Home & Lifestyle July 3 2025

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WARM UP YOUR WINTER WITH A NEW FIRE PIT!

Outdoor living isn’t just for summer. Across Australia, outdoor living is getting a seasonal upgrade as patios, decks and gardens are transformed into cosy winter escapes. From fire pits and layered textures to soft lighting and snug seating, it’s never been easier to turn your outdoor space into a year-round retreat.

A fire pit is one of the easiest ways to add warmth, atmosphere and purpose to your outdoor area. It encourages people to gather, creating an intimate atmosphere and is a natural centrepiece around which your entire outdoor living can take shape. A smart and stylish option is the Aurus Pyramus 500 Low Smoke Fire Pit (RRP $150). Compact, low maintenance and portable, it features

a dual-wall design that reduces smoke, making it ideal for smaller patios, courtyards or suburban backyards. Its 50cm cube shape, matte black powder-coated finish, and bronze-coloured stand blend seamlessly with a range of outdoor aesthetics.

Style your outdoor space for the season

The placement of your fire pit will shape the entire flow of your outdoor area, so position it centrally to define the space and allow for easy movement around it. Ensure your fire pit is placed on a flat, non-flammable surface like stone, gravel, or pavers, and avoid uneven surfaces to prevent shifting or tipping.

Consider built-in benches or retaining walls for a more permanent and polished look. You can also introduce indoor comforts with outdoor resilience, such as a side table for drinks and snacks, and a stylish wood storage unit convenient to the fire pit area.

Surrounding plants can help

To truly create a welcoming and inviting ambience around your fire pit, comfortable seating is a must-have. Choose timber stools, garden benches, or lounge chairs in weather-resistant materials, and add cushions, textured throws and an outdoor rug to provide extra comfort and style to keep things warm and inviting as the temperature drops. Arrange your seating around the fire to encourage conversation and create a welcoming atmosphere where friends and family can unwind.

define the area and add texture, depth and visual interest. Add low-maintenance plants in pots or planters, like ornamental grasses or succulents around the fire pit. Lighting helps set the tone and enhances the atmosphere. Use solar lanterns, string lights or

“THE PLACEMENT OF YOUR FIRE PIT WILL SHAPE THE ENTIRE FLOW OF YOUR OUTDOOR AREA”

LED candles to cast a soft, ambient glow that complements the firelight without overpowering it.

To create a homely and inviting space full of warmth and character for gatherings with friends and family, there’s the option to take the space a step further. For a cosy weekend activity, turn your backyard into an open-air cinema with a portable projector. Add mugs of hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows for the full winter experience.

A smart way to extend your living space

With its clean lines and modern aesthetic, the Aurus Pyramus 500 Fire Pit complements a wide range of outdoor looks and styles. Its sleek silhouette adds a stylish touch, and while a cover is not included, it is designed to withstand seasonal use with proper care.

Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, the Aurus Pyramus 500 Low Smoke Fire Pit offers an easy and affordable way to make the most of your outdoor space, season after season.

The Aurus Pyramus 500 Low Smoke Fire Pit is available at Bunnings Warehouse.

THE PERFECT FAMILY HOME

What is so great about this property? Beautifully presented four-bedroom home situated on an 850-square-metre block, offering a blend of comfort, convenience, and timeless appeal. Who does this property suit?

This charming property is perfect for growing families, savvy investors, or any buyers

seeking a comfortable family home or a solid investment in a prime location. Tell us about the suburb the property is in?

If you’re considering Werrington County for living or investment, it presents a balanced mix of affordability, community, and convenience.

Discover exclusive townhome

living in Oran Pa rk .

Inviting you to enjoy the best of both worlds, Oran Park townhomes combine the space of a house with a back yard and the low-maintenance qualities of apar tment living

You can choose from an exceptional selection of architecturally designed townhomes located near all the town’s popular amenities and most loved at tractions.

Ideal for growing families, downsizers and couples, these distinctive residences of fer excellent value-for-money.

