34 Ways to Soup Up Your Current Car With Tech
When I was a kid, my two sets of grandparents each had what I considered some loftier-tech 1970s gadgetry in their cars. I had a compass stuck to the windshield, a little floating ball that swiveled like BB-8 to show u.s.a. the direction in which we traveled. The other had a talking Chrysler that would vox warnings such as "The door...is ajar!" or "Your directional indicate is...withal on!"
These days, my parents are now grandparents and they drive a modern-day Toyota Prius that's got more buttons than a 747—simply it's still a pretty low-tech machine in comparing with many of the ones we review here at PCMag. That'south because mobile applied science and vehicles are finally coalescing.
Just for those of us with older cars, we're stuck with incredible phones while driving vehicles that won't talk to them, charge them, or display what nosotros want to see from them. And that's just the showtime. Modern high-tech cars should be laden with tech safety features, methods of connecting to the outside world, full diagnostics, and ways to go on passengers entertained.
Thankfully, there is a massive aftermarket of gadgets and add-ons that work with only about any existing vehicle on the route today. Here'due south our deep dive into the tech you lot tin add to your erstwhile jalopy to get in feel a flake more Tesla-esque.
A Smarter Machine
The smartphone is the first screen most people volition turn to—even while driving. Making that a simpler, safer proffer is large business organisation. Information technology's why Apple tree created CarPlay and Google made Android Auto. Each is a manner to connect your phone to your in-motorcar amusement arrangement.
Lots of new cars are going to support CarPlay and Android Motorcar from the kickoff, but old vehicles are non entirely out of luck. Many aftermarket systems back up them, with prices curently ranging from expensive to even more expensive. The brains of such systems are the box in the dash that we used to just call "the radio" or maybe "the stereo," but is now called the stereo head unit. It'southward what you admission to play music and a whole lot more than—phone and text communication, GPS, you name it.
What you need to look for, typically, are double-DIN head units. A double-DIN unit goes in a 7-past-four-inch slot in the nuance, which is pretty standard. Information technology can become pricey, as pro installation is recommended, and tin can toll from $200 to $600 for parts and labor on meridian of the caput unit of measurement. But go along in mind Android Automobile doesn't even require a head unit of measurement. Simply mount your phone or tablet on the dash, and yous tin skip the fancy hardware and just use the Android Motorcar app.
Of grade, in that location are other means to maximize the tech in (or on) the dash without replacing the head unit. Not all of them accept to do with sound/entertainment, only they do make for a "smarter" vehicle experience.
Pioneer AVH-4100NEX
$449.99
The baseline for Pioneer's Double-DIN head units, this AVH-4100NEX model supports both AirPlay and Android Motorcar via a 7-inch WVGA touch screen. Information technology naturally has Bluetooth integration to handle telephone calls and streaming audio. It as well supports Siri Eyes Free, then you can just tap the nuance screen to activate Siri and get your iPhone doing all sorts of things. There is separate back up for services like Pandora, SiriusXM, and others. The face of the unit of measurement detaches so you can have it with you to deter theft.
Kenwood eXcelon DDX6903S
$449.95
There'due south also this CarPlay-only caput unit of measurement from Kenwood. This ane features a half dozen.ii-inch screen, but also comes ready for use with other phones via Bluetooth, and is SiriusXM set.
Navdy
Navdy is the commencement portable caput-upward display (HUD). It sits atop the dash and plugs into the OBD-2 port. It projects info such as speed, engine rpm, and compass management on a transparent screen in front you, and uses built-in GPS and Google Maps to testify the surrounding surface area, display speed limits and street names, and road you to your destination. Information technology also connects to your Android or iOS smartphone via Bluetooth to display information including calls, texts, music, and all way of social media and alerts. Access to this info is largely controlled using a thumbwheel that attaches to your steering wheel and is supplemented past gesture control that's activated by waving your hand in front of the device.
