Car Gadgets
Car gadgets have become increasingly popular in the last decade. As always, you will find some car gadgets that are a bit silly, but you will also find some that provide great functionality. Some of the best technologies to be invented in the last years are shown below. In many cases, you have the option to choose them as options when you buy your car. Some of them are considered luxury options right now, but in time they will become standard features.
Keyless Ignition
Remote ignition is a feature found in many luxury cars today. This is a feature that people find especially useful during the winter season. With the simple push of a button, the car will start heating up, so when you get inside it’s already warm. The keyless ignition is the next step. With this system you don’t even need to push a button. The sensor of the car will detect the key fob which is in your pocket and it will start the car as soon as you approach it.
Back-up Parking Camera
Kids and Cars, a safety advocacy group, says that each week, around fifty kids are injured because someone that backed up their car didn’t notice them. This happens because cars have their blind spots, where kids can’t be seen if they happen to be in that area of the car.
This is where a back-up parking camera comes in play. They will deliver live images of what happens behind your car, to a dashboard screen. As you put the car in reverse, the screen starts showing you what’s going on behind the car. Pets or kids will be safe this way, since you will notice them immediately. It also helps you do parallel parking with ease, or to hitch the car to a trailer. A few vehicles have this gadget installed already, but you can also buy one separately if your car doesn’t have this feature.
Bluetooth
This technology consists of a wireless signal, which lets devices that are compatible communicate between each other. For example, you can sync a phone and the car. Cars that have Bluetooth allow you to install a receiver, giving you the possibility of using the hands free features. After you connect via Bluetooth, you only need to mention someone’s name and he will be called. The car speakers will be used so the driver can use the other person.
Navigation System
In the old days, you used to read a map and when you got it wrong you drove in circles, not finding the correct road. A navigation system will tell you exactly where you are and it will give you directions turn by turn, so you could get anywhere. It will automatically know where you are located and if you give it an end point, it will show you the best route. This device uses positioning satellites to see your current location. You can get models that are cheaper and you can get expensive versions. The more expensive versions are usually installed from the factory directly. In some cases, advanced navigation devices will also come with MP3 players installed.
iPod Connections
If you have an iPod, you know how useful it can be, when you want a little bit of entertainment. Many cars now have a connection that allows you to use your MP3 player inside.