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A fun, fast-paced lifestyle feature on the trendiest automotive gear on the planet! GEAR features everything from the latest car gadgets that make cars flashier and more enjoyable to drive to matching luggage for that cool sports car, cool kids stuff and trendy apparel.
So it's not the best weather out, and you don't know where you're going, your car doesn't have a GPS system, and you probably don't want to be fooling with maps and paper directions. But there is a simple solution. Among portable GPS units, the Magellan Roadmate and Maestro stand out with the latest maps and useful features. Available with U.S. and Canada destinations, travel information from AAA is provided to give you instant access on service details, discounts and diamond hotel ratings. Driving on the highway and not sure which exit to take? Illuminated and highlighted signs on the wide screen make finding where you're going easier. Using the simple one-touch feature menu, enter any address or select from thousands of points of interest. It's easy navigation to almost anywhere. Arriving at your destination is quick and painless. The Magellan Roadmate and Maestro units are available in stores now.
As much as we love being alone on the open road, there are times when our jobs or our spouses need to reach us. So to keep us connected, we test the Scala Rider Q2 motorcycle helmet headset. We've all heard stories of getting blue-tooth systems to work properly. But between the well written and illustrated manual and common sense, we were able to get the two communicators talking and connected to our phone in about 15 minutes. Another two minutes to hook them up to the helmet and we were off and running. After a few weeks of problem free use, the only real drawback that we could see, is the rechargeable batteries are not replaceable; basically making them disposable units. So whether it's your nearby riding buddy, the passenger behind you or the boss at work or home, you'll always be connected. Fortunately, there's always an "Off" button.
The new GoPro Motorsports wide-angle camera gives you a 170-degree shot: perfect for your web-based videos. How would you like to create your own ride and drive, take it anywhere and everywhere? Suction it to the hood of your car, or use the expansion kit to mount on just about any size handle bar. If you really want to test it out, the GoPro camera comes with a waterproof case, good for a dive up to 100 feet deep. Weighing under five ounces, the GoPro camera holds nearly an hour of continuous video on a two-gig SD card as well as shooting up to five mega-pixel still photos. Use it on the track or capture that ride in the country - you can even take it to remember that snowmobiling adventure. Whatever the occasion, the GoPro camera can handle it.
Whether it's garden equipment, weekend toys, or just an emergency stash, gassing up on the go can be a messy and dangerous business. In fact, just in the US, more than 9 million gallons of gas is spilled each year. Flo-N-Go has come up with a nifty solution with the Max-Flo. What looks like an everyday 6-gallon gas can is actually fitted with a siphon handle capable of pumping as much as two gallons per minute at any height or angle. For about $60 you can eliminate spills and reduce the risk of overfilling. Not to mention the strain of lifting and tilting a 40 pound container for several minutes. A clever safety shut off valve seals tight when not in use and vents when open. And best of all, with Flo-N-Go you won't smell like gas at supper time.
At last you can own the most menacing car in film history, and we're not talking about Herbie or Lightning McQueen here. Mad Max's Interceptor! Car-star of the cult classic, The Road Warrior! Auto-art has devotedly replicated Max's trusty ride, with this 1/18th scale tribute. All of the mods are faithfully represented on this once Ford Falcon XB GT: the sinister two-tone black paint; miss-matched wheels; auxiliary tanks; and the unmistakable Scott injector hat. But what would the king of pursuit be without a custom seat for his faithful blue heeler, g'day blue! The interceptor comes ready for display or the perfect canvas to lovingly apply dirt and grime for that fresh off the wasteland look. So whether you're a big fan of the movie or just a collector who thought they had everything, the interceptor is out there waiting for you, if you think you're ready.
The increase of hands-free devices have been on the minds of nearly everyone, with safer driving as one of America's top priorities and new state laws popping up every day. So what about when it's absolutely necessary? You're about to drive into work and you don't have time to check your computer for those last minute emails to prepare for the morning meeting. That's when having the iLane comes in handy. The new product opens your emails and texts, reads them for you, and allows you reply without taking your eyes off the road, just by speaking out loud. Setting up the iLane for the first time is difficult and navigating through their website is a bit tedious. But once it gets going and is mounted in your car, it makes commuting to work a lot less stressful. The iLane kit comes with the unit, the vent mount, two power adaptors, and the Bluetooth headset. It is pricey at around $600, along with an $8 monthly fee. However, the iLane is a perfect accessory for the on-the-go business traveler.
It's a dilemma facing many music loving motorists: how to integrate your sophisticated portable music players into your car stereo when an OEM option is either too expensive or not available. Well, you're going to love the sound of this! The SoundGate CORE will help you connect, charge and control your iPod using a remote control, and it works with most car audio systems. The package comes with a universal set of cables. It comes with everything an iPod needs to give you and your passengers endless in-car entertainment. Along with the core processor, the pack comes with an audio/video RCA breakout cable for sharing music and movies. There's also a stereo minijack cable for connection to auxiliary inputs, a cigarette lighter power adapter charger and a permanent power harness/charger for those requiring hookup from a fixed source. All for about $80. So there you have it, aftermarket GEAR that turns your basic car stereo into a sophisticated sound system, all at a price you can afford.