Viper SmartStart
Prices vary; service plans showtime at $69.99 per year
It's non hard to get a remote car starter installed on vehicles of any make, model, or year, simply few are as smart as Viper's SmartStart. The system basically gives you control over your motorcar from afar, using your smartphone or smartwatch. Beyond just beingness able to start the car remotely with an app, information technology'll locate where it is (handy in a parking lot, if it's stolen, or your teen is on a joyride), tell you how fast the machine is going when it's out, alert y'all if the vehicle moves without your permission, unlock the doors, and more. There are a lot of different options, like calculation GPS, so narrowing down the price on Viper's site seems to be impossible (thus, await it to exist expensive). It volition help if you lot create a system rundown to accept to an authorized installer, which is required; you tin can't install it yourself.
Garmin DriveAssist 50LMT
The Garmin DriveAssist 50LMT is a dash cam with several smart safety features constitute in many new luxury cars, such as forward collision and lane difference warnings. It as well serves equally a GPS with complimentary map and alive traffic updates. Its navigation, powered past Hither, is on indicate, and the inclusion of traffic helps you get where you're going faster. Like nearly Garmin devices information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to use, with loud and clear prompts and a uncomplicated interface. If you're looking for a dash cam that does it all, the 50LMT is a neat bet, and our Editors' Selection.
T-Mobile SyncUp Drive
Most wireless carriers offer a way to connect practically whatsoever car to the cloud by plugging an internet-enabled dongle into its onboard diagnostic (OBD) port. AT&T provides its Machine Connectedness 2.0 device, Verizon has Hum, and T-Mobile sells the SyncUp Drive. SyncUp Drive adds the ability to create an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot and costless roadside assistance via the Allstate Motor Club. It also provides vehicle tracking for fleet operators—or really large families—since up to 24 vehicles tin can be added to a single account.
Getting Connected
Making cars smarter isn't always necessary—you've probably got a smartphone, after all. The key is to get the two to communicate or, at the very least, make it easier to use the smartphone in the car. These devices volition assistance you and your passengers in getting the nigh out of handsets while in traffic.
Anker SoundSync Bulldoze Bluetooth 4.0 Motorcar Receiver
$nineteen.99
Allow's say at that place's no Bluetooth in your automobile at all, and you don't want to spring for one of those more than expensive devices to a higher place. The sub-$twenty SoundSync Drive is all you demand. Information technology plugs into a USB charger for ability, and the aux sound jack on your radio. Pair information technology to your smartphone, and yous're set up to stream music or use it for easily-gratuitous calls.
Ion Cassette Bluetooth Adapter
$22.55
There is one more Bluetooth pick for those with a auto stereo then ancient, and so archaic, that is has a cassette player. Ion's trivial adapter looks just like a cassette, and slides inside the deck similar ane, only pairs with your smartphone for audio playback through your car's speakers. Eject it, and it automatically turns off. There's even a little microphone that sticks out for hands-gratuitous calls. The adapter does need power though, and then you'll have to plug it in to the car outlet, or run it off its congenital-in battery rated for about 6 hours.
Motorola Roadster 2 Bluetooth Speakerphone
If none of the options for Bluetoothing through the car dash and speakers appears applicable, so you can get a speakerphone for your car to get you lot easily-free. Motorola's Roadster was a favorite when we reviewed it, and it remains a practiced option for in-car phone conversations, particularly now that's half the toll information technology was when launched. And, approximate what? It also does FM transmission so you can listen to music on it.
Verizon Jetpack MiFi 7730L
Mobile hotspots like the Jetpack MiFi 7730L put Wi-Fi in your car (or anywhere else y'all become where there is cellular service). This one sports the latest modem technologies, making it the best manner to connect to Verizon's network.
It's worth noting you can also utilize your smartphone for Wi-Fi, so your tablet-using passengers can go online. See How to Plow Your Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot.
weBoost Drive 4G-S
$179.99
If you merely desire amend cell point in your machine, y'all tin utilize a booster. Stick a Drive 4G-S in your vehicle (with an external antenna outside) and weBoost claims yous'll go a indicate improvement up to 32 times what you lot had without information technology. It works with all the major US and Canadian carriers. An optional indoor kit means the booster can go in the house with you to enhance your signal there, equally well.
