Summer is the time to hit the road--whether it’s a cross-state jaunt to visit family or a cross-country trek to see the sights. Here are eight gadgets that will help you get where you’re going in style.
This slim GPS with a sunlight readable screen will not only tell you what exit to take, but which lane you need to be in before you get there. The unit receives free FM traffic alerts and has the option to download public- transit system maps to help you navigate strange cities when the car is parked.
Retail Price: $249.99
Plug this device into your car’s 12 volt socket and you’re all set to power up to three devices using either USB ports or a standard wall power plug.
Retail Price: $69.99
No more drinks floating in dirty, melted water picked up at the rest stop six hours ago. Koolatron thermoelectric coolers plug into your car’s power outlet to keep things cool or warm on long trips. You can also use it in the motel, office, or backyard with the optional wall plug.
Retail Price: Between $79.95 and $209.99
Everyone knows about driving safely with a Bluetooth headset, but for the most part, they all look the same. Until now. Earloomz headsets offer more than 400 decorative designs featuring licensed art, pop culture icons, entertainment properties, cartoon characters, sports teams, and original artwork.
Suggested Retail Price: $59.99
Life can happen in an instant when you’re on the road and the Vado Pocket Cam will let you capture it all in high def. It’s Small enough to fit in your pocket or glove box and has enough memory to record between two and eight hours of video depending on the resolution. The fold away USB tab will connect directly to your computer to save the movies or upload them to the Internet.
Retail Price: $179.99
This slim line DVD player let’s you take movies on the road with everything you need in one kit. The system sports a seven-inch LCD with a rechargeable battery, remote and car cabling kit. It also includes two headsets so movie watchers will not interrupt other passengers. You might actually forget your kids are in the back.
Retail Price: $89.99
Nothing’s worse than being stuck in a remote area with a dead battery. This commercial strength portable jump starter is powerful enough to jump start almost any passenger vehicle with 900 Peak Amps to deliver greater cranking power. It also contains a powerful work light and a 56-inch cable to make setup easier in all conditions.
Retail Price: $112.51
Tracvision presents the ultimate portable satellite entertainment for those long trips. The low-profile receiver brings 185 DIRECTV Mobile channels right into your car. Never miss a big game or big news story again and get local channels and information right in your vehicle.
Retail Price: $3,995 (does not include DIRECTV service)