On 7/8/2013 2:23 PM, Edward Dickinson III wrote:
> Garmin Reroutes Smartphone Nav Display to Windshield
>
> Peter Suciu
> 1 hour ago
> Fighter pilots have long had "head-up" displays for navigating advanced
> aircraft, but on Monday Garmin announced a new HUD offering that aims to
> bring the technology to drivers of any automobile. Designed to reduce
> distractions by providing driving information within the driver's line of
> sight, Garmin's HUD is the company's first portable head-up display for
> smartphone navigation apps. "HUD redefines the navigation experience by
> allowing drivers to find their way without taking their eyes off the road,"
> said Garmin's Dan Bartel.
Hmmm ... Not sure this is such a good idea. Fighter pilots are not
looking at a road, with obstacles, out their windshield and they spend a
lot of time checking their instruments anyway. HUD for them puts the
important ones up in front of them, especially those dealing with
armament, aiming, and firing. Generally speaking, these functions are
not found in automobiles ... unless "Q" made it for you. :-)
For an automobile, being able to keep your eyes forward looking at the
windshield is good of course, but an equal problem is "brain
distraction." Ignoring the business of finding a number and dialing for
a moment, one can talk on a phone without removing your gaze from the
road, however there is still the divided concentration problem ...
sufficiently large that many jurisdictions have prohibited use of
hand-held cellular devices by the driver.
My wife's Honda CRV has a neat little display directly in front of the
driver with the odometer, instantaneous gas mileage, compass, outside
temp, range, etc. It can be very distracting. Likewise with the
"navigation" panel in youngest son's new Ford Explorer. It's not so
much the glancing away from the road momentarily, it's that the display
is so busy with all sorts of stuff not really relevant to driving that
"glances" don't work.
I have an IC-2300H in my truck, but I really don't like to use it while
driving. All I have to do is press the PTT and talk, and I can hear
with the speaker, none of which demands that I look at anything but the
road, however it is still distracting to my concentration.
73,
Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org
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