Most of us have cars, so buying gifts that are automobile-related makes good sense. Not all of these are Not all of these exactly high tech, but all these ideas will be welcomed by the car enthusiast.
— iClever Bluetooth Car Receiver
What is it? For car stereos that don’t have Bluetooth, the iClever Bluetooth Car Receiver lets you stream music and make hands-free calls. You’ll need a 3.5mm auxiliary input. You mount the receiver/microphone controller on your dash. The sound for calls and music is really good.
It comes with a 12v power supply with three USB ports.
Who is it for? Anyone who doesn’t have Bluetooth in their car.
What does it cost? $24.99.
Where can I get it? Amazon.
— GG Bailey All Weather Textile Car Mats
What is it? Every car needs good mats to keep the interior clean. These are custom fit for your car, and they look great. They grab dirt and debris before they get to your car’s carpet or interior. They are also easy to vacuum. They are available in beige or charcoal.
Who is it for? Anyone whose car mats have seen better days.
What does it cost? It depends on the car and whether you need mats for front and back seats. They start at $99.
Where can I get it? ggbailey.com.
— Thinkware F70 Full HD 1080P Dash Cam
What is it? A dashcam to keep watch over where you go and what happens to your car. It is incredibly handy to have a dash cam if you ever get into an accident. Having a video record of any incidents will make things much easier to sort out. This is a small, lipstick-shaped camera without a screen, but it stays out of your way.
Who is it for? Anyone with a car who wants to keep a record of their driving.
What does it cost? $109.99.
Where can I get it? Thinkware.com and Amazon.com.
— Amazon Echo Auto
What is it? This is Alexa for your car. You connect the Echo Auto to your phone through the Alexa app. Echo Auto has eight microphones so it can hear your spoken commands over your car stereo. It connects to your car stereo so you can make calls, ask Alexa to play your favorite tunes or even control your connected home.
Who is it for? If you’ve ever wanted Alexa voice control in your car, this is for you.
What does it cost? It is available for preorder for now by invitation only. The preorder price is $24.99. Regular price is $49.99.
Where can I get it? Amazon.
— iOttie Easy One Touch 4 CD Slot Car Mount
What is it? A car mount for your smartphone that fits in the CD slot on your car’s dashboard. The mount tightens into the slot, and it is easy to move from car to car. The mount has a one-touch mount and release mechanism.
Who is it for? Anyone with a CD slot in their car who needs to mount a smartphone.
What does it cost? $19.95.
Where can I get it? Iottie.com and Amazon.
— StaySafe Buddie LED Emergency Roadside Flashing Warning Lights
What is it? Remember those old roadside flares that looked like a stick of dynamite and burned like a torch? These days technology has brought LED warning lights that are really bright and durable and they won’t burn you. These AAA battery-powered lights are perfect to keep in your trunk to warn others if you have a roadside emergency.
Who is it for? Anyone who drives.
What does it cost? $19.99 for a three-pack of lights.
Where can I get it? Amazon.
— VIAIR 78P Portable Compressor
What is it? With more and more cars not having spare tires, keeping a portable compressor in the car is a necessity. Unless your tire is seriously damaged, a pump like this will help get you down the road for help. The 78P has a built-in work light and pressure gauge and can air up tires up to 225/60/R18. It plugs into your car’s 12v power port.
Who is it for? Anyone who wants to be prepared for tire emergencies.
What does it cost? $61.16
Where can I get it? Amazon, walmart.com and autoanything.com.
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Jim Rossman writes for The Dallas Morning News. He may be reached at jrossman@dallasnews.com.
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