What's Going On Nether the Hood?
If you ain a car manufactured from 1996 onward, it has an Onboard Diagnostic II (or OBD-Ii) port. You probably know it as the thing the guy at the garage occasionally plugs into, typically under your steering column to turn off the Check Engine lights on your dashboard that send you into a mild panic. However, the OBD-Ii port does much more than that. It'south the interface for all sorts of telematics information about your car.
With the right device to plug in, you can access that data for your own purposes. Very simple products like the ScanTool OBDLink SX Browse Tool can connect it directly to a laptop to read the general diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored by the vehicle (you'll also need the OBD software). ScanTool also lets OBD-II devices with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to talk to smartphones. If y'all understand the codes, yous'll experience similar a mechanic in no time.
However, there are plenty of new products out there taking advantage of the OBD-Two port to bring yous even more info, past sharing what'south happening in your car with the cloud. Only remember, y'all but take one OBD-II port, and so choose wisely.
Hum by Verizon
$29 for equipment, $20 activation, $10 per month with two-yr subscription
With Hum you go an OBD-II dongle, a Bluetooth speakerphone/controller to clip to the visor, and a USB charger for that speaker to plug into the cigarette lighter/DC connector receptacle. The price has dropped per calendar month since we reviewed it, only merely considering Verizon added upwardly-forepart fees and requires a ii-year delivery.
Hum basically serves as a user-installable replacement for OnStar—it detects crashes, airbag deployments, etc., and with built-in Verizon cellular service, it can make calls for emergency services, and even relay info to the cops if your auto is stolen. Naturally it has mobile apps to continue track of info from the OBD-II port, but it also helps you lot detect your car in giant parking lots and offers maintenance reminders.
How does Hum differ from Verizon'south other OBD dongle, Delphi Connect? Well, that's a whole separate service that costs either $99 for the basic version or $199.99 for the version with a 4G LTE hotspot built in; each has activation fees and a $five monthly charge. Delphi is meant more for remotely monitoring what's going on with the car and tracking travel history, with some squeamish OnStar-esque options like remotely starting the vehicle or unlocking its doors (depending on the model of the vehicle). And as we said above, a hotspot is always nice for passengers.
Automatic Pro
$129.95
The Automatic Pro has 1 price: the OBD-II dongle. The rest is all well-nigh it communicating with the app on your smartphone via built-in 3G connectivity to help yous become a improve driver. It scores your driving and your car's health, so you know exactly where both stand at a glance. Naturally, it has all the cool options like locating your car, depression-fuel warnings, and triggering an agent to call you if yous have a crash/airbag deployment. It besides works with a couple of smartwatches (like the Apple Lookout), likewise every bit a web-based interface. And the app works with IFTTT then events in the car can trigger things that happen with other Web services. For instance, imagine request your Amazon Echo where your car is. That's simply one option.
Zubie
Free plus $99.95 per year (or $99.95 plus $ten a month to include in-machine hotspot)
Like Verizon's Hum and Delphi, the Zubie uses cellular service so it can send info from anywhere, plus it provides in-machine Wi-Fi with a 4G LTE backhaul (provided by Verizon), and a lot of the same features. The goal, like with the Automated Pro, is to assistance make better drivers—and so much and so that Zubie has a deal with Progressive Insurance to go customers of both companies a safe commuter disbelieve based on their Zubie data. With no separate device on the dash, Zubie still relies on your smartphone for some things, similar working with Urgent.ly to get on-demand tow trucks. It besides works with IFTTT and Amazon Echo (you may sense a pattern here).
Keeping Things Condom
You know how they shoot Carpool Karaoke and Comedians in Cars with Java, with lots of little cameras stuck effectually the vehicle to capture every possible angle? Similar rubber-minded cockpit cameras are coming soon. Only at that place are plenty of other rubber features you can implement correct now, many of which feature a lens on the world outside your vehicle.
