Interested in upgrading your car or truck with mobile electronics but aren’t sure where to start? From car GPS to car alarms, there are lots of great options out there, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re considering the full array of aftermarket electronics for your vehicle. Should you get the remote starter first or opt for the car audio system? Would it be better to install a car alarm before or after the car DVD player? Here are some of the most popular aftermarket car audio and electronics selections broken down to help make your tough choice a bit easier.

Convenience

Installing mobile electronics on your car or truck can help make your life a little simpler. Two favorite options for adding a bit more convenience to your daily routine are:

GPS navigation systems. Providing directional guidance and point-of-interest mapping, car GPS systems help keep you from getting lost no matter where you’re headed. GPS navigation systems are a great investment if you frequently drive in unfamiliar areas, have a knack for making wrong turns, or even if you just need to minimize travel times between errands or appointments.

Remote starters. Enabling you to turn on your vehicle from a distance, remote car starters allow you to preheat the engine and warm or cool the passenger compartment (depending on the season) for optimal comfort from the moment you get in the driver’s seat. You may want to consider installing an automatic car starter if you hate the extreme temperatures of chilly January mornings or steamy July afternoons or if you’re concerned about the wear and tear of driving without preheating your engine.

Safety

Every little bit counts when it comes to safety and your vehicle. Among the more popular options for increasing the safety of your car or truck are:

Car alarms. Car alarm installation is a practical choice for any driver who wants to safeguard their car or truck by preventing theft. And remember, if you’re planning on installing other mobile electronics, you may want to put in the car alarm first so that your vehicle security system will be in place to protect your other components once they are installed.

Bluetooth integration. Helping you keep both hands on the wheel by making calling hands-free, installing a Bluetooth system in your vehicle adds both convenience and improved safety. Bluetooth installation is practical whether you make business or personal calls, and with this hands-free technology, you can also get additional features like voice texting and on-screen caller ID that make driving and chatting a breeze.

Entertainment

Of course, when people think about mobile electronics, what comes to mind most often is entertainment. Leading choices for improving your entertainment experience when you’re behind the wheel include:

Car audio. From speakers and amps to new head units, you have virtually limitless options when it comes to upgrading your vehicle’s car audio system. If your current car stereo is seriously lacking or you spend a lot of time on the road, installing a new car audio setup can help you make your driving experience a whole lot more enjoyable.

Car DVD players. Bringing the enjoyment of movies to your car or truck, in-car video is a favorite way to provide optimal entertainment for children and adults alike. Ideal for everything from long road trips to errands, choosing to install a car DVD player makes sense if you’re looking to diversify your mobile entertainment options beyond car audio.

No matter which car electronics choices you select, you’re certain to love the convenience, safety, or entertainment they provide. So happy driving! Contact your area car audio video shop to learn more or to get started on your installation.

Looking to take your in-car entertainment experience to the next level? Whether you’re interested in amusing the kids or you plan to enjoy the system yourself, adding aftermarket car video equipment to your car or truck can help you get the absolute most out of your vehicle. If you’re thinking that installing a car DVD player is too invasive or too expensive, you may want to reconsider. There are a variety of mobile video options on the market today that cater to a full spectrum of budgets, styles, and viewing needs.

Ceiling Mounted

Most of these aftermarket car DVD players are what’s considered “all-in-one” systems. That means the DVD player, screen, and even speakers are all combined into one unit. All-in-one car video setups are particularly attractive because installation is simple and straightforward: All they need is a power hookup and soon you’ll be cruising along with your favorite movie! Ceiling-mounted DVD players provide a number of benefits including easy viewing from anywhere in the backseat, fast installation, and fewer driver distractions (over a dash-mounted system). Ceiling-mounted in-car DVD systems also have the advantage of being most similar to the factory systems commonly installed in cars and trucks today, so with professional installation your new aftermarket DVD player will look virtually stock.

Headrest Mounted

Another popular car video solution is the headrest mount. Also commonly found as all-in-ones, headrest-mounted mobile video systems offer all the same benefits as ceiling mounted equipment, with a few additional advantages. One of these is improved visibility: Some drivers dislike that the rearview mirror can be obscured by the screen with ceiling mounted players. Putting in headrest monitors eliminates that issue. The other primary advantage of a headrest system is that each headrest has its own screen AND its own DVD player. That means the kids won’t have to decide on one movie to share. Instead, each headrest video player can show a separate movie.

