GadgetLiving

Up to 10 authorized users can be programed into this Fingerprint Reading Garage Entry System. This keyless system uses a fingerprint scanner instead of a key or passcode as a way of gaining entry to your garage.

That means there’s no keys to lose or passcodes to forget, which provides more convenience and better security. The receiver wire wires easily to your existing garage door opener and the fingerprint scanner mounts outside. Just place your finger over the sensor and the scanner recognizes the fingerprints of authorized users and transmits a signal to the receiver, opening the garage door.

Check price and availability at Hammacher Schlemmer.

“The systems patented security technology transmits a new code every time, thwarting code grabbers used by would-be thieves. Users are easily set up in four simple steps from the scanning units keypad. A sliding panel protects the sensor from the elements. The receiver plugs into 120V AC. The scanner requires four AAA batteries (not included) that will provide power for at least a year; an LED indicator tells you when batteries need replacement.”

Now you can cool down quickly in your sun-baked car or can stay toasty warm on your extra long commute, all while consuming about as much electricity as a compact fluorescent bulb. This padded seat cushion uses “thermoelectric” technology and a 30-watt pump/power unit to cool or heat water circulating through it.

You can change the seat from cooling to heating with a simple flick of a switch. it alternates from cooling to heating at the flip of a switch. The seat is covered in a soft cotton fabric that resists stains, and has has four adjustable straps that fit most car seats.

Check price and availability at Hammacher Schlemmer.

“The cushion uses no Freon or other materials harmful to the environment and its 1″-thick foam padding protects the circulation tubes against punctures and leaks…The power unit plugs into a 12-volt outlet and sits unobtrusively on the floor; an AC adapter is included for use at home, office, or on a patio. The cushion measures 44″ L x 20″ W; the power unit is 6″ H x 3″ W x 2″ D.”

This Portable Jump Starter charges your battery right through your cigarette lighter socket. Not only is it reusable, it’s so small it can fit in your glove box or console.

All you have to do is plug the adapter into the cigarette lighter port, and the charger’s built in smart chip that lets you whether your battery will accept a charge. The jump starter can then charge your battery in about 10 minutes!

Check price and availability at FirstStreet.

“The best aspect of this jump starter is that it allows you to remain in your vehicle during the emergency situation. You do not have to get out to open the hood or trunk, search for jumper cables and most importantly you do not have to ask a stranger for help.”

The TomTom can guide you anywhere you want to go in the U.S. and Canada. It has preloaded maps and gives clear spoken instructions.

This GPS has a text-to-speech feature that gives spoken turn-by-turn instructions, including street and place names and reads text messages out loud. It even has branded point-of-interest icons so you can find coffee shops, gas stations, hotels and more.

Check price and availability at Brookstone.

“Bluetooth®-enabled for hands-free calling. Built-in MP3 player. FM transmitter connects to your car’s stereo system. Innovative safety feature “Help me!” identifies emergency resources, speed limits and school zones. Comes ready to link with traffic information systems. Car charger, dock, mount and software package included.”

This Rechargeable 12V Battery Booster by Solar is easy to use and lightweight.

It’s compact, weighing only 18 Lbs, and in that little package is enough power to jump up to five vehicles on a single charge.

You can buy the Rechargeable 12V Battery Booster at Shoppers Choice.

“900 peak amps. LED battery status indicator. Automatic recharging. 23 inch Heavy-duty cables. DC outlet to power 12 Volt accessories. 1 year limited warranty.”

This GPS receiver gives real-time traffic information, and its maps accurately guide you through the United States (including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico) and Canadian provinces (including the Yukon Territory).

It receives traffic information using Traffic Message Channel technology, a pop-up message appears on the screen indicating traffic congestion, and provides you with an alternate route to your destination. Imagine no more traffic jams. Think of the time you’ll save.

You can buy the Traffic Avoiding GPS.

“The system allows you to add your own points of interest or download your own car icon to appear on the screen instead of the standard directional arrow. It provides fast route calcul ation and instantly notifies you if you take a wrong turn, all in a clear, audible voice. It has 2GB of flash memory that contains extensive driving maps, including thousands of restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and more, while also providing room for MP3 storage, its built-in FM transmitter allows you to play music through your cars radio; it has an SD card slot for additional memory. Maps appear in top-down 2D or three-quarter 3D mode for your preferred navigation style. The bright and wide 4 1/4″ LCD touchscreen provides 480 x 272 resolution, and automatically adjusts its brightness based on current lighting conditions. The unit can be powered by a car cigarette lighter, or via its built-in rechargeable battery for portability; battery provides five hours of operation.”

Even when you check your rear view mirror, you don’t always see everything that’s behind you.
Many vehicles are too high to see if there is a cat, dog, or heaven forbid a small child directly behind the vehicle.

The Automotive Video Parking Sensor License Plate Bracket has built-in sensors that allow you to detect people, pets, and vehicles that are extra close to your vehicle. When the sensor detects something within 3 feet of your car, the wireless receiver in the cabin will alert you by beeping. As you get closer the receiver will begin to beep faster, letting you know that you are getting too close to whatever is behind you.

“There are no wires to run from your license plate bracket through the cabin of your vehicle. The Video Parking Sensor transmits a wireless signal to the reciever in the cabin. The wireless device will not interfere with your AM/FM or even satellite radio. It won’t interfere with your cell phone or Bluetooth device either. No wire. No Interference. Give everyone in your family one of the greatest features of a luxury automobile with The Automotive Video Parking Sensor License Plate Bracket without the $700/month car payment.”

Update: Unfortunately, this item is no longer available.

Record road conditions, weather, and traffic directly from your dashboard. The Safeguard Camera can give objective and direct evidence to insurance companies and law enforcement if necessary.

