Hi all,

 

 

I'm Marko and I sell a gadget that projects speed onto your windscreen. (SpeedView daylight visible Head up Display)

 

 

A couple of photos and a video:

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCP7fzrHULw

 

 

The speed shown (kph or mph) will be correct no matter what you've done with tyres/gearboxes/diffs, and it's a great way to properly convert an imported car. Did I mention it being dead flair and showing up well on trackday cameras too?

 

 

The SpeedView is easy to fit with the universal instructions, but it’s even easier with photos and a few tips and tricks from somebody who has fitted one before. Real enthusiasts and customers write the best “How To” guides, so if you write a quick guide to share with other people I'll discount your SpeedView to just £40 (including delivery) to say thanks. (retail price £69.99)

 

 

Think you might be interested?

 

Have questions? Please ask here!

 

 

Website:

http://www.speedview.co/

 

(thanks to groover for permission to recruit gurus on 300zx.co.uk)

I don't like it. It's a cheap, tacky looking version of a good HUD. The area that it's projected onto isn't even transparent so you might as well just have an LCD screen stuck to the windscreens. I've seen better HUD apps for my phone. Definitely not for me.

I don't like it. It's a cheap, tacky looking version of a good HUD. The area that it's projected onto isn't even transparent so you might as well just have an LCD screen stuck to the windscreens. I've seen better HUD apps for my phone. Definitely not for me.

 

No need to be a **** about it. hate stupid comments like this :nono:

 

I happen to quite like it. would need to be hid in the dash somehow.

A mis-understanding and lack of communication on my part im afraid, i knew Marko was away on holiday when we had the conversation to see if a member would like the opportunity to buy and fit a HUD and write a HOW TO for the zed for a reduced fee. He was going to create a post when he returned, but i wasnt sure what date and didnt inform the mods that it was agreed he could find a willing member to get involved.

 

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but worth a punt for a one off type product.

Please note as a registered user, this offer applies for the first member to try it and create a write up, any further sales, he will need to be subscribed and discuss moving forward.

right my 2p's worth

 

With where the display is amounted it doesn't make sense, as its easier to just look at the speed-o, it would need to be pretty much in line of sight of the road ahead and need to obviously have a see through yet reflective coating so its not going to be a visual obstruction. with how the zeds dial hood is, i cant see this being a good option as most of us like something thats neat and out of the way but blends in like its meant to be there.

 

Us zed owners usually fill the insides of our cars with such gadgets like, boost controllers, gauges, turbo timers and other wonderful electronic items, we have limited room as it is, so when we install all this we like it to be neat and tidy and spend a lot of effort to make it flow and look like it belongs in the dash area / car.

 

Given what ive said, i understand what dave was on about, even if he didnt put it across with much tact, having something that we mount to the dash and look like its just been plonked there isnt appealing to much, i suppose with a bit of time and effort it could be made to flow, but not many of us like the idea of cutting the dash up, as its a rather large and cumbersome item to replace.

I would love to give it ago but my car will be off the road still for some time :(

Im sure the mounting could be addressed and part of the reason for this thread is to find the best way forward for the unit, maybe cut into the rear of the dash shroud/binnacle pointing nearer the bottom of the windscreen, so in the bottom view of line of sight, rather than at the side.

Im sure the mounting could be addressed and part of the reason for this thread is to find the best way forward for the unit, maybe cut into the rear of the dash shroud/binnacle pointing nearer the bottom of the windscreen, so in the bottom view of line of sight, rather than at the side.

 

well lets get contemplating then lol, though from the looks of it, it uses a sticky mirror that isnt see through.

Depending on the projection, i guess up in the sun visor area of the screen could be doable.

No harm in baptism by fire - all valid questions! :-)

 

 

I've typed a lot so you might want to skip to the bold bit that you're interested in:

 

 

Why not use a smartphone?

 

Performance: Smartphones aren't daylight visible. Try hold one up to the sun and snap a photo as I've done in the first post. Pop one on the dash at night and snap another. (black isn't truly dark on a phone screen, and shiny glass/bezels also cause nasty reflections) The GPS is no use as a speedo either. (lags too much, and has transient availability/accuracy problems on bends and hills)

 

Convenience: Smartphones are great for experimenting freebie app one night, but you're not going to bother dash mounting it every time you use the vehicle and it's tricky to use the smartphone as a sat-nav when it's sat near the bottom of the windscreen.

 

 

What's with the positioning?

 

Many people ask why SpeedView say NOT to mount the display directly in front of the driver, in your direct line of sight. We've all seen the head up display in fighter aircraft:

 

Image courtesy of Rasmussen @ Wikimedia Commons. (image in public domain)

 

Why wouldn't it be great to have this? Maybe with a few missiles too, for all those other people on the road? Well, the missiles might be useful, but a head up display in your direct line of sight is actually NOT what you want!

