Project NiteVision - NiteMax + HUD + carputer - Page 4

Shadow · 04-16-2006, 07:25 PM

The older Corvettes with HUDs had a piece of semi-opaque vinyl where the image was supposed to be projected.

spaceskater · 04-17-2006, 03:27 AM

Couldn't resist!! I had to start experimenting!
I have the same problem, double display. This happens because the image is reflected first in the inner side of the windshield and then on the outer side of the windshield. That is also why the second image appears to be a bit higher.

I also did some test with a clear piece of plexi and since it was about 2mm thick i got the same double image problem.

Then i tried Genesisfactor's idea about the the gauge cluster but unfortunately the plastic in front is very curved and really distorts the image... Then I thought what if I put a thin flat piece of plastic in front of that only where the HUD would be... well that gave me some results... I can see the image very well with it but then in the back i still have that distorted image. Maybe something more reflective would have better results. Check out the photos! I still don't know how to add comments under every image....

alti · 04-17-2006, 09:03 AM

@spaceskater – thanks for the pics. What are you reflecting the image on in the in with the person in the image and the keyboard in the background? That one looks really sharp and opaque.

@Shadow – hmmmm, vinyl eh? Do you know if it is wedged in-between the to panes of glass of the windshield, or if it is just stuck to the inside? I ask because all of the other OEM solutions I had read about used a piece of wedge shaped polymer in-between the two panes of glass.

@ GF – I like the gauge cluster idea, but I would not do in my setup for a couple of reasons. 1. The image looks to be too small to be usable that far out of you main focus of vision. To be able to make any sense of the image on the reflection, it would seem to me that you would have to focus you vision on the reflection. If it were larger (say 5-6”) then I think it would be possible to make sense of using your peripheral vision in the same way you check your speedometer, however for the gauge cluster I would look at installing a 5-6” LCD in the gauge cluster rather then using reflection. The only reason that I am using reflection on a windshield is because I have to (unless I found some of the super expensive organic lcds) It would be much cleaner and nicer looking IMHO to install an lcd right into the gauge cluster.

My dash unfortunately allows me no room to play with this idea.

I have done allot more work on my setup and I should have the camera up and working in its separate parts, hopefully today! I will post pics.

alti · 04-17-2006, 09:08 AM

sorry I forgot to add that I have pretty much deterimed that a lens of some sort is an absolute must because the image size will be so small without it, it must be larger.

SO who knows anything about where to start with this??????????? I dont know the first thing about it.

BTW does the addition of a lens make it a projection as opposed to a reflection?

I am going to start by spending some time reading up over at the DIYaudio forums.

Shadow · 04-17-2006, 09:08 AM

Vinyl goes on the inside. Basically it reflects off of the vinly instead of the glass. That way you don't get a double-image.

SnyperBob · 04-17-2006, 09:25 AM

Hey guys.....what about a small piece of window tint? If anyone has any laying around, give it a try. That might help block light coming from outside of the car (other car's headlights, streetlights) while providing a dark background to project on.

sama · 04-17-2006, 09:29 AM

sorry, don't mean to be anal but it's to reflect on

does anyone know if it's legal to tint the windsheild in teh uk?

alti · 04-17-2006, 10:01 AM

As far as I know it is not legel to tint it in the us, no idea about the uk, when does it become a projection as opposed to flecting on the glass? does the addition of a lens make the difference? Or is it because there is a reflective quality to the glass, rather then a screen that is not reflective?

alti · 04-17-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SnyperBob

Hey guys.....what about a small piece of window tint? If anyone has any laying around, give it a try. That might help block light coming from outside of the car (other car's headlights, streetlights) while providing a dark background to project on.

that was one of my original ideas ,and i think it will be the easist most practical solution. I have to get to the autoparts store and pick some up....

spaceskater · 04-17-2006, 12:47 PM

@alti: I use a thin piece of plastic i cut from a packaging. Because it is thin i don't have the double image problem. In the first image i use the same thing in front of the instrument cluster window and the first image is VERY sharp. I was thinking of using a 5" LCD for that since the 2.3" of my PDA does seem very small. In the first two photos u can see what i used to reflect the nice sharp image on, the third is a piece of plexi I used and u can see it is thick so I got the double image problem on it. if i can find something more reflective and thin then maybe it will work better. I'm thinking of going by Auto Zone to get some window tint.

young gun · 04-17-2006, 02:10 PM

window tint should work well, i dont think it would be illegal as you are only tinting a small section.

example

MGD · 04-17-2006, 02:51 PM

Here in the US it is illegal to put anything in the front view. You can't even have anything hanging from the review mirror because of obstructions of view. They can even give you a ticket for a cracked windshield, but check out the new Corvette, they have this **** build in. Would be good to research this.

Here is a Quote from a Glass Manufacturer.
What makes the HUD glass different from standard glass?

All USA DOT approved windshield glass is a composite with a thin plastic layer between an inner and outer layer of glass. HUD glass has a special thin transparent laminate between the glass in the projection area. This laminate is manufactured specifically for the HUD and has different reflective properties and is more consistent in its density than the standard windshield laminate.
On some early factory HUD glass there is a rectangular area visible in the glass, at some point GM changed design and you can not see the HUD reflection area outlined in the glass with the car off.
Our aftermarket HUD glass is the same as the later GM design in which the outline of the HUD reflection area is not visable with the car off.

alpha_maverick · 04-17-2006, 05:58 PM

http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/head_up_displays.htm

kornkow · 04-17-2006, 07:22 PM

the new corvette isnt the only one. the grand prix gtps have had HUD's for at least 10 years. the bonnies have them too. I was going to take a look at how my HUD was constructed, but i think itll be a while til i have enough time.

spaceskater · 04-17-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MGD

Our aftermarket HUD glass is the same as the later GM design in which the outline of the HUD reflection area is not visable with the car off.

MGD what company makes aftermarket HUD windshields? Wher did u get that?