Garmin HUD – Heads up display

Garmin, the company that currently makes my favorite GPS system (See the old website) has finally released a portable ‘heads up display’ or HUD navigation system for automotive use. Why – since they make portable systems that sit on the windscreen anyway? Probably because no one has done it yet? What ever the reason the HUD system is for those who already own a mobile phone based navigation system or app. I think its novel and potentially a very useful hence this post – and I do want one…

Essentially the Garmin HUD comes with a reflective film you paste on your windscreen with the main unit below for the information to be displayed – as per the press image. Otherwise there the attachment hood (included with the HUD called the Reflector Lens) that can be placed on top of the HUD. The screen solution is clearly the best for cars and the hood the best for motorcycles! Note that its not weather proof what so ever!

The GPS and travel information that can be displayed is all the usual stuff, direction distance to turn, lanes, speed and traffic and speed limits, lanes etc.. Unfortunately you will need a bluetooth compatiable phone AND the NAVIGON App or the Garmin Streetpilot App for the iPhone for the unit to work!

The Garmin HUD has a initial RRP price of $129.99 USD! It’s actually quite reasonable for a state of the art tech gadget for your car or motorcycle. The apps cost extra which is a bummer… unless you have certain Samsung Galaxy S models – which is included for free.  Also the wait time on their website currently stands at 5-8 weeks at the time of this post!