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The extra tech that could give you that new-car feeling

A new car may be the dream, but until then, here's a handful of useful gadgets you can get right now to give your current ride a technology makeover.


Wheeling your car out of the showroom and only months later hearing about a new feature in the next model is a terrible thing to experience.

You may also own a car decades old and love it, but want a few of the tricks you see in modern cars.

This list below might inspire you to add a little bit more technology to your ride to keep you safer, add convenience, or bring back that new-car feeling.


Hands-free Calling

Hands-free calling is standard in most modern cars, but it's still easy to find people driving with headphones on, or with a secret-agent single earpiece.

The Jabra Freeway ($169) is a visor-mounted Bluetooth speaker for handsfree calling. It automatically turns on and connects to your phone when you enter the vehicle, and you can make/answer calls using your voice.

The three-speaker array in the Freeway has excellent sound so you won’t struggle to hear callers, even with the windows down. What’s more, it has an FM transmitter allowing you to play music from your phone to the car radio without wires.


Navigation and Dashcam in One

If your car isn't fitted with a GPS navigation unit you have the option of using Google Maps on your phone, or something mounted properly in the car.

The Navman Drive Duo ($207.20) is a navigation unit and dashcam in one package. From the moment the car door is opened, the dashcam starts recording, noting your location through GPS and details like your speed.

A rear camera can be added if you’re interested in capturing rear-end collisions, too. From a navigation point of view, Navman is a market-leader with lane guidance, plain English navigation (turn left at the service station) and free map updates.

If it is just the dashcam you’re after, the latest Uniden iGO Cam 85R ($349.95) is a small 4K camera with 160-degree viewing angle and a rear high definition camera.

The recordings are extremely detailed, meaning you’ll be able to zoom in on number plates at a distance without a problem.

It features parking mode for incidents while you’re not in or near your car, has speed and red light camera warnings, and connects directly to your smartphone for simple transfers of the recordings.


Wireless Phone Charging

If your phone is a music player, you make  a lot of calls in the car, or your commute is the best chance to charge, this will interest you.

The Mophie Charge Stream Vent Mount ($89.95) is a phone holder that connects to your car's 12V socket. When you put your smartphone into the holder the phone will automatically start charging, while also holding your phone securely.

It means you can quickly get in and out of the car with your phone, there's no fiddling trying to find the plug, and it works with Android or Apple smartphones.


A fresh start

If you’re able to consider an entire replacement head unit in your car and have a double-din slot, the Sony XAVAX5000 ($563) will give you a proper new-car feeling.

The almost 7.0-inch display has a thin border making it almost entirely touchscreen. While it has two USB ports, Bluetooth, hands-free calling and even the ability to add a reverse camera, our favourite feature is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Regardless of the effort Sony has put into this Media Receiver, the interface provided by these smartphone mirroring systems are universally outstanding.

Mapping, calls, contacts, appointments and music so elegantly organised and seamless. If you’re someone who loves their old car but still wants some modern bells, this is going to make life a whole lot better.

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