My Mazda 3 is 10 years old, so I’m currently in the market for a new car. Imagine my surprise when I visited the dealership to find a new car that looked and felt similar to my old model.
One big difference was the size of the onboard displays and the fact that the modern car supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This got me thinking: how can you upgrade your old car to match the features of newer models without buying a new vehicle entirely? As it turns out, there are plenty of car gadgets that can make your current ride feel as good as new.
Why upgrade your in-car tech?
The biggest in-car technology changes in the last 10 years include all kinds of advancements. No longer do we see small five-inch infotainment screens; now cars come with large displays spanning 10-15 inches.
Years ago, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available in select higher-end models. Enabling easy connectivity between your phone and your car’s entertainment system, they’re now considered a standard feature, like a radio.
Even in-car charging has changed. Modern vehicles include high-wattage USB-C ports and wireless charging pads so you’re never left with an empty battery.
Another big step forward in terms of safety is the increase of sensors and cameras available. Meant to reduce blind spots while driving, increasingly more cars have various built-in gadgets to keep you aware of your surroundings. Some models provide a 360-degree view while driving, giving you more awareness behind the wheel.
But if you don’t have a relatively recent car, you can’t benefit from many of these features. That’s why it’s worth looking at the many car gadgets on the market. Getting a few devices can make your daily drive even more convenient, without the prohibitive cost of buying a new car.
Gadgets that immediately upgrade your car
Not everything can be upgraded, especially some of the newer integrated safety features. However, there are still plenty of options from the likes of Laser and Belkin for solutions. Here are three inexpensive gadgets you can get to upgrade your car.
USB car charger
If your old car has a USB socket, it may only have an output of 5W. Most modern smartphones will accept a charge of between 25W and 30W. This means if you charge your phone using a 5W socket, it will take up to six times longer than using a 30W socket. In time, this could be six hours versus one hour.
The simple fix is to invest in a car charger for as little as $25. I recommend that you purchase a unit with a minimum output of 30W. A 45W-100W output would enable you to charge a tablet or notebook.
Wireless dongle for CarPlay and Android Auto
As wireless connectivity has only recently been introduced to cars, your car may only support CarPlay and Android Auto via a cable connection.
Purchasing a $79 dongle allows you to connect to your smartphone wirelessly, meaning you never have to remove your phone from your pocket or handbag. You may also wish to buy a new, higher-wattage USB car charger with this solution to enable fast charging.
Portable CarPlay and Android Auto touchscreen
If your car does not have a screen or does not support CarPlay or Android Auto, you are limited to using your smartphone screen. Laser has several touchscreen devices that support both Apple and Android, ranging from seven-inch screens priced at $169 to 10-inch screens that cost $229.
Powered by your car’s cigarette lighter socket, the screen wirelessly connects to your smartphone. With this, you now have a CarPlay or Android Auto display rivalling any of the new cars available today.
My in-car gadget setup
Although most modern cars have a USB socket for charging, they often only have a low output. In the case of my four-year-old dual cab ute, if I am running Android Auto via a cable, the input power only just exceeds the consumption for running Android Auto. Because of this, my phone does not charge.
To overcome this and make my car travel more convenient, I used the car dongle mentioned above to provide wireless Android Auto and CarPlay. My wife’s iPhone works just as well wirelessly when she drives my car. This setup is great for short trips as I do not need to take the phone out of my pocket. If, however, I want to charge my phone, the use of a high-wattage USB-C charger plugged into the cigarette lighter provides a 30W charge to my phone, charging the battery by approximately 1% for every minute it is connected.
In the case of our 10-year-old Mazda, which my son is now driving, there is no support for CarPlay or Android Auto on its existing seven-inch display. Installing the new 12-inch screen from Laser was a matter of working out where it would fit best. I had the choice of either a suction cup mount to the windscreen, but in the end, we went with the also-included fixed mount with screws. It also comes with adhesive tape if you prefer.
When placing an in-car display, make sure it does not obscure the driver’s view or inhibit the operation of airbags. The setup is simple, and now I am jealous of my son’s 12-inch display. It looks great, and in Android’s case, it uses the extra real estate well.
Keep in mind that the screen uses the cigarette lighter socket. So, if you have only one socket and intend to use a 12-volt charger, you will need to purchase a 12-volt double adapter or similar to accommodate two plugs.
Who should upgrade their car with these gadgets?
If you spend a lot of time in your car or rely on it to keep your phone charged, looking at a high-wattage car charger is a must to remove that battery anxiety.
Those of you enjoying CarPlay or Android Auto on your car’s built-in screen for shorter trips will benefit from having a wireless connection with your phone, never leaving your phone or handbag.
If you don’t have CarPlay or Android support in your car or simply want a bigger screen, an inexpensive display will improve your driving experience. Watch out for even bigger aftermarket screens and car gadgets coming in 2025.
The post These affordable car gadgets will make your ride feel brand-new appeared first on GadgetGuy.
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