Admit it - one of the reasons to shop for a new car is the
technology they include - navigation, entertainment, communication. But it is
shocking how much auto makers and dealers expect for them. In addition to the
new car price.
So here's an innovation - innovate your used car.
For $ 500 or so you can upgrade your car to get many of those technologies.
And many of the gadgets below are portable so you can take them with you on the
road - or to another car. Most categories have plenty of choices - my examples
are representative. Also, many devices are converging so you may find some
offering composite features.
To start with, pamper your neglected old car. Get it a detail and an
auto vaccine.
While you could spend a lot more, you can get both for under $ 100.
Then consider some of these:
- A power inverter - like this one from Digital
Concepts which has 2 USB outlets and a AC and DC outlet for under $ 40.
- MP3 Cassette adapter - so you can play your MP3 or PDA based music through
your car stereo. Like this Phillips
Cassette Adapter for around $ 20 (or better - technology has been around
since CD players came out a while ago). You may need an adapter if your music
player only supports 2.5'' or USB outlets.
- If the car does not have a cassette player, hook your MP3 to a Kensington
FM Transmitter for around $ 40. If you travel a fair bit, you may have to
keep switching frequencies to get away from static.
- Get your kids a portable DVD player like this one from Vextra (with a holster
which fits on the back of a car seat) for under $ 100.
- Of course, if you drive quite a bit to unfamiliar places, get a GPS Unit
like the Garmin Nuvi
255 which Consumer Reports rates highly and costs around $ 225. You can also
buy refurbished GPS units for under $ 100. There are others much higher with
many more features. Also, many phones now come with GPS chips and using Google
Maps or Microsoft Live on them you can get around fairly well.
- If you like to talk while driving, get a Bluetooth Speakerphone like the MOTOROKR
T505 for under $ 100. Use it for your phone calls or your music - it supports
A2DP streaming - assuming your PDA or Mp3 player does. Or if you not mind
Bluetooth headsets get a nice one with decent noise suppression like the Jawbone
for around $ 100 - that way you can continue your conversation when you arrive
at your destination.
- Get a portable XM Radio like the Samsung
YP-X5X for under $ 100. You will need a monthly XM subscription with
basic car plans starting at $ 9.99 a month.
- Backup
camera with night vision that can be mounted on your car license plate for
under $ 75, is triggered when you reverse and can project to a DVD screen inside
the car.
- Finally, don't forget a multi-outlet
car charger for under $ 10. Don't overload your poor car's battery but think
of gadgets you can use with the extra outlets - like a Koolatron
cooler for around $ 65.

Goes without saying - but obey local laws around use of phones and GPS while driving. And keep these devices well "docked" and otherwise tied down. Also Bluetooth and GPS will drain your phone battery faster - and charging all these devices will likely reduce life of your car battery.
Update: More tech to spruce up your old car at New York Times
"Entreprenuer Journeys"
"All those dinners, lunches, coffees, teas, and glasses of wine from which so many stories have flowed – I invite you to experience them with me."It is clear Sramana Mitra, Valley consultant, Forbes columnist and fellow blogger lives, live and breathes high-tech.
While many entrepreneurial books focus on Jobs or Gates and their entrepreneurial roots a long time ago, I liked that Sramana focuses on more contemporary stuff - Steve Hafner of Kayak, Sridhar Vembu of Zoho, Hans Peter Michelet of Energy Recovery. And is global with a focus on MercadoLibre in Argentina, SELCO in India etc.
She says it is Book 1 - so look forward to a steady stream of more journeys.
October 28, 2008 in Industry Commentary | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)