HUD and Polarized Sunglasses

Rebound · 03-06-2019, 11:59 AM

My car has the HUD, but when I wear my sunglasses, it's very difficult to see it. I think the polarized lenses don't play well with the projected image. Is there any solution?

obert · 03-06-2019, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebound

My car has the HUD, but when I wear my sunglasses, it's very difficult to see it. I think the polarized lenses don't play well with the projected image. Is there any solution?

Different sunglasses.

Pretty sure this has been an issue since the start of HUD

Feddersen · 03-06-2019, 12:35 PM

Polarized glasses remove reflections and the HUD is a reflection so it disappears. As said - other set of glasses.

You may be able to see a bit more if you tilt your head a bit left or right. When I use my polarized glasses it helps a bit if I tilt my head to the right. I have gotten so used to tilt my head that I do it in cars without HUD in hope of seeing some information in the front window ;-)

Blubaron79 · 03-06-2019, 12:40 PM

I got a different pair. I actually hate my polarized glasses now. It's all a preference. People with brown eyes like me prefer darker unpolarized lenses

mlev · 03-06-2019, 01:12 PM

Increase the HUD brightness to the max or get cheap sunglasses. I can still read my HUD with polarized sunglasses on (although it's more faint)

Larry77 · 03-06-2019, 01:18 PM

I've noticed not all polarized glasses are created equal. I have two different Oakley polarized glasses and one I can see my HUD fine and the other it is barely visible. When I bought the second pair I literally went out to my car to try them before purchasing :-)

Personally I love amber polarized glasses outside because they give great contrast and don't darken everything so much. They also make the sky so much more beautiful!

NavS · 03-06-2019, 03:35 PM

I believe it would be the difference in seeing it polarized horizontally or vertically. They have to be opposite each other.

draggy · 03-06-2019, 03:46 PM

I don't have an issue seeing the display with ray ban polarized glasses and i don't have it set to max brightness. It's a bit more faint but doesn't completely disappear.

Brett530 · 03-06-2019, 03:46 PM

Try some Oakleys with non-polarized Prizm Road lenses. I don't miss my polarized sunglasses at all. I even got a prescription pair of Oakley Flak 2.0, and while not cheap they are fantastic. Too many LCD displays in these cars for polarized lenses.

Spyder3 · 03-06-2019, 04:18 PM

I've noticed the HUD and LCD center display where the climate control temps are shown are both impacted by polarized glasses. The weird thing is they are not aligned the same. When I tilt my head I can see the HUD, but not the center display. And when my head is not tilted I cannot see the HUD, but the center display is visible. Seems odd that the normally precise and engineering-minded Germans did not coordinate between teams to get them both aligned the same direction for polarized glasses viewing.

AZ330FZL · 03-06-2019, 06:35 PM

I have prescription sunglasses and found out about the HUD disappearing when I had the lenses replaced with polarized lenses. Went back to non polarized and it's all good. Just had them increase the tint and they are perfect.

jmg · 03-06-2019, 08:42 PM

I got some non-polarized Raybans and I actually prefer them now over my much more expensive Maui Jims.. AND the HUD is now visible!

upsidedownfunnel · 03-07-2019, 11:07 PM

I have a nice pair of non-polarized sunglasses so I just keep those in my car. I put my polarized shades in my wife's car since that one doesn't have a HUD. honestly, it doesn't really matter too much to me anymore. I always used to wear polarized and I still do if I'm going to the beach or golfing, but being able to see the HUD is more important than blocking glare on while driving.

03-06-2019, 11:59 AM	#1
Rebound Second Lieutenant 153 Rep 258 Posts Drives: F33: The 435i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	HUD and Polarized Sunglasses My car has the HUD, but when I wear my sunglasses, it's very difficult to see it. I think the polarized lenses don't play well with the projected image. Is there any solution?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-06-2019, 12:35 PM	#3
Feddersen Lieutenant 451 Rep 469 Posts Drives: X1 xDrive25i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Denmark iTrader: (0)	Polarized glasses remove reflections and the HUD is a reflection so it disappears. As said - other set of glasses. You may be able to see a bit more if you tilt your head a bit left or right. When I use my polarized glasses it helps a bit if I tilt my head to the right. I have gotten so used to tilt my head that I do it in cars without HUD in hope of seeing some information in the front window ;-) __________________ DD: F48 X1 xDrive25i '20 - https://f48.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1703083 For fun: F22 M240i '19 - https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1644646 Previous BMW: Fully loaded F30, 335i https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1681247
	Appreciate 2 Rebound152.50 cfm56d7b5886.00 Quote

