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What's out there for Heads Up Display - HUD ?

moespeeds

Well Known Member
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Just planning how I'm gonna spend all my money when I hit the lottery. What's out there for HUDs that actually work? It would have to glareshield mount on my RV8.

I did see the mygoflight version at $25k. Pricey, but does it actually work? Anything else legit on the horizon?

By "Legit" I mean that includes a true velocity vector cue, and will show localizer/GS?
 
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I did see the mygoflight version at $25k.

At the other end of the cost spectrum:

https://inspire.eaa.org/2019/03/27/homebuilt-hud-a-300-really-head-up-display-for-every-airplane/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du7jkJTLTPo

More recent version:

https://generalaviationnews.com/2019/10/16/build-your-own-hud/

https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/heads-up-display.125787/

Similar:

https://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore/sep/13486

Note: I have not actually tried any of these, so this is not an official endorsement. I'm just friends with the creator of the $300 HUD (first 2 or 3 links above) so I thought I'd pass the info along. Try at your own risk, YMMV, etc.
 
I’ve been using the HUDLY provided by GRT with my GRT EFIS for a number of years in my -8. What I like about it is that the look of the display is what I am used to in more sophisticated HUD’s(think military and aerospace….), as well as the fact that the hardware is a few hundred bucks. But….it is not focused at infinity, so you have to compensate for that with a touch of refocus with your eyes. And - it is programmed to work with GRT, so it is not generic.

It is very compact compared to the more expensive units I have seen.

Paul
 
This is possibly the most refined OTS unit that is within reach of most EAB aircraft owner's wallets:

https://epicoptix.com/product/epic-eagle-2/

This one does focus at infinity and has a nice bright and sharp display unlike most if not all of the low cost DIY HUD systems.

That looks interesting, but the way it sticks out over the glare shield towards the pilot's head looks awkward, and frankly, a serious hazard in a crash or strong bumps.

I wish they would publish better manuals on line for installation and integration with the avionics--it's unclear how the system interfaces other than the "GPU" unit, which uses ARINC-429, but no connection details or information on what is actually displayed is available other than what can be seen in their promotional video.
 
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Just my opinion on the hud

I think it’s more of a distraction than anything. With an IPad or EFIS what more do you need other than being more of a toy/novelty. The size is much smaller than what it would be on a mini iPad or an EFIS.
 
I can move my eyes faster up and down to look at my big screen TV (EIFS) than refocus on the HUD.
 
That looks interesting, but the way it sticks out over the glare shield towards the pilot's head looks awkward, and frankly, a serious hazard in a crash or strong bumps.

Exactly why I never bought one to install in my RV7. The 7's glareshield is just not deep enough.

The FlyOn Speed Team purchased one of these units at Osh several years ago and I sat it up on my airplane's glareshield and new it would never be an option for me.

Deeper glareshields would not be an issue.
 
I can move my eyes faster up and down to look at my big screen TV (EIFS) than refocus on the HUD.

That is why I am no fan of the very inexpensive DIY units due to the fact that they do not focus at infinity. A HUD that focuses at infinity does not require your eyes to refocus when you look at the HUD image. The image appears to float out in front of the airplane instead of right in front of your face where your eyes have to adjust.
 
Laser HUD

There was a guy trying to make a HUD laser about 15-20 years ago. You mount a small laser projector on your glare shield and it draws the information at infinity on the back of your propeller. I thought that was a very novel approach for single engine general aviation. Only saw info on web of that one year.
 
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