Auto Moto Gadgets

Although we would like to think so, not all of us know exactly how a car works, so at times it can be very difficult to figure out what the problem is. Cue going to a repair shop, wasting time and money a.s.o.

The CarMD Handheld Engine Code Reader was designed to help with this. If the “check engine” light is on, the CarMD identifies the problem and tells you exactly what’s wrong, so you can at least go to a mechanic and know how much you should pay. The Windows software included can track up to three vehicles and also allows you to print reports from your computer.

It costs $100, which is not much considering the amount of money it could help you save in repairs.

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Finally, a way to become the envy of all your friends (and a lot of passers-by): the Party-A-CarGo, a self-contained beer kegerator/entertainment system.

What does that mean exactly? A big box you can mount on your car that can offer the three ingredients for a perfect weekend party: beer, music and TV. And it goes for a long time without needing a battery recharge… about 160 beers and 12 hours of music.

The booze part is a complete CO2 kegerator/jockey-box set-up that contains:

• 5-gallon cooler jockey-box set up
• Commercial regulator with gauge
• 5 lb. CO2 tank
• Keg tap D-system
• Faucet wrench
• Drain tray

The entertainment part is also pretty impressive:

• 230 watt, 6 X 9 speakers
• 10″ subwoofer
• 2 or 4-channel amplifier
• CD player
• Satellite radio
• LCD screen with TV tuner

So it’s pretty straightforward now: you need to buy it (although the price is not listed, it looks like it goes for about $2800 – see here), fill it with your favorite brand of beer and go party!

See a video of the kegerator put to work after the jump.

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If you think your teen can’t be trusted to drive a cat without speeding, just don’t give it to him/her. Or, if you want to be a control freak, try the tiwi.

All right, it’s not that bad. Seeing how many drivers make serious mistakes out of inexperience or attempts to be “cool”, a nagging talking box can help prevent some of them. The tiwi alerts the driver if s/he exceeds the speed limit, breaks or accelerates too fast or takes a turn at a high speed.

But the rest of the features seem a bit too controlling (ok, a lot). Parents can get notifications when their teens leave school, home, or any other area they wish to define and get alerts whenever the driver breaks a rule, such as not wearing a seat belt or speeding.

There might be a point here if you have a real trublesome child, but for most of them I think it’s an exaggeration. If you don’t give them some freedom, how will they learn to get by on their own?

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