 

In an aircraft there's nothing to look at except clouds or the head up display, so you use your "gunsight" to hone-in on your target. Watch the display, aim for the target. Watch the display, hit the target. Remember when you were learning to drive, and checking the mirror/blind-sport was so tricky, because you kept moving into the other lanes? Or when you're trying to hit the Apex on track? You look there, you go there...

 

That's exactly what happens if you pop a head up display on the screen. The human eye/brain likes contrast and likes shiny things. If it moves, it'll watch it. If its different, it'll watch it. If you put the head up display in your direct line of sight, it will be a distraction that draws your eye down, towards the bottom of the windscreen/end of your bonnet.

 

Putting the display in the corner of your eye, like its a rear-view mirror or the driver's mirror, means that you immediately notice any big change (a 6something to 7something, that leading '1' appearing, or the red alert showing) but it otherwise doesn't distract you. This is quite a bit better than the factory speedo which is not in the corner of your eye and, if its analogue, doesn't change in a discrete way that your pattern-recognising brain is good at noticing.

 

(You'll notice that the OEM head up displays are all low down on the windscreen, for much the same reason)

 

Sun visor area isn't practical sorry - it needs to be towards the base of the windscreen.

 

 

What's with the reflective film?

 

You need a reflective film with an aftermarket HUD in order to avoid ghosting. (Detail: http://www.speedview.co/forum/Thread-Why-do-you-need-to-use-a-projection-film-on-the-windscreen)

 

The film needs to be a "tint" and not opaque for legal reasons - tints are exempt from MOT positioning restrictions, opaque stickers are not. Because the display is peripheral vision/not obscuring the view of the road ahead, it makes sense to make this tint as dark as possible to improve contrast, so the supplied film is a 5% tint.

 

I supply the film 95 mm wide and 75 mm high so that different height drivers can see the display without adjusting the position of the projection unit. 75 x 55 mm works quite well too. 55 x 40 mm is about as small as you'd want to trim. Most customers don't have an issue with the size of the screen though - no more annoying than a tax disc.

 

 

Is it too cheap?

Yes, the SpeedView is the one of the cheapest Head up Displays that money can buy, but it isn't tat.

 

I originally bought a Valeo unit for my own car (Valeo are a giant French manufacturer that make parts for OEMs) and liked it but not the price tag (RRP >£100) or the product support (none) that it came with. I get the SpeedView made in the same factory that Valeo have their made in, and it's been through the same EU Type-Approval tests as the Valeo units. The test are primarily electrical. Will this device interfere with the ABS/Stability Control systems in the car? (they use or provide the speed signal in many cars) Will it continue to do so for the life of the vehicle? Can the factory prove that it can consistently produce the same product at the same quality? Not the cheapest thing to have done, but I thought it absolutely necessary before selling these.

 

Matt dark grey is a dull colour and there's no branding on the unit visible from outside. This is good for reducing reflections against the glass and doesn't look expensive. This is deliberate, as people are less likely to steal unidentified things that don't look expensive.

 

Cheaper HUDs are available, especially if you don't want a warranty, support, or to pay your taxes. I wouldn't recommend them, as the money saved isn't worth the drop in performance and quality. Nicer HUDs are available too (Defi) and if you have the cash these are great, but the extra cash doesn't really buy much extra performance.

 

 

Is it too big? Can I dash mount it?

Smaller than you might think; 8x5x2 cm for the projection unit; don't be fooled by an MX5 in the demo photos as that car has a tiny windscreen.

 

Dash mounting is not something that the SpeedView is designed for. Generally too much work for an aftermarket part, but that hasn't stopped people trying devious approaches. Sandwiched looks pretty good:

 

http://www.speedview.co/forum/Thread-Can-I-fit-the-SpeedView-flush-to-my-dashboard

 

 

How is this gadget even helpful?

 

Are there any photographers or opticians in the house? The human eye needs to change position, focal length, and light level in order to do the read road>read speed>read road task. Position (approximate muscle movement) is quick, but focus change (precision muscle movement) takes time and light level change (chemical process) takes even more time. BMW's promotional materials and research papers peg this at about 1 second on average, or 28 metres at 60 mph. In younger people it'll be quicker, and in older people much slower.

 

The SpeedView is further away that your OEM speedo. This makes the focus change substantially quicker. The light level of the Head up Display is similar to that of the road, whereas the OEM speedo is usually much lighter or darker. This reduces the time taken for your eyes to adjust - the photos I've posted do a pretty good job of showing this I think, as cameras have nowhere near the dynamic range of a human eye.

