By Alan Detwiler
When driving, a cold drink stays cold in an iceless, plug-in cooler. Use a cell phone and it stays fully charged - a power cord is plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. Make the right choice for which way to go when travelling in unfamilar territory - you know which direction is which, you have a compass in your car. Be enabled, add on a useful car accessory. Or empower someone you know by giving a useful car gift.
Below is information and comments about 8 useful add-on car accessories. Basic features of each item is specified so you can choose one as a gift to enable someone you know ... and/or to choose one to enable yourself. Most are available through a major retailer including Walmart, Amazon.com, J.C. Whitney, and Radio Shack.
Cell phone charger - Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge a cell phone.
Example models:
Virgin Mobile Silver Dolphin Car Charger, for Kyocera phones, plugs into car's power outlet and charges phone in 2.5- to 3.5-hours, http://www.radioshack.com can locate the stores nearest you where you can get this charger.
Phoenix Wireless Vehicle Power Adapter for Samsung M300/M510, has coiled cord that plugs into cigarette lighter socket.
Quick Cell 3900 Car Charger Nokia, advanceautoparts.com website lists stores nearest you that stock this charger.
Phoenix Vehicle Power Adapter for Samsung Phones, has coiled cord that plugs into cigarette lighter socket, 3.5-mm plug, for many Samsung phones.
Generic Car Charger for Nokia N91, N90, N80, 770, 7370, 6282, 6265i, 6165i, 6155i, 6126, 6103, 6102i, 6102, 6101, 3155i. Replaces the original Nokia DC-4 car charger, charge indicator light, automatically switches to trickle mode when battery is fully charged to prevent overcharging.
12-volt coolers - No ice required to keep food cold. These range in size to hold 2 soda cans up to dozens of cans.
Example models:
Rubbermaid 10.5-Liter Cooler (617977223501), keep drinks or food cold or warm, 10.5 liter, up to fourteen 12-oz. cans, two built-in cup holders and a padded seat, plugs into car's 12-volt DC outlet.
Kool Mate Thermo-Electric Cooler, holds cans and 2-liter bottles upright, 32-can capacity, cold use only, 8' 12-volt power cord, cools 44-degrees farenheit/24-degrees celsius below ambient temp.
Multipurpose lights - Can be incandescent, flourescent or LED. Some plug into the cigarette lighter socket, some are wired directly into the car's power circuits, and some are battery operated and portable. If used while the vehicle is not running, LED models will drain the battery much less (but in general produce less light).
Example models:
Bonatrade International 6-Watt Single Tube 12V Fluorescent Light.
Custom Accessories 76665 Utility Light 12v.
Voltec Industries 12-Volt Trouble Light, plastic shade, 20-foot cord, battery clips. advanceautoparts.com website will locate stores nearest you that stock this light.
12V Fluorescent Work Light 12V Fluorescent Work Light, 8-watt flourescent with 14-foot cord, plug in cigarette lighter socket or use clothespin clips to attach to car battery.
Schumacher SAC-514 Work Light - 15-Watts, 12-foot cord, plugs into cigarette lighter socket or clips to car battery.
CarMate NZ181 LED Interior Map Light, for reading road maps at night, has plug to get power from cigarette lighter jack.
Black Double Reading Light, can be mounted overhead, has two independently aimable lights, Prostreet brand name.
Compass - Some are mechanical, some are electronic and battery powered with digital displays, some are lighted to read at night, some have additional features such as time, date, and/or temperature readouts.
example models:
Winplus Portable Digital Compass, blue backlit screen, battery operated.
Clock, Compass and Thermometer Gauge, display the time, inside temperature, and a compass, battery operated.
Type S Compass, small floating ball type that clips on to rear view mirror.
Digital Car Compass with Temperature, Clock, Calendar Functions, inside temperature display, clock, calendar functions, on/off function to conserve battery power, backlight button, 3 AAA batteries.
Digital Compass with Suction Cup, backlight on/off switch to conserve battery, auto calibration, detachable and adjustable angle suction cup for windshield.
Electronic Auto Compass with Ice Alert, brand name Road Pro, inside/outside temperature readout, plugs into cigarette lighter socket (12V DC), digital voltage meter, LED battery level indicator.
