Portable Car Jump Starter Powerbank by 1byone

Grab one for yourself at Amazon

Remember when jump starters came out with batteries inside which meant you didn't have to have another car around? This is the next step and I have to say it's wonderful. Everything about it is small and light to the point where I was skeptical before I saw the first one used by a family member. Even before this one arrived I had my doubts as I figured they were hit-or-miss unless you bought a recognized brand name. No worries though, it does work great.

Build- The main battery is like any high capacity phone bank battery; just under and inch thick. I keep it in the case with the other accessories though so it doesn't need to be paper thin. The surface is a matte black finish which I prefer over glossy for something that may take a little beating in the back of a car. You get a single button to turn it on and long-press to activate the light with a simple LCD to tell you percent full and an indicator of if it's being used or charged and lastly a indicator to tell which current mode(1 or 2.1 amps). On one side you get a USB output, the jumper output and a barrel jack input. Pretty understated really. The jumper attachment is a somewhat awkward, bulky, grip-like shape which is strange to me as you don't really hold onto it during use. At the end are small alligator clips that take up little space but are are just big enough to do their job.

Function- I was going to make a video to show it really does work but as you can see on Amazon everyone's already done that. To summarize, I left my dashcam on accidentally one night and the battery was completely dead in my 3.9L V6 Mustang.. Couldn't move the started at all. What better way to test this jumper than that? No pulling my wife's car around. No running an extension cord from the garage for the wired jumper. I just popped the hood, stuck this baby on, and the car cranked right to life. It wasn't an instant full-power start but it didn't crank for more that 2 seconds which isnt' too far off my normal battery. The addition of a light is a no-brainer and will be invaluable if I ever have to jump it at night. We have used it to charge a 1/4 full Nexus 5X and it took about an hour and 30-40% of the battery's capacity after jumping the Mustang. The phone can handle more current to do it faster but 2.4A isn't bad.

I'm sure there are other jumpers out that that work but if anyone asks me for a recommendation I'd have no problem pointing them to this. It came through when I needed plus the extra features like the light and charging your phone are just icing on the cake. There's even a car charger included so you can recharge this after you've got the car started and it will be ready again next time you need it. Give it a try. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion.

Travel Pillow with sleep mask and carrying case

Grab one for your next trip

I have an incredibly hard time sleeping as a passenger on long drives so a small pillow that happened to be memory foam was just the ticket. I don't think there's a lot to set travel pillows apart but this one seems to do everything I'd want just fine.

The case of the pillow is made of a short fleece type material that couldn't get much softer. Note that I say "case" which means you can un-zip it and remove the memory foam for washing. I've seen some that are a single piece and after washing the foam i imagine it loses it's form. Size wise I think this one hit's a sweet spot. There is enough heft to give you the support you need but it's still as small as possible so you're not carrying something huge around; a big plus if you use it while flying. When my head goes to the side a little it five for cushion and support but because it's memory foam it doesn't fully compress. The carrying case is nothing particularly special and I think could stand to be a little smaller but it does it's job as well. I'm not one for sleep masks so mine doesn't get much use. That said, it seems pretty comfortable without too much tension.

It's a simple product that makes the simple but correct choices. You can only put so much thought into a travel pillow but if someone asks for a recommendation I'd be fine recommending this one. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion.

Car Shades by Ace Sun Shades

 Get some for yourself on Amazon

When I first opened the package for these I was a little bummed because they weren't what I was expecting. I was thinking these were the mesh type shades but they are actually a thin tinted plastic Granted if I had actually read the description better and looked at the pictures closer I would have known. In any case putting my assumptions aside they actually work quite well. You may see in the pictures I included that they look a little sirty and that's the nature of the film but they look fine once that stick smooth to your windows.

Build- Like I said these are not mesh but are instead a plastic film. Don't get me wrong though this doesn't make them "cheap". In fact I could argue it's a better method all around as instead of using suction cups to attach to a window you're using the static cling property of the film to stick right to your window. The shades are given form but a small amount of spring steel around the outside which also lets you twist them up into a much smaller size. They can then go in the small included pouch for storing in a seat pocket. One thing to check is the available size of your windows. We have a 05 Camry and they didn't quite fit the rear windows. Remember though that the outside is spring steel so you do have a little freedom to squeeze them.

Function- As shades they do quite well, blocking out a ton of light and keeping the sun out of our daughters eyes. Setup was a breeze as they just stick right to the window. Then for taking them off you just pull on it and twist it to get it to fold in on itself. No suction cups to pick off and then lose in the car when you're not using them.

The only concern I have is if you don't put them in the bag when they're not on the window it would be pretty easy for a child to poke and rip it. As with all things though take care of them and it'll last a long time. While they weren't what I expected I think I'll recommend these over the old style because they are just so convenient. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion.

