Everything You Need For a Summer Road Trip

New Stereos

While the mechanical aspects of your car are (debatably) more important, we think the ability to play music, navigate and interact with your car’s electronics comes a very close second. With the latest generation of car stereos on the market, this part of the equation becomes a joy. Gone are the days of trying to find pieces of physical media, proprietary cables, or even particular dongles. A new aftermarket stereo comes with a host of connectivity options straight from the factory, meaning you have access to everything on the road that you have at home. Digital sound tools give you the ability to control every aspect of your audio, optimising it for spoken word, dance music or a symphony with the greatest of ease. HD, anti-glare and anti-scratch screens are standard issue too, with the computing power to handle all these incredibly convenient features inside.

It really is a golden age for aftermarket stereo systems, with new technologies making life easier for both drivers and passengers. Price points are also becoming more accessible, as power is squeezed into ever-smaller packages, and what was once science-fiction is now daily-driver reality. If you’d like to see just how much power a stereo is capable of now, try XTRONS’ new IMH Series for state of the art features, or explore the new Linux range for pared-back, focused power.

New Screens

While the driver interacts with the vehicle’s controls more than anyone, it would be a grave mistake to forget about the passengers. These VIPs could often find themselves bored on long trips in the past, with nothing but the scenery to keep them entertained. Not that there’s anything wrong with watching the world go by, these days you have rather more options. While today’s stereos typically have an array of smartphone connectivity options, along with wi-fi and mobile data transmission, there also exists tech specifically designed for the back seat. If you’re driving a long way to chase the cooler weather, or have a lot of back-and-forth to do with a fully-loaded car, you might want to consider a rear seat screen.

From flagship screens with huge displays and wide connectivity, to those with a discreet folding design, there is one to suit any interior. Just like the cars themselves, there is also a price point to match every budget - from opulent tech powerhouses to slimmed-down and simple-to-operate, it’s never been easier to turn your family runabout into a mobile cinema. Added bonus - you may find you get a lot more peace in the front seat too…

Safety Accessories

It’s no secret that cars have become more complex. As that has happened, it’s hard to ignore the nagging feeling that it’s been deliberate on the part of manufacturers. With more layers of information between you and your car’s underpinnings, it’s ever harder to diagnose a problem yourself, which is where the main dealer price lists and monthly care packages come in!

An OBDII scanner is a simple way to find out what the problem is yourself, so you can decide whether it needs to go into the garage or not. Of course we’re not suggesting that just anyone can change out a catalytic converter, but a simple bulb could save you a diagnostics fee, for example. On another related subject, a TPMS sensor can transmit your tyre pressure and tell you there’s something wrong, rather than have you scrabbling around in the heat and dust only to find that everything was fine. Perhaps most importantly, these little peace-of-mind accessories put one thing first and foremost; your family’s safety. They’re definitely worth having on long summer road trips.

Entertainment Accessories

Perhaps you want to improve your entertainment options, but aren;t quite ready to change out your whole stereo? Maybe you already have a USB input just begging to be put to use? XTRONS stocks an array of additional accessories to help make your journey that but smoother. For example, a DAB/DAB+ tuner adds hundreds of digital radio channels to help the journeys go by, while you can add Bluetooth capability or smartphone connections by way of a simple dongle, giving you wireless access throughout the cab. These things are a highly cost-effective way of extending the life of your existing system, and are well worth the small investment.

New Brands, New Technologies

We at XTRONS have recently made a concerted effort to cover more brands, including both those from the emerging Chinese makers, and the long-established American builders. These two stand alongside Japanese and European giants, as well as those from South Korea, as part of a huge compatibility catalogue. This means that whatever you drive, there is something custom-built and designed to fit without unnecessary effort. And if you drive something unusual? We also maintain a suite of universal fit models, for ultimate flexibility.

Get the Most Out of the Summer

If you’re undertaking a long trip this summer, or even just a series of short ones, it might be time to justify a tech upgrade. Whether you’re chasing the sunshine or escaping the heat, you can’t travel by standing still - and if you’re moving, you might want something to help it along. Shop our range of in-car tech, and you might find the thing to make your summer road trip go just the way you want it.