Handy gizmo ... Telstra's Prepaid 4GX Car Wi-Fi device plugs into a car's 12-volt port to create a very mobile internet hotspot.
WITH the right passengers, and the right preparation, road trips can be more fun than pricey air travel.
The right gadgets can also make trips more comfortable, however, from wireless internet hotspots and power for streaming entertainment, and turn-by-turn directions to your destination.
Below are five of the best and freshest car gadgets to make your trips easier.
Telstra Prepaid 4GX Car Wi-Fi
Telstra / 4/5 / $79 / telstra.com.au
Very mobile internet ... Telstra's Prepaid 4GX Car Wi-Fi device plugs into a car's 12-volt port to create a very mobile internet hotspot.Source:Supplied
Keeping back-seat passengers entertained can make for a successful road trip. This device from Telstra can help as the 4GX Car Wi-Fi device is the very definition of a mobile internet hotspot and one that will connect up to five devices at once. The USB stick requires power to work, and can either be plugged into the supplied car charger or into a wall charger for use inside motels on your way. As its name suggests, it will deliver the fast speeds of Telstra’s 4GX mobile network, when in range, and it comes with a 3GB allowance, with monthly 3GB top-ups costing $30.
Swann DriveEye Ultra Dashcam
Swann / 3.5/5 / $230 / swann.com/au
Car’s eyes ... Swann’s DriveEye Ultra Dashcam catpures video in three-minute clips.Source:Supplied
With a portfolio of security cams, it’s no surprise Swann has moved into the dashcam space. This is a compact unit, particular compared to most GPS navigation devices, and has a two-inch screen on the back. It shoots video in three-minute clips, writing over old clips as a 64GB card (not supplied) becomes full. It has an emergency mode that will start recording when its gyroscope detects collisions. Its limitations are the still camera, for recording crash scene details, is only three megapixels, its screen is not touch-sensitive, and it has a small battery life so you’ll probably want to leave it plugged in.
Incipio Prompt Auto
Cellnet / 4/5 / $59.95 / incipio.com
Tweet relief ... Incipio's Prompt Auto car charger connects to phones and lights up with different colours when notifications arrive.Source:Supplied
Fear of missing out is a real issue and one addressed in Incipio’s Prompt Auto gadget. This innovative car charger connects wirelessly to your smartphone, be it Apple or Google-based, and lights up with different colours to let you know what type of alert you’re missing. If it flashes white, for example, you’re missing a call. If it flashes green, you’re missing a text message. It’s a handy system that could help phone-addicted drivers keep their hands off devices and know when to pull over. Alert colours can be changed in its accompanying app, and it also offers a 2.4-amp charging port.
Belkin Road Rockstar
Belkin / 4/5 / $59.95 / belkin.com/au
Power for all ... Belkin's Road Rockstar: 4-Port Passenger Car Charger features two USB charging ports in the front seat, and another two on a cable to the back seat.Source:Supplied
Long road trips require a lot of energy, and not just from the driver. Back seat entertainment chews through plenty of electricity and this solution from Belkin provides more than you might expect. It consists of a standard, two-port USB head that fits into a car’s cigarette lighter and, more importantly, an extra two-port USB hub on a 1.8m cord that stretches into the rear of the car. This hub delivers two tablet-friendly 2.4-amp ports which will even keep two Apple iPads working. The front ports share a 2.4-amp output (though the driver should be otherwise occupied) and the extra cord can be disconnected.
Navman MY650LMMT
Navman / 3.5/5 / $199 / harveynorman.com.au
Right turns ... The Navman MY650LMMT car navigation has landmark guidance.Source:Supplied
Car navigation systems have to offer something extra to lure people away from making do with smartphones. Like over Navman units, this one offers landmark guidance that can be great when you know enough about the area to recognise the landmarks and confusing if you don’t. It also offers free monthly map updates and a restaurant guide from Zomato (formerly Urbanspoon), but the handiest feature is the audio warning of traffic on your route.
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