I’ve been looking for some time of the best solution how to do my phone mirroring in a car and finally looks like I have found it. It is the Hudly Wireless heads-up display.
Before I start to praise, this Kickstarter device lets say some words about another similar phone mirroring solutions on the market for today.
Why do I need smartphone mirroring?
The first it is a safety as such a solution can decrease distracted driving by using voice commands like Siri or OK Google.
Secondly, maybe it is not in order of importance, a bigger screen as even the largest iPhone screen is not enough for me to see some details without glasses. I do not need to use glasses for driving but can’t see all the details on the phone roadmaps.
The third and so on, it is so many times I’d just like to see my iPhone’s content on the bigger screen in my car on a parking place or entertain passengers at the longer ride.Not to be said that there is nothing on the market for phone or tablet mirroring. Most popular for today is CarPlay for iOS and Android Auto for Android devices.
I would not like to make a detailed review of those good solutions by Apple and Android phone makers which you can easily find online.
There are at least two drawbacks not acceptable to me for now.
The first one actually is not a drawback just your car have to be equipped with one of those systems.
I have not had such a car for the time being, but I’ve driven and used the car for some time with CarPlay, so it’s not completely alien to me.
Here is my summary of CarPlay.
Second, it is not a complete phone mirroring as Apple does not allow some third parties apps like my favorite Waze Navigation. To be honest regarding Waze looks like a situation is changed after iOS 12 update as Apple’s CarPlay will no longer force you to use Apple Maps to get directions.
All in all, CarPlay has the user-friendly interface, Siri voice control, and control knobs on a steering wheel. The main drawback is limited access to phone applications.
No car produced before 2014 is equipped with the CarPlay interface. An exception could be Pioneer navigation systems which work with CarPlay or Android Auto and can be installed on the limited range of car models.
Another smartphone mirroring way is MirrorLink.
“MirrorLink is a device interoperability standard that offers integration between a smartphone and a car’s infotainment system. MirrorLink transforms smartphones into automotive application platforms where apps are hosted and run on the smartphone while drivers and passengers interact with them through the steering wheel controls, dashboard buttons and touch screens of their car’s In-Vehicle Infotainment system.”
MirrorLink software works with most Android-enabled smartphones but not with any Apple devices so not interesting for me at all.
I found one more screen mirroring option it’s called a mirror box. SmartSee Car WiFi Display Box is one of such a device.
”This mini car box is specially designed for car. Its main function is transferring navigation, audio, video and games information to the screen in your car from smart phone and tablet through the wireless WiFi. With this Car WiFi Display, you can enjoy entertainment better in car.”
Sounds good to be true for $30. Even if my car were equipped with an appropriate display, I would not use this option.
Let’s take a look at the phone mirroring device I would choose, and it is Hudly Wireless Head-Up Display (HUD) for All Cars.
Here are some words from producer site:
“Cast absolutely anything on your phone to match your driving experience to your needs. Use apps you already love (like Waze and Google Maps) and instantly access navigation and notifications right in your line of sight. Use our optional Vehicle Health Monitor to get real time stats from your car’s OBD2. Avoid problems with speed, fuel levels & more directly in your line of sight.”
It is exactly what I am looking for; I can see everything from my iPhone on the screen on my car’s dashboard right before my eyes.
Is it really as good as advertised by the producer?
I did fairly extensive research on the internet and here is my conclusion.
I found the Hudly Wireless Head-up display as the best solution of phone mirroring for my car. I do not wanna say that it is convenient for everyday use, but definitely, it is great on long trips. Actually, you can use it on the daily basis like I use my iPhone Waze app to monitor traffic jams or police traps if you’re not afraid to leave it on the dashboard or trouble yourself with the removal.
What bad I found about Hudly Wireless HUD?
When mirroring from your phone, audio is played through a speaker on the device. It is ok for navigation but not to simultaneously listening HQ music through your car’s Bluetooth stereo.
And again, this issue is not for me as I use music streaming, generally Spotify, by connecting my iPhone X with a cable to AUX. But for those who use a Bluetooth feature for music, it could be a problem. Even in that case, you can use HDMI cable to connect HUD instead of Wi-Fi dongle to listen to your favorite songs via BT.
As I wrote above, you can get your car diagnostics, and much useful info from OBD (on-board diagnostics) sold separately.
I found that some users have problems with it, but I guess that it depends on the car model, e.g., Audi cars could cause headaches to force OBD showing data on Hudly Wireless head-up display.
