Compiled by Paddy Comyn
Sony CDX-GT42OU
GO INTO any hi-fi shop, especially some of the ones that specialise in car audio, and you will quickly feel baffled by the selection available. More frequently, consumers are looking to replace their existing receiver with a unit that will take their iPod or other MP3 device easily and without having to take out another car loan. This is one of the better units we have come across that doesn't cost the earth and does exactly what you need it to do.
The little AUX port on the right hand side of the unit allows you to plug in your MP3 device and play it through your car speakers, plus there is a USB port should you have your songs on a memory stick. And, it is all very easy to use. Priced here at €129, the Sony unit's face is removable for security.
Price:€129
Buy:www.komplett.ie
Motorola T305
GETTING CAUGHT for being on your mobile phone would surely rank as one of the most pointless ways to head towards losing your licence, so here is a painless way to prevent that.
Less than €50 gets you the Motorola Portable Bluetooth Car Kit T305. The palm-sized Motorola T305 is the easiest way to avoid getting dreaded penalty points.
Buy:www.expansys.ie
Price:€45.95
Sony Ericsson HBH-PV702
The Bluetooth Headset HBH-PV702 is a wireless headset for anyone new to handsfree. It's lightweight, compact and boasts long-lasting talk and stand-by times and is pretty good value too.
Available with a black or white finish the pen-shaped form means the PV702 can fit in anywhere.
Price:€27.99
Buy:www.expansys.ie
Dyson DC16 Animal Hand vacuum cleaner
While we might love our cats and dogs, they do no favours to our cars. However, shifting pesky pet hairs from your car is made easy with Dysons new handheld - DC16 Animal. DC16 Animal's motorised brushbar makes cleaning up pet hair quick and easy. This handheld is designed to pick up the most stubborn pet hair from surfaces in your home and car as well as spot clean fallen crumbs, dried in dirt or car snacking disasters. If you have kids in the car a lot then you will love this item.
Price:€199.99
Buy:www.pixmania.com
TomTom Go 930 Traffic
TOMTOM'S PREMIUM model comes with the latest maps of 35 countries in western and eastern Europe, US, Canada and Russia stored in its internal memory. It is really straightforward to use and the large, wide screen is very easy to read in all light conditions.
There are cheaper versions but this really is one of the best around at the moment.
TomTom's innovative new IQ Routes technology provides users with the most efficient route planning on the market today.
It considers all possible options to its final destination, taking into account any situations that may delay a driver's journey, such as traffic on roundabouts, speed bumps or traffic lights.
While it won't alert you to crashes on the M50 just yet, it does take into account likely traffic levels on weekends and weekdays that helps bring some sort of order to your daily route planning.
Price:€430
Buy:Halfords stores nationwide