Alien c4

I'm a tech junkie and like the idea of a HUD and I sort of wish my car had one. My guess is that trying to retrofit my non HUD car into a HUD equipped car would be costly and difficult.

So I started looking into aftermarket dash mounted options.

Has anyone ever tried one of these? Do they operate properly when plugged into the ODB II port?

Any other product ideas are welcome.

chasboy

Alien, I don't have the cost figures to retrofit a c5 hud, I believe a bit of work, but it's a fairly common mod by my observation. I was looking into the aftermarket ones for other cars, and even tried an iPhone App. that claimed to do hud. I don't think the halfway measures are worth it. I've had HUD in both my C5's and would not buy one without it. It REALY spoils you!

Alien c4

I've looked at thevretrofit procedure and I'm simply not willing to go through that process for a hud.

But I would be willing to spend approx $100 for a dash mounted unit if it works well. Especially since I could swap between vehicles.

ninety6

if you haven't really used one -- you can get the app "speedview" on android (not sure about iphone) and put it in HUD mode. you set on your dash and it does the same effect. I'm sure there are other apps that do the same -- using GPS speed of course....

THis isn't a permanent solution by any means -- but, you could use it to see if you like it..

I never really cared about HUD before -- but, i am kinda used to it now with my C5 as my DD -- so now i do wish i had it in my other vehicles. But at the same time, it's not something i'd pay extra for.. but i could see how one would!

Good luck!

grantv

Have you driven a car with a HUD? Make sure you like it before dropping coin. I never use mine, it's not all that exciting. But then I'm not a major techie.
Also, doing something on the cheap usually lands one with something that looks and operates cheap.

Alien c4

I've tried the phone app options and they work surprisingly well.

I'd like the dash mount type like shown in my initial post because they show the actual vehicles info due to being wired in.

I mainly just want to know if anyone's ever plugged one in and had it perform properly.

delta_bratwurst

I have a 2001 Z with no HUD. Recently I got into a friends 03 Z that has a HUD and frankly I wasn't that impressed. It was kinda blurry and distracting.

Heres the deal, If you're really set on installing the HUD in yours then go for it. But In my opinion its not worth the time, money and effort you need to make that happen. I'm happy in my 01 without it.

Patches

It's +/- $300 and a day of your time once you have the right components. It looks ghastly but pulling the dash and cluster is doable by anyone with even moderate mechanical aptitude. The how-to's available are pretty good and it's mostly disconnecting and plugging in the new components. It's important to know if you have a HUD-enabled cluster so that you're ready with the correct one if not. This is a mod you do with a buddy because it makes it a bit easier - plus it's more fun to do this kind of project with a friend.

Both my C5 and C7 have HUD - my C7 is my dd. I specifically looked for a C7 with HUD because it is such a safety enhancement in the traffic I deal with in SoCal. Not having to look down allows me to keep my eyes on the road and other cars and I have come to appreciate that. Btw, the HUD in the C7 is light years better than the C5 HUD but it should be considering it's two gens ahead of it. Still, the C5 HUD is just as useful.

I haven't done a HUD install but helped a buddy do a set of gauge bezels which is pretty much the same process in getting the cluster out. The additional dash pad work is actually less nerve-racking than gluing those friggin' bezels in and hoping you don't screw it up or get glue on the gauge faces.

Vetteman Jack

The first car I had a HUD in was a '98 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - fell in love with it on that car. Then when I ordered my '99 C5, that was a must have option. I've now had three C5s and each has had the HUD. I won't own another Vette without it. I do miss it in our other cars but unfortunately it was not offered in them.

If you can find someone with a HUD in their C5, check it out. The HUD can be retrofitted into a non-HUD car as Patches mentions and the price is really fairly reasonable.

Alien c4

I've driven a HUD equipped C5. Even though I'm very mechanically inclined, I'll never bother retrofitting.

Corvette#2

My car has the HUD. I thought it was an important option. But honestly, 99% of the time I leave it turned off.

rrwirsi

Never use mine. Mostly it is because I find it a distraction. Old school 73 year old.

Chicago1

I don't use my hud either I agree its just like mehh. Plus I have other gauges to look/worry about

MrGary2011

I did this mod on my 98 and love it, or say loved it! It is not hard as the car was already designed for the HUD, cluster change (which I got here painted red with Z06 imbeded which I love), HUD unit and I bought a whole new front console. Took a day to do because of the new console but easy to do in a few hours, it may look like a lot of work but with the to do threads here it is easy and at the time I swapped out the LED lights to red. This was a fun project.
My issue now is I got a new windshield and it does not project the hud very well at all so at one point I will need to get the right windshield installed. You may run into this issue also. But the windshield I had on the car to begin with had no issues and projected a great display. Now I sort of don't use it that much, I like useing it to easily see MPH but I have a radar detector on the mirror that takes care of eye lever check of speed now. I say go for it!

C5Txfan

Never had HUD until I bought my first C5 in '01. Don't use it much during the day especially when wearing polarized sunglasses (can't see it), but I love it at night not having to take eyes off the road.

tbrent

Same situation here with my '01. But mine don't come with one so I bought a hud and did the install. Great at night for sure

And as Ed mentioned it's not a hard job at all just a little time.

jcgunn

For $100 give it a try. Be aware that you will have some sort of connector above your left knee at the OBD2 port.

digi2t

I have one in my 04. Totally useless during the day, visual pollution at night. Mine stays off.

enoniam

I find I really miss not having one in our other vehicles after driving the vette. It is a bit challenging to see during the day, and basically couldn't see it with polarized sunglasses. With non-polarized sunglasses can see it but is certainly not "bright" with them.

SG Lou

When I first got my car I thought.......WAY COOL and used it a few times. Now I could care less and hardly ever turn it on.
To each his own i guess