To install all you do is secure the cradle to the dashboard, place the unit in the cradle, and set the recording angle. Use anywhere from a 128MB to 2GB SD card to store the recordings.

You can buy the Vehicle Safeguard Video Recording Camera at Unbeatable Sale.

“Now that you have the Vehicle Safeguard installed in just minutes, your road trips will have a certain peace of mind never before experienced. Video is recorded in AVI format, which is compatible with any PC. The best part is that the next scenic drive you take can also be captured on video. Not only do you get to experience safety while driving, but you also get to relive those scenic drives you take through the valleys on the way to your favorite getaway. Order today and have peace of mind in your vehicle in just minutes.”

This 7″ LCD screen will make for easier trips with the kids, as long as they don’t fight over what to watch.

The Sun Visor Theater has a 16:9 movie theater aspect ratio, and allows you to play DVD, VCD, CD, MP3, CD-R, and CD-RW. There is also an SD card reader and a USB port to plug in your computer. Don’t forget the built-in TV Tuner (Receiver). No who carpools with you will miss their morning news program on their way to work.

“The Sun Visor Theater comes ready to install into your favorite vehicle. Be ready to transport your family through a whole new world or entertainment on your next trip to the family get together. Your Sun Visor Theater comes with cables for power, USB, and antenna connections. There is even a remote control to manage playback or use the touch screen feature of the LCD. The only thing missing is your favorite movie list.”

Update: Unfortunately, this item is no longer available.

Emergency and cleaning tools are stored nicely inside this compact and Auto Care Kit that serves double duty as both a vacuum and air compressor. The Kit includes amber reflectors, swivel spotlight, emergency blinker, compass, tire fittings, pressure guage, DC extension, and 12-v adapters.

The Kit stores in your trunk and has what you need to keep your car clean and maintained, as well as the essentials you need in case of a breakdown.

You can buy the Auto Care Kit at Brookstone.

“Kit compactly stows emergency and cleaning tools. Emergency tools include amber reflectors, swivel spotlight, emergency blinker and compass. Cleaning and maintenance tools feature a vacuum with nozzle, tire inflation fittings, tire pressure gauge, air compressor, storage compartment, DC extension and 12-v adapters.”

This 11.75″L x 4″H x Sun Zapper Glare Shield will make many a ride to and from work much more pleasant. The shield attaches to any visor and gives you total protection from the sun and those horrible reflections off other vehicles, while still giving you an unobstructed view of the road.

The shield slides so it can be positioned wherever you need it for sun “hot spots”, then it folds up out of the way when you don’t need it.

You can buy the Sun Zapper Glare Shield at firstSTREET.

“You’re driving along when the glaring sun pops from behind a building, virtually blinding you. Just flip down this glare protector, slide the protective lens between you and the sun, and no problem. Installs on a car visor in seconds, folding away neatly until you encounter the glare from sun, snow, sand and pavement.”

We all know that cars parked out in the sun get super hot. It’s a part of life. But when your steering wheel is too hot to touch, and you get burned trying to buckle your seat belt, that’s enough (truly I still have the scar). The Auto Cool claims to bring an end to ridiculously hot car interiors.

You can buy the Auto Cool at As on TV:

“Park your car in the sun for a couple of hours and it does not just get hot, it gets really hot. Stop putting yourself in the hot seat. Keep your car cool with Auto Cool. Auto cool is a solar powered ventilation system that keeps cars cool no matter how long they are left in the sun. Get into a comfortable car with Auto Cool.”

Check price and availability at As on TV.

The Koolatron Krusader is the perfect cooler for your car. I can’t tell you how often I’ve had to resist the lure of ice cream treats while at the supermarket - one look at the blazing hot sun outside and I knew I’d have to deal with a puddle of stuff if I gave in to temptation. But with a Koolatron Krusader at hand, it’s easy to go on a freezer-stocking mission at the grocery store and still make some side trips afterwards!

“If you hold pilgrimages to the park or make war on minivans all the way to the mall you need a Koolatron Krusader. This super-sized cooler will keep your food from spoiling on the trip to the campground or the drive home from the supermarket even if you take a few detours along the way.

Its 12 volt cord plugs into the cigarette lighter of your vehicle and powers a fan that keeps the whole cooler chilled. When you’re not using the Koolatron Krusader on the road it can double as bar fridge or student dormitory fridge with the addition of a Koolatron AC adapter (available separately). When you need it again it will be ready for you to raid the grocery store or pillage the Price Club!”

Check price and availability at WonderfulBuys.

Buy now.

Now, this isn’t really something you’d think about getting for your trips to the grocery store, but on the other hand, if you bought a Arctic Kool Freezer for camping or traveling, you really could use it year-round - and those popsicles definitely wouldn’t melt between the store and home!

“The Koolatron Artic Kool Freezer offers everything you need for refrigeration and freezing on the go. This portable freezer/refrigerator is the ultimate in portability and functionality. No matter where you are you can use this handy unit to transport cold beverages ice and more! You can even use it to transport medicine. The Artic Kool Freezer is a compact portable freezer/refrigerator that runs efficiently off a DC 12 volt plug. It’s lightweight draws low amounts of power and is the perfect for use in planes, cars, trucks, boats, and recreational vehicles.

Unlike other coolers the Artic Kool Freezer is designed to cool almost instantly and will even keep ice cream frozen. As a refrigerator it can hold a steady interior temperature, preventing foods and perishables from spoiling. And its internal wire basket makes loading and viewing contents easy. The Koolatron Artic Kool Freezer features a solid outer casing that ensures outstanding performance at all times in all conditions. A combination of performance durability low power consumption and consistent reliability makes this freezer an absolute must have!”

Check price and availability at WonderfulBuys.

Buy now.