Multi-Function LED Flashlight

You can grab your own from Amazon here

It's always handy to have a basic flashlight in your car for roadside repairs and alerting other traffic to issues. Don't forget about arriving at a strange location at night when you can't see; grab one of these and you're golden. After using this one for a while I have to say the best description of it is "perfectly average".

Build- I like seeing all the black surfaces made out of metal especially when I think this will live it's life in my trunk. Everything transparent is plastic and while I would like nice thick glass I can see how that would add a lot of weight. The plastic isn't noticeably flimsy but I don't think it would stand up to many hits with anything hard. The single button used to jump through the different functions is covered with soft rubber but everything seems a little mushy; not a solid reassuring click right where you expect. On the bottom is a strong magnet which opens up some possibilities when working. Lastly is the hand strap that is tied right into the base of the light. If it breaks I don't think replacing it would be very easy.

Function- There are three modes: Flashlight, Work light, and Emergency light. Let me get out of the way right now that I was disappointed with the main light. It's not very bright and lacks any sort of zoom function. Usually for a flashlight this would be the crowning jewel but the lack of focus here relegates it to something to keep in a toolbox for when you don't wan to run for anything else. The other two modes seem to be a little more useful. The work light is reasonable bright and would be passable for anything you might need to do any the side of the road. The magnet just adds to the usefulness by letting you stick it to a hood. The emergency light function could be handy as well. It won't blind passing motorists(probably a good thing) but it should be noticed at night.

These day's everyone is trying to come out with the next big thing in flashlights be it higher power, different battery options, or extra features. With this one it just comes down to excelling in anything. It check off the boxes of something handy so it has it's place but not as your go-to torch. It works, I'm just not impressed. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion.

Bluetooth OBDII reader by Shoppers Smart

Grab one from Amazon here

It works. Bah, I know you want more information, but there is only so much you can say about an OBDII reader. If you haven't seen these bluetooth ones before I highly recommend picking one up as an impulse purchase. Gone are the days of paying to get the error codes scanned on your car. I know some places will scan them for free but as everyone has a smartphone these days there's no reason to even leave the house.

Just plug the vice into your OBDII port and turn the car on. This will power it up and allow your phone to find it. Tell it to pair and put the pairing code in(1234 in this case) and you're good to go. At this point the data is being sent to your phone but you'll need an app that knows what to do with it. I personal use(and think the best one is) the Torque app but there are others.

It's not only for error codes though. These can aid in troubleshooting the problems themselves. Every car is a little different but any data that is put out by your car can be read and displayed. That means you don't only have to use these for business; fun is an option too. Where some people may pick expensive gauges to mount in various locations; you can just open the app and display lots of information right on the screen. If for instance you use the Torque app you can customize multiple screens and swipe between them.  

A tip for you: I have a Nexus 7 that I put in a cheap case super-glued magnets on. After gluing magnets to the inside of the center of my dash I can pop it there any time and read the data this reader is sending. While there are many hit-or-miss clones of these devices out there I found this one to work just fine. The screenshot from my phone is while it was showing data pulled from this very reader. Looks like these are good ones. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion.

 

ANCO wipers from Ezwipers.com

Have you ever noticed how when the rain stops and you forget to turn your wipers off and they start making a loud speak as they slide across the windshield? Yeah, that means you need new ones. Wiper blades wear out from use and being out in the sun. It means they don't clean as well so you'll see streaks; plus dirt and dust are just harder to get off.

EzWipers.com sent me a pair of wipers to try and to be honest, there's not much to say because they just carry top quality products. If you've ever see wipers for sale you'll recognize the names like Rain-x and ANCO. Of course these perform just as great as the ones you'll find anywhere else. The thing is most people don't even think about replacing the blades when needed. They just leave them and after a while think all blades leave streaks and make noise.

I know I sound a little ridiculous but sometimes lazy people like me just appreciate something simple.  The hardest part is just getting out and checking the blades for the size or searching around online to find which ones fit but guess what; I've never seen it easier that EZ-wipers. I went on the site, the big box in the middle auto completed the name of my car, and I was met with a range of prices. Add to cart and the checkout even accepts a range of payments including Paypal. The best part is the free shipping.

Do yourself a favor and get over to the site and have a clearer windshield now. There's really no excuse to get new wipers in the mail in the next 15 minutes. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion.

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Bluetooth 4.0 hands free car kit with NFC

Bluetooth Hands Free kit on Amazon

I can't argue with anything I've seen so far. While I've noticed some people complain about ground noise I think that comes down to the car you're in and the quality of it's wiring. My experience has been nothing but positive.

Build- If I absolutely had to find something to not like, it would be that it is made of plastic and feels light. Really though there's no need for it to be heavier as the circuitry is pretty simple and a metal body would probably make it fall off your dash. You get three buttons; one for on/off and answer/hangup, and two direction ones for seeking and volume. They're big so it's easy to hit them without taking your eyes off the road. The package comes with a nice little USB car charger and an extra 3M pad. If you happen to have some metal behind your dash or are willing to take it apart to add some, there is also a magnet on the pack to simplify things. The power cord on the unit is a little thin but not so much that it will just snap.

