(NUI) - So what do you get car enthusiasts this holiday season? The answer is simple: cool gadgets to make their lives on the road much easier and more fun.
* Drivers who love music know that bringing along compact discs and trying to change them en route is not only a hassle, it's also unsafe. Thanks to today's technology, the digital music player has become the music-loving driver's best friend. Pair it with a wireless FM transmitter and your loved one can listen to his or her favorite music in the car or on the go. Digital music players cost anywhere from $50 to $400. High-end models can store thousands of songs.
* Those who have kids know how easy it is to put in a movie to keep the kids occupied for hours. A portable DVD player is just what they need to enjoy DVD movies in the car, in the home and anywhere in between. Screen sizes vary but are usually about 8 to 10 inches. Most offer one or more of the following options for listening to the movies: through the built-in wireless transmitter that sends the sound to the FM car radio; through the built-in stereo speakers; or through headphones.
Prices of portable DVD players vary, with the most basic models starting at around $100 and those with more sophisticated features priced at $1000 and up. To complete the gift, add accessories such as a carrying case and car adapter.
* If your auto enthusiast has no sense of direction, then a navigational system is on target this holiday season. Look for features such as preloaded maps, audible directions, a convenient touchscreen and the ability to reroute your path if you make a mistake.
* Get your driver a mobile satellite TV system and you'll cover all the bases - more than 100 channels of live satellite television and commercial-free, CD-quality satellite music. Live DirecTV service in the car is available with the TracVision A5 system by KVH Industries Inc.
The antenna is 5 inches high and can be attached to the vehicle's roof or strapped to a luggage rack. The receiver fits snugly under a seat or in the trunk. Cost is $2,295 for the antenna, plus installation. The DirecTV mobile service costs $4.99 per month if you already subscribe to DirecTV service at home or $39.99 per month if you don't.
For more information about the TracVision A5, visit www.kvh.com.
