Invented to facilitate the lives of Air Force pilots, the head-up display (HUD) has permeated the automotive industry, and it’s a common feature on a long list of new cars, ranging from humble commuters to high-end SUVs. It displays data about the car and its surroundings right in the driver’s line of sight to reduce distractions. If your car is older, you’ll need to take the aftermarket route to put a HUD in it. Here are the best options available in 2020.
Further reading
Acecar HUD
Cheap and basic, but feature-rich, the Acecar HUD is a small, rectangular device you place on your dashboard, right behind your instrument cluster, that displays information on the windshield. It provides the speed, the engine’s rpm, and the mileage, which is par for the course in the HUD segment, but it also warns the driver if the engine overheats or if the charging system drops below the optimal voltage. It gets this information because it’s plugged into the OBD2 port, which is normally used to read fault codes. That means it’s not compatible with older models. However, there’s a more basic GPS mode that only shows the speed if you want to use it in your grandpa’s 1987 Oldsmobile.
Acecar claimed its HUD is glare-free, and it adjusts its brightness automatically. Motorists can return the Acecar HUD within 12 months of delivery if they’re not satisfied for any reason.
Sherox 3.5-inch HUD
The Sherox HUD is one of the more basic devices on the market. It plugs into the car’s OBD2 port, meaning it is not compatible with older models, and it displays basic information about the car and its surroundings without going too deep into details. It includes a speedometer and a trip meter, as well as information about the voltage and the coolant temperature. The warning lights could help prevent a costly breakdown.
Once you set it on the dashboard, the Sherox HUD reflects information directly onto the windshield without requiring a reflection film. The company explains that its device uses nanotechnology to eliminate double reflections. The Sherox HUD turns on as soon as the driver starts the engine, and it shuts off at the same time as the engine. There is no need to manually turn it on or worry about it draining the battery. Admittedly, the Sherox 3.5-inch HUD is not the most feature-rich HUD on this list. Still, it earns points for simplicity and affordability.
Anauto HUD
The Anauto HUD has it all – feature-rich and adjustable for almost any car. The HUD itself is very compact and fits discreetly anywhere on your vehicle’s dashboard. From its placement, the Anauto projects a crystal clear display onto your windshield. Metrics include speed, engine RPM, fuel consumption, engine fault code, and more.
Unlike the other two HUDs on our list, the Anauto HUD does not have to connect to your OBD2 port. Before use, though, you will want to plug it into the port to ensure that the Anauto is compatible with your specific vehicle. To find the OBD2 port, check under the dashboard on either side of your steering wheel or under the carpet at your feet.
The bonus of the Anauto HUD is how techy it looks. The display adds an immediate edge to your windshield. Each HUD listed here is budget-friendly, sleek, and excellent for tracking data.