03-06-2019, 12:40 PM	#4
Blubaron79 Brigadier General 1435 Rep 4,724 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I got a different pair. I actually hate my polarized glasses now. It's all a preference. People with brown eyes like me prefer darker unpolarized lenses __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2019, 01:12 PM	#5
mlev Lieutenant 370 Rep 552 Posts Drives: 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (4)	Increase the HUD brightness to the max or get cheap sunglasses. I can still read my HUD with polarized sunglasses on (although it's more faint)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2019, 01:18 PM	#6
Larry77 Private First Class 85 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2016 M5 Comp "Ultimate Pkg" Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tacoma, WA iTrader: (0)	I've noticed not all polarized glasses are created equal. I have two different Oakley polarized glasses and one I can see my HUD fine and the other it is barely visible. When I bought the second pair I literally went out to my car to try them before purchasing :-) Personally I love amber polarized glasses outside because they give great contrast and don't darken everything so much. They also make the sky so much more beautiful!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2019, 03:35 PM	#7
NavS Private 24 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2018 440i Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i [0.00] 2011 BMW 535i [0.00]	I believe it would be the difference in seeing it polarized horizontally or vertically. They have to be opposite each other.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2019, 03:46 PM	#8
draggy sucka for a longroof 29 Rep 70 Posts Drives: F31 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NYC iTrader: (3)	I don't have an issue seeing the display with ray ban polarized glasses and i don't have it set to max brightness. It's a bit more faint but doesn't completely disappear.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2019, 03:46 PM	#9
Brett530 Second Lieutenant 208 Rep 245 Posts Drives: '17 F30 340i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Utah iTrader: (0)	Try some Oakleys with non-polarized Prizm Road lenses. I don't miss my polarized sunglasses at all. I even got a prescription pair of Oakley Flak 2.0, and while not cheap they are fantastic. Too many LCD displays in these cars for polarized lenses. __________________ 2017 F30 340i RWD // MG Flasher // xHP // CG DS-1 // ZTR ZMP ZCW ZLP
	Appreciate 1 MachinesWithSouls4835.50 Quote

03-06-2019, 04:18 PM	#10
Spyder3 Private 65 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2018 540i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	I've noticed the HUD and LCD center display where the climate control temps are shown are both impacted by polarized glasses. The weird thing is they are not aligned the same. When I tilt my head I can see the HUD, but not the center display. And when my head is not tilted I cannot see the HUD, but the center display is visible. Seems odd that the normally precise and engineering-minded Germans did not coordinate between teams to get them both aligned the same direction for polarized glasses viewing.
	Appreciate 1 Rebound152.50 Quote

03-06-2019, 06:35 PM	#11
AZ330FZL First Lieutenant 47 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Sedan Sport Line Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i Sport ... [0.00]	I have prescription sunglasses and found out about the HUD disappearing when I had the lenses replaced with polarized lenses. Went back to non polarized and it's all good. Just had them increase the tint and they are perfect.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2019, 08:42 PM	#12
jmg Lieutenant General 18705 Rep 14,115 Posts Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.85] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.87] 2019 i3 BEV [0.00]	I got some non-polarized Raybans and I actually prefer them now over my much more expensive Maui Jims.. AND the HUD is now visible! __________________ 2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///*M3 IG: Raging_G82
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2019, 11:07 PM	#13
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 1996 Rep 2,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	I have a nice pair of non-polarized sunglasses so I just keep those in my car. I put my polarized shades in my wife's car since that one doesn't have a HUD. honestly, it doesn't really matter too much to me anymore. I always used to wear polarized and I still do if I'm going to the beach or golfing, but being able to see the HUD is more important than blocking glare on while driving.
	Appreciate 0 Quote