system can also warn of potential traffic delays.
It should be noted that the iPhone app itself is 121MB. The maps of North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico) take up 2.12GB of memory. Note, however, that Garmin splits the maps up into sections of the continent so it is possible to download only what is needed.
A variety of other aftermarket HUDs are commercially available. Some of these provide more features than the HUD+ such as hands-free phone calls, caller ID and text messaging. These products typically cost more than the ~$180.00 selling price of the Garmin HUD+. The take away from this comment is that the HUD+ was designed to fill a specific niche, presumably a sweet spot, in the features-price continuum. -Arthur Berman