There are also some remarks regarding the built-in navigation app. It works but with limited options. Regarding navigation, I consider myself a rather knowledgeable and experienced user. As far as you can mirror everything from a smartphone, You are free to use much better GPS navigation apps. I prefer Waze for everyday driving in combination with Sygic for long trips. Both have live traffic information to choose the fastest route and so on. More detailed you can read in my posts.
The price.
From the first look, it is rather steep almost $300 nevertheless I would buy this, but Hudly does not make shipment overseas. Luckily I have a solution as my daughter is about to fly from LA to Latvia next spring. I have time to follow how this Kickstarter device will showcase itself on the market and make a choice.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this is a viable product even if the company can face difficulties. Only you can miss is the support but so far it works, and you enjoy Hudly Wireless Head-Up display features no need to any support at all.
Just to end my post, I found that the best way to purchase the Hudly Wireless Head-Up display is directly from the homepage.
Enjoy your safe trip with Hudly Wireless HUD.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I love my gps and this device is just what I need when I am Traveling it will save me a lot of time trying to get my phone ready travel with GPS. And this is a whole lot safer. Thank you letting me know how the Husky work. I have seen it in passing in some stores but never know how great it was. When it comes to being on the road
Thank you for sharing the information.
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Hi Quinn! Thanks for stopping by.
Hudly Wireless Heads-up display is the really great tool regarding easy GPS navigation and smartphone or tablet mirroring. I do not think that you can find it on store shelves as producer sell it only via its web page and some used items on Amazon. If you are from the US than only you have to do is order it. Good luck and safe driving.
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I am very interested with this product that you reviewed. But when I clicked onto the banner ad of Hudly Wireless Head-Up display, I was directed to a page about reducing high blood pressure. Is there something wrong with the link? Or maybe because I reside in Asia and that’s the reason I am not able to make the purchase? Hope you can find out for me how I can buy this product.
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Hi, Florence.
Unfortunately, the banner works just for the USA IP addresses.
I can forward you to the Amazon. For the moment I found one used and with free shipping to Latvia. I am not sure about shipping to your address in Asia, but it is easy to check.
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Thanks for the heads up and letting us know the struggles you go through with a small screen (I’m glad I’m not alone). Like you I can’t seem to see the details on the screen without my glasses and this has become a big problem for me. I’ve almost given up trying to find a good phone mirroring screen and your recommendation had me thinking: I want one so bad but don’t think in a million years they’d ship to New Zealand. Do you know of any alternatives to this? Cheers for all your help!
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Hi, Brandon from New Zealand.
Yes, glasses interfere with driving me too. The market is full of head-displays, but none of them even comes close to Hudly wireless.
I asked the company about their plans to sell overseas, still waiting for the answer.
Just in case I searched in Amazon Australia and found one item for about 1.5K. Honestly, I was surprised. It leads to the conclusion about a value of the product.
I give you to know about Hudly plans.
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I also need glasses for driving and have the same problem as you. I cannot see the GPS features clearly. The Hudly you recommend seems like the perfect solution for this problem. I do notice it is not available in my country yet, but hope this will change soon.
I just have one concern. Is it not a bit bulky to mount on your dashboard? I do not want anything blocking my vision or be too distracting? What is your experience in this regard?
Thanks for a great article!
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Thanks, Rika for stopping by.
You are right as your eyesight with years becoming weaker and putting on and remove glasses can lead to distracted driving. Using head-up display is one of a solution.
To answer your question of a bulky mount on the dashboard I would say that my Volvo has a pop-up navigation display in the middle of dashboard about the same size even bigger and it is ok.
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How does car play work actually? You plug it in and you start to watch movies? Would you also need a bigger tv screen in your car for the mirroring to take place?
And what if the other passengers are watching a movie through CarPlay and a call comes in, what happens?
Sounds like an interesting technology to consider.
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Hi.
Hudly head-up display is not a CarPlay. CarPlay is infotainment system for cars mainly for iOS (Apple) gadgets like iPhone or iPad. Hudly wireless HUD is mirroring everything from your mobile device to it own screen beginning GPS navigation to streaming online movies.
You can mount it in a way to be convenient for kids on the back seat.
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Hi.
Hudly head-up display is not a CarPlay. CarPlay is infotainment system for cars mainly for iOS (Apple) gadgets like iPhone or iPad. Hudly wireless HUD is mirroring everything from your mobile device to it own screen beginning GPS navigation to streaming online movies.
