How about some gadgets that no car should be without? You would be hard pushed to find something you won't want to reach into your pocket for in this modest collection. Here are some of the best gadgets we've found to get you there, safely, quickly and practically!
The TomTom 910 Sat-Nav System
This has to be the king of satellite navigation at the moment and deserved to be in the style section just as much as the practical section of this site. We didn't want it overshadowing anything there though as the features in this alone will one day be common place in every car on the road, it is the archetypal gadget for the future of cars!
Sat Nav systems are now available when you book car hire in Faro, Alicante, Palma, Sanford, malaga and many more worldwide destinations through Your Car Hire Plc
The main feature that will of course draw people to this gadget is the ability to get where you want without having to stop and dig out a map and with maps of Europe, USA and Canada included you can take this abroad on holiday and you will never need get lost again! It also includes handy features like Points of Interest which will show you interesting places to visit in the near proximity along with car parks and petrol stations. As is standard, all the instructions are spoken and it includes 36 languages and 50 voices for you to find the one most suited to you.
At the forefront of sat nav technology, it also includes real time traffic updates to help you avoid those jams, real time weather updates, so you can see the weather at your destination before you arrive, a speed camera detector and even a function that will notify you if you are speeding!
We also think you'll like the built in mp3 that will hold around a weeks worth of constant music on its inbuilt drive. You can plug the device in to your stereo but we recommend the use of an FM transmitter for ease of use. With the 4" LCD touch screen you can browse your music easily and also use it to view pictures which is great for those traveling to a destination they've never been to before. No more having to search for building numbers as if you can get a picture of your destination before you leave and load it onto your TomTom all you need do is bring it up once your on the right street and keep an eye out for it!
What we think you'll like the most is the ability to link your phone via bluetooth allowing it to be used as a hands free interface for taking calls on the road!
Sleep Drive Master
This device has been around for a while and we think is a great idea as long as its used responsibly. The Sleep Drive Master is a device that clips on above the ear and uses a sensor to detect the angle of the head. Everyone knows how long journeys (especially on the motorway) can test most peoples endurance and many people have experienced moments of drowsiness which has snuck up on them and given them a scare. This device detects if the head starts to nod and emits an awakening beep to warn you of the danger of your state allowing you to pull over at the first chance and get some rest. We cannot stress enough that this must be used with responsibility and care and not used as a device to push yourself to drive when you know you shouldn't.
Hands Free Phone System
These work much like the Mp3 player docks mentioned in the style category and you can find a model to suit your phone with a simple net search. For around £60 you can get a kit with microphone noise and echo cancellation so the sound of your engine wont drown you out when making a call. Another popular feature that can be used in conjunction with your phone is voice answering and dialing so you can drive safely and legally by never having to touch your phone when driving!
DC to AC Power Adaptor
If you've ever wished that you've had a plug socket in your car then this
is what you need. Great for those moments if you are on the road but your
laptop battery is dead..
Now you can just plug it in within your car and fire it up!