I'm installing a HUD this weekend and was wondering what is the difference between the HUD windshield and non-HUD windshield? Does the projector reflect enough with the non-HUD windshield? Thanks...

 

it will work just not as well, the HUD windshield has a clear reflective coating at the projection point of the HUD on the windshield.

 

There have been a number of forum members that have replaced their HUD windshield with a non-HUD version and report the image is just as clear. Othes state there is a slight distortion, but not enough to justify the extra cost of the HUD windshield.

 

I have a HUD with a non HUD windshield and it's bright and clear as a bell.

 

Thanks!!! Looking forward to this mod.

 

Same here! I installed it (HUD) myself and it is very visible. I cannot imagine that it could be brighter. You do not have to have a special windshield.

 

Yep, save your money.

 

yup. been there dun that too. the differance is the $$$$$

 

My guess has been that the HUD windshields probably have a higher flatness tolerance, letting GM reject wavier windshields from the supplier for HUD usage. In reality, some large percentage of "regular" windshields probably meet the HUD windshield criteria just fine.

Just a guess though.

 

there's no need to guess here; the information is out there. The difference between the factory hud and factory non-hud windsheld is the non-uniform-thickness sheet between the two layers on the HUD version... and nothing more.

If you viewed the HUD straignt on into the wideshield (at a 90 degree angle) - the dual layers of the windshield would cause no problems. But since we look at the HUD image on a sloped windshield... the two layers can cause a very slight image shift (it's called "parallax'ing"). It's not all that obvious though; but "technically" there is a second image ever so slightly off center from the first image - when viewing through a sloped dual layer windshield.

They correct this on the HUD windshield by using a non-uniform-thickness "clear sheet" (that goes between the two windshield layers). It negates that double image problem; by re-aligining the two images exactly back on top of each other. The two layers of the windshield are not perfectly parallel to each other on a HUD version.

Yvonne owns a 2003 AE Vert with factory HUD. I own a 2002 without HUD; but added one later. If you have both cars side-by-side, and you jump back & foirth between the two.... you might see the improvement the HUD windshield offers. But it is very minor.

Note: aftermarket non-hud windshields are known to severly distort a HUD image. That is why in my explanation above, I made certain to reference "factory" HUD windshields versus "factory" non-HUD windshields.

I've seen an aftermarked non-hud windshield on a C5 (that had the HUD added later) and it was a blurry mess.

 

Wow......

I've read every windshield thread on this forum for years, saving some of the info, because I've figured I'll need one sooner or later. Other than the "you don't need a HUD windshield" comments, I've never read; if there was difference, what the difference might be, and whether the difference was actually needed.....

Great info .... thanks!

 

This is copyed from another post.

"I can't answer all your questions but I can answer the ones about windshields.
I work for a company (35 years) that makes windshields both HUD and non HUD. The difference is the vinyl that's used between the glass. You will get less distortion with the HUD vinyl but It's so little difference I can not see paying more for the HUD windshield. If insurance is willing to install a HUD for the same price then fine. But don't assume that the replacement glass company will give you a HUD just because State Farm said it's ok. Look at the Trade Mark on the windshield they are installing, it MUST have HUD as part of the Trade Mark if it's not part of the Trade Mark it's not a HUD.

The ZO6 is made with two different thicknesses of glass I don't remember exactly what they are but on most cars that use two different thicknesses the inner is the thinner the outer is thicker so it stands up to road crap better.

Now as far as OEM or replacement(ARG) goes there might or might not be a difference. When we do a production run we run both OEM and ARG back to back. we'll run so many hours/days of ARG then change the Silkscreen that puts the trade mark on and run OEM, the glass is the same the vinyl is the same, the trade mark is different but the main difference is the specs for what makes an OEM or ARG. The specs are looser on the ARG then the OEM. That does not mean the ARG is not as good as a OEM it just might have different imperfections.

We use glass from different manufactures for the windshields including Pilkington. I find there glass to be more brittle/breaks easer and have more quality issues compared to others manufactures glass (this is just my personal opinion I have no data that proves this) but we only use it when glass from other suppliers is not available .
Dave"

 

Thanks for all the replies. I just got done installing the HUD in my 2001. Took about 3 hours. Looks great! Bright and crystal clear. I bought all the parts including a HUD dash for $400.00. A company near by parts out cars and has 2 or 3 left. I'm sure it would be cheaper if you use your own dash. I do know the HUD dash's they have left don't have all the mounting ears. I guess it's common that they break off. I didn't break any ears off my dash though. Now I'll try and sell my non-HUD dash on CL.

 

 

Another guy here installing HUD.... I see a trend lately....