VjoyCar C80: Specifications
measuring: 4.1 x 2.3 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 2.3 oz
Energy: 12V accessory port (not included)
display size: 4.3 inches
Color / Monochrome: monochrome
Number of parameters displayed: 4
Warning: yes
The VjoyCar C80 is for bargain hunters, with its $30 price tag making it one of the cheapest displays. Using GPS data, it can display speed, elapsed time, distance, and even altitude – but not much more than that. Unfortunately, it lacks the necessary adapter to save power and can’t tap into phone or car diagnostics, which limits its use.
VjoyCar C80 Universal HUD Review: Price and Availability
At $30, the VjoyCar C80 is as cheap as HUDs these days. But the low price limits its usefulness, meaning that it only displays speed, time and distance with a bright green screen – a throwback to ’90s computers.
VjoyCar C80 Universal HUD Review: Design and Features
The VjoyCar C80 is an essential all-round display, intended for those who only need to see speed, time and mileage data. It measures 4.1 x 2.3 x 0.6 inches high, comes with an adjustable mounting bracket and weighs just 2.3 ounces.
The C80’s 4.3-inch screen is among the largest with a direct-view HUD, but only displays elements in neon green on black. This soon proved annoying, especially compared to the number of monitors that use color and graphics to great effect, such as the Akabane A500. An ambient light sensor on the back adjusts screen brightness, which is more than can be said for some HUDs we tested.
There is an on/off switch and a control knob, but the interface does not offer as many options as other devices. The C80 comes with a coaxial mount and a flat 60″ USB-C power cable, but not the required 12V accessory port adapter.
By making use of GPS satellite data, the C80 can only show your speed, time, altitude, and distance traveled. It lacks the ability to use the car’s OBD system for things like engine speed or link to a phone to get directions.
VjoyCar C80 Universal HUD Review: Fitment
Thanks to the included mount, the VjoyCar C80 mounts well to the dashboard and the base can rotate around an axis to provide the best visibility. Because it uses a GPS satellite connection, the C80 should work with every vehicle recently built, including electric cars and trucks.
The included USB-C cable was flat enough to press into the dashboard slots, although without a power adapter, I had to use a different HUD cigarette lighter adapter. It has a one-year warranty, and the system includes a small page of instructions, including steps that detail how to calibrate it.
VjoyCar C80 Universal HUD Review: Performance
It took just over two minutes for the VjoyCar C80 to connect to enough satellites to start displaying data after I connected it to my 2014 Audi A4 AllRoad. Before that its screen flickered wildly. Shut off immediately after I turned off the ignition of the car.
The huge on-screen digital speedometer made viewing easy, but I was never used to the ghostly green light. In two drives, the VjoyCar C80 held up well and its screen was readable even in bright sunlight. This is better than other live displays, such as Autool GPS Slope Meter.
However, the unit’s 2.3-inch height can obstruct the driver’s view. It accurately showed speed and time elements but lacked things I’m used to with other HUDs, like longitude, latitude, and compass bearing. The device also lacks the ability to take advantage of OBD data to show things like coolant temperature and engine speed.
VjoyCar C80 Universal HUD Review: Conclusion
If you’re not too concerned with multi-color screens, or all you want to see is the vehicle’s speed, time and distance traveled, the VjoyCar C80 is the perfect choice. It is simple and straightforward, without any unnecessary hassles included.
However, the C80 still fell short of the competition in many respects. It lacks features, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to more capable HUDs that only cost $20-30. However, the $30 price tag is unbeatable, so if you want something simple and basic, this might be the HUD for you.