Not all of us can afford a brand-new car filled with all modern gadgets and features. Fortunately, the market for aftermarket parts is huge and almost any feature can be replicated. The devices that allow us this can be quite expensive, but even then, they are cheaper than buying a new car and will surely increase your pleasure when driving. Here are some of our choices.
10. T-MOBILE Syncup Drive
Any long journey can be made bearable with the addition of Wi-Fi to your car, especially if you have kids and T-MOBILE Syncup Drive does exactly that. For $96 for a device and $10 for a monthly plan, you can create a Wi-Fi hotspot inside your car. One account can support several devices, so it can also be used to monitor your kids’ driving habits, by installing one in their car.
9. Owlcam
Not only it functions as a dash cam, but Owlcam also records what is happening inside the car, if you want to record your journey. The device is a bit on the expensive side though, with a price tag of $349. If you spend an additional $10 for a monthly plan, you also monitor your car over the Internet, making it an excellent anti-theft device.
8. Nonda Zus Smart Tire Safety Monitor
This state-of-the-art tire monitor will provide you with a live feed of the state of your pneumatics, like pressure and temperature. It will also alert you if it detects any slow leaks before they leave you on the side of the road with a flat tire. The installation is a breeze, just screw each sensor into your tire valve and connect it to the receiver. It costs $212.
7. Garmin Speak Plus Amazon Alexa
Garmin Speak Plus Amazon Alexa is an interesting combination of an entertainment system and a security feature. Apart from providing you with road directions, it can also play your favorite music through several apps. IT can create several different playlists, one for each family member. The cherry on top is that it also functions as a dash cam that can provide a collision warning. You can have all that for just $180.
6. Frieq Car Air Freshener and Ionic Air Purifier
The air inside the car during long journeys can get stale, not to mention ripe with various smells. Frieq Car Air Freshener and Ionic Air Purifier have mini HEPA filters that will eliminate all that and provide you with crisp air. It will also eliminate bacteria inside the car. It is a must-have for smokers since it will reduce the stench of tobacco and it costs just $18.
5. Stakol Portable Refrigerator
Having a refrigerator inside your car is always a welcomed feature, whether you are traveling or just going for a picnic or a camping trip. Stakol Portable Refrigerator will keep your drinks and your food at the ideal temperature, preventing spoilage. Meat and cheese can go bad very quickly if left inside a car on a hot day, but with this fridge, you don’t have to worry about that. At $400, it is a bit pricey, though.
4. FIXD OBD-II Active Car Health Monitor
All modern cars have diagnostic systems built into them, but we don’t always have access to that data unless you have one of these. FIXD OBD-II Active Car Health Monitor provides you with a sensor that you can plug into your car’s OBD port (the one mechanic uses to run diagnostics) and have a wealth of information displayed on your phone, from various temperatures to monitoring service intervals and oil changes. The sensor will set you back $58, but the apps are mostly free.
3. Hudway Cast Heads-Up Display
Trying to figure out navigation on your phone can be distracting and potentially dangerous, especially in heavy traffic. Hudway Cast Heads-Up Display eliminates that problem by casting all relevant info right in front of your eyes. You can also direct it to always keep navigation displayed on HUD, while you change music or talk to someone on your phone. At $189, it isn’t the cheapest gadget on our list, but it is well worth it.
2. Bay Alarm Medical Splitsecnd In-Car Medical Alert
If you have an elderly relative or a parent who is still driving, you might consider shelling out $20 a month for this potentially life-saving gadget. It will monitor their driving habits, so you can check where they have been and can send you an alert in case of an accident. It also features a help button driver can use if they are feeling unwell and need assistance.
1. Audiovox 7-Inch Headrest DVD Player
Finally, we have something for the back bench. If your car came without a DVD player, you can buy this set and provide your kids with entertainment for the road and yourself with some peace and quiet. These use HDMI input, meaning that kids can even connect PlayStations to them.
