No. I have not referred to them specifically as "gimmicks" except in a list of gimmicks. The best speedometer ever is in the original Toyota Yaris where your speed is not only displayed digitally and in line of sight, it is at the same focal length as the road ahead. Next best is a clear digital speed display at the bottom of the screen (Prius) or the centre of the dash (old Citroen C4, Citroen C3 Picasso, etc). Next best, a digital display in front of the driver when the speedo is properly placed. So, though an HUD is okay (I don't mind them), everything they display including satnav instructions, can be displayed in the pod directly in front of the driver where they don't affect (some) drivers judgement of widths and distances.