More than ever before, truck and SUV owners are spending big bucks dressing up their vehicles to suit their personal style. From exterior items such as custom-designed wheels, lighted running boards, and spray-on bed liners to interior items like custom seat covers and interior lighting systems, the list of enhancements one can make is endless. Following are some of the high-tech gadgets you might consider for your truck or SUV.
Wireless Car Kit FM Stereo Transmitter
This award-winning clip-on wireless hands-free kit enables your cell phone calls to boom loud and clear from your car stereo. It fits on all mobile phones - from cellular to PCS. It's extremely easy to use. First you dial the number you want to call, then press the button on your radio that you've preset to an open station (88.7), then clip the wireless unit onto your cell phone or its flip top, and you'll hear your caller's voice clearly and distinctly over the radio. Only $39.95 from Gadget Universe (800-872-6250).
GPS
GPS (Global Positioning System) is a modern-day mapping system. How it works: Two day satellites send out a signal. A computer receives that signal and calculates your position. Give that computer a map, and GPS will tell you the place on the map where you are. Add some software to GPS, and the computer can speak to you and guide you through the streets of any city.
- Avstar is the world's first hands-free, eyes-free transportable interactive voice navigation system for cars and trucks. It's 100% voice activated, so you never have to take your eyes off the road or your hands off the steering wheel. Highlights: you only have to type in the street name (there's even a spell-check feature), there's an address book for up to 20 locations you can pre-program; it suggests points of interest for the area you're in; it determines your starting position and provides prompts for your at each turn with accuracy within 100m. For more info, check out their website or call 888-323-7138.
- TeleType GPS Software allows you to combine a GPS receiver with software and maps to provide a moving map display when you travel. Finally, you can get land, air, and water navigation all on one device because it works on your Notebook, Laptop, Handheld, or Pocket PC. Price? About $499. For more info, phone 888-TELETYPE.
Car Stereo Turned TV
Your car stereo can double as a TV! Pull it out, flip it up, and you've got a 5" LCD monitor. You'll never miss your favorite TV show again. As a stereo unit, the MVS 600 Digital Tuner from Koss has 30 preset memories, backlight illuminated display, auto memory store and frequency recall. When four connections are hooked up to your radio antenna, you¹ve got instant television. The 5" LCD monitor has 140,440 dots, NTSC system and picture control for brightness, contrast, color and more. This one will run you about $499. To order, phone 800-872-6250.