PNI Wayfinder V2020 Wireless Full Spectrum Compass and Wireless Temperature System, runs on battery or vehicle power, wireless outside temperature sensor, auto compensates for vehicle magnetic fields, magnetic interference alert, on/off backlight switch when using battery, auto shut off.
Custom Accessories #55551 Mini Compass, the basic floating ball inside a glass globe. Probably about the lowest priced compass.
Weather alert radio - Receives broadcasts from the National Weather Service. The NWS provides weather forecasts and reports as well as announcements about severe weather and any possible disasters. I have a radio that uses the vehicle's power so I don't have to replace batteries every time I turn around.
example models:
Midland WR-10 Weather Alert Radio 18-235, Power Cord Adapter required for 12-volt operation.
Midland 18-235 Power Cord Adapter, for the Midland WR-10 radio. Available through C & M Audio/Video Applicance for about $10.
Midland WR10 All Hazard Radio with AM/FM Radio, can be powered with a 9-volt battery for 6-hours operation, 18-235 Power Cord Adapter required for 12-volt operation.
Flashlight - Dozens of types available including windups that don't require batteries, solar rechargeables, flourescent tube (bulbs last much longer), and LED models that will run many hours on one set of batteries.
example models:
Rebel LED flashlight. Runs on two AA batteries, Model #809-1055-0. Includes belt clip, 7-inches long, includes 3 snap-on filters - red to enhance night vision, amber for fog, blue for glass and water.
Dorcy Waterproof LED 4AA Flashlight. 200-hour Run Time on 4 AA alkaline batteries.
Himount Windup LED Flashlight. Wind up for 1 minute to get 40-minutes light, 5-1/2-inches long.
Coleman 1 Watt LED Micro-Packer Lantern, runs 30 hours on 3 AA batteries.
Energizer Weather-Ready Compact LED Light, runs about 100 hours on 4 AA batteries, included. Ought to be good for the glove box or trunk.
Dorcy 1/2-Watt LED Flashlight #41-2498, waterproof, floats, 200 hours run time on 4 AA batteries.
4 point safety harness - Has four anchor points and a restraint for each shoulder. These are more likely to get you through a crash with less injury than if you had been using a standard belt (across one shoulder and across the lap). Many models are made to attach to a roll bar, so make sure the one you are getting is appropriate for your vehicle. If in doubt, call the retailer or manufacturer.
example models:
R.J.S. Latch-Type Harness Kit 4-point safety harness, made to bolt to a roll bar but why not to the roof? Mounting hardware not included.
Corbeau 44001S Harness Belt 4-Point Snap In (Black).
Ram-Pac 5pt. HarnessRam-Pac Harness 6001, a higher than average priced unit.
mp3 player - Down load music or other audio content onto either the player's memory or a separate flash drive. Hours of audio can be stored in a single memory device. Some content can be downloaded for free. http://www.npr.org has some downloadable programming. Listen to the program any time you choose. Good for long distance freeway driving.
example models:
VR3 MP3/WMA FM Modulator w/USB Port and Audio, VRFM8BLN, plug a flash drive into its USB port and use Play, Pause, Volume, Shuffle, and Track Selection controls to play MP3 and WMA files, has a mini jack to use a mp3 player or other audio source, has cigarette lighter plug.
DLO TransCast FM Transmiter for MP3 Players, 0092007, use to play audio from an MP3 player through a car's radio. Gets power from cigarette lighter jack or batteries, 3-foot cord for connecting an audio source, compatible with MP3 players, PSP, and iPod. Radio shack will ship free to the store nearest you.
USB Car MP3/WMA FM Modulator Player W/Audio Input, will accept a standard USB drive to play MP3 files with car's FM radio, plugs in cigarette lighter jack, input jack for audio from CD, DVD or MP3 player.
Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter, will except audio from a MP3 player's headphone jack and transmit it to a car's radio to be played through the car's existing speaker system, powered by batteries or through car's cigarette lighter jack.
Other useful car gifts are such items as seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, inside/outside thermometer, and a gps/map device.
Car gift possibilities include items for repair, emergency, and safety such as - a trouble light, flares, jumper cables, maps, cell phone, various hand tools, and a first aid kit.
