additions that make life easier

[oswestryalex]

Hi, just a thought on techie gear that is out there, not expensive, and does add something to the driving experience in my estimate. First a Head up Display that plugs into the OBD2 plug. Those can be had off eBay for as little as £10 new. The visuals on the windscreen are especially useful at night, I find - and I've got one that I left in kph for when on the continent - makes seeing your speed a lot easier when driving abroad. Secondly, a car camcorder - these are being suggested as a good aid in case of accident, as they loop record what is in front of your vehicle and some have a rear camera too. Mine is just a forward facing one, but nice for peace of mind. Anyone else had add ons that help with driving? Comments welcome. One I have been looking at, but not sure about, is a tyre pressure warning system. Any thoughts?

[AndyN01]

Hi,

I have no experience of "Heads Up" display but I'm pretty sure the RAF use them so if it's good enough for combat pilots I think it'd be great for less "stressful" car driving.

I have 2 "dash cams" - front & rear. As with you for piece of mind and a film record in the event of a collision. Within a day they'd captured some loony, inconsiderate and unlawful driving which could have very easily caused a serious accident.

I also have Sat Nav that gives audible warning of particular hazards such as schools.

Tyre pressure systems (TPS) sound good but IIRC they carry a significant additional cost when replacing tyres? Happy to be enlightened. Normal checks will pick up a slow puncture and a TPS won't help in the event of a blow out.

Andy.

[oswestryalex]

Hi Andy, thanks for the comments - yes, do try the heads up display; I find I don't know how I managed without. Especially at night. The tyre pressure systems I have seen are from China, currently around £40 or less, with a cigar lighter device plugged in which wirelessly monitors dust caps with sensors in them - so no mods to the tyres. It gives - in the best systems - 3 readings: tyre pressure on each tyre, tyre temp. on each tyre and battery voltage. I feel it might be worth it if these come down to sub £20.... :-)

[7T5]

If i am reply to the title of the post only thing i can think of is beer

[DMGRS]

My addition to the thread is a good, suction mounted mobile phone holder - makes using the phone for navigation a lot easier.

Second would be a stereo with Bluetooth - I'd always pushed against this, and had a 3.5mm lead connecting the stereo to my audio devices.
Bluetooth is much, much more simple.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by oswestryalex

The tyre pressure systems I have seen are from China, currently around £40 or less, with a cigar lighter device plugged in which wirelessly monitors dust caps with sensors in them - so no mods to the tyres. It gives - in the best systems - 3 readings: tyre pressure on each tyre, tyre temp. on each tyre and battery voltage. I feel it might be worth it if these come down to sub £20.... :-)

I looked at these a few years ago, but decided they might increase the risk of a sudden deflation, if the cap should suddenly fail. Obviously to be able to measure the pressure, they have to push the valve in, so then you are relying entirely on the integrity of the cap to hold the tyre pressure in. Normally you would have a tyre valve, plus a cap.

[KRISTLEE]

I know it's not a 75 or ZT but I can't help commenting with you all....after using the forum for 3 years and over 2000 posts it is rather difficult to stay away

I'm not sure if this kind of set up can be adapted for 75s or ZTs but on my VW Eos I have a passive TPMS which monitors the tyres using the ABS without the need for individual sensors attached to the tyre valves or inside the tyres.

I'm not 100% sure how the system works but it's something to do with the ABS and rotational speed with regards the circumference of each tyre. A check tyre pressure warning will illuminate on the dash if the signal changes, this system obviously cannot show individual tyre pressures but will highlight a tyre problem if there is a loss of pressure or tyre fault affecting the circumference. I have a reset button if I put air in the tyres or change them so the system knows all is ok and doesn't flag a warning up until something changes again.

[wullie480]

Originally Posted by KRISTLEE

I know it's not a 75 or ZT but I can't help commenting with you all....after using the forum for 3 years and over 2000 posts it is rather difficult to stay away

I'm not sure if this kind of set up can be adapted for 75s or ZTs but on my VW Eos I have a passive TPMS which monitors the tyres using the ABS without the need for individual sensors attached to the tyre valves or inside the tyres.

I'm not 100% sure how the system works but it's something to do with the ABS and rotational speed with regards the circumference of each tyre. A check tyre pressure warning will illuminate on the dash if the signal changes, this system obviously cannot show individual tyre pressures but will highlight a tyre problem if there is a loss of pressure or tyre fault affecting the circumference. I have a reset button if I put air in the tyres or change