Cobra CDR 855 BT
The Cobra CDR 855 BT is a Bluetooth dash cam that as well measures your speed, acts every bit a radar detector, and alerts you to speed and red light cameras. It features a two-inch LCD with a 160-caste viewing angle, and a Thousand-Sensor and then you can automatically capture and save video if an impact is detected. It tin also exist untethered from your car, doubling as a portable action camera. It's a great bargain if you want a dash cam with safe features and radar alerts, though you'll need a separate device to go driving directions and traffic alerts.
Pearl RearVision
$499.99
Having the ability to meet what's going on backside your car is not but convenient when backing into a parking infinite, it can too prevent damage to your vehicle and any happens to be in your mode. The Pearl RearVision is a practise-it-yourself backup photographic camera and alert system that installs easily with no drilling or wiring required. It uses two solar-charged Hd cameras to beam crystal clear video directly to your smartphone and offers visual and audible obstacle alerts. At $499.99 it's non cheap, simply it works wonderfully and can be removed and installed on any vehicle in a matter of minutes, earning our Editors' Choice.
Vigo Bluetooth Headset
$129
Why is there a Bluetooth headset in the safety section, you enquire? Vigo's headset lets you brand easily-gratis calls, with noise counterfoil, but information technology'southward also an alert system. It plays sounds, vibrates, or flashes LEDs to keep you awake when it senses driver drowsiness.
Garmin babyCam
$179.99
If you've got a uniform Garmin device, this is a no-brainer for new parents. The babyCam attaches to your car's headrest to provide a video view (even at night) of your little 1 strapped in the dorsum. Up to 4 cameras are supported in i arrangement. Alerts remind you that your kid is in the back when you go out of the vehicle.
Evenflo Advanced SensorSafe Embrace DLX Infant Car Seat
$150
You may not need a view of the backseat, but a reminder that your kid is however in the machine will e'er be welcome to harried parents. Evenflo's DLX automobile seat issues reminder tones that your tyke is yet strapped in as you arrive at your destination. The seat works with a dongle plugged into the OBD-II port.
Are Nosotros There Yet?
Keep kids occupied with tech in the backseat then yous don't have to hear those 4 dreaded words quite every bit much. At least until they have to pee.
iKross Motorcar Headrest Mount Holder Car Kit for Tablet
$18.99
A tablet mounted on the dorsum of your car seat is the modern equivalent of putting a TV in the dorsum—only better. This unit holds just virtually any tablet of any size (upwards to x.2 inches) and is adjustable with 360 degrees of rotation, in instance your kids prefer to scout their cartoons in portrait mode.
Audiovox 7-inch Digital LED Back-Lit Headrest DVD Player
$137.99
DVDs are still a affair—and they're a thing you can use to keep kids occupied in the back of the car. In that location are many options to purchase screens with DVD players that mount on the seat; this one becomes office of the seat, with a vii-inch screen integrated into the headrest itself. It can piece of work with headphones, or play through the radio with its FM transmitter.
Melodeez Kid Sized Universal Wireless Infrared Headphones
$32.99
You want peace? At the very least, buy a headphone splitter and then that kids watching together don't have to pipe the sound through your speakers. Or, splurge on some pairs of these wireless headphones for everyone to wear. They piece of work wirelessly via infrared or wired using a iii.5mm port and come in a diverseness of colors.
Vehicular Miscellany
Not everything fits into a dainty fiddling niche area of automobile add-on. The items below are less categorizable—but yet useful.
FRiEQ Car Air Freshener and Ionic Air Purifier
$xix.99
Got a subtle stink in the car from kids, pets, gym clothes, or that one wiggle in the machine pool who won't put out the stoogie? We won't gauge—and neither volition anyone else if you plug in this air ionizer that can get the interior back to a refreshing smell.
