A visual display for use by a user for navigation and obstacle avoidance. A typical user employs the invention in operating a vehicle. The display may include a conventional video feed. A visual arch metaphor is also provided. If used in conjunction with a video feed, the arch metaphor preferably extends from the left side of the video, over the top of the video, and on to the right side of the video. The ranging data is then correlated to a predefined color scale. The ranging data is also correlated to a position on the arch metaphor.