Fully Installed

If you’re a major car audio fan or you’re looking to create a showstopper, you can go all out. Skilled mobile electronics installers can hook up video screens and car DVD players in almost any part of your vehicle: dashes, seat backs, doors, ceilings, trunks… These systems can include any number of monitors, source inputs, speakers, and even components like gaming systems. You name it, and they can probably do it. Working with a local car audio video shop, you can create a fully customized video entertainment experience for your ride, have it professionally installed, and be on the road to out-of-this-world car video in no time.

When it comes to in-car video, the sky’s the limit. However, that doesn’t mean you have to take your mobile entertainment system to the extreme. With all-in-one options available for ceiling or headrest installation, there are affordable, attractive solutions for adding a car DVD player to your car or truck without going overboard. To learn more about specific product offerings or to get started on adding in-car video to your vehicle, visit your area mobile electronics shop today.

There’s nothing quite as liberating as a road trip. The car is packed, the gas tank is full, and you’re ready to hit the Thruway with the wind in your hair. The only thing missing is the perfect soundtrack to score your road trip experience. Does your car stereo system have what it takes? How do you know if you’re in need of an upgrade? Here are a few indications that your stereo system could use an update:

• You’re limited to AM/FM radio.
• The backseat and the floor of your car are cluttered with CDs.
• You’ve grown accustomed to the sound of static.

With so many car audio accessories on the market today, there’s no need to drive with your hand constantly on the radio dial or to suffer in silence. Here are just a few options that will help you keep the tunes flowing until you reach your destination:

• XM/Satellite radio. If you find yourself frustrated with constantly searching for a station playing music you like, or you’re sick of listening to commercials for half your trip, satellite radio is the perfect solution. Many XM/satellite radio channels are commercial-free, and with hundreds of stations tailored to meet diverse tastes, there’s always a great song playing. It is relatively easy to have your local car audio video specialist install a satellite radio receiver, and subscriptions are typically less than $20 per month.
• iPod integration. Most of us have at least one mobile device capable of storing and playing music, be it a cell phone, MP3 player, or external hard drive. The stock audio systems in most new cars commonly include USB ports or Bluetooth integration to connect these music storage devices with your car stereo. If you have an older system, many mobile stereo specialists in Albany and the greater Capital Region are able to retrofit these units so that you’ll be cruising to your own custom playlists in no time.
• Aftermarket head units. If you’re tired of listening to one CD at a time, or the features on your OEM car stereo system just aren’t enough, installing an aftermarket head unit is a versatile answer. Many aftermarket head units allow you to upgrade to multi-disk players, and some even include device integration so you can easily use your MP3 player or other music storage device while you’re cruising down the road.

Technology is constantly improving and changing. In the last
few years, we’ve seen car GPS, Bluetooth integration, and other cutting-edge systems alter our driving experiences to make them more convenient and relaxed. Why should your sound system be left behind? For the bestcar audio in Albany NY, call your local technicians to find out how you can best optimize your car audio and video system to make your next road trip, or even just your daily commute, as enjoyable as it can be.

Navigation systems. Car DVD players. It’s easy get swept away by all the latest technology when you’re in the showroom shopping for your next car or truck, but it’s important to remember that these features are also available in aftermarket models. In fact, choosing to install your car GPS and/or mobile video players as aftermarket equipment can actually save you a great deal of money without undermining either their performance or their appearance!

