Instant Best car Heads Up Display upgrade - HUDWAY Drive review. How good is it?

If you haven't used a Heads-Up Display (HUD) in a vehicle before then here's what you could be missing. Here is my detailed HUDWAY Drive review to show you what to expect from this instant HUD upgrade to almost any vehicle.
HUDWAY Drive car accessory has many cool features like a digital speedometer that any car enthusiast, car lover and daily driver would love. An easy car mod/car upgrade that anyone can install. Find out what to love and what to hate before you buy one.
Use our HUDWAY Drive Discount Code and Get a HUDWAY Drive for yourself, family or friends and never drive the same again. Discount code and Links to buy the HUDWAY Drive, other items and resources I showed in the video are further below!
Click & skip to the chapter to watch:
00:00 - Intro: HUDWAY Drive, HUD display for cars
00:30 - Disclosure
00:47 - HUDWAY Drive Heads-Up Display (HUD)
02:45 - HUDWAY Drive Freeride GPS mode
03:30 - HUDWAY Drive Freeride OBD mode
04:53 - HUDWAY Drive Navigation mode
07:12 - HUDWAY Drive Mirror mode
09:53 - HUDWAY Drive Notifications
10:44 - More info on the HUDWAY Drive
12:02 - HUDWAY Drive Fitment
12:19 - HUDWAY Drive Installation
13:40 - HUDWAY Drive Accessories
14:23 - HUDWAY Drive: What’s in the box
14:43 - Final thoughts
#carlifestyle #carenthusiast #carupgrades #gadget #techie #coolgadgets
© Frakking Creations
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If you find our videos useful you can support our channel by using our affiliate links to purchase the products in our video, similar or better. As Associates of HUDWAY, Amazon and others we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.
Our HUDWAY coupon code 10% off HUDWAY Drive → FC10DEAL
HUDWAY Drive → bit.ly/3FTsohS
Drive 3 camera kit → bit.ly/3RMoywd
Drive Night vision kit → bit.ly/48IgMur
OBDLink MX+ (Faster OBD2 adapter) → amzn.to/47Z40Yi
Other Good Stuff we love to use or recommend → www.amazon.com/shop/frakkingc...
Quality Dashcams (5% off at checkout * Min. order $100)
VIOFO A119 V3 (Budget 2K) → bit.ly/3LcuxXS
VIOFO A129 Plus Duo (2K, FHD) → bit.ly/3RQoWIG
Resources:
Read our blog post here → frakkingcreations.com/instant...
HUDWAY Drive Fitment → bit.ly/3RHHJaF
Printout template → hudway.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/a...
Installation → hudway.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/a...
HUDWAY Drive production updates → bit.ly/3Hx4Hg2
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Torque Pro app → play.google.com/store/apps/de...
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Our website → frakkingcreations.com/
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Soundtrack:
Dulce Reggaetaon - An Jone
Disclaimer:
Any information available at this channel or on its videos are intended for general guidance only and must never be considered a substitute for advice provided by an appropriate or qualified professional.
Due to many factors beyond the control of Frakking Creations, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Frakking Creations assumes no liability for property damage, injury or loss incurred as a result of improper use of tools, equipment or from any of the information contained in this video. Frakking Creations recommends safe practices when working with tools seen or implied in this video.
Use this information at your own risk.
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[@LordCakerson]

This review is so good! you earned a sub!!

[@FrakkingCreations]

Thank you for commenting and subbing. By all means, please share our videos with anyone else you think would enjoy it. We appreciate your help in growing our channel!

[@jav65]

Most detailed review I have watched so far about this device, thanks for that. Just a quick question can it mirror Carplay from Carpuride and/or from any carplay device for that matter?

[@FrakkingCreations]

Thanks for your comment. It really was a lot of work getting this review done, but it was worth it. I really like using it. To answer your question, I don't believe it will since the mirroring is done from the HUDWAY Drive app on the phone. HUDWAY may have to make the app usable/compatible with Carpuride or CarPlay devices so that it will load there and also mirror the screen. This would be a good question to ask them, though. Please share with us if you do find out!

[@FrakkingCreations]

Also, subscribe to the channel or check back in about 2 weeks for our video on the 3 camera accessory kit for the HUDWAY Drive.

[@ren-renpedrajeta1772]

Great review

[@FrakkingCreations]

Thank you for your comment. We appreciate you taking a moment to give us some feedback. We really do put a lot of effort in our videos. If you don't mind, please like and share our videos with anyone else you think would be interested.

