Oct 5, 2016
In car gadgets are not the exclusive preserve of “petrol heads” and techies. There are all kinds of inexpensive items out there that make day-to-day driving either less stressful and / or more enjoyable, and that’s what this round-up is all about.
All of the in car gadgets on this list are affordable and rather clever. We’ve done our best to largely steer away from gimmicks and point you in the direction of items that will genuinely improve your day-to-day motoring.
So, without further ado, here’s our round-up of the top five inexpensive in-car gadgets.
1. The Cheapest and Handiest of in Car Gadgets!
Often, the very simplest ideas are the best, and this in car gadget is a great example.
All it really is is a spring-loaded clip! However, it’s sturdy and flexible, and clips on to practically any air-vent (although you may wish to proceed with caution if your car has especially thin vents).
All you then have to do is attach your phone, letting the soft pliable clips grip it in place. It’s akin to the cheapest and most sensible “car kit” you could imagine for your smartphone, which earns it its place at the top of this list. It’s perfect for mounting your device to use it as a sat nav, or as a music player.
Positives:
- Simple; Cheap; Clever.
- Allows you to mount your phone in landscape or portrait mode.
- Grips on to practically any vent.
Negatives:
- Particularly thin vents may pose a problem.
2. An In Car Gadget for Music Lovers
While many modern cars now come with smartphone / iPhone connectors, they’re not as ubiquitous as one might think. They’re often not included in “base” car models, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be compatible with the phone you have.
The alternative is a device that allows you to send the sound from your phone (or music player) to a radio frequency. All you then have to do is tune your radio to the chosen frequency and you’ll hear your music. This is perfect for older cars without smartphone inputs, or cars with inputs that aren’t compatible with the device you want to listen to.
If you happened to play around with one of these in-car gadgets several years ago, you may be skeptical, but the quality has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. These items are very inexpensive, and FAR cheaper than paying for an aftermarket phone input for an older vehicle.
Positives:
- Allows you to plug in anything with a headphone jack and hear it through your car stereo.
- Far cheaper than a fitted “car kit.”
Negatives:
- It’s sometimes difficult to find an uncluttered FM waveband around busy cities.
3. One for Business People
If you’re a road-warrior or travelling salesperson, you probably find yourself needing to do a little work (or simply feed yourself) between meetings.
Rather than force you to contort yourself and twist towards the passenger seat, this steering wheel mounted makeshift desk gives you a proper ergonomic surface on which to work or dine.
It only takes seconds to hook it into place, and is also very easy to stow away whilst not in use. It’s one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you learned it existed! Just don’t try to use it while you’re on the move please!
Positives:
- An inexpensive way to turn your car into a mobile office.
- A good way to eat in the car without making a mess.
Negatives:
- Higher corners would improve the design – especially if you plan to eat soup!
4. A Great Gift for Drivers
This particular in car gadget looks like a baby-wipe container and isn’t strictly speaking a “gadget.”
However, it’s a perfect gift for someone who travels plenty of miles – if you can resist buying it for yourself!
It’s something akin to the kind of amenity kit you are handed if you travel business class on a plane – but for your car. Given the case design, it’s ironic that it does, in fact, contain a “lemon refreshing wipe,” but it also includes far more useful things too, including a pen, an ice scraper, a glowstick light, plastic gloves, and a hand warmer – along with a few other things.
Gimmicky as this may seem, it actually all makes a lot of sense, with the kit containing items that could prove hugely useful in the event of a car breakdown, or even a spillage from the kids in the back. As mentioned above, it would make a great present too.
Positives:
- Fantastic value.
- Surprisingly sensible contents.
Negatives:
- None – every car should have one of these in the glovebox!
5. A Touch of Luxury
It turns out you don’t have to buy a high-end prestige car to gain yourself a massage function for your seats!
This inexpensive in car gadget may not be quite as tidy as a factory-fitted massage seat, but it does the job, and includes five different massage modes and a heating facility.
At such a low price, this massage cushion is a “no-brainer” for anyone who feels uncomfortable during or after a long drive. It’s powered by the 12V cigarette lighter socket, but also comes with a mains plug so you can take it inside and use it there as well.
Positives:
- In-car massage at a very low price.
- Reported to be highly effective by multiple reviewers.
Negatives:
- May be considered a little scruffy by those who like to keep their cars immaculate.
Sep 27, 2016
An in car DVD or TV system may feel like a luxurious purchase, but such systems are actually surprisingly affordable.
Furthermore, if you often travel with children or grandchildren (or restless adults!) these items can make long journeys far less stressful than they might be otherwise!
It’s worth noting that live in car TV isn’t really a realistic prospect in a moving vehicle. If you’ve ever had to set up a TV ariel (or perhaps even a coathanger!) you’ll know that maintaining a TV signal in something that moves isn’t feasible. That said, watching DVDs and media files stored on memory cards is very easy. If you have some form of in-car Wifi you may be able to stream TV and film content too.