A lot of people love owning the latest iPhone and iPods, but there's a drawback. You can't charge them if your car has an older iPod integration system. Well now this small adapter from Scosche solves that problem. It converts from 12 volt fire wire, which Apple no longer supports, to 5 volt USB. The Passport features a female pass-through connector. It attaches to any in-car iPod integration system. It'll charge the iPhone 3G, the iPod Nano 4G and touch2G. With the Apple seal of approval, the passport maintains all functionality, including audio, video and data of these latest Apple models. The Passport costs about $30. So there you have it, GEAR that keeps all your devices charged and working loud and clear while on the road.
Many of us don't like driving around in a dirty car, so we either take it to the car wash which gets expensive or we wash it ourselves, which takes a lot of time and elbow grease! Well, the Power Sidekick Auto Care System promises us the best of both worlds. It is designed to clean your vehicle in a fraction of the time with commercial results. The cordless unit vacuums, washes and polishes. It comes with several attachments that will do most of the dirty work for you. There's the soap-dispensing wash, brush and polisher which wipes away the dirt and grime, while the vacuum attachment cleans the carpet. The unit is battery-powered. So you have the freedom to move around your car, and that also means no cords to trip over and no danger of an electrical shock. The Power Sidekick is around $130. So there you have it, GEAR that brings the professional car wash home!
All car brands offer in-dash navigation. It's a great feature to have but it could easily set you back a couple thousand dollars. That's why portable GPS units like Alpine's PND-K3 make sense. These plug-and play devices have quickly emerged as viable and much more affordable alternatives to OEM units. This particular Bluetooth, hands-free system can be mounted on your windshield or dash. It features a 4.3-inch touch screen to clearly view maps of the U.S. and Canada. And if you're looking for a restaurant, hotel or gas station - no problem. You can quickly search six million points of interest. Verbal turn-by turn directions. But here's the kicker. Since Alpine is best known for its car stereos, the PND K3 also comes with a built-in SD card slot that plays back wma/mp3 files. So there you have it, for $550, portable navigational GEAR for the true audiophile. So even if you do get lost, you can still dance to the music.
For SUV owners, it's easier than ever these days to outfit your vehicle with cool accessories that will remind you of being at home, and now here's another one you can add to the list. Add-A-Cabana converts your SUV or van into a portable dressing room. It's great to have when you or the kids need privacy to change into sporting gear or beach wear. It's also a handy cover at a tailgate party, campsite, or any number of outdoor activities including changing on location. Add-A-Cabana fits over the open lift gate and takes just minutes to set up. After you turn off the engine, simply attach the buckles to the roof rack and the magnets to the sides of the vehicle. No poles or stakes required. It comes in either black or tan, with a tote bag and weighs less than 4 pounds all for around $50. So there you have it, gear that turns your SUV into a mobile dressing room in a snap!
If you have an older car, you probably don't have hands free Bluetooth capability. Well this may be just the solution for you. The Mini Bluetooth Adapter from Venturi plugs directly into your cars DC outlet. After setup, it acts as a speaker phone, or can stream audio from a portable music player. All the audio comes through your car's stereo speakers and it also acts as a charger. The Mini is very portable and packs a lot of cool features. It has a LCD display. There's also a USB charging jack, built-in microphone plus an audio-in jack. An FM transmitter can send caller id and phonebook information to the car's radio display. For $90, it's a lot less than a built in system. So there you have it, all-in one hi-tech gear that gives you unlimited hands free access at an affordable price!
If you own an iPod or iPhone, including the new 3g, then this latest news will be music to your ears! Thanks to the TuneCast Auto from Belkin, you can now more easily listen to your iPhone or iPod through your car's stereo, while it charges. TuneCast is powered by your car's power outlet. Up until now it has been really hard trying to find car accessories that were completely compatible with the majority of iPhones and iPods, but TuneCast gets the apple seal of approval. It features clear scan technology. With a push of a button, it'll automatically scan for the best FM frequencies to play your music. At about $80, TuneCast is a great bargain if you don't want to spend the money installing an iPod interface. So there you have it, Gear that has iPhone and iPod users singing a different tune!
Sometimes we just want to give our vehicles a facelift by adding some personality, paint and pizzazz. Throwing on a bumper sticker may not do the trick, but this will! It's called Infectious Car Art and it's all the rage in self expression and do-it- yourself customization. These vinyl decals can turn your mundane vehicle into a colorful moving mural. Here's how it works: after choosing the artwork, you'll apply it to your clean car. There are a few easy steps which include peeling, cutting and using a squeegee to smooth it out. Depending on which one you choose, it could take anywhere from ten minutes to two hours.
The vinyl material is made to be durable but easily removable. The company says it'll last up to two years. The artwork starts at $35 and goes up to $390 for a full kit. So there you have it, creative gear that turns your vehicle into a beautiful billboard - and you won't get bored of it anytime soon!
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