• Spacious, designer interiors

• Landscaped grounds

• Two to five-bedroom layouts

• Private porches and cour tyards

• Family-friendly living areas

• Premium finishes and inclusions

• Tranquil locations

Ready for you to move in, these elegant townhomes are curated for comfor t and practicality. A beautiful lifest yle in one of Au stralia’s fastest growing suburbs awaits.

Arena - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes
The Circuit - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes
Civic Collection - Typical example of Oran Park townhomesB anksia - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes
The ResidencesTypical example of Oran Park townhomes

THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR

When it comes to personal health, most people think about diet, exercise, or sleep but rarely their shoes. Yet the footwear we choose plays a major role in how we move, feel, and function each day. Whether you’re walking around the office, chasing kids, or enjoying daily walks

in retirement, supportive shoes are essential.

Poorly designed or ill-fitting shoes can lead to a wide range of problems, including back pain, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and knee strain. A good pair, on the other hand, helps protect your joints, supports proper posture, and keeps you comfortable and mobile.

The best shoes offer arch support to maintain alignment, cushioning for shock absorption, a secure but not tight fit, breathable material to prevent moisture buildup, and a stable sole to reduce the risk of slips or falls. These features aren’t just important for older adults, everyone benefits from proper footwear, and paying attention earlier in life can prevent long-term damage. One of the most common mistakes people make is choosing style over substance. High heels, pointy toes, flat-soled shoes, and unsupportive flip-flops may look good, but they can compromise foot health over time. As people age, foot shape often changes, arches may flatten and feet may widen making it even more important to choose roomier, more supportive shoes, possibly with features like deeper toe boxes or adjustable straps. Still, support doesn’t have to mean unattractive; many modern brands now blend

orthopaedic comfort with stylish design. A helpful tip for shoe shopping is to try on shoes later in the day when your feet are slightly swollen, as this better reflects their natural size. Walk around in them, and pay close attention to how they feel immediately; don’t count on them “breaking in.” And if you’re experiencing foot pain, numbness, or discomfort, a visit to a podiatrist can help identify underlying issues and lead to recommendations for specialised footwear or orthotics. Taking care of your feet with the right shoes isn’t just about comfort, it’s a smart investment in your overall health and mobility, no matter your age.

Irecall that not long ago, my son had to create several videos for his HSC project. One was a Claymation, and the other was a five-minute short story. He had multiple cameras, extended family and friends who served as both actors and assistants and spent a considerable amount of time editing and cutting it all together. Now, anyone with a laptop and a few lines of text can create realistic studiograde video content. Numerous tools can create text-to-video content. These include Sora, Pika, Google Veo, runway, Vidu, Synthesia, Descript and HeyGen. There are many more. Some of them include a free plan, but most range between $10 and $20 a month for access. These platforms are designed for ease of use. Most offer drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built avatars, and voice cloning. Some, like Descript, even let you edit video by editing the transcript – cut a word, and the video updates automatically.

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For example, the description below would generate a movie-quality production. This would be mostly indistinguishable from an actual video shot.

“A cinematic chase scene in a bustling modern city. A man in his 30s, wearing a dark hoodie and jeans, is sprinting through a crowded street filled with honking cars and towering high-rise buildings. He weaves and dodges between moving vehicles. Behind him, several armed pursuers in tactical gear are chasing him on foot. Police sirens wail in the distance, echoing off the glass buildings.”

I put the above description into a couple of AI tools. While they all stepped me through a few options, they all created a short video of the scene. As you can see from the

screenshot, the videos are of high quality. One of the tools, allowing for scene consistency, asked me to describe the main protagonist to use for all the scenes. These short videos took me only a couple of minutes to create each. Depending on the tool, they were available in resolutions ranging from 720p to 4K. They were of a quality that could easily be used in a film as a quick action cut.

One of the tools allows you to load a photo as a starting scene, and you then describe the scene using the photo as the opening scene. It then generates what happens next using the same people and background as used in the photo. Overall, I had fun playing with these tools.

The Experts

WHY DOES MY DOG HAVE EAR PROBLEMS?

If your dog seems to be constantly shaking their head, scratching at their ears, or emitting an unpleasant smell from their ears, you’re not alone. Ear problems are one of the most common reasons pet owners visit the vet – and they can be frustratingly persistent.