The in car DVD / TV systems recommended below offer a surprising number of options and features. If you want to make your next family road trip the most stress-free ever, take a look at what’s on offer.
Before we start we must emphasise that these systems are not intended for drivers to watch while in command of a vehicle – something very foolish than we would never recommend not condone.
1. The Ultimate HD In Car DVD Option
If you like products with all the requisite “bells and whistles,” then this is the in-car DVD for you.
For starters it has an HD screen, though this isn’t the “full HD” you’ll see on a traditional TV. The product includes a region-free DVD player, but that’s just one option for watching content.
You can also make use of the SD card slot and USB port to play video files from a range of supported formats. There’s even a game disk, in case your passengers get bored with their video entertainment, and a remote control for those who find leaning forward in their seat too much effort!
Positives:
- Great quality picture.
- Lots of playback options.
- Positive online reviews.
Negatives:
2. The Actual TV Option
This is a very different beast to the last option. It’s a full blown Freeview TV in portable form, and it’s possible to power it with a rechargeable battery, or from a car cigarette lighter.
As we explained at the start, it’s not feasible to watch live TV with an ariel while you’re moving along, but it will work just fine when stationary – making it ideal for caravans and motorhomes as well.
While you are moving, you can instead watch media files and listen to music using a connected USB stick or MicroSD card. You can also use this to record live TV when you have a signal – for viewing later. Please note however that this option does NOT include a DVD player.
Positives:
- A genuine portable television.
- Runs on battery, mains, or 12V power.
Negatives:
- No headrest mount included.
- No HD.
3. A Simple Option for Families
This twin-screen system from Bush ss perfect for families, as your back-seat passengers can not only have a screen each, but each watch something different. This is a perfect way to keep everyone happy.
This system doesn’t offer that many added extras, but comes with everything you need. There’s a remote control, 12V and AC adaptors, and earphones all in the box.
While it should be possible for both passengers to watch the same DVD, some reviewers have had issues with this feature – so you may wish to check before buying.
Positives:
- A low-cost twin-screen system.
- Allows two passengers to watch different DVDs.
Negatives:
- No USB or SD card input option.
- Fairly low resolution.
4. A Flexible Alternative
This one’s a great option for people who want to take their in car DVD player elsewhere, as it’s designed as a completely stand-alone portable DVD system. Despite this, it comes with the necessary headrest mountings for in-car use.
This makes it perfect for people who want to use it in the car, then chuck it in hand luggage to watch on a plane, for example.
The DVD player has a USB input and an SD card slot, so playback options aren’t restricted to DVD alone. The battery life is notably good as well – quoted at up to five hours when away from power.
Positives:
- Truly portable.
- Lots of playback options.
- Can be linked with a second screen if you buy two!
Negatives:
- Speaker volume isn’t especially loud.
5. The Feature-Packed Twin Pack
This Voyager-branded in car DVD system costs a little more than the Bush twin-pack above, but justifies the extra cost with some additional features.
The screens are slimline LEDs, and the headrest mounts are sophisticated, making for easy removal when parked.
The screens also come with USB and SD card inputs, something notably absent on the cheaper Bush system. Teenagers with their own electronic media files are sure to appreciate this feature.
Positives:
- Great headrest mountings.
- Option to add wireless headphones.
Negatives:
- Some reviews raise reliability concerns.
Sep 27, 2016
A recent PetrolPrices.com survey has revealed that over 71% of drivers have had their cars damaged whilst parked. In the vast majority of cases, these were “hit and run” incidents, with the perpetrators driving away instead of confessing to their mistake.
Our survey was answered by over 8000 motorists, with 71.4% saying that their vehicle had been “damaged whilst parked/stationary.” This amounts to nearly 6000 damaged cars from our research sample alone.
While this in itself is a worrying statistic, what’s far worse is that in 85% of cases, nobody stopped and took responsibility for the damage, making the lion’s share of these incidents low-level “hit and run” incidents.
Dents are the most commonly caused damage, accounting for about 54% of the incidents. Scratches are next at 40%. In nearly 7% of cases, however, the damage is seemingly far more malicious, involving a “part of (the) car physically removed.”
The sad reality of these incidents is that they’re often extremely costly for car owners. Even superficial dents can prove very expensive to fix. Furthermore, drivers can be hit with a triple-whammy of expenses: fixing the damage, taking a hit on the car’s resale value, and possibly even seeing an increase in future insurance costs. The latter is compounded by recent reports that insurance costs can rise after superficial incidents even if the insured person opts to repair the damage themselves instead of claiming. Have a read of this recent news article to find out more on that.
Hitting back against hit and run
So what can you do, as a driver, to protect yourself against your fellow drivers? Based on our statistics, they seem a rather dishonest bunch!