[@rightright6582]

Can u use it without that screen...project direcctly on the winshiled

[@FrakkingCreations]

Good question. No, it does not project on the windshield. I tried it and it doesn't work that way. The reason is that the windshield angle prevents the image from reflecting back to the driver. In order for the image to reflect on the windshield back to the driver, the HUDWAY Drive would have to be pointed upwards instead of forwards. Also, the plastic Lens (where the image is projected on) helps to magnify the image from the small display of the HUDWAY Drive. Without the magnification, the a reflected image on the windshield would be too small. Hope that answers your question.

[@FrakkingCreations]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@HAMMER_2.2]

Great review!

[@FrakkingCreations]

Thanks for commenting. We really do try to make videos that are useful, which do take quite a bit of time. Please subscribe, like and share our videos to help our channel grow. We appreciate the help!

[@HAMMER_2.2]

Hey Frakking Creations! So, since the Hudway can display phone notifications and pairs to phones via bluetooth, do you know if a phone can pair to the Hudway and also to a car stereo?? My vehicle has an android headunit that I pair my phone to for handsfree calling as well and bluetooth music. Im curious if i could also pair my phone to the Hudway AND my stereo so that I can see notifications like incoming calls (text messages too?) And hopefully Navigation info. It would be really neat to be able to see my route turn by turn instructions in the hudway AND my stereo! Thanks for any insight here, this is such a DETAILED video! Cheers,

[@FrakkingCreations]

Thanks for the feedback and good question. I don't have an Android headunit but can try to connect a Bluetooth speaker and play music while trying to use the HUDWAY Drive. I will have to get back to you once I get a chance to try that.

[@tinkerplayer8616]

@@FrakkingCreationshi, did you get the chance to try it? Play a music on the car stereo while using the HUD on navigation?

[@ricky5176]

Hey, how is the speed /rpm responsoveness of the unit in real time? Is there a noticeable delayed between the oem dash and the hud info?

[@FrakkingCreations]

Good question. I do show how responsive it is in the video and below are links to that. The included OBD adapter has a noticable delay as can be seen here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKi9fqatqc59kKc Getting a better OBD adapter can get you much better responsiveness. In particular, I show using the Torque Pro app with the OBDLink MX+ adapter and it is a lot more responsive. Even with many vehicle parameters shown on one page the refresh looks to be about 3 updates per second. You can see this here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKi9fqatqc59kKc And here I am accelerating and you can see that the gauges in Torque Pro are quite responsive and smooth in updating the speed and RPM. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKi9fqatqc59kKc In terms of the Torque app readout and the actual speedometer, I will probably have to do another video to show it. When I check the footage I have, that didn't make the cut to show in this video, I see that it is pretty much instantaneous/real-time with the speedometer when using the Torque Pro app. An that is with 9 parameters being read. If I reduce the number of parameters it should be even better. Note that as I mentioned in the video the OBDLink MX+ does not work natively with the HUDWAY Drive so you will have to use an OBD reader app like Torque Pro or others with it in mirroring mode. Hope this helps.

[@ricky5176]

I might have slipped that part. Thabks for your great responses subd and looking for great content

[@FrakkingCreations]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

[@FrakkingCreations]

Oh, and if you don't mind, please share our videos with anyone else you think would enjoy them.

[@HAMMER_2.2]

Oh! ONE MORE QUESTION PLEASE! About the fuel economy widget , does this work even if my vehicle doesnt have these readings available on OBD2? I always assumed that an app like Torque for example would only show fuel economy if certain parameters were available over OBD2, like fuel level or original fuel economy. I most likely assumed wrong there. If I can use those fuel economy settings to get the HUD showing me a MPG number that would be so cool! Especially up in the windshield. Seems like a great way to try and tailor my driving for getting the best economy that I can! Thanks again F.C. !!

[@FrakkingCreations]

Which fuel economy widget do you use? Have you tried the "Fuel rate (Direct from ECU)" one? I think that might be the one to use even if you don't have fuel level.

[@tinkerplayer8616]

Can you please send as a ff-up?

[@maximilianoauer6470]

Nice review !!! But you haven't covered how visible the HUD info is on "not optimal" situations, like during daylight with a lot of light or with the sun in front of you. Have you encountered any issue with such scenarios?