The most frequent culprit behind ongoing ear issues in dogs is ear infections. These are typically caused by bacteria or yeast that thrive in the warm, moist environment of a dog’s ear canal.

Breeds with floppy ears, such as Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers, are particularly prone to infections because their ear shape limits airflow, creating the perfect breeding ground for microbes.

But infections aren’t the only cause. Allergies – whether to food, pollen, dust mites, or grasses – are a major underlying factor in recurring ear problems. Allergies can cause chronic inflammation in the ear canals, leading to repeated infections if

the root cause isn’t identified and managed.

Some dogs may also have anatomical features, such as narrow ear canals or excessive hair, that predispose them to ear issues. Others might enjoy swim-

• Redness or swelling

• Head shaking or tilting

• Foul-smelling discharge

• Sensitivity when the ears are touched

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your

ming, which can trap moisture in the ears and contribute to infections, especially if the ears aren’t dried thoroughly afterwards.

Signs of an ear problem can include:

• Persistent scratching or rubbing of the ears

vet promptly. Left untreated, ear infections can become severe, painful, and may even lead to hearing loss or chronic scarring of the ear canal.

For dogs with ongoing ear problems, the solution often requires more than just clean-

ing or medication – it involves identifying and treating the underlying cause, whether that’s allergies, environmental factors, or breed predisposition. Your vet may recommend allergy testing, changes in diet, or a long-term management plan to break the cycle of recurrence.

Preventive care plays a big role. This includes:

• Regular cleaning with vet-recommended ear solutions

• Keeping ears dry, especially after bathing or swimming

• Routine ear checks during grooming or vet visits

Ultimately, your dog’s ear health is about more than treating symptoms – it’s about being proactive and consistent. With the right care and veterinary guidance, those recurring ear issues don’t have to be a life-long battle. A little attention and early intervention can go a long way in keeping those ears happy, healthy, and wagging right along with the tail. For more information, call 4736 2027.

Relax & Unwind

JOANNE

MADELINE MOORE

Boho Astro

@JoMadelineMoore

© Joanne Madeline Moore 2025

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Uranus (your patron planet) transits through Gemini, for the first time since 1949. So – when it comes to a child, teenager, lover or friend – hold onto your seat and prepare for a rollercoaster ride over the next few years. The less open you are to change, the more dramatic these disruptions will be. Uranus could also send good luck your way. But events won’t unfold the way you expect, as you are stretched and challenged in unexpected new directions.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

Expect some financial ups and downs over the next few years, as unpredictable Uranus moves through your money zone (for the first time in 76 years). Smart Bulls will adjust to constantly changing circumstances and put extra money aside to tide you over when times are tight. Monday’s Venus/Pluto trine boosts intense feelings and passionate connections. Then Friday’s Full Moon encourages you to be bold and adventurous – in a focused and organised way.

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

Friendships will change dramatically over the next few years, as Uranus shakes up your peer group zone. Some old friends will fall by the wayside, while new mates add an avant-garde and adventurous flavour to your world. You could also become involved with a humanitarian organisation, either within your locally community or on a more global scale. The Full Moon highlights your health zone, so try a detox diet or a disciplined new exercise routine.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Over the next few years – courtesy of Uranus – expect some shifts involving sexuality, intimacy, joint finances and/ or shared resources. Most importantly, keep your options wide open because things will be changing at a constant rate. Don’t be a super stubborn Scorpio! The more fluid and flexible you are, the happier you’ll be. Friday’s Full Moon

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Expect some family changes, additions, upheavals and/or separations over the next few years, as disruptive Uranus transits through your domestic zone (for the first time since 1949). You will certainly begin to see some of your relatives in a startling new light! And have you been feeling overwhelmed or confused? This week is a good time to tune into the strong energy of the Full Moon in earthy Capricorn, as you try a more grounded and disciplined approach.

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

Big news Gemini! On Monday, innovative and disruptive Uranus rockets into your sign (for the first time since 1949). So expect the unexpected … especially involving your persona, physical appearance, mental attitude and/or relationships. Over the next few years, you could radically change your look, beliefs, partner or friends. Inspiration for the week is from birthday great, actor Harrison Ford, “Don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone.”

