Garmin's $130 smartphone HUD limits distractions with line-of-sight directions

But I like to take mine walking.

That is very similar to the heads up GM windshield display in my car with the built in GM nav system.

Having the next turn info, turn direction arrow, distance to turn and current speed displayed in the windshield spoils you. Not having to take your eyes off the road when you are in a unfamiliar part of a city such as LA on the freeway during rush hour to get needed directions can be a life saver.

My wife's car has a HUD. I rarely drive it but when I do, it is very easy to use and makes things much simpler. I used Hud's extensively when I flew fighters for the Air force, and think anyone should be able to be safer with them after a very short period of use.

The last thing I'd want to do with my smartphone is to have it sitting up on the dash in full sunlight. The summer Tucson sun is not a trivial thing...

Actually, I am not sure that you would have to do that. It makes reference to a Bluetooth equipped phone with StrteetPilot or Navigon, so I suspect that the phone simply has to be within Bluetooth range.

Hopefully this is legal even in areas with the most restrictive state laws.

I want one....!

Is it available for pre-orders on Amazon yet?

What you see on top of the dash is the receiver for the HUD not a smart phone. I would hope Garmin has that figured out.

It looks alright, but in my opinion; not so useful.. If I glance at GPS unit, I will glance at this too.. Either way it will be same amount of time away from road.. So better don't glance and just use voice..

If this is a true HUD (Heads Up Display) you will not be glancing away from the road. The premise of a HUD is that the information is presented such that it appears to be in focus at the same place you would normally be looking.

With best wishes,
- Tom -

http://www.imore.com/garmin-offers-heads-display-navigon-equ...

Thanks

There is a GPS app on Android (though still heavily in development) that works exactly the same way. It does not display a map, but give voice directions and uses arrows to indication direction to go.

Haven't tried it myself as most of these "HUDs" rely on the fact that a windshield at night acts like a mirror, but during the day does not work exactly the same. There needs to be a clear but reflective piece of plastic for this to work properly during the day. There was a car about 2 decades ago that did the same for the speedometer, fully visible even during the noon sun.

I have had the HUD display on my last two vettes and it is clearly visible day or night. On the Corvette forum many people have replaced their broken HUD windshield with a non HUD model one and found little difference from the old HUD windshield day or night.