Cool Items on a Budget: Car Electronics!

I’d like to start today’s article by shamelessly bragging about my winter break from school, which actually has some bearing on today’s topic. I’m from Missoula, Montana. When fall started, I drove from Montana to Los Angeles for college. This wasn’t as bad as it seems, as there was a week-long layover in Lake Tahoe. However, for winter break, I decided it was time to embark upon the ever-alluring college road trip, driving up the Pacific Coast Highway, to Sacramento, to Eugene, to Portland, to Seattle, and finally home. It was a remarkable week of travel, with the only damper coming two weeks later when I had to make the return trip. It was a great trip, and I was able to spend a lot of time exploring the west coast, bonding with Interstate 5, and hanging out in my car.

For that third reason, I feel incredibly qualified to write about some great car electronics that can improve the quality of your vehicle. If you’ve got a long trip in your future, or if you have a regular commute, a few additions to your automobile can greatly improve the use you get out of it. Here are three great kinds of electronics for your car:

Car Speakers:
While many cars on the market already have serviceable audio systems installed, there are always upgrades available if you find your stock system lacking in volume or quality. Most of these speakers require professional installation, making them more expensive than their price tag would indicate. If you have an older model, purchasing a stereo upgrade can be great for your commute. I almost always listen to music while in the car, and it’s a great way to relieve stress while on the road and pass the time on long trips. Some speaker systems are affordable, allowing you to expand your car audio easily. Check out this Pioneer speaker componant package for a great starting point.
GPS Navigation:
If you live in a big city, one of these units can be a great asset. While companies like Garmin and Tom Tom make devices that have many? high end features (such as business directories built into the device), a less expensive model will still be a great asset. By having step by step directions to virtually any destination, it can take much of the stress out of driving to a new locale, or driving in a new city. Be forewarned, though, that some units suffer from confusing menu organization, making them downright dangerous to operate while driving. Always exercise caution, and never operate one while in motion. A great deal can be found on some of the entry-level models in the Garmin StreetPilot series.
Car DVD systems:
These are especially great if you have younger children, as they ease some of the boredom that comes on long car trips. A good DVD system for your car will have several essential features. First of all, make sure the screen is a decent size, something that can be stared at for a long period of time without straining your eyes. Also, make sure you’re able to plug headphones into the device, so that the sound from the DVD doesn’t have to be played through your car audio system. As with the GPS devices, it goes without saying that you (as the driver) shouldn’t be watching such a gadget while actually driving the car, save that for your kids! This in-dash Pyle screen has some great features at an affordable price, and is a great starting point!
See also:
Cool Items on a Budget: Great Upgrades for your Gadgets!Cool Electronics: Save Up to 15% at Circuit CityCool Items on a Budget: Printers, Hardware and More!Cool Items on a Budget: Best Video Games for Under $20Cool Items on a Budget: Asus Eee PC T91Cool Watch on a Budget: The Timex T5F851 Ironman TriathleteBest and Worst: Car SubwoofersCool Concept Cars:Is This Your Next Car?An HUD Display for Your Car?