Function- Pairing couldn't be simpler if you have a NFC enabled phone. Turn the device on by holding the power button ant tap your phone against it. After the first time it will immediately pair and you're ready to go. When not on a phone call you can use the select button to play and pause music as well. Other than that sound quality seems to be good. I even tested it by setting it on a running air conditioner and my caller could hear me fine.

This kit has good features, accessories, and just works well. I have no complaints so I think it's a good buy. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion. 

F1S Dash Cam by Black Box

F1S Dashcam on Amazon

I was very impressed with the construction of this camera and it delivers on video quality as well. There isn't really a "Brand Name" for dashcams but I think this is a good benchmark to compare others too. I can't show you the full quality in my video because of file size limits but it is 1080p and looks nice.

Build- This is a very sturdy camera and I'm confident carrying it around and letting it take some bumps. If the suction mount gives out(it hasn't) and the camera falls and bounces around you shouldn't have any problems. It's a little larger than a lot of dashcams I've seen but not so large that anyone will wonder what the bowling ball hanging in your windshield is. All buttons are on the back so even when mounted in your car you can see all the functions. The 3" screen is large and plenty bright for reviewing footage even in sunlight. You get three cords: mini-usb, mini-usb charger, and gps antenna. The mini-usb plug dates this cam a bit but my only complaint comes along with the GPS antenna. It is So. Stinkin. Long. It does allow you to choose placement but I'd rather not have to go through the work of pressing another cord behind trim pieces. I recently reviewed another BlackBox camera and that one had the antenna on a 4 inch cord right on the suction mount so you never even had to think about it. I'd like if this one had that too.

Function- Video quality with this one is great. I had no trouble viewing license plate numbers once they were 35-50 ft away and that's about as good as you'll get with 1080p. The menus aren't the most straightforward but you should only need to set them once and then the camera will just turn on and off with your car(assuming your car cuts power to the outlets when it's off). You won't have to be distracted by this screen when driving at night either as it turns off after a few seconds even when recording. Just hit the ok button and it comes back and hit it again to lock the current footage. Once you have something you want you can either take the camera down and use the supplied cable to hook it up to a computer, or juts pull the memory card. The mini hdmi port allows you to hook right up to a TV as well. For viewing on a computer I recommend grabbing a piece of software called Registrator Viewer(just google it). This allows you to watch your videos right next to a live map of the location the video was taken.

I'm very impressed with this offering from BlackBox. Between the durability due to the nice construction to the great results you see in the video this one deserves all five stars. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion.

X1S Dash Cam by Black Box

X1S on Amazon

The XS1 is a good little camera that works but isn't without it's faults. When it comes down to it once it is placed in a car and powered on it records nice video and the GPS information is a neat addition. It comes with two suction cups; one with the GPS and one without so you can choose or use it as a spare.

Build- The entirety of the camera is made of plastic. This makes it very light but I'd prefer something a little stronger as you never know where you may have it for downloading video. The body is about half an inch thick and the lens sticks out the front another inch. Speaking of the lens: for something that records such nice video I'm disappointed that the housing is made of that cheap chrome plastic. There are 5 buttons: power, menu, ok, and two directions. To attach to the mounts you just push up and slide over for a friction fit but be careful because the joint is just plastic. The included charging cable is VERY long so you can tuck it behind the cars trim and still have it reach anywhere you need. Anyone decent with wires could chop the plug off and wire it right into the car too. If you're planning to use the GPS version of mount it's really handy because the antenna is hard mounted right to it. You won't have to deal with running any cables behind bodywork.

Function- First off I have to point out the menus are somewhat confusing to use because of the minimal buttons you are working with. You'll get it with a little work though and there should be no reason for you to have to touch them after that again. This is due to the fact that once the camera detects that power is on it automatically activates and starts recording. You don't need to take it down until there's something you want to pull off the card and even then you could just pull the card itself out. The ability to set it and forget it is great. Just remember that if your car doesn't disable the plugs when it turns off you'll have to plug and unplug yourself to turn it on(or use the power button). The screen on this model always stays on and that's a big minus. If you're driving at night you don't want to be seeing it the whole time. Once you have a video you can take the card or attach the supplied micro usb cable to a computer and watch them. If you are using the GPS you can open the video in the supplied program and see location and speed on a map as the video plays. I recommend searching for a program called Registrator Viewer as it's a little nicer if not still somewhat clunky. Those aren't even the only ways to watch. If you have a mini-hdmi cable you can plug the camera right into a big screen TV and let everyone see.

This model by Black Box is a decent choice. I have a few complaints but nothing that would keep me from recommending it if you find it for the right price. I received this product free in exchange for nothing more than my honest opinion.