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Prepare for some major professional detours over the next few years, as erratic Uranus activates your work zone. Maintaining the status quo is definitely not a good idea. You’ll find the more experimental and progressive you are, the more stimulating and exciting the coming career changes will be! Your public reputation could also soar or plummet, depending on your behaviour. So do your best to conduct yourself with style, substance, dignity and discretion.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

On Monday, revolutionary Uranus visits your relationship zone (for the first time since 1949). So your partnerships – whether of the romantic, platonic or business variety – will be radically reinvented over the next few years. Attached Archers – it’s time to bring more excitement and adventure into the relationship. Unhappily single? You could find

HOROSCOPES

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

In areas involving communication, education and/or your local community expect the unexpected over the next few years! Courtesy of unpredictable Uranus, your best laid plans could come unstuck as you ride a wave of unsettling but stimulating changes. Perhaps new neighbours move in next door … or you move out! You could also study something completely new or travel somewhere (locally or interstate) that you’ve never been before.

CANCER

22 TO JULY 22

With Uranus moving into your soul zone, some adventurous Crabs could veer off in a radical new spiritual direction over the next few years. For tamer Crabs, regular meditation, yoga or relaxation sessions will help you approach daily chores with renewed enthusiasm. Expect some weirdly wonderful dreams as well! With a Full Moon in your relationship zone on Friday, it’s time to look after loved ones as you give them the time and attention they crave.

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Travel, education and the way you think are set for some unexpected upheavals over the next few years, courtesy of Uranus. If you stubbornly stick to a pre-conceived ‘perfect’ plan, then you’ll constantly feel flustered and flummoxed. Whereas Librans who are versatile, adaptable and open to new ideas will navigate these changes well. This week’s Full Moon highlights the ongoing challenge of getting the ratio right between your public and private lives.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Your life will be shaken and stirred over the next few years, as unpredictable Uranus moves through your daily routine zone. The more avant-garde and adventurous you are, the more exciting those changes will be! Uranus also encourages a more alternative approach to your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Perhaps therapies

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THE MAGNIFICENT NILE

Ahmed manhandles the rigging with all the aplomb of a practised hand. There’s just the right amount of wind to fill the big lateen sail and propel us along at an impressive clip.

This is not the America’s Cup by any means, but I’ll wager our skipper, Omar, is the local equivalent of Dennis Connor if his weathered, parchment skin and relaxed hand on the tiller is anything to go by.

Here on this busy section of the Nile, adjacent to the wharf at Aswan, we’re cruising on a local felucca, the elegant Egyptian wooden boats that have sailed the world’s longest river for thousands of years. Sure, it’s a tourism staple, but it’s a most enjoyable experience nonetheless.

Aswan is just one of the major archaeological centres along the 1600km stretch within Egypt. The full length of the Nile is some 6650km, extending all the way through Sudan to the south and into Ethiopia and Uganda. Its elusive source has been the quest of countless explorers for millennia.

“IT’S A TOURISM STAPLE, BUT IT’S A MOST ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE NONETHELESS”

Our 60-minute course loops anti-clockwise around gigantic Elephantine Island, dominated by the Third Dynasty Step Pyramid of the same name and the sprawling Movenpick Resort. Other curious embellishments on the island include many Banksy-like visual tributes to reggae superstar Bob Marley. No one can confidently say just what the connection is, but clearly he made an impression here.

Appearing on our starboard is the lush Kitchener Island, overflowing with exotic plants of all descriptions.

“The island was gifted to Lord Kitchener in 1898 as a reward for defeating the armies of Sudan,” our guide Rania tells us, “and he

trees from all over the world here. It’s now a botanical park.”

The southern passage around the island brings us into the grasp of the First Cataract, a series of low granite rocks that form treacherous obstacles for any navigator unfamiliar with these waters. Omar barely bats an eyelid as he threads the falucca through these outcrops as we prepare to tack northward back to the wharf.

