[Guest]

Hi Folks,

I'm writing an article for a small, local paper about gizmos that car owners like to add to their cars, like mp3 players, radar detectors, gps units, chip updates...etc.

Anybody have some comments on this? What are your favorite add-ons? And why?

Thanks! :wave:

Fred

 

[sk90077]

Hi Fred

V1 Radar detector. G-tech device (haven’t used it yet)

The V1 is awesome because of its accuracy and its ability to detect where the radar is coming from and how many radars are zapping you.

The G-Tech is to get very accrate time and horse power result like 0-60, ¼ mile etc..

 

[cgperry]

Valentine One is always at the top of my list. No point in having a car if you don't have a license. With every city in America short on funds, this is an easy place for government to fundraise/tax. Self defense is a must!

Second choice is a high-end stereo with inputs for my MP3 player. It's incredibly nice to have my entire music collection with me at all times and to be able to hop from car to car with it seemlessly. Mine even has an FM broadcast capability so you can use it in friend's cars or hotel rooms or whatever.

Third choice would be GPS. I always thought these were stupid until I traveled for a while with my dad whose Yukon had one. It is amazingly nice when you're in a city you don't know. Not only can you find destinations, but restaurants, rest stops, ATMs or whatever you need. I have the Alpine unit in two of my cars and a REALLY nice side benefit is that when you enter a destination, not just the name and address appear, but usually the phone number. This has saved me a fortune in cell phone calls to information. It's like having a phone book in your car without the book.

Fourth choice would be satellite radio. Again, I thought this was stupid until I traveled in my dad's car that had it. I travel a tremendous amount by car for business and it's really nice when you find a program or station that you like to not lose it every 60 miles or so.

Fifth choice would be an in-dash DVD player. Again, I spend hundreds of hours a year in my car and it's nice to have something other than radio and music to listen to sometimes. Of course, exercise caution about viewing while driving!

Last choice would be an inverter (they change the 12-volts DC in the car to 120-volts AC like your house). Very convenient for charging other accessories (laptops, MP3 players, razors) and running the occasional household device when convenient.

 

[wiz357]

I always have to have a GPS nav on my cars. Other than that, I'm not too particular. As long as it has at least 400hp, I'm happy.

 

[Rayman]

For me, the less gizmos the better, Radar detector is a must, High end stereo is a waste with a 12 cylinder car.

 

[roytoy2003]

My Val 1 with the optional LASAR jammers front and rear a MUST!!!!!

Again trip from So Cal to Seattle was SAVED three times, (all in Northern Cal).

Secon is my NAV, love to find the secondary roads to take, the fun ones, and stay ofgf the main hiways.

3rd is My Satelite radio, use it a lot, espically places with no reception, or get tired of the same old CDS.

RoyToy 2003

 

[Guest]

Guys, thanks so much! Very helpful.

I'm going to start tackling the piece tomorrow, maybe go to a store that sells this stuff -- any ideas around SF/SSF? I'm in Pacifica.

I don't own a radar detector, so I'm really the perfect person to write an article about one. :rolling:

But are they legal? What do the police or CHP do if they pull you over and you have radar? Just curious...

Anyway, thanks again. You guys are great!

Fred

 

[gday]

Detectors are totally legal (in non commercial vehicles) in most US states but jammers / deflectors are not. The CHP could care less - especially if they are already writting you a ticket! Radar detectors are illegal in Virginia and Washington DC.

I have the K40 which is totally hidden and has the front and back laser/radar receivers. Seems to offer about a 2-3 second buffer to trouble.

-mick

 

[neilda]

Radar detectors are now legal in the UK but totally illegal in France - I believe they still use the Guillotine for offenders! I have a Passport Solo (I think that's it name) which is battery powered and means I don't have any wires dangling.

Many, many years ago, I drove an old (ish) Mercedes that belonged to a friend and that featured (on the cassette deck in the dashboard) a mini-jack socket (a walkman like headphone socket) which allowed you to plug any audio product straight in - such as mini disc, MP3 etc. I think that would be such a useful addition.

The Murcielago has a single CD player (as well as a CD changer) which is a useful feature as I cannot be bothered to change the cassette stack on any of my cars and quite like chucking a single CD in....

Sat Nav is very odd in Europe. If I follow mine I quite often find that a 2 mile journey within London will route me via Scotland and Wales!

 

[Guest]

London has got to be the most confusing place to drive in the world. Is it true the cabbies have to take tests?

Fred

 

[neilda]

I can assure you that London is only confusing to my Sat Nav - otherwise it's quite straightforward. OK we do drive on the left, admitedly many roads are only fit for horse-drawn carriages, sure we go the wrong way around roundabouts, it would be fair to mention that we have lanes, streets, cul de sacs, dual carriageways, motorways, A roads, B roads and ring roads - apart from that, we've got it sorted.

Yes - of course London black cab drivers take a test (called The Knowledge), it means they know where they're going - and, amusingly, they all speak English.

I am a regular visitor to America and am always amazed that city cab drivers can barely string a comprehensible sentance together and have little idea of where they're going or, indeed, where they've come from. Whilst I love America and it's people (genuinely), I'm afraid I have to be partisan and say that our cab drivers are a bit better!!