[@FrakkingCreations]

Thank you for your comment and good point on the less optimal situations. I cover that a little on the HUDWAY Drive 3-camera upgrade test video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4XSeZp5fNaejpI

[@FrakkingCreations]

Note that you could also cover the back of the lens display with vinyl wrap or window tint to darken it. I wrote about it in our blog post. The image shows up better but it does block your vision behind it. So doing it may not be safe in some situations or some vehicles.

[@maximilianoauer6470]

@@FrakkingCreations Thanks !!!

[@Joeshmoe2579]

How does the display look when it is really bright out? Or do you have situations when it is hard to see? Hoping the Tesla version that comes out later this year is also good.

[@FrakkingCreations]

It can get overpowered and washed out by the brightness outside. Also light colored snow covered roads can reduce visibility. Check out our other video on the HUDWAY Drive cameras set where I show this. Just before the 2-minute mark.

[@Joeshmoe2579]

@@FrakkingCreations Dang, I wonder if putting a film or a cover on the back of that screen would make it easier to see in those cases.

[@FrakkingCreations]

That might work. But it will also nullify the Head's-up display aspect of it where you won't be able to see through it to the road. But it may be a small issue. Maybe even using some window tint to make it darker may be enough. I'll see if I can give it a try with a dark cover.

[@Joeshmoe2579]

Maybe a clear darker screen (so you can still see through it) vs dark cover?

[@FrakkingCreations]

I tested out putting a non-transparent backdrop behind the lens and it works quite well. If you are going to try this, you will have to make sure it doesn't block your vision, is safe and doesn't break any local, state/provincial, federal traffic laws, though. I added some photos of this in our blog post for you to see (About mid-way down): frakkingcreations.com/upgraded-hudway-drive-cameras-set-review-a-hud-with-park-assist-blind-spot-cameras/

[@mahbuddykeith1124]

Is it possible to hardwire the Hudway Drive into your vehicle so you’re not using the cigarette lighter to power it?

[@FrakkingCreations]

Of course. You could do it by splicing the USB cable and then hardwiring it to your fuse box using a fuse tap. You will have to make sure to determine the polarity of the USB wires though. [Edit]: you would still need to convert the voltage from 12V to 5V, though A simpler method would be to use something like the "CAMWAY 12V/24V 2.1A Motorcycle SAE to USB Phone" cable adapter and using "WAGO 221-2401" inline wire connectors and a 12V fuse tap to hardwire to your fuse box. Then just plug in the HUDWAY Drive USB power cable into it. Again, you have to be careful since if you do it wrong, you could hurt yourself or damage your stuff. This method gives you a USB power port in your vehicle so you can use it for other things too. It does state that the max Amperage is 2.1 A, so keep that in mind. Also, please make sure you test properly before plugging it into the HUDWAY Drive on first test. I recently released a video showing how I hardwire a BlackVue Box dash cam. The hardwiring chapter can show you what is involved in hardwiring to the fuse box of a vehicle. Just note that in the case of the HUDWAY drive, it would be hardwired to an ACC (+) fuse so that it will power Off when the vehicle is off. Otherwise it will stay On and the battery will drain with no protection. Hope I answered your question.

[@FrakkingCreations]

One note... For the first method you would still need to convert the voltage from 12V to 5V though.

[@gregwalsh409]

Have waited a year now after paying for this product and still waiting!! Be careful ordering this!

[@FrakkingCreations]

That's unfortunate. Not sure when exactly you ordered but a year is a long time to wait. They have an update page to let you know what is happening with manufacturing/production and shipment here if this helps: hudway.co/drive/updates

[@livenhfree]

Thanks, but can you explain better what you mean about "the display doesn't fit the whole lens. In person, the image almost fills the whole lens. Due to positioning of the camera. Positioned closer than where the driver would sit and how far the eyes are away from the lens." When you say "display" do you mean the iPhone screen itself? When you say "lens" are you referring to the HUD display? And what is the "image?" Also, I don't understand what you're trying to explain when you talk about "closer than where the driver would sit." What does that mean? Lots of questions, but your descriptions I find are not clear. Thank you for the review, and one last note: your audio is muffled. See if you can find a way to get crisper audio. I had to rewind a lot.