You can mount it in a way to be convenient for kids on the back seat.
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How does car play work actually? You plug it in and you start to watch movies? Would you also need a bigger tv screen in your car for the mirroring to take place?
And what if the other passengers are watching a movie through CarPlay and a call comes in, what happens?
Sounds like an interesting technology to consider.
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It’s nice to see such a thorough piece of technology hit the markets and remove the safety issues involved with phones and cars. I can remember when I was younger and not really that responsible – whenever a message alert popped up on my phone when I was driving – I would try and figure out a way of glancing down at the screen to see who it was (when attempting to drive at the same time!).
Unfortunately my car is not fitted (as far as I can tell) with the CarPlay function – is this a pricey upgrade and where can it be found (store)?
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Hi Chris and thanks for commenting.
You are right, phone in the car could cause danger and distracted driving either it is SMS or incoming call. For calling you can use Bluetooth feature luckily almost every phone has it.
Smartphones are a voice command option, but unfortunately, it is not very trusty especially if you want to make an important call. Wanting or unwillingly, you will want to check if you are the right subscriber and look at the screen so for a second you are not in the driving mode.
Hudly wireless phone mirroring device show everything from your phone right behind your eyes, and you will always be in touch with the road. Your car does not need to be equipped with CarPlay or Android Auto. It is an independent device.
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I am familiar with classic GPS units, but with the HUD, does it use your phone to drive the display? I would assume it just uses your phones location settings to pair with the HUD, but it wouldn’t be using the data or internet usage of the phones plan? since here the data usage can get expensive.
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Hi and thanks for commenting on my post. In short, this device is like Apple screen mirroring either iPhone, MacBook or iPad on your Apple TV screen. You can see on Hudly HUD display the same picture or listen any sound from your phone. Whether you spend internet data or not, it depends only on your preferences.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this read as I used to be an Uber driver and still to this day drive a lot. I constantly need to use the phone appropriately whether it’s for navigation, music, phone calls, etc. but the solution I have is simply a magnetic setup on my a/c vent in my 2011 Acura. Although this does the job, it still can distract me too much and be difficult to utilize when needed (not to mention unsafe). But, I was not even aware of the solution of phone mirroring in a car especially with at HUD. This really astonished me and helped me want to make a change that will be effective for my daily activities on the road!
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Hi Ryan. Actually, there are dozens of HUD on the market, but Hudly Wireless head-up display is the best I found. You can find many different Made in China HUDs under $100, but none of them even comes close to Hudly. I guess that this is right device for you.
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Thanks for the review of Hudly Wireless heads-up display. The big screen is what I like most. Sometimes it is difficult to see the many details on my phone. With the use of Hudly Wireless head-up display for phone mirroring on my car will solve my problem.
You mentioned that there is no shipment outside US. I live in Asia. I will need to look for a way to buy this product.
Thank you.
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Hi Christine and thanks for the interest of Hudly wireless HUD. Unfortunately, they are mostly oriented on the US market, but I hope this Hydly device soon will be available worldwide.
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I don’t travel a lot, but when I do, I love GPS! And this would be so helpful with that! I also like the feature that it can stream movies. My kids love using my phone on trips and have to trade the phone off to each other every once in a while. So, this would be really beneficial for them so they could watch something together on long trips! Thanks!
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You are right as a HUD could be easily attached to some place on back seats and your kids can enjoy cartoons on the longest trips.
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Your review of some of the phone mirroring systems was just what I was looking for. My biggest question/concern is the cost to make this work. Also, I have an iPhone and it sounds like a lot of these are not compatible. Is that true? I like the safety aspects of being able to talk to the system without having to read the screens. I look forward to your reply. Thank you for sharing this. I hadn’t heard of it before.
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Hi Karin and thanks for stopping by.
This head-up display is compatible with your iPhone in all aspects. Only you need is connect the phone through Wi-Fi as you do it at home. On the Hudly devices screen in your car, you will see the same picture what is on iPhone at the present moment.
As well as, you can use Siri for voice commands to avoid distracted driving.
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Thanks for the in depth post. I always encounter much difficulties using my small screen display.Carplay is a great device but I hate the restrictions placed on some apple applications, Does Hudly wireless display support voice command and access to third parties application? I have seen it in stores but never imagined it entails so much usefulness.
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Thanks Clement for the comment. Yes Hudly supports both voice commands and third parties applications.
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