If you, like me, have ever bemoaned your trusty but zero-frills vehicle, BroadCon HC, Inc has introduced a solution in Hudy Pro – an easy to use application that gives you some of the tools and advantages found previously only in luxury, top-of-the-line vehicles. With minimal effort and cost, you can have a high tech and easy to read display on any car, truck, or SUV.

Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, – and at zero cost to the user – Hudy Pro employs projection technology to create an informative and aesthetically pleasing speedometer right on your windshield. Once the application is downloaded, the user opens the app, taps the screen to get the settings to their liking, and then places the phone of their vehicle’s dashboard. The HUD – or “Head’s Up Display” – appears instantly on the windshield, and your new and improved driving experience begins!

Included in the free download are a GPS-driven speedometer and direction indicator, a time display, and a bright orange backlight. While these features alone can enhance and streamline your driving experience, there are a few additional options for purchase as well to take you to a completely different level. The first is the Zero-100 feature, which measures and displays the amount of time it takes your car to go from a complete stop to a speed determined by you. Another feature, Eco-Drive, measures and records any sudden speed surges or accelerations for a period of up to ten days. Lastly (and some would argue least importantly, but I would vehemently override their opinion), you may purchase a number of different colors for your new display, including purple, red, blue, and yellow.

I was surprised by how quickly I adapted to, and learned to rely on, the inclusive HUD image on my windshield. Being prone to distraction while driving, having the time, as well as direction and speed so clearly displayed in one place actually helped me focus and ultimately be more careful and aware of what I was doing behind the wheel. While I had little use for the Zero-100 feature in my ancient Durango – we would still be waiting for the verdict on how long it took me to get from 0 to 60 mph – a friend and I spent an entertaining afternoon testing different sets of speeds on a back road in her much more modern, actually efficient car. I’ve gotten a lot more use out of the ECO-Drive, and have recorded my accelerations during different parts of my commute – in traffic, on long trips, even around town – and as a result have managed to save a few gallons of gas a week. As gas prices continue to creep back up, this is going to end up saving me quite a bit of money in the long run.

While I was surprised at how clear the display was regardless of what time I used it, it is definitely most clear at dusk and at night. Also, you have the option to employ wifi or 3G data to have the weather included in your display. While it didn’t clutter up the dashboard as I expected, it seemed a little redundant when I could just look out the window to determine the conditions. Overall though, the streamlined, brightly lit display couldn’t be easier to read or employ.

Hudy Pro (iTunes Link) is available for download at the iTunes App Store, at zero charge. All you need is an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad with an operating system of 4.2 or later, and a desire to see what your car can do.

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