In the vast majority of cases, when you’re purchasing a vehicle, selecting a navigation system or video entertainment isn’t quite as straightforward as it sounds. That’s because these features come as part of particular packages or vehicle models. So while you may not be interested in heated seats or self-dimming mirrors, those features may also be included in the package that contains your desired in-dash navigation system. Now, you may be thinking, “Wait, heated seats sound awesome,” but consider that you’re going to end up paying for a whole bunch of features that you may never actually use, just to get that navigation system. Especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Aftermarket navigation systems are available in both portable and installed versions, and you may be surprised at just how affordable they are. Portable car GPS are often discounted because of the risk of theft, but they do offer perks like being able to operate the nav system while the vehicle is in motion (let the passenger do it please!) and the ability to transfer the unit from one car to another (great for rental cars, too!). Or, if you’re not too keen on that ubiquitous suction cup on the dash or windshield, you can go with an installed model. These types of in-dash navigation systems are often visually indistinguishable at a glance from the OEM setups that come from the factory, but since you won’t be shelling out for a huge number of unnecessary features, they won’t set you back nearly as much. Now, that doesn’t meant that aftermarket car navigation systems are bare-bones equipment. They tend to include options like Bluetooth connectivity as well as car audio capacity (often including satellite radio, auxiliary inputs for iPods, and more).

With aftermarket car DVD players, you can also get the performance and appearance you want without breaking the bank. In all but the highest end vehicles, your options are pretty limited when it comes to mobile video entertainment: usually it’s a ceiling-mounted, drop-down screen or nothing. But when you decide to go the aftermarket route, the possibilities really start to blossom. Of course, you can get the standard ceiling mount, and at a quite cost-effective price, but you can also get customized car audio video systems that include everything from headrest mounted screens to video game input jacks and more.

So when you’re trying to decide whether to pick out the factory options that include the DVD player and GPS for your next car, make sure you think it through. If you’ll use all of the features included in the package that has the electronics you want–and you’re content with the features of the OEM DVD player or car GPS–then that option probably makes sense. But if you’re paying for tons of features that you know you’ll never use, or if you’re looking for capability unavailable in stock options, then your best bet is to head on down to your local car audio shop. Their installers can set you up with great aftermarket components that will bring you the style and performance you want.

There’s nothing quite like natural sunlight. Flooding rooms with radiant light and warmth, it can even rejuvenate your glum mood. However, there are significant downsides to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Generating high, healthy levels of vitamin D in individuals, its UV rays are also known to be a leading cause of several types of skin cancer. Aside from the health-related implications of sunlight, practical concerns include high indoor temperatures, faded household items, and distracting glares.

Is there anything you can do to fight the harmful effects of sunlight on your home? The answer is yes. With residential window tinting, you’ll be able to filter the sunlight that streams through the windows, protecting yourself, your family, and all of your belongings. Made from the same material as automotive window tinting, window films for your house are the latest innovation in creating great energy efficiency and style. A sleek, subtle film that can be applied directly to your window panes, window tints offer a number of different benefits that will make your home look and feel great. Some advantages include:

• Deflecting up to 99% of UV rays
• Blocking solar heat to keep your interior cool on hot days
• Increasing privacy
• Protecting your interior from sun damage and fading
• Protecting you and your family from skin damage

Have you ever taken a moment to examine the current color of your plush sofa or carpeting? You might notice that the fabric is considerably washed out and faded compared to what it looked like when you first purchased it. The same goes for your wood flooring, old photographs, and wallpaper. Especially in rooms that get a significant amount of sunlight, the deteriorating effects of the sun’s UV rays can have a rather negative effect on your household items. That’s what makes residential window tint so advantageous. The light-filtering capabilities of window films mean you’ll be able to safeguard any brand-new furnishings and protect your existing ones from further damage. In the same way that automotive window tinting protects valuables like car audio components, navigation systems, and leather seats from sun damage, residential films will protect your home furnishings and delicate skin.

Moreover, keeping your home cool and comfortable can prove to be a huge drain on your expenses, especially in the hottest months of summer. Even if you manage to cut the humidity with a central air system, the solar heat that streams through your windows in the form of sunlight will counter all of your efforts and cause your air conditioner to work even harder. The results are monthly utility bills that make you want to rip your hair out. But with residential window tinting, you’ll be able to block solar heat from entering your home and ultimately maintain a much cooler temperature inside without consuming nearly as much energy.

With all of the latest advancements proving the negative effects of high energy consumption and sun exposure, residential window tints help you do your part for the environment and your own health.

