Heads Up Display and Polarized Sunglasses

[Dirty Cash]

New to the forum! First post and...

I too noticed this when test driving an X5 a few months ago. My favorite pair of RayBans just didn't get along with the HUD at all, fortunately, there are two Outlet Malls within 45 mins of my home. Purchasing a new set was the simple way to go for me. This is all in preparation for my move from my current vehicle to my first BMW...soon!!!

[meagher78]

I know the way polarized lenses work is by either cutting the glare on the vertical axis or the horizontal axis. I wonder if there isn't a brand of polarized sunglasses that may work. I have Maui Jims; has anyone had any success with other brands of glasses? It's possible a different sunglass manufacturer has the polarized lens that is working on a different axis than Maui Jim.

*My current work around has been programming button 6 to turn off the head up display and button 7 to turn it on. I've been toggling back and forth pending if I have the glasses on or not, but would love a better solution.

[Silververtu]

Originally Posted by meagher78

I know the way polarized lenses work is by either cutting the glare on the vertical axis or the horizontal axis. I wonder if there isn't a brand of polarized sunglasses that may work. I have Maui Jims; has anyone had any success with other brands of glasses? It's possible a different sunglass manufacturer has the polarized lens that is working on a different axis than Maui Jim.

*My current work around has been programming button 6 to turn off the head up display and button 7 to turn it on. I've been toggling back and forth pending if I have the glasses on or not, but would love a better solution.

I can see clearly with Ray Ban polarized sunglasses. Like someone mentioned earlier in the thread, dial up the brightness of the HUD if you wear polarized sunglasses.

[LeopardM3]

This is a first world problems thread of epic proportions, and I'm here for it.

[Qsilver7]

If one can't possibly part from wearing their polarized sun glasses...is it really that difficult to look at your instrument cluster. Its not like the information being displayed in the HUD isn't also being displayed in another location in the car that really aint that difficult to quickly take a look-see.

I guess my comments puts me squarely in the "this is a first world issue" column.

Another irony...as I type this post...I'm staring over the top of my "readers"...I can see my CPU screen fine from the distance it is away from me...but the papers on my desk require my "readers" to be able to see what is written. I guess I've become accustomed to adapting to life's vagueries.

[Violator]

I was tired of the occasional head tilt, so I bought a new pair of RB’s without polarized lenses.

[MizikeTSK]

I think I adjusted the height of the HUD to offset the head tilt then again I may have just gotten used to the head tilt and it became second nature.

[M302_imola]

I have a polarized pair of Spy sunglasses that I have no issue seeing the HUD.

[Maverik259]

I can see just fine using my Oakley's. It is dimmer and I do have to move my head slightly to the right to get a near perfect image but doesn't affect me and I don't notice.

[IndyJer]

Originally Posted by meagher78

*My current work around has been programming button 6 to turn off the head up display and button 7 to turn it on. I've been toggling back and forth pending if I have the glasses on or not, but would love a better solution.

You shouldn’t need to use 2 buttons for this, just press the same button to toggle between HUD on or off.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

I think I adjusted the height of the HUD to offset the head tilt then again I may have just gotten used to the head tilt and it became second nature.

Kinda where I’m at. My lenses are polarized too (Ray Ban), and find I need to tilt my head. Not the worst thing in the world. What’s interesting is that if I put on my sunglasses before starting the car and driving off, sometimes forget that the HUD is even on since I can’t see it. It’s only when I move my head a certain way that I catch a glimpse of it!

[taseal]

My X5 doesn't have a HUD, but my corvette does. That being said, I no longer wear polarized glasses because I can't see the HUD. I have a pair (if I can ever find it) that I take with me if we're going to the beach or be outside for most of day.

[MizikeTSK]

So I verified last night that I was still able to see my HUD wearing my polarized Spy sunglasses. It wasn't as bright as non polarized but still visible enough for me to see without the head tilt. It was also after work around 4:30 and not mid-day. I'll test again at lunch. Again this is after adjusting the HUD higher.

[taseal]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

So I verified last night that I was still able to see my HUD wearing my polarized Spy sunglasses. It wasn't as bright as non polarized but still visible enough for me to see without the head tilt. It was also after work around 4:30 and not mid-day. I'll test again at lunch. Again this is after adjusting the HUD higher.

you can see it. but it's very dim. honestly the hud is a reflection on the glass... and polarized lens is supposed to reduce reflection/glare lol...

honestly it doesn't bother me whether I have polarized or not

[MizikeTSK]

Originally Posted by taseal

you can see it. but it's very dim. honestly the hud is a reflection on the glass... and polarized lens is supposed to reduce reflection/glare lol...

honestly it doesn't bother me whether I have polarized or not

Same here and used to it already. I get more of a shock if not wearing polarized glasses.

[bagekko]

This has been annoying me since my first 2008 M5 had HUD, the older system doesnt have adjustable height or brightness. Trying to find decent non-polarized sunglasses is very difficult, I think even $10 gas station sunglasses are polarized LOL. I hardly wear sunglasses anymore, except in the 135 when the top is down, but HUD was never offered in the 135 so dont have the problem there.

In my test drive of the new X& last weekend, its crazy the whole LCD/LED cluster, wonder if that could be a problem too. In the 2019 X3 loaner I have today, a lot of the readout is barely readable in the light.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by bagekko

This has been annoying me since my first 2008 M5 had HUD, the older system doesnt have adjustable height or brightness...

Wasn't there a mechanical adjustment for height? although it required cluster removal, iirc.

[lkdatx]

Originally Posted by vvcobravv

Anyone else frustrated that you can't see the heads up display on our cars while wearing polarized sunglasses?

Yes. I had to buy new prescription sunglasses to be able to see the heads up display. I was wondering if there was another solution, but from reading the responses it seem not.

[Teufelshund]

Sitting beside the Mrs as she's whipping through traffic in her X1 and she asks "Where's my HUD?" She eventually figured out her Eddie Bauer shades were the culprit. I was like dang, I'm surprised I've not read about this phenomenon already. A quick search and here I am, lol

[RED_Y_]

Since I got 6WB cluster installed for sunny day I turn off the HUD with a press of the button and see all the info on the cluster.

[gqgambler]

Surprisingly I usually don't drive with sunglasses, but always have them in the car (usually non-polarized pairs in case someone breaks into my car). I just picked up a new pair, Polarized Ray Bans which washed out the HUD. Turning up the brightness didn't help, but on darker backgrounds (dark colored cars, black asphalt) it was a tad bit more visible with my head in the perfect spot. I have two pairs of polarized Oakleys (normally reserved for sports activities) I will try out and report back. As well as Ray Bans with a newer polarized technology they call "chromance".

[Mdlooker]

I can see it but I have to look pretty hard since it's so dim. I just had my windows tinted as well and the polarized glasses present a rainbow illusion when looking out. So I think I'll stick with non-polarized while driving.