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(ARA) - Remember the song “No more pencils, no more books?” It’s that time of year again. The kids are home for the summer. At first, they’ll enjoy their new found freedom, sleeping in late, watching television and hanging out at home; but before long, boredom will set in. You know what that means -- time for a road trip!
Before you pack your bags, a little hint. Make sure the kids will have something to do to keep busy as you make your trek across the country. Otherwise, you’ll quickly tire of hearing the question, “Are we there yet?”
While books, hand-held games and music will keep the kids occupied for a few minutes at a time, having the ability to watch full-length movies on the road will keep them busy for hours. There are a lot of great movies out this summer, and if you don’t have one already, now is the time to invest in a DVD player for your car.
DVD players have been available as optional equipment in most new makes and models for a few years now, but if you didn’t opt to get one when you bought your car, or have an older vehicle, you can still get one. A model you may want to consider is Visteon’s Dockable Family Entertainment System. It can be installed in the ceiling of just about all the cars, trucks and vans on the road today.
"We designed this system with the intent of making it more versatile than anything else on the market," says Jonathan Weisberg, director of the company's mobile electronics division. "It's the only original equipment quality player available that can be mounted in an overhead docking station installed in the headliner for use on the road, and easily removed when you get to your destination."
The system has a 10” flip-down display, which is bigger than most portable DVD players on the market today, and is capable of handling just about all your mobile entertainment needs. It can play DVD, CD, MP3 and WMA discs. While docked in the vehicle, it sends its audio signal through the stereo system. Passengers in the backseat can either listen to the sound through the car speakers or the included infrared wireless headphones. The system also comes with an easily storable remote control. In addition the battery charges while in the docking station keeping the portable DVD player running for three hours outside the vehicle.
“I know of a family from New York that had one of these systems put in their car a few months ago and when they flew to Florida to see Grandma over Spring Break, they had a docking station installed in her car too so they could watch movies while there,” says Weisberg. "It’s the perfect traveler’s companion because you can take it anywhere.”
Visteon’s Dockable Family Entertainment system is available through authorized aftermarket and certain car dealers nationwide. Log on to www.evisteon.com and under the link that says “Products and Services,” click on “Mobile Electronics” for more information, and to find an authorized dealer near you.
In addition to watching movies, other activities that will help keep kids busy during long road trips include playing hand-held video games, singing songs, and the game, “I spy,” where you ask the child to shout out when they see something that’s blue or a house with a metal roof, for example. Continue to mix things up to keep their attention; and don’t forget to stop every so often for a bathroom and stretch break. Pacing yourself is the key to any good road trip.
Courtesy of ARA Content