General Motors' Head-Up Display
The 10 Best And 10 Worst Automotive TechnologiesHead-up displays take the top spot. They're my favorite feature enhanced by technology's steady march forward. Nothing about them is new (they've been around since the 80s). However, early systems relied on CRTs, whereas today's systems employ LCDs, resulting in a much better-integrated experience. The latest HUDs are color projections, rather than monochrome readouts reminiscent of Oregon Trail on an Apple II. And they're awesome because they project useful information right on the windshield at eye level, keeping your eyes from wandering to the gauge cluster.
A number of vendors offer HUDs on their higher-end models. But General Motors makes the capability available on everything from Buick's LaCrosse to the latest Corvette. The company's implementation shows the speedometer of course, but also lets you choose what other data you want. Pick between the tachometer, radio, compass, navigation directions, temperature, and the forward collision alert system. My preference is showing the tach any time I'm driving aggressively. Unfortunately, GM's HUD doesn’t remember your last display choice, so you have to reconfigure your favorite view every time you start the car. Think you could changes that behavior, guys?
At least BMW disables it automatically when the car is in Sport mode. The Jaguar you have to disable every time. But yes I agree its obnoxious unless its completely transparent, which most of the time it isn't. Seems harsh most of the time which is not something I'd tolerate in a luxury vehicle.
We've yet to spend seat time in a Tesla. The times I've seen them, I wouldn't say its the best. The interior just overwhelms you with touch screen LCDs, and overwhelming you doesn't make it the best. The drivetrain is impressive though.
The big problem is the smoothness. Even when they try to mask it, you can still feel a shudder. The level of refinement on start/stop isn't good enough for a luxury vehicle. For a Ford Fiesta? Sure, but a $40k+ luxury / sports sedan? Not so much.
I know Toyota and Ford use a Microsoft based solution so those probably would, but I don't think it matters too much because if you are buying a Chevy Sonic, you probably don't have the cash to buy their half assed nav system.
Actually my sister's Ford Fiesta supports WAV. Also the Tesla Model S supports FLAC up to 48KHz 24bit or 96KHz 16bit.
I keep a folder of FLAC music on my flash drive for car testing hoping that one day a car will work with FLAC. So far it has not happened yet
Actually my sister's Ford Fiesta supports WAV. Also the Tesla Model S supports FLAC up to 48KHz 24bit or 96KHz 16bit.
Yep. FLACK support.... for the low price of $89,000!
Actually my sister's Ford Fiesta supports WAV. Also the Tesla Model S supports FLAC up to 48KHz 24bit or 96KHz 16bit.
Yep. FLACK support.... for the low price of $89,000!
Don't forget you have to sign your life over and let them monitor your usage too.