 

Being digital and in your peripheral vision (vs analogue and something that you only see when looking for it) makes the reading easier for your brain to keep tabs on.

 

The reading will be accurate (unlike most OEM speedos) and there's an element of want=simple need too.

 

 

Thanks mods and Graham BTW - and yes, this is just the one unit I'm offering. If there's interest I'll be sticking around as a trader but for the moment we're just testing the water with a unit below cost price. :-)

I do quite like it but agree to a certain degree with Vod's with regards to positioning. I also understand the explaination as to why that wouldn't be such a good idea, so all that being said....could I mount it to my Oakleys? :blink:

.

 

 

Why not use a smartphone?

 

Performance: Smartphones aren't daylight visible. Try hold one up to the sun and snap a photo as I've done in the first post. Pop one on the dash at night and snap another. (black isn't truly dark on a phone screen, and shiny glass/bezels also cause nasty reflections) The GPS is no use as a speedo either. (lags too much, and has transient availability/accuracy problems on bends and hills)

 

Convenience: Smartphones are great for experimenting freebie app one night, but you're not going to bother dash mounting it every time you use the vehicle and it's tricky to use the smartphone as a sat-nav when it's sat near the bottom of the windscreen.

 

 

What's with the positioning?

 

Many people ask why SpeedView say NOT to mount the display directly in front of the driver, in your direct line of sight. We've all seen the head up display in fighter aircraft:

 

 

Why wouldn't it be great to have this? Maybe with a few missiles too, for all those other people on the road? Well, the missiles might be useful, but a head up display in your direct line of sight is actually NOT what you want!

 

In an aircraft there's nothing to look at except clouds or the head up display, so you use your "gunsight" to hone-in on your target. Watch the display, aim for the target. Watch the display, hit the target. Remember when you were learning to drive, and checking the mirror/blind-sport was so tricky, because you kept moving into the other lanes? Or when you're trying to hit the Apex on track? You look there, you go there...

 

That's exactly what happens if you pop a head up display on the screen. The human eye/brain likes contrast and likes shiny things. If it moves, it'll watch it. If its different, it'll watch it. If you put the head up display in your direct line of sight, it will be a distraction that draws your eye down, towards the bottom of the windscreen/end of your bonnet.

 

Putting the display in the corner of your eye, like its a rear-view mirror or the driver's mirror, means that you immediately notice any big change (a 6something to 7something, that leading '1' appearing, or the red alert showing) but it otherwise doesn't distract you. This is quite a bit better than the factory speedo which is not in the corner of your eye and, if its analogue, doesn't change in a discrete way that your pattern-recognising brain is good at noticing.

 

(You'll notice that the OEM head up displays are all low down on the windscreen, for much the same reason)

 

Sun visor area isn't practical sorry - it needs to be towards the base of the windscreen.

 

I've edited out the rest, but the ones ive left are the ones ill draw comment on.

 

I use my iPhone 4 for GPS and with it mounted up near the windscreen works flawlessly, technology has moved on quite a bit and GPS is a key factor in today's mobile market. Tomtom on my iPhone 4, works better than my tomtom one that is a standalone tomtom product. Also im not sure if you have ever used a new smart phone like the iPhone 4 or Samsung galaxy, but visibility in strong sun light isnt a problem they suffer with.

 

Anyway back to GPS, GPS works with satellites to pinpoint your location by working out the time it takes the signal to go from the satellites to your device, there are 31 GPS satellites in orbit and at any one point you should have a minimum of 3 over head, all the satellites transmit there location and time the message was sent, your device then works out where you are in relation to the satellite, the more satellites you have over head the more accurate it is, this is very accurate compared to a few years ago due to the leap in CPU power that smart phones now have over standalone GPS equipment. i understand your statement from a advertising perspective, but it is actually slightly incorrect with today's technology.

 

On to your second comment, having something in your line of sight does not distract you from what you need to concentrate on. a fighter pilot may have only clouds in front of him, but he still needs to be aware of potential problems arising from objects in front of him. not all fighter pilots fly at high altitude. also its well known that AH64 pilots have a HUD attached to there helmet that feeds target information.

 

My concern with it being in the corner in your "peripheral vision" is that you may as well move your eyes to the dash cluster rather that to the side, to check your speed. there for it is of no real benefit over what is already there.

 

Again, i understand the need to relay information to encourage people to purchase said items so a little twist of the truth can sometimes make the difference between a sale and a non sale.

 

But i also need to clarify what i was on about with where the positioning of the unit would be better suited. if the unit is directly below your line of sight but not near the dash cluster, it would make it much better, the new corvette currently comes with a HUD in this position

 

personally where it is in your pictures looks like it would be roughly where my natural blind spot would be and would easily be forgotten and only really checked while im checking my mirrors.