Ultimately all you can do is catch them out. Thankfully the technology exists to do so. Your first option is a fixed security camera outside your property – if this is feasible and likely to catch out the perpetrators. It’s worth taking a look at the products available from Y-cam, which fit the bill perfectly.
Another option is a dashcam, which records what happens around your vehicle. Some of the latest models from companies like Nextbase have a “parked mode” which uses motion-sensing technology to capture evidence. This has the added benefit of keeping an eye on your car in car parks and elsewhere when you’re away from home. This Nextbase 312GW has a parked mode and is an economical choice. Alternatively, if you really want the “gold standard,” and the best chance of catching the crooks, the DUO HD model has twin rotating cameras.
It’s undoubtedly pleasing to be able to go after people who think they’ve damaged your car and got away with it.
These gadgets don’t cost very much in the grand scheme of things, and even buying both could cost significantly less than replacing a door panel!
Sep 21, 2016
In this article, we run through the best car wax options currently available in the UK. These can all help you keep your car in a spotless, showroom condition.
Let’s be honest: Waxing the car can feel like quite a chore sometimes. This is definitely the case for those people for whom a car is just a car, and not their pride and joy! However, it’s a worthwhile task to keep a vehicle’s bodywork in tip-top condition. Furthermore, choosing the best car wax and taking the time to give your car some TLC can actually keep the car looking cleaner for longer.
In compiling this list of the best car wax, we’ve taken into account the fact that some people have neither the time nor inclination to spend much of their life buffing their car to a shine. With this in mind, you’ll see some of the options are relatively low effort compared to traditional car wax.
1. Best Car Wax: The “All-Rounder”
If you want a quick and easy, all-in-one best car wax, you can’t go far wrong with this Auto Glym kit.
It comes complete with two microfibre cloths, and the wax can be used on a dry vehicle or while the car is still wet – straight after washing.
Unusually, this wax is designed to work on “all exterior surfaces.” This is quite rare, as plenty of waxes are best avoided around windows and plastic panels.
We’re not alone in assessing this as the best car wax out there – Auto Express also gave the product a “best buy” award.
Positives:
- Works on dry and wet vehicles.
- Lots of good user reviews.
- Works on all surfaces.
Negatives:
- May not last as long as a more traditional wax.
2. A More Traditional Car Wax
This wax is more of a traditional option for those who want to make a bit of an effort!
This effort will pay off, however, as rain will just run off your car after application, keeping your vehicle shiny for weeks on end.
It’s worth emphasising that this is a traditional wax, intended for applying when your bodywork is dry.
Positives:
- Lasts for ages.
- Provides lots of paintwork protection.
Negatives:
- Not the easiest wax to apply.
- Not ideal for use on windows.
3. Best Car Wax: An All-in-One Solution
This is something a little different; It’s a complete car cleaning solution, including wax, that doesn’t require any water. This is ideal if you want to clean your car when you’re away from home, or anywhere without a convenient water source.
The idea is that you use the “waterless wash” first, and then buff the car up with the separate wax.
The product claims to work “without streaks, smears, scratches or water spots.” Almost all the online reviewers agree this is a valid claim, and rave about the product.
Positives:
- A complete solution.
- Allows you to clean your car without water!
- Saves a lot of time.
Negatives:
- A few reviewers not convinced by the quality of the finish.
- Not particularly economical.
4. The Household Name in Car Wax!
Arguably the best-known household name in car wax. This “hard shell shine” Turtle Wax is found in thousands of UK garages, and really does the job.
Some effort is required, however to get the best out of it. This wax is really only at its best when the car is really thoroughly cleaned prior to application.
Positives:
- An unrivalled finish.
- A trusted household name.
- Protects your car from the elements.
Negatives:
- Not the easiest wax to apply.
- No applicator provided.
5. The Easiest Option
This wax could fairly be described as a “lazy option!” However, nobody would be any the wiser. It still creates a great finish.
The clue to how this works is in the name; You apply this wax while the car is wet, making for a far quicker car wash routine.
This product doesn’t even need an awful lot of buffing after use, so it really is a quick solution. Unsurprisingly, however, it’s unlikely to last quite as long as “the real thing.”
Still, this is well worth a go if you’re pushed for time, and almost all reviews are very positive.
Positives:
- Very little effort involved.
- Produces a good finish.
Negatives:
- Rumours the product may be being discontinued – grab it now!
- Doesn’t protect against the elements as well as traditional wax.
Sep 20, 2016
Fuel economy figures provided by car manufacturers have traditionally been taken with a grain of salt by many. Often, car owners never manage to come close to the “miles per gallon” promised by marketing materials.
This is the purpose of “Real MPG,” which is a system HonestJohn.co.uk use to compile real life fuel economy figures from car owners. These realistic figures make it possible to compare real-life fuel economy with what’s promised by the manufacturers.