[@FrakkingCreations]

Good questions. There is a small LCD display at the front of the HUDWAY Drive unit that shows the image to be displayed and this image is projected onto the clear plastic lens. The lens acts like a magnifier and magnifies the image so that it is larger than the actual LCD display. The image could be the HUDWAY Drive display image or your phones screen image when mirroring or anything the HUDWAY Drive is showing to the driver. Similar to a magnifying glass, if you move farther away, it will magnify more. The HUDWAY Drive lens behaves the same way. The image will magnify more the farther you are away from the lens. I had to position my camera between my head and the lens to film what it is like to use the HUDWAY Drive. Because I cannot have the camera positioned right at my face, I had to position it away from my face in a way that it does not obstruct my view so that it is not a hazard. Since the camera is closer to the lens than my eyes are, the image projected on the lens is smaller relative to the lens in the video than what you would see when positioned farther away from the lens, in proper seating position. In proper seated position the image almost fills the entire lens. For context, the camera is about half way between my head and the lens. In one of the scenes of the video, when I was parked, I move the handheld the camera and moved it forward, backwards, left and right to show the magnifying effect the lens has. Link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKi9fqatqc59kKc I hope this helps clarify things and answers your questions.

[@doronleiba5938]

Waiting over 3 years to get mine...

[@FrakkingCreations]

There have been a few similar comments from other viewers on not getting their HUDWAY Drives. I'm curious to know where you ordered, if you have contacted their support about this and what was their response?

[@sanparuzu]

Ordered in 2020 and have gotten nothing but the run around from support. Kept getting told oh you're in this batch blah blah blah. Was supposed to ship at the end of May and yet reached out and it's sowwwee, we pwomise we aren't lying to you. Yet they have not only units to give to reviews for free and us that paid for the really shit the of the stick HARD

[@onedot6674]

Ordered in 2022 and still not delivered. Many people canceled with such a long wait time.

[@FrakkingCreations]

I did see postings of people complaining about that. I didn't know it was still that bad considering that HUDWAY is shipping units out, as per their website. Did you cancel or are you still waiting for yours?

[@onedot6674]

@@FrakkingCreations Still waiting, it was supposed to come out in the next batch which according to their email was to be shipped in early December. So far that batch hasn't gone out so If my order does come when that batch goes out I'll be cancelling. Two freaking years is long enough.

[@FrakkingCreations]

That sucks. I really hope they get it to you this round. I've had a similar experience in the past with Glowforge. Ended up cancelling the order after at least 2 years. I ended up losing money due to exchange rates too.

[@sanparuzu]

Ordered in 2020 and have gotten nothing but the run around from support. Kept getting told oh you're in this batch blah blah blah. Was supposed to ship at the end of May and yet reached out and it's sowwwee, we pwomise we aren't lying to you. Yet they have not only units to give to reviews for free and us that paid for the really shit the of the stick HARD

[@FrakkingCreations]

That sucks. So do they keep moving your batch number up when they can't meet your expected batch number?

[@seanoleary3428]

Anyone know if Shazam works while in motion? If not, does the actual Spotify app reflect while in motion or does it auto-set it to the watered down "drive" version of the app? I'd like to use it for real time lyrics to the music I'm listening to 😅

[@lazurm]

With its limitations I'd hardly call it a Heads Up Display (HUD). It's more of a poor reflection monitor that can only be used directly in front of the driver. One of its severe limitations that even this positive video review illustrated is how easily the display disappears when moving one's head off to the side. What the market wants is a disply that reflects off the windshield and can be viewed at a wide angle, without the display moving. Another feature for the future is an ability for a true HUD to monitor the viewer's eye position while adjusting an infrared view (size and relative position) of animals and people while driving at night. The view would overlap an actual place on the road, adjusted in size and position based on the driver's eye distance and position from the windshield.

[@theron4185]

Wish I knew how to start a lawsuit against HUDWAY 1year later nothing from them 300 dollars gone

[@FrakkingCreations]

I'm surprised that you can't get a refund from them by contacting their support.

[@theron4185]

@@FrakkingCreations tried they said it would take 6 months at the time and when I asked again about it they stopped responding

[@Zetler]

WTF. Google or Apple Maps are not native to navigation mode? Useless.

[@FrakkingCreations]

Google or Apple maps would be really nice to have on this. I wouldn't say that it is useless though, but I suppose it depends what you regularly use it for. We don't use it too much for navigation so it isn't too big an issue for us. If you have the HUDWAY Drive 3-Camera set too you will also have rear view camera/park assist and side view blind spot cameras viewable in the HUD too. Our review of that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4XSeZp5fNaejpI