 

Please dont take it as a moan its more constructive criticism

Hi vodkashots,

 

 

GPS works with satellites to pinpoint your location i understand your statement from a advertising perspective, but it is actually slightly incorrect with today's technology.

 

As you've said, GPS knows where you are. Knowing where you are now, where you used to be, and how long it took you to get there, the gadget/phone can work out what your average speed was.

 

Availability of GPS is good these days, but accuracy (particularly in built up areas) isn't as good as you might think. High end GPS kit tells you how accurate your position (and so speed) readings really are, but consumer grade kit just spits out a number which people assume is gospel but can easily be 20% off. Corners and hills are a classic problem, as most GPS systems don't have terrain mapping so calculate your speed as the crow flies. (under-estimates ground speed on hills and bends).

 

Most people are blissfully unaware of these effects, but even they see the effect (lag) of averaging. Lag is annoying and there's nothing that you can do about it unless you can push the refresh rate up. This can be done but the higher you push this the better the GPS hardware you need - crank it up too high on consumer grade hardware and you'll see a steady 30 show up as 28-31-29-30-32 due to the positioning errors, rather than a plain 30 where all the errors are averaged out over time. There are some cheeky software tricks that you can do to make it look like the position/speed are refreshing quicker than they are that I can explain if you're really interested.

 

The short of is that fundamentally, GPS is a positioning system. It is good at positioning. It is ok for speed; absolutely fine on motorways but can be unreliable on B-roads and is pretty awful in urban areas or if your speed is changing quickly. A real live ground speed signal, as used by your OEM speedo or the SpeedView, is better. These statements are completely correct from a technology standpoint - this isn't marketing speak.

 

 

Also im not sure if you have ever used a new smart phone like the iPhone 4 or Samsung galaxy, but visibility in strong sun light isnt a problem they suffer with.

 

I've used both and the screens just don't cut it in bright sunlight. (iPhone 4 ~500 nits; SpeedView ~5,000 nits) Better handsets are approaching 1,000 nits nowadays and that's just about usable in a tintop vehicle, but there'll still be times where the display is bleached by sunlight. OEM direct glass head up displays are stupendously bright (some at 25,000 nits) but also prohibitively expensive.

 

They also don't cut it at night either, because the "black" on an LCD isn't black at all

 

I'm not rubbishing a free thing on either the GPS or the display side. For free, smartphones are awesome. As a fit and forget, working rain or shine type solution the have their shortcomings - which is where the SpeedView comes into play.

 

 

My concern with it being in the corner in your "peripheral vision" is that you may as well move your eyes to the dash cluster rather that to the side, to check your speed. there for it is of no real benefit over what is already there.

 

Easiest way to explain the benefit might be passenger door mirror versus rear view mirror. If something changes in your passenger mirror, you won't notice it unless you're actively looking at it. When something changes in your rear view mirror you'll notice that something has changed (but not always what has changed) immediately, as it's always in your peripheral vision. Same with the SpeedView (peripheral vision - you'll notice a leading one appearing or the leading 7 changing to an 8) vs dash cluster (don't see anythgin change unless your'e looking at it).

 

 

On to your second comment, having something in your line of sight does not distract you from what you need to concentrate on. But i also need to clarify what i was on about with where the positioning of the unit would be better suited. if the unit is directly below your line of sight but not near the dash cluster, it would make it much better, the new corvette currently comes with a HUD in this position

 

Ah, we're talking about the same thing using different words here. The fighter jet HUD is in your direct line of sight (you look at or through it). The Corvette display you've shown is in your peripheral vision (below where you're looking, normally you look over the top of it).

 

That's a personal preference that you're fee to experiment with. Most people find that their vision is centred towards the right hand side of the steering wheel (centre of the road) rather than the centre of the wheel (centre of your lane) but there's plenty of cable so you're free to experiment during installation.

 

 

Again, i understand the need to relay information to encourage people to purchase said items so a little twist of the truth can sometimes make the difference between a sale and a non sale.

 

That's a little unfair. No truths were twisted or otherwise harmed in the making of this programme - I say it the way it is then stand by it with no quibble returns. (I've only had one unit returned for a full refund so far; chap with a Ford S-Max where Ford disable the speedo signal output from the ECU shown on the wiring diagram unless you pay their dealers £70 odd)

 

 

Please dont take it as a moan its more constructive criticism

 

It's all good, aside from the line on twisting the truth - these aren't for everybody but they're also not the only product that I've got planned and the feedback all goes into the spec for that. :-)