In a moment we’ll run through the vehicles that have recently performed best in Real MPG terms. First, however, it’s worth pointing out the surprising fact that several cars actually outperform the figures promised by the car makers. This is a true case of “under promise and over deliver,” which is very pleasing to see.
So, without further ado, here’s a run-down of the ten best vehicles for Real MPG; five diesels and five petrol models. All of these surpass the promises made by their manufacturers – some by more than 20%.
The Best Diesels for Real MPG
1) Land Rover Defender 110 SW (1984 – 2015) – 114.0% of official average MPG
The trusty Land Rover Defender has topped Real MPG tables for years. Owing to its age, the Defender precedes the EC laboratory tests that so many modern cars are designed to excel in. As a result the Land Rover exceeds its official claims by 14 per cent. On average it is the 110 SW that provides the best economy, with a Real MPG score of 29.2mpg, which is almost 5mpg more than Land Rover originally advertised.
2) Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 DI-D (2008 – 2014) – 111.5% of official average
The Mitsubishi Lancer was a car that struggled against the superior Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. Both were better to drive and more comfortable. That said, the Lancer diesel trumps both when it comes to real world fuel economy, with Real MPG drivers averaging an impressive 49.2mpg.
3) Volkswagen T5 Caravelle 2.5 TDI (2003 – 2015) – 107.2% of official average
We’re big fans of the big and comfortable Caravelle. Not only was it one of the few Volkswagens to emerge from the emissions scandal unscathed, but Real MPG figures show it to be one of the best MPVs for real world economy. On average, the T5 Caravelle will return 33.8mpg, but some Real MPG drivers have reported as much as 41.5mpg, which makes the large people carrier ideal for large families and taxi drivers alike.
4) Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.6 DDiS (2013 – ) – 100.6% of official average
The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is great value and cheap to run, with the 1.6 DDiS providing 60mpg+. Real MPG drivers back up Suzuki’s fuel economy claims, with the SX4 S-Cross scoring a commendable 100.6 per cent of its official average.
5) Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI (2004 – 2013) – 103.7% of official average
It might be the old model, but the 2004 – 2014 Skoda Octavia continues to impress Real MPG drivers with an average of 54.7mpg. The Octavia’s low fuel costs are made all the more attractive when you consider how large and comfortable it is inside, while its keen handling characteristics make it surprisingly capable on a demanding B road.
Real MPG: The Best Petrol Vehicles
1) Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 (2008-2015) – 120.0% of official average MPG
Admittedly, most XFs on the road are diesel powered, but in the hands of Real MPG drivers the 3.0-litre V6 petrol manages to better its official fuel economy by an impressive rate. According to Jaguar the V6 should average at 26.8mpg, but the true figure is closer to 32mpg.
2) Nissan X-Trail 2.0 (2007-2014) – 119.5% of official average MPG
With an official economy figure of 32.5mpg and a Real MPG average of 38.8mpg, the petrol-powered X-Trail is a surprisingly strong performer. In fact, all variants of the previous X-Trail do well in Real MPG, coming close to or bettering their official figures in real world driving. If you want a practical and well-built family car, the X-Trail is a sensible used buy.
3) Maserati Coupe 4.2 V8 (2001-2007) – 117.8% of official average MPG
Don’t read into this one too much – this exotic Italian car is only officially capable of 15.2mpg, so the fact it beats its official figures by 18 per cent means very little. You can’t really call 17.9mpg a good figure, although if you’re buying a Maserati of this vintage, fuel economy is unlikely to be top of your priority list.
4) Vauxhall Monaro 5.7 V8 (2004-2007) – 117.2% official average MPG
The average Real MPG figure for the slightly bonkers V8-powered Monaro is 21.7mpg so it’s not an economical car – but Vauxhall officially claimed it was capable of just 18.5mpg, meaning owners typically beat the official figures. Based on a Holden, the Monaro is not a car for the shy or retiring type, but you get plenty of power for your money.
5) Honda Legend 3.5 i-VTEC (2006-2009) – 116.9% of official average MPG
Luxurious, plush and packed with technology, the 2006 Honda Legend was ahead of its time in many ways – but its official economy figure of just over 20mpg felt distinctly twentieth century. In the real world it manages nearer 30mpg, but even so it’s hardly wallet-friendly at the pumps.
Clearly, some of these cars are more practical choices than others! However, these Real MPG figures offer a fascinating insight into how realistic (or otherwise) some manufacturer’s figures can prove. We thank HonestJohn.co.uk for sharing this with us and our readers.
This post was created in association with motoring website HonestJohn.co.uk who provide “Real MPG” figures that truly allow motorists to choose vehicles based on a realistic fuel economy prediction.
IMAGE CREDIT: Flickr
