HUD, good, worth it, a gimmick??
Looking at down sizing my BMW due to lack of parking space now we have a VW T6 camper. Been looking at new Mini's and do like the HUD option. Anyone have/used one (not just Mini) if so your thoughts? Are they really useful or just a gimmick?https://www.avforums.com/attachments/screenshot-2019-01-06-at-14-14-02-png.1104878/ Have had one on my last few 5 series and wouldn't be without it.Useful information displayed and easily seen (even in strong sunlight) means you don't have to take your eyes off the road.Really miss it if I'm driving one without it. I have a Mini with the HUD and it’s one of the options I would definitely specify again. I rarely look at the dials, there is no need, and it’s very good when coupled with the satnav too. I drove an M3 with HUD and found to be useful. I wouldn’t classify it as a must have, but I wouldn’t say no to it.
I found the speed limit display super handy when driving in unfamiliar areas, such as abroad, where it can be easy to lose track of the speed limit due to no repeaters data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 Only had experience with the proper windscreen hud in my friends 440i and would definitely recommend it. Not experienced a proper one in a car, but my previous Saab, had the Nav instructions ‘repeated’ on top of the dash, and the the arrow ‘filled’ up as you got closer to the actual turn. I found it really handy, and can only imagine how much things have improved since then. ?
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data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 I've had it on my Volvo and 3 mths in I like it, but use it less than at first. I turn it off on all local roads, only using it on roads I'm not as familiar with.
The speed limit signs are very handy and as someone above said it works really well with the sat nav.
Even though you can adjust the brightness, I found it distracting in the dark so generally turn it off. I'm not sure how easy or difficult it is to switch on and off in a Mini, but the Volvo is only one button press (or voice control when I remember) so makes it convenient to turn on and off. There is a switch to enable/disable in the Mini too, so a single button press and the HUD slips back down into the dash.
Edit: I leave it on all the time. As it’s not actually on the windscreen I don’t find it a distraction at night, and it also dims to an amber colour so works well in both night/day imo. I have the full colour windscreen one in my M6, speedlimit info and navigation are excellent, well worth it imo