[Rseeg]

Took delivery of my new X3 30i MSport last week replacing an 8 yr old F25 X3. Have been testing out the headup display but find it difficult to see anything more complex than a basic speed reading against the background of whatever is in front of me. Despite it being great tech, I think I prefer it off and just using the cockpit (dash) display. Having lots of similar info on both headsup and cockpit seems like info overload. I also tried my version of a full headsup mode by switching all headsup info on and switching cockpit to reduced view in which only very basic info is shown. Keen to get others preferences / views: heads up, cockpit or both?

[satz]

I've got so used to the HUD that I barely look at the dash!
Esp for map display.
You sure you have the HUD display height set correctly so it's not cutting off any info at the top or bottom? Also the HUD brightness level...

[Tokke]

My hud only displays the speed, the rest I put on the dashboard display. I find the hud to hard to read in the day and to distracting in the night. After 100000 km with the car I still have to learn the habit to even look at the speed there.
If I would buy another car, I would never bother to get the hud again.

[hinckley]

This is a classic thread of personal preference and of course, no one is "right".

I've had BMW's HUD literally since its first introduction in the 2004 5er. I optioned it then on a bit of a lark and found it to be an incredible safety feature that I've never been without since. Like satz, I pretty much never take my eyes off the road by glancing down at the instrument cluster.

OP, there are three primary adjustments to play with to determine whether you may like HUD. Brightness (I keep mine pretty bright), Height (I keep mine as low as absolutely possible so that I can see everything but so that it's not directly in my line of sight), and Reduced Display (which I keep off). I love having the Speed Limit displayed in HUD, but I have the Speed Limit Assist/Over Limit Warning turned off. I don't need having my HUD flashing at me and changing colors to warn me that I'm driving over the speed limit. I know I am!

Good luck. I hope you learn to like HUD. I really think it's an invaluable safety feature.

Edit: You're not by chance using polarized sunglasses are you? HUD really can't be seen unless your sunglasses are non-polarized. For some crazy reason, GM has figured out HUD technology so that it can be seen with polarized glasses, but every other manufacturer's HUD is just like BMW's.

[TX3M]

Now that I've had it in my last 2 BMW's, I will never go without a HUD again. Simply for the speed so you don't have to take your eyes off the road to see how fast you're going. It's also awesome for the Navigation.

[Rseeg]

Appreciate the responses and suggestions! I will definitely persist with and try and getting used to using the HUD for speed.

I have it set slightly higher so its not chopped off and don't wear polarized sunglasses so its pretty clear.

[ClaretFozzy]

I have HUD and Live Cockpit Professional (iDrive 7)

I hardly ever use HUD to be honest, I still prefer looking at the instrument cluster.

[clivem2]

I use HUD to check the speed limit and for turn by turn pictorials. I use it maybe 30% of the time for my speed...looking at the instrument cluster is a hard habit to break.