Nonda ZUS Smart Tire Safe Monitor
$119.99
Properly inflated tires tin save yous coin on fuel. Just pulling out the tire pressure gauge tin can go cumbersome, and earlier you know it, you've gone months without checking. That won't happen with Nonda'southward ZUS Smart Tire Prophylactic Monitor. Anti-theft tire pressure sensors screw onto your tire valves (no matter the make or model) and send force per unit area and temperature data to your smartphone in real-time. You lot'll receive a notification if anything looks out of the ordinary, and you'll exist warned of irksome leaks before they develop into something more serious.
Energizer 12V 180-Watt Cup Inverter With 4 USB
$39.99
Every car should accept an inverter that lets your DC ability receptacle provide juice to all your AC-based toys and gear. Many of them fit right into a cup holder. Don't mess around, become a cup inverter that provides the goods. The Analeptic 12V 180-watt provides not simply a standard ability plug but also has 4 USB charging ports; the four ports share ii.1-amp service, so using just i to plug in a phone will accuse it quickly.
iSaddle Self Adhesive Tie Mout Cable Clips
$5.59 (for twenty)
If you buy everything we're recommending, it's not going to take long for the cables to become utterly out of control. Buy a bag of these clips to effort to keep them orderly (or you could get a roll of professional gaffer tape to stick them all down).
Wagan (EL6224) 12V Libation/Warmer
$79.99
This may be as shut every bit you go to having a refrigerator or oven in the auto. The Wagan cooler/warmer plugs into the 12-volt DC straight for ability or to recharge the battery. It shifts with a switch between hot (140 degrees Fahrenheit) and common cold (36 degrees). Its 24-liter capacity holds the equivalent of a 24-pack of 12-ounce cans of soda, or four 2-liter bottles.
Apps For the Machine
Using a smartphone opens up a wealth of options to brand the entire driving feel so much better. Hither are a few free mobile apps to download earlier you hitting the route.
GasBuddy
GasBuddy has been around in one course or another for a decade. As a mobile app for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry, information technology has reached its full potential past helping you discover the cheapest petrol no thing where yous are. The more you lot utilize it, the better your gamble of winning some free gasoline.
Google Maps
A regular winner of our Editors' Choice award for mobile maps, Google Maps is the best style to instantly add a GPS to your vehicle. Read the Best Free GPS Apps for Your iPhone for other solid choices.
Hudway
Hudway may exist sound like a gimmick, but for some it could be invaluable. It's essentially another GPS app, simply information technology displays directions by showing a high-contrast opposite epitome. Place your smartphone on the dash to see the reflected image in the windshield and voila—instant heads-up display (HUD).
Honk
Honk will claw you upwards with aid if yous're out of gas, get a apartment, need a jump, get locked out, or even if y'all're stuck in a ditch. Honk collects the cash to pay the service that help you out—it's like Uber for towing! Prices kickoff at $49 per service.
Urgent.ly
Some other AAA-meets-Uber roadside assistance app/service, Urgent.ly has iOS and Android apps to get you help, fast. It'due south formed partnerships with other services like MapQuest, Zubie, and Nuance that make it very convenient to access.
AAA
Not to exist outdone completely by the startups, the American Automobile Association'southward app will also put out the telephone call for roadside assistance if you need it. Of course, you need to take a paid AAA membership.
Parkmobile
A few communities have gone digital when it comes to parking. If yous live in a place that supports it, or program to visit one, that supports it, you'll find the Parkmobile app (for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and even Amazon Fire) invaluable. Rather than running to ticket machines to put a piece of paper on the dash, yous can walk away from the car while using the app to send your zone number in. The app is tied to your license plate number. As the meter-checkers go around to requite tickets, a scan of your plate will testify y'all're all paid upward. Best of all, if your "meter" is about to run out, you'll get notifications on your telephone and can re-up for equally long as y'all demand.
Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/car-accessories/16945/34-ways-to-soup-up-your-current-car-with-tech
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