Car Gear

MediaTek and NVIDIA Partner to Make Future Car Cockpits Smarter, Better Connected, and with Enhanced Computing Capabilities

As car interiors get more advanced, vehicle electronics rely on the same technologies found in today’s smartphones, like advanced AI, 5G connectivity, and computing capabilities. MediaTek and NVIDIA have just announced a partnership at Computex that will provide a complete range of AI cabin solutions for the next generation of software-defined vehicles to meet the demand for smarter vehicles.



BougeRV CRPRO30 30-Quart Portable Fridge Review: An Ice-Free Way to Keep Cold Things Cold and Frozen Things Frozen

There are plenty of times when having a portable fridge in your vehicle can come in handy; some of the ones I can think of off of the top of my head include when you’re spending time doing outdoor activities, traveling, when you have medications that need to be kept at a certain temperature, or when you just want the convenience of not having to stop for a cold drink during a long commute. Whatever your reason for needing one, the BougeRV CRPRO30 30-Quart Portable Fridge might just be the perfect solution.



Escort MAX 360c MKII Radar Detector Review: Another Fantastic Radar Detector Hampered by the (Still) Buggy Drive Smarter App

The Escort MAX 360c radar and laser detector were released five years ago. Made to integrate perfectly into vehicles with their own WiFi hotspots for real-time alerts and ticket threats, the Max 360c gave drivers 360º protection with intuitive onscreen arrows that displayed the direction of threats relative to the driver’s vehicle. It was a hit! The Escort MAX 360c MKII builds upon the original’s success with an all-new internal platform and more powerful components, including a new Blackfin DSP chip that provides faster response times and a 50% improvement on the original model’s detection range.




Escort MAXcam 360c Review: Excellent All-in-One Radar Detector and Dashcam Hindered by the Tragically Buggy ‘Drive Smarter’ App

My first Escort radar detector was a boxy black contraption that had a volume dial, analog radar signal strength meter, highway/city toggle switch, and an alert light on its front … and that’s it. Thirty-six years later, I’ve got the Escort MAXcam 360c in for review. This current generation Escort may still be a bit of a boxy black contraption, but it offers useful features above and beyond simply detecting police radar that can help improve a driver’s situational awareness and safety, both on the road and in some cases, even when their vehicle is parked.




Flik Me? Maybe You Should Think Before You Flik-Off Other Drivers!

I’m a bit of an eternal optimist, so I always try to look for the “good idea” in the pitches we receive. Even if I can’t figure out how I might use something, I can usually put myself in the shoes of someone who would. Then there’s the pitch we received for the delightful Flik Me, an LED hand that can be set to either wave at other drivers … or flip them the bird as you drive by.




5 Pieces of Technology Needed on Tractor Trailers Today

Many types of technology exist that truck fleets could put on their trucks to improve safety, but which are the most important and can lead to the best driver safety improvements? Below are five of them that are making a big difference in public safety.


Monitor Your Vehicle’s Health and More with a Free Nonda ZUS Smart Vehicle Health Monitor Mini

Don’t you hate when you get a check engine warning light? Sometimes, it’s something serious that warrants major repairs, but often it’s something simple. Figuring out what’s going on (and whether you can fix it on your own or not) generally means a trip to a mechanic; more often than not, they’re going to charge you to hook your vehicle up to their diagnostic machine, even if no repairs are done! The Nonda ZUS Smart Vehicle Monitor Mini can help, and you can get one for free — you’ll pay the shipping cost.


KeySmart FogBlock and CleanLight Air Focus on Meeting Our Changing Needs as the Pandemic Continues

2020 has presented us with many challenges regarding how we can get through our days safely. One of the best things we can do for ourselves and others is to wear a mask, but those who wear glasses have to deal with our lenses fogging. Many of us are driving again or are back in our offices, and pollutants, bacteria, and other irritants are all around us. KeySmart has two new products to help, KeySmart FogBlock and KeySmart CleanLight Air.


Luno Air Mattress Enables Car Camping at Its Finest

Are you a camper? Some people are, some people think they could be, and some people are not. I like the idea of camping, but when I think about sleeping unprotected — except for a sheer nylon tent barrier protecting me from wild animals, snakes, bugs, and the elements out in the middle of nowhere — it freaks me out, no joke. Car camping, though? That’s a possibility; with the Luno Air Mattress, it’s now possible, safe, and, most importantly, comfortable.



The Alpine Power Duo Is the Best Affordable Upgrade You Can Make for Your Car Stereo

The biggest upgrade you can make to your car stereo these days is adding Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality. Alpine’s ILX-W650 is a best-in-class in-dash digital multimedia receiver that is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in a shallow chassis with a 7″ capacitive touchscreen. Paired with Alpine’s KTA-450 amplifier, the value and features can’t be beaten.



Pitaka MagEZ Mount Qi Lets Your Phone Go Places

My new lease vehicle has Qi wireless charging built into the console; it works fine but requires the phone to be hidden away in the center console. There are, however, times when I need my phone within view for navigation, and there’s no better way to do that than with the new $49.99 Pitaka MagEZ Mount Qi Magnetic Car Mount Charger.