Each year SEMA's halls overflow with shiny chrome and the smell of rubber. But in one corner of the North Hall, it's all about electronic gadgets designed to enhance your driving experience. Navigation devices and Bluetooth kits ruled the convention, but there were other interesting items to be seen, like in-car Internet and vehicle recording devices. Behold, our picks for the hottest gadgets from SEMA 2008. -Brook Howell
Motorola TN30
Primarily known for its mobile phones and Bluetooth solutions, Motorola has introduced a few other useful tools for the road. The MOTONAV TN30 ($299.99), a Bluetooth-enabled GPS navigation system, incorporates a hands-free phone kit with portable nav. It includes maps of the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada with more than 4 million points of interest, all searchable on a large 4.3-inch touchscreen. Compatible phones can make and receive calls through the unit's built-in microphone and speaker. Other highlights include advanced lane guidance at interchanges, fastest and shortest route options, and an SD card slot to update maps.
www.motorola.com
Cobra XRS R10G
A radar detector stuck to your dash is a sure-fire way to get a cop's attention. But you don't have to spring for an expensive integrated system to go stealthy. Cobra's XRS R10G detector ($469.95) hides behind your rearview mirror. A separate remote unit can then be clipped to the air vents, center console or elsewhere. This detector's plug-and-play nature isn't its only noteworthy feature. It detects Ku Bands, the latest POP Mode radar gun as well as VG-2 and Spectre I/IV radar detector detectors. The GPS-enabled unit also has a speed zone and red light camera database for advance warnings. To utilize the lifetime subscription for free updates, simply pull the thumb-drive-sized GPS portion out of the main unit and plug it into your computer. You can also manually program locations as you discover them.
www.cobra.com
AT&T Cruise Cast
In the past, in-car satellite TV required strapping a huge dome to the top of your SUV, and trying to fit one on a sedan wasn't really an option. Not anymore. In conjunction with RaySat, AT&T has a solution to suit any vehicle. CruiseCast features a lightweight, low-profile antenna pod that mounts to any roof through a variety of mounting options. Run the wire into the cabin, hook it up to your preexisting video system, and you're watching 22 channels of satellite TV. Music channels are also available. Approximate retail is $1,300 with a $28 monthly fee.
www.cruisecast.com
Blue Traks
For those who prefer maintaining the look of your factory dash, it's difficult to add aftermarket gadgets. Integrating seamlessly with a factory audio system, BlueTraks' BT-211N ($899) offers one option. It boosts your A/V capabilities with navigation, hands-free calling and an iPod interface. All this works with your factory system, even your steering wheel controls. Bluetooth enables not only hands-free calling but also audio streaming from your phone to the audio system. The iPod interface lets you control the device through the touchscreen (which can be tucked discreetly at the base of the center stack or in the center console). It also charges the iPod. Navigation includes maps of the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada standard (other countries are optional) and features text-to-speech directions.
www.bluetraks.com
Mantis C1500
Capable of being paired with any Bluetooth-enabled phone, the Mantis C1500 combines a hands-free phone kit with an MP3 player interface. On the phone side of things, the C1500 displays incoming call information and recent calls on its LED dashboard unit. Audio is routed through the car's speaker system or an included speaker. It also has voice recognition technology that lets you dial by digit or by name. This technology also lets you control your MP3, iPod or other digital device by voice. Mantis' Clear Voice Capture technology reduces noise and echoes for clear, static-free convos. Price TBD.
www.mantiswireless.com
Scosche Passport
With the release of the iPhone 3G and next-gen iPods, users will be upset to learn that many of their iPod accessories don't support charging. This includes many in-car integration kits and factory systems. Scosche has found a way around this with its passPORT ($29.99). The adapter attaches to your iPod/iPhone and the integration kit, enabling the kit to charge the device while maintaining all functionality. The complex circuitry went through over two months of development in conjunction with Apple for the utmost compatibility.
www.scosche.com