Looming on the precipice to our starboard is the imposing Old Cataract Hotel, now part of the Sofitel Legends collection of iconic hotels. Cinema buffs of a certain age will know this famous hotel from its starring role in that 1978 classic film, Agatha Christie’s ‘Death on the Nile’. The 2022 remake, sadly, did not film on location, but instead built the sets in the studio.

We later resolved to visit the hotel for lunch, which we did the following day, enjoying a simple but decadent meal on the balcony overlooking the fabulous vista, imagining

Peter Ustinov, David Niven and Bette Davis supervising the loading of their luggage onto the elegant steamer, Karnak. The vessel, built in 1885, still exists and sails as PS Sudan today. Aswan has long been a trading centre and market city, dating back some 4500 years, and borders the ancient lands of Nubia and Egypt. Today, it hosts five UNESCO-listed monuments and is the departure point for coaches travelling to the Temple of Abu Simbel, located almost 300km to the South. At night, you can visit the vibrant spice market and run the gauntlet of enthusiastic touts spruiking all manner of souvenirs and trinkets.

Those boarding Nile cruise boats destined for Luxor on a three- or four-day voyage can replicate the passage of ancient merchants carrying their cargo of ivory, ebony, gold and incense to the pharaohs of Egypt.

For a complete exploration of Egypt, including Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor, take a popular Intrepid Travel tour. Visit https:// www.intrepidtravel.com/en/egypt. DESTINATION

planted
Roderick Eime
River Nile at Aswan looking north through the First Cataract.
Felucca sails past the Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan.

MOTORING WITH GARY WORRALL

Pajero Sport accepts the challenge of versatility

When it comes to making a competent and capable offroader with a reasonable level of comfort, Mitsubishi is often the forgotten brand, despite some versatile offerings in the past.

The Pajero Sport replaced the Challenger as the wagon variant of the Triton ute, gaining popularity as a rugged vehicle, combining wagon versatility with off-road ability.

Many remember the first iteration for its ‘melted’ tail lights, as though blowtorched until they ran down either side of the tailgate, the latest version is an elongated ‘F’ shape.

Despite its Triton links, the Pajero Sport shares the new Outlander’s ‘face’, with high-mounted headlights above the combination fog lamp/cornering lights, and in-board chrome details flanking the blacked out ‘cheesegrater’ style grille.

“AS

The body sits high, offering good ground clearance, Mitsubishi claims minimum 218mm, plenty to walk over most obstacles, with approach and departure angles of 30 and 24.1 degrees, to climb in and out of gullies and creeks.

The hip line angles up at the rear, although the windows reduce in size, the interior doesn’t feel restricted, with reasonable side and rear vision for the driver.

Flared guards front and rear give a ‘muscular’ appearance while covering the 18x7.5” rims, shod with 265/60 tyres, and best of all, it comes with a full-size alloy spare.

Inside there’s plenty of room, but not all of it usable, long-legged drivers may be cramped up by a short pedal box area, although there were no issues with head and shoulder room for my 183cm frame.

While seven seats up the passenger count, the trade-off is the loss of luggage space with all three rows in use, you need to get creative storing bags and boxes.

Sound proofing was good, we didn’t get a lot of road noise bleeding through, and fit and finish is good, we had no complaints on that front.

Driving the Pajero Sport is pretty straightforward, the 2.4-litre turbodiesel four cylinder produces 133 kW and 450Nm, it falls short of the class leaders, but keeps things moving.

Helping things along is the 8-speed auto transmission with high/low range and locking rear differential, with Mitsubishi’s Super Select II off-road system, it conquers most trails.

is reasonably nimble, it doesn’t feel its bulk, making it pointable and predictable, you don’t feel about to tip over with changes of direction, encouraging you to go that bit further.

Remember it is ute-based, and you won’t get into too much trouble, but overdrive it at your peril, despite the impressive safety systems the laws of physics still apply. Ride is helped by the rear coil spring suspension, it does ultimately limit off-road ability, but most people won’t go that far to find out.

The cabin is well equipped, we had the GLS 7 seater, with six-speaker AM/FM/CarPlay/Android Auto unit, and an 8” central touchscreen display.