When driving, a cold drink stays cold in an iceless, plug-in cooler. Use a cell phone and it stays fully charged - a power cord is plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. Make the right choice for which way to go when travelling in unfamilar territory - you know which direction is which, you have a compass in your car. Be enabled, add on a useful car accessory. Or empower someone you know by giving a useful car gift.
Below is information and comments about 8 useful add-on car accessories. Basic features of each item is specified so you can choose one as a gift to enable someone you know ... and/or to choose one to enable yourself. Most are available through a major retailer including Walmart, Amazon.com, J.C. Whitney, and Radio Shack.
Cell phone charger - Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge a cell phone.
Example models:
Virgin Mobile Silver Dolphin Car Charger, for Kyocera phones, plugs into car's power outlet and charges phone in 2.5- to 3.5-hours, http://www.radioshack.com can locate the stores nearest you where you can get this charger.
Phoenix Wireless Vehicle Power Adapter for Samsung M300/M510, has coiled cord that plugs into cigarette lighter socket.
Quick Cell 3900 Car Charger Nokia, advanceautoparts.com website lists stores nearest you that stock this charger.
Phoenix Vehicle Power Adapter for Samsung Phones, has coiled cord that plugs into cigarette lighter socket, 3.5-mm plug, for many Samsung phones.
Generic Car Charger for Nokia N91, N90, N80, 770, 7370, 6282, 6265i, 6165i, 6155i, 6126, 6103, 6102i, 6102, 6101, 3155i. Replaces the original Nokia DC-4 car charger, charge indicator light, automatically switches to trickle mode when battery is fully charged to prevent overcharging.
12-volt coolers - No ice required to keep food cold. These range in size to hold 2 soda cans up to dozens of cans.
Example models:
Rubbermaid 10.5-Liter Cooler (617977223501), keep drinks or food cold or warm, 10.5 liter, up to fourteen 12-oz. cans, two built-in cup holders and a padded seat, plugs into car's 12-volt DC outlet.
Kool Mate Thermo-Electric Cooler, holds cans and 2-liter bottles upright, 32-can capacity, cold use only, 8' 12-volt power cord, cools 44-degrees farenheit/24-degrees celsius below ambient temp.
Multipurpose lights - Can be incandescent, flourescent or LED. Some plug into the cigarette lighter socket, some are wired directly into the car's power circuits, and some are battery operated and portable. If used while the vehicle is not running, LED models will drain the battery much less (but in general produce less light).
Example models:
Bonatrade International 6-Watt Single Tube 12V Fluorescent Light.
Custom Accessories 76665 Utility Light 12v.
Voltec Industries 12-Volt Trouble Light, plastic shade, 20-foot cord, battery clips. advanceautoparts.com website will locate stores nearest you that stock this light.
12V Fluorescent Work Light 12V Fluorescent Work Light, 8-watt flourescent with 14-foot cord, plug in cigarette lighter socket or use clothespin clips to attach to car battery.
Schumacher SAC-514 Work Light - 15-Watts, 12-foot cord, plugs into cigarette lighter socket or clips to car battery.
CarMate NZ181 LED Interior Map Light, for reading road maps at night, has plug to get power from cigarette lighter jack.
Black Double Reading Light, can be mounted overhead, has two independently aimable lights, Prostreet brand name.
Compass - Some are mechanical, some are electronic and battery powered with digital displays, some are lighted to read at night, some have additional features such as time, date, and/or temperature readouts.
example models:
Winplus Portable Digital Compass, blue backlit screen, battery operated.
Clock, Compass and Thermometer Gauge, display the time, inside temperature, and a compass, battery operated.
Type S Compass, small floating ball type that clips on to rear view mirror.
Digital Car Compass with Temperature, Clock, Calendar Functions, inside temperature display, clock, calendar functions, on/off function to conserve battery power, backlight button, 3 AAA batteries.
Digital Compass with Suction Cup, backlight on/off switch to conserve battery, auto calibration, detachable and adjustable angle suction cup for windshield.
Electronic Auto Compass with Ice Alert, brand name Road Pro, inside/outside temperature readout, plugs into cigarette lighter socket (12V DC), digital voltage meter, LED battery level indicator.
