The annual Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, serves as a gizmophile's playground, with the newest, hottest, and sometimes weirdest electronics on parade. Not surprisingly, there are several companies that display items for those who like trucks, spend a lot of time outdoors, or are just looking for things that make life more convenient. Here are some of the best ones from this year's show.
The NAVONE 3000 is a portable GPS navigation system that plugs into the cigarette lighter and its screen mounts to the windshield. It doesn't require any CDs or downloads; plug it in and it's ready to go. It offers turn-by-turn voice guidance in addition to the on-screen cues and includes more than two million points of interest. Cobra; 6500 W. Cortland St., Chicago, IL 60707, 773/889-3087.
www.cobra.com.
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The Magellan eXplorist, a line of handheld GPS receivers, comes with a built-in SD-card reader and writer, provides unlimited storage of waypoints and routes, and allows you to calculate an area and perimeter. The top-line eXplorist 600 has built-in maps of roads and trails, a waterproof housing, color screen, barometer, altimeter, thermometer, and three-axis electronic compass. Magellan; 960 Overland Ct., San Dimas, CA 91773, 909/394-5000.
www.magellangps.com.
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Vizualogic made its name in the industry by offering replacement headrests--in matching OE fabrics and colors--with LCD screens already installed. Now, the company's integrated DVD players into the headrests as well. The screen pops forward; the DVD slides in from the top or side. Both headrest styles are available for most trucks and SUVs; most come with a seven-inch screen, but a nine-inch LCD is offered. Vizualogic; 1493 Bentley Dr., Corona, CA 92879, 800/624-7960.
www.vizualogic.com.
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The Jeep DVD/CD player may defeat the purpose of "roughing it," but it's ideal for those who want to take a piece of civilization when they go camping. It contains a fold-out seven-inch TFT screen, TV tuner, AM/FM weather-band radio, two-way speakers, clock, compass, thermometer, siren, and mosquito repellent. There's also a removable flashlight, a place to store your CDs, and a remote control. On sale fall 2005. Jeep Electronics, 800/789-JEEP (5337).
www.gear.jeep.com.
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Watching satellite TV on the road isn't just for RVers anymore. TracVision provides up to 125 DirecTV television and music channels, using a low-profile antenna to pick up the satellite signal, whether or not the vehicle is in motion. The TracVision A5 antenna is compatible with any rear-seat entertainment system--the satellite receiver mounts under a seat, and the system uses a wireless remote. KVH; 50 Enterprise Center, Middletown, RI 02842, 401/847-3327.
www.kvh.com.
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