If I'm not mistaken (trying to think back to 1996 when I used to sell these at the Pontiac dealer), if you have HUD, there is a very light grey box in the laminate in the windshield, correct? My 96 has HUD, but I don't see the box in the glass, indicating to me that someone replaced the glass with the cheaper non-hud glass. But, I can still see the display just fine, just as good if it was the correct glass.

Anyone have any info on this? The present windshield is very cracked, and I'm having it replaced tomorrow with the cheaper non-hud. I think the display will still reflect fine. Anyone have any experience?

you will not be able to see anythingvisable in the WS......

I don't know what light grey box you are talking about, :? but I would not get a non-HUD windshield...I have no "experience" viewing a HUD without one, but I know you won't see it. If you can see it very clearly now you must have a HUD windshield.

The HUD windsheild doesn't have a 'small' insert. It'* a tapered layer in the laminated WS that covers the ENTIRE area.

I can demonstrate this at WCBF with my uber-powerful 45mW green laser pointer. It reflects the same amount of green in all areas of the WS.

I had the windsheild changed on my 94 SSEI with HUD, It was too expensive to get the specific HUD windshield so I opted for the non HUD one. I thought I was going to loose my HUD but when I picked my car up from Apple Autoglass sure enough it still showed up find. It was like a $400 difference.

sorry for off topic...


45mW !!!!!! wow I WANT ONE.......

An update on the HUD windshield. I had it replaced last night. The glass guy swore up and down there would be no visible difference between the HUD and non-HUD glass. He said I could spend the $400+ and get the "correct" one, or he could install the non-HUD one for $175 out the door.

He was correct. Absolutely NO difference. The display is clear as can be. I see no point in spending the extra $$$.

I had the windshield changed in my 93 SSE about a year ago. Told the shop I had a HUD and needed HUD glass. He replaced it with a standard glass. When I took the car home, in bright daylight, I noticed that the HUD seemed a little fuzzy but it didn't look real bad. Until I lit it up at night and saw a double image. I took it back and they replaced with the correct glass.

So, for anyone who may be changing a windshield in the future, now you have two conflicting experiences. Which way will you go? :?

If your insurance is paying for it, pay your deductible and go with the HUD glass. If it'* coming out of your pocket...ya takes yer chances, me thinks.

You WILL see the HUD image reflected in the windshield, BTW, regardless of which glass you choose. Because of the layer of plastic in the safety glass, the light from the HUD is refracted through the plastic then again when it hits the second layer of glass. This is what causes the double image. (At least in my case). The HUD image won't disappear with standard glass.

Ahh, the double image. That'* actually what I originally thought would be the problem with a non-HUD windshield but I guess I goofed... As I said I don't know from physically looking at a HUD with non-HUD glass. Thanks for clarifying.

I think it is all a matter of money. My '92 SSEi came with a non-hud windshield and I had a double image day and night. It was clear, though, and easy enough to read, if not perfect. My '97 SSEi had a HUD windshield and the image was single and clear day and night.

The non-HUD image was not sufficiently annoying to pay hundreds of $ to have the windshield changed.