PNI Wayfinder V2020 Wireless Full Spectrum Compass and Wireless Temperature System, runs on battery or vehicle power, wireless outside temperature sensor, auto compensates for vehicle magnetic fields, magnetic interference alert, on/off backlight switch when using battery, auto shut off.
Custom Accessories #55551 Mini Compass, the basic floating ball inside a glass globe. Probably about the lowest priced compass.
Weather alert radio - Receives broadcasts from the National Weather Service. The NWS provides weather forecasts and reports as well as announcements about severe weather and any possible disasters. I have a radio that uses the vehicle's power so I don't have to replace batteries every time I turn around.
example models:
Midland WR-10 Weather Alert Radio 18-235, Power Cord Adapter required for 12-volt operation.
Midland 18-235 Power Cord Adapter, for the Midland WR-10 radio. Available through C & M Audio/Video Applicance for about $10.
Midland WR10 All Hazard Radio with AM/FM Radio, can be powered with a 9-volt battery for 6-hours operation, 18-235 Power Cord Adapter required for 12-volt operation.
Flashlight - Dozens of types available including windups that don't require batteries, solar rechargeables, flourescent tube (bulbs last much longer), and LED models that will run many hours on one set of batteries.
example models:
Rebel LED flashlight. Runs on two AA batteries, Model #809-1055-0. Includes belt clip, 7-inches long, includes 3 snap-on filters - red to enhance night vision, amber for fog, blue for glass and water.
Dorcy Waterproof LED 4AA Flashlight. 200-hour Run Time on 4 AA alkaline batteries.
Himount Windup LED Flashlight. Wind up for 1 minute to get 40-minutes light, 5-1/2-inches long.
Coleman 1 Watt LED Micro-Packer Lantern, runs 30 hours on 3 AA batteries.
Energizer Weather-Ready Compact LED Light, runs about 100 hours on 4 AA batteries, included. Ought to be good for the glove box or trunk.
Dorcy 1/2-Watt LED Flashlight #41-2498, waterproof, floats, 200 hours run time on 4 AA batteries.
4 point safety harness - Has four anchor points and a restraint for each shoulder. These are more likely to get you through a crash with less injury than if you had been using a standard belt (across one shoulder and across the lap). Many models are made to attach to a roll bar, so make sure the one you are getting is appropriate for your vehicle. If in doubt, call the retailer or manufacturer.
example models:
R.J.S. Latch-Type Harness Kit 4-point safety harness, made to bolt to a roll bar but why not to the roof? Mounting hardware not included.
Corbeau 44001S Harness Belt 4-Point Snap In (Black).
Ram-Pac 5pt. HarnessRam-Pac Harness 6001, a higher than average priced unit.
mp3 player - Down load music or other audio content onto either the player's memory or a separate flash drive. Hours of audio can be stored in a single memory device. Some content can be downloaded for free. http://www.npr.org has some downloadable programming. Listen to the program any time you choose. Good for long distance freeway driving.
example models:
VR3 MP3/WMA FM Modulator w/USB Port and Audio, VRFM8BLN, plug a flash drive into its USB port and use Play, Pause, Volume, Shuffle, and Track Selection controls to play MP3 and WMA files, has a mini jack to use a mp3 player or other audio source, has cigarette lighter plug.
DLO TransCast FM Transmiter for MP3 Players, 0092007, use to play audio from an MP3 player through a car's radio. Gets power from cigarette lighter jack or batteries, 3-foot cord for connecting an audio source, compatible with MP3 players, PSP, and iPod. Radio shack will ship free to the store nearest you.
USB Car MP3/WMA FM Modulator Player W/Audio Input, will accept a standard USB drive to play MP3 files with car's FM radio, plugs in cigarette lighter jack, input jack for audio from CD, DVD or MP3 player.
Belkin TuneCast II Mobile FM Transmitter, will except audio from a MP3 player's headphone jack and transmit it to a car's radio to be played through the car's existing speaker system, powered by batteries or through car's cigarette lighter jack.
Other useful car gifts are such items as seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, inside/outside thermometer, and a gps/map device.
Car gift possibilities include items for repair, emergency, and safety such as - a trouble light, flares, jumper cables, maps, cell phone, various hand tools, and a first aid kit.
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