XM Snap SiriusXM Satellite Car Radio

 

There’s a good chance if you own a newer model car in the US, you already have a satellite radio included with the automobile. But what if you have an older model car and you’d like to enjoy the convenience of XM and Sirius satellite radio no matter where you travel in your car? The XM Snap SiriusXM Satellite Car Radio is the absolute easiest satellite radio you can find to enable your older model car with satellite radio.

The XM Snap SiriusXM Satellite Car Radio, just like the product name suggests, is an absolute snap to install and setup straight out of the box in your car. You simply plug the XM Snap satellite radio into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter or power adapter socket, connect the antenna and you’re all set! Then you simply tune your car’s FM receiver to a pre-set station and you’re able to listen to the full spectrum of SiriusXM satellite radio stations right through your car’s existing radio. Of course, you’ll also need a subscription to SiriusXM (not included with the XM Snap satellite radio).

XM Snap SiriusXM Satellite Car Radio Features and Specifications

• Super easy to install, simple controls make it a snap to operate.
• Listen to your favorite SiriusXM satellite radio stations through your vehicles existing radio.
• Now you can listen to SiriusXM satellite radio wherever you travel in your car.
• Easily store your favorite satellite radio channels with one-touch access on the display panel.
• The flexible stalk is fully adjustable with a swivel that allows for convenient placement in your vehicle . Makes it easy to place the satellite radio for convenient access to the controls and to view the display.
• You can view the artist’s name, song title, program title and channel information on the easy-to-read, high contrast XM Snap satellite radio display.
• Simply adjust the arrow keys to navigate through the satellite radio categories and the use the rotary knob to change the channels.
• The XM Snap satellite radio requires an FM Radio or Aux-In capability on your car’s existing radio (this covers 99% of all the car radios out there). You can use the included Aux-In Cable if your vehicle radio has Aux-In capability for good performance.
• Power Requirements: 9-16 V DC, 500 mA (max)
• Operating Temperature: -4°F to +140°F (-20°C to +60°C)
• Audio Output: 1.0 VRMS (max)
• XM Magnetic Mount vehicle antenna type
• SMB female, right angle connector

• Aux-In Cable Connectors: 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo male to 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo male
• Cable Length: 4 ft (1.2 m)
• Radio Control Unit: 2.7 inches in width, by 3.13 inches in height, by 0.6 inches in depth
• Flexible Stalk: 0.43 inches in diameter by 3.1 inches in length.
• Base/Mount: 1.3 inches in width by 4.4 inches in length
• Weight: 5.3 oz (151 g)

If you’ve been looking for an easy way to provide satellite radio in your car, the XM Snap SiriusXM Satellite Car Radio is the perfect solution.

Available: CompUSA

Price: $49.99

Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Integral T500

 

I am a gamer and I enjoy games, especially ones that involves car racing, hot wheels and police pursuit (come on, you know what game I mean). I usually play games on my computer or my laptop and the arrow keys are my main control keys. But, pressing up and down or left and right doesn’t really satisfy my need for more excitement in the game. That’s where Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Integral T500 comes in.

As most people know, Ferrari is a well know sports car manufacturer. The Trustmaster Ferrari F1 wheel integral T500 is designed to replicate F1 car power. Imagine yourself racing (via PC or game console of course) with a built-in industrial-class engine (150 mNm torque, 3000 rpm, 65 W, Ø 52) delivering force feedback effects that could can literally give you the realistic feeling of racing an actual car. Its designs and gadgets mimic the real deal and this may be as close as you get for most of us who can’t really afford a real Ferrari.

The wheel is also equipped with an internal dual belt that gives you the feel of flexibility and that smooth ride. If that isn’t enough, the wheel is also equipped with H.E.A.R.T. I don’t mean that the wheel is emotional, no. H.E.A.R.T stands for HallEffect AccuRate Technology providing you with precision in your steering. No more pressing up for acceleration, or pressing left and right to steer. The pure adjustable metal pedal and the smooth wheel of the Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Integral T500 will satisfy your need for speed.

