HUD Use Experience
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
HUD Use Experience
When I was shopping for my C5, I absolutely had to have one that was loaded with every conceivable option. In no particular order, I absolutely had to have:
1) Coupe with two tops
2) F45
3) HUD
4) BSMs
5) AT
The only compromise I made was getting an MN6 because my wife said it she loved my stick...
... in the previous Vette.
While I love the F45, I've found that the only top I really use is the painted top, because the construction of the painted top makes for a much, MUCH quieter ride than the glass top.
I removed the BSMs in the first month.
Much as I love the idea of the Head Up Display, after all these years, I keep finding myself looking down at the dash rather than use the HUD. Has anyone else had a hard time breaking the habit of looking at the dash instead of the HUD?
Does anyone have tips on how to train myself to use the HUD?
1) Coupe with two tops
2) F45
3) HUD
4) BSMs
5) AT
The only compromise I made was getting an MN6 because my wife said it she loved my stick...
... in the previous Vette.
While I love the F45, I've found that the only top I really use is the painted top, because the construction of the painted top makes for a much, MUCH quieter ride than the glass top.
I removed the BSMs in the first month.
Much as I love the idea of the Head Up Display, after all these years, I keep finding myself looking down at the dash rather than use the HUD. Has anyone else had a hard time breaking the habit of looking at the dash instead of the HUD?
Does anyone have tips on how to train myself to use the HUD?
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Don't know how to help you to use it. I thought it was a gimmicky thing I might as well not have or might prefer not having. The Vette I purchased had it however. After about 4 hours seat time it was just a natural. A good idea. Almost seemed a shame the C5 had such a nicely laid out instrument cluster as I mostly used the HUD. I do wish it were much wider so all the instruments could be cleanly displayed in a band across the windshield. I too still look at the regular tach and of course the other instruments other than speedo.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Seriously, though, as some of you have already pointed out, other gauges such the tach must be viewed in the cluster, but I KNOW when I need to look at the tach. It's when I'm just cruising, or driving moderately aggressive is when I would prefer not to look down, especially in the twisties.
Being trained to look at the HUD might have helped prevent me from being pulled over last week going "62% over the speed limit", as the LEO put it. Never heard my speed broken down into percentages like that before, but I guess there's a first time for everything. Like when I admitted to exceeding the limit only to pass a car "because my car runs like a bat outta he|| when you step on it", as I put it to the LEO, he seemed to understand, and let me go! Well, I didn't get off scott-free, I still have to get a front plate affixed.
Being trained to look at the HUD might have helped prevent me from being pulled over last week going "62% over the speed limit", as the LEO put it. Never heard my speed broken down into percentages like that before, but I guess there's a first time for everything. Like when I admitted to exceeding the limit only to pass a car "because my car runs like a bat outta he|| when you step on it", as I put it to the LEO, he seemed to understand, and let me go! Well, I didn't get off scott-free, I still have to get a front plate affixed.
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Michael S. Palmer
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Even looking down at the tach isn't necessary. When I see the shift light in the HUD start blinking I know its time to shift. I can use the light or since I know the speeds at which I will hit the rev limiter in each gear I wait until just before I touch the limiter and shift. Its just to hard to look down focus on something dark and close and then look up and refocus on something far and bright. I wish I could get the oil temp digital display on the HUD then I would be satisfied.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,890
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From: FL
You may not have the HUD set up the way you want it. There aren't many adjustments but try them all out and set it how you like. I find it much easier to tell speed with the large digital reading of the hud than the tiny tick marks on the gauge cluster. Like others I only check the dash when browsing through the dic buttons or when redlining the car to shift correctly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
I first had HUD in a 1992 Bonneville. When I started looking for a C5, it was one of my "Must Have's". The downside of HUD is it is difficult to read with polarized sunglasses, although the Vet is much better than the Bonneville in this regard.
You just have to force yourself to use it to make it come natural. Now that I am driving my winter car, I miss it and have to force myself to look at the dash.
You just have to force yourself to use it to make it come natural. Now that I am driving my winter car, I miss it and have to force myself to look at the dash.
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At least for me, I use the HUD almost exclusively. Rarely do I look down at the gauge cluster for any info.
Racer
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