There is dual-zone climate control, the seats are ‘premium fabric’ with leather edges, the gear shift and steering

While the steering is height and reach adjustable, it felt a little short, leaving me overstretched, this was compounded by the cramped legroom.

wheel are also leather wrapped, both front seats are power-operated, but without heating.

Steering wheel controls take care of the major audio, telephone and cruise functions, let the navigator handle the central display, it is easy to get distracted by the pretty colours and multiple buttons.

There are paddle shifters on the steering wheel, they are more for show, you don’t punt this hard through corners, manual mode on the shifter does the same job for less complexity.

The downhill descent control is a low-speed cruise control, set the speed at the top, then steer, while

With four-wheel vented discs there is plenty of braking, but it is not a performance car, so I don’t recommend racing into corners and stomping on the brakes, it wasn’t designed for that work.

Towing capacity is 3100kg, not class-leading, but enough to pull a good size boat, caravan (or race car!), it copes well with heavy loads, a little slower from a standing start, a solid, if not standout performer. As a lower-cost alternative to other big wagons, the Pajero Sport has a lot going for it, no, it doesn’t quite measure up, but for most people, it will go where they want, and do what they want, it is a competent

Inside the Pajero Sport.
The Pajero Sport from Mitsubishi is well worth a look.

Ranger Super Duty details confirmed Explainer: Give me a Heads Up!

Ford has confirmed the starting specifications for the new Ranger Super Duty ute range, and it looks like a real monster, including a tow rating of up to 4,500kg.

Andrew Birkic, Ford Australia’s President and CEO, said the uprated Ranger ‘is built to exceed’ customer expectations for strength and load carrying capabilities.

Initially available in cab-chassis configuration, across single, super and dual cab layouts, the Ranger Super Duty comes in bare

chassis form, although Ford is offering a range of drop-side trays as a dealer-fit option.

“PUSHING

The existing 3-litre V6 turbodiesel is retained for the Super Duty, although it will include an upgraded

cooling system and meet Euro 6 heavy vehicle emission regulations, aided by the addition of an AdBlue exhaust after treatment system.

These upgrades ensure the engine continues to deliver 154kW of power and 600Nm of torque, even when the Super Duty is fully laden.

Other changes over the standard Ranger include boosted Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR), with strengthened axles now rated at 1,900kg for the front and 2,800kg on the rear, allowing a payload of up to 1,982kg for the single cab, with the dual cab taking up to 1,825kg of payload.

While the Super Duty will offer a Gross Vehicle Mass of 4,500kg and a 4,500kg braked towing capacity, the overall Gross Combination Mass, the combined weight of the loaded vehicle and trailer, is limited by regulation to 8,000kg.

The Ranger Super Duty is set to go on sale in early 2026.

Regular readers will know I am a huge fan of Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) in cars and trucks, but what are they exactly, and how do they work?

The HUD projects information onto a display in the driver’s eyeline, so you don’t have to look down to be aware of what is happening.

The technology stemmed from military applications, where pilots were given displays, projected onto the canopy or, later, directly onto helmet visors, regardless of where they were facing, the information was always in ‘front’.

Sadly, the idea didn’t take off until the 2000s, after a few false starts, when it appeared in a range of cars, including Mazda’s CX SUV models, after Nissan trialled it in the Maxima sedan.

There are two main types, a hard screen inside the cabin, mounted to the top of the dash, or ‘floating’, where a display is projected onto the

windscreen, floating above the bonnet.

I prefer the floating type, with more adjustment for individual drivers, without cluttering the dash, although anything helping the driver to not look down is a good thing.

That is the advantage, HUDs remove the need to look away from the road, to confirm road speed, speed limit, and even route naviga-

tion, it is in the driver’s view. This is another benefit of the ‘floater’, it is transparent, with no restriction of view, you look through it, still seeing everything around you. While seen by some as a gimmick, after testing many versions in different vehicles, I miss it when I don’t have it, and notice each time I have to look down to read the instrument display.

The Ford Ranger Super Duty arrives in 2026.
Heads-Up Displays are a big plus in Gary’s book.

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