Available: Amazon

Price: $159.99

 

O Car iPhone Stereo Controller

 

Currently, the automobile industry is brimming with the latest vehicles, boasting high-end stereo systems that can be sync to your phone. So much has changed so quickly with stereo and entertainment features in today’s vehicles. It was only a few years ago that I test-drove a car that still had a cassette player, and this was a $100,000.00 luxury model! If you had not had the chance to drive a new vehicle with the latest in car gadgets, you might want to give the latest O Car iPhone Stereo Controller a shot.

The heart of any sound system is the head unit, which enables the user to listen to the radio or soundtracks on the iPhone, by integrating the phone into the entire sound system. The iPhone dock was specifically designed to serve this purpose, which renders the head unit obsolete. Also, it’s flexible enough to rotate your phone. In addition, apps incorporated into the system include audio settings adjustments and radio.

Bluetooth connectivity will permit any device that is Bluetooth-enabled to connect to the car. In the case of a cell phone, the driver is able to receive calls without having to lift and hold the phone. This is a wonderful advancement in communications, especially in regard to safety.

However, with a price tag of $300, this system might burn a hole in your pocket, depending on your budget. Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves, which items are worth the money and which are ones that you can live without?

Available: Amazon

Price: $299.95

Carrera Slot Car Race Set

 

Unless you are a dedicated parent who has had more than rudimentary experience in taking care of children, boys in particular, you probably do not realize the extent of their hyperactivity, the astonishing brevity of their attention span and the complexity involved in getting them to sit down quietly for more than a few moments. In the scenario that you have some important work to get down to and have no choice but to do it at home, you might want to consider splashing the cash for a Carrera Slot Car Race Set.

As you know (or probably you don’t), the Carrera brand name is one that has often been associated with fine racing development and the slot cat race set which is the focus of this article certainly lives up to tradition. Constructed of hardy ABS plastic, the Carrera Slot Car Race Set  will certainly take more than a fair share of knocking about from your children, and probably survive the ordeal. Two intricately designed and finished 1:43 Formula One Race Cars accompany the set and these utilize special technology to prevent loss of traction when a race is in session.

To prevent altercations between your kids regarding the issue of cheating, which you would then have to interrupt your workflow to sort out, the race set also thoughtfully includes an automatic lap counter. At $99.95, the race set is not cheap, yet if what you are doing is important enough, occasionally spending a few extra bucks to pamper your kids might not be a bad idea.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $99.95

Water Cooled Seat Cushion

 

When the heat waves strike during the summer, all you want to do is to stay put under cooling air conditioning. However, you simply can’t stay indoors all the time. If you have a big and expensive car with good air conditioning, it makes a difference, as you can enjoy cool temperature on the road or when you are just chillaxing in the car. The problem is, you will need a fancy, expensive car to enjoy this luxury. But now, you have a slightly cheaper option – the Water-Cooled Seat Cushion by Thanko, which can keep your car seat cool in the warm months.

The Thanko’s Water-cooled Seat Cushion car gadget is able to reduce the temperature in your car from an unbearable 140 degrees Fahrenheit to a cooling 85 degrees, in just five seconds. With this effective cooling system for your car seat, you can enjoy cooler temperature in your car in a few seconds, which is even quicker compared to the air-conditioning system in a good car that needs at least a couple of minutes to significantly lower the temperature. It also doubles as a seat cover for the car seat.

Although the $245 price tag may seem a little pricey at first glance, however, if compared purchasing a much expensive car with a good air conditioning system, it is considered pretty affordable. The chilled water filled cushion will cool you down in no time. The Water-cooled Seat Cushion works with the help of a water pump and cooler, and it runs on a 12 VDC cigarette lighter in a vehicle.

[Source: Thanko]