Whether you live in the quiet suburbs or an urban center, you are never completely invulnerable to the threats of vandalism, especially when it comes to your vehicle. Regardless of whether you park your car in your driveway or on the street, the well-being of your vehicle is in the hands of the conscience of whoever passes by. The fact that the wrong person could happen upon your vehicle at any given point is certainly unnerving, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. In actuality, you can protect your car or truck in a number of ways, primarily with the help of a professional-grade car alarm system.

By simply installing a vehicle security system, you’ll be able to deter potential burglars and prevent auto theft. Most remote car alarms display a blinking light or other sign to indicate their installation, which is usually enough to send a message to would-be vandals and thieves that they should just keep walking. However, if a burglar decides to ignore the warning signs and proceeds to break in to your car, truck, van, or SUV, an alarm will sound and you’ll be notified immediately of the violation. Whether the crook decides to exercise his better judgment or rob your vehicle anyway, having a car alarm will assist you in retaining your whole vehicle and everything inside it.

The current technology for car alarms is, in a word, impressive. Overwhelming, even. With so many customizable options, installation variables, and remote-access features, it may be difficult to choose exactly which system is best for your car and your particular security concerns. Your options may include:

• Ignition interruption
• Dual shock sensors
• Glass-shatter sensors
• Remote starters
• Keyless entry
• Two-way remotes
• Smart phone operation
• And more!

The number of options that you select for your vehicle security package will largely depend on your budget, but you should also take into account the crime rate of your neighborhood. If you live in a relatively low-key suburb, a standard model with shatter and shock sensors might be all you need. On the other hand, a more dangerous or urban location might necessitate a comprehensive package that includes ignition interruption and two-way remotes. Of course, there are also LoJack systems that combine the function of a car alarm system with the technology of a GPS navigation system. In the case of a completed auto theft, these devices enable law enforcement to track the location of your stolen vehicle via satellite and ultimately recover it.

No matter which option you choose, having a car alarm system will always be more effective in deterring auto theft than not having one. Keep yourself and your belongings protected at all times by installing yours today.

Maps are quickly becoming a thing of the past as we rely more and more on GPS navigation systems in our cars. While some die-hard fans of paper navigation may be sad to see the good old atlas go, many of us welcome the new age of the mobile navigation system. For those of us who have cars that did not come off the lot with a navigation system installed, though, there remains the question of what type of system to get. Should we buy a portable device that we plug in and position ourselves each time we get in the car? Or should we get an auto navigation system installed permanently in our vehicle? While both choices have their fans, permanent installation of a car GPS system offers a number of practical and aesthetic benefits over removable systems.

Looking first at the physical nature of these two types of systems, consider how much easier it is to use a mobile navigation system that is in a consistent, fixed location than it is to use one that you have to fiddle with and adjust during each trip. With a portable model, you usually have to mount the device on the windshield or dash using a mount provided by the manufacturer. While these mounts work most of the time, they can fall off or get knocked accidentally, leaving you scrambling to hear and see vital directions. Navigation systems that are permanently installed don’t come with that risk. You’ll never have to worry about an integrated system falling down or getting jostled, and you’ll be able to use the touch-screen features without fear of pressing too hard and dislodging the device. Prior to installation, you can also work with your mobile electronics professional to optimally place your GPS screen exactly where you need it for maximum convenience and visibility, instead of having to position and adjust it every time you get in the car as with portable models.

Apart from these practical considerations, there are also aesthetic elements to consider when weighing a portable GPS against a fixed one. A portable device will usually have to be connected to the in-dash power source via an external cord (much like an car cellphone charger). This cord, taken along with a stand-alone navigation screen that is mounted incongruously somewhere on the dash, definitely impacts the look of your car interior and creates a sense of clutter. Overall, a portable GPS device communicates an “unfinished” look. An in-dash GPS navigation system, on the other hand, creates a streamlined appearance. Automotive electronics professionals can integrate an in-dash car navigation GPS with your vehicle’s structure so that it looks like it was part of the original design. For anyone who cares about the appearance of their car or truck and likes to cultivate a sense of professionalism in their life, an integrated navigation system definitely beats the portable option when it comes to looks.

As car GPS devices become more and more a part of modern life, we’re faced with various choices regarding what type of system to opt for in our cars. While mobile systems can work fine for some people, a fixed navigation system offers a level of practical convenience and polish that makes it stand out from the crowd.