Head-up displays (HUDs) are becoming increasingly popular in modern vehicles, projecting vital driving information directly onto the windshield for safer and more convenient driving. For those looking to add this feature to older cars without breaking the bank, Amazon offers a wide range of OBD2 HUDs. These devices plug into your car’s OBD2 port and promise a high-tech experience at a fraction of the cost of factory-installed systems. But do these budget Amazon Obd2 Huds live up to the hype?
One user’s experience provides some valuable insights into the reality of these gadgets. Initially, they purchased a Rocboc Car HUD from Amazon, intended as a gift. However, the design proved unsuitable for most standard car windshields due to its vertical projection angle, making proper fitting nearly impossible except perhaps in vehicles with very upright windshields like vans.
Rocboc Car HUD Head Up Display unsuitable for standard car windshield
Switching to a different style, a 3.5” Full HD HUD OBD&GPS model also from Amazon, offered a more practical solution. This type, designed to stick directly onto the windshield, proved to be a better fit. These HUDs often boast dual systems, utilizing both OBD&GPS for data sourcing, and advertise features like digital speedometers, alarms for water temperature and RPM, and plug-and-play installation. Numerous similar, likely cloned, devices are readily available on Amazon, suggesting a common underlying technology.
While these Amazon OBD2 HUDs might seem appealing, there are crucial considerations. Firstly, achieving speed synchronization between the HUD and the car’s speedometer in OBDII mode can be challenging. Users may find it difficult to calibrate the display to accurately reflect the vehicle’s actual speed across a range of driving conditions. Secondly, refresh rates can be a significant drawback. Many budget HUDs, including the tested model, update speed readings only once per second. This slow refresh rate renders them less useful for monitoring real-time speed changes, especially in dynamic driving situations, unless cruise control is engaged.
Furthermore, build quality can be a concern. The light sensor, intended for automatic brightness adjustment based on ambient light, was found to be poorly shielded in one unit. This resulted in the sensor being constantly exposed to the HUD’s own LEDs, forcing it to operate at full brightness even at night. The user had to resort to dismantling the device and manually shielding the sensor to achieve proper functionality.
In conclusion, while Amazon OBD2 HUDs offer an affordable entry point into head-up display technology, potential buyers should be aware of the compromises. Issues with fitting certain designs, speed accuracy in OBDII mode, slow refresh rates, and questionable build quality can detract from the user experience. For those seeking a truly reliable and seamless HUD experience, investing in higher-quality, potentially vehicle-specific solutions might be a more worthwhile approach. Budget Amazon OBD2 HUDs can “get the job done” for basic speed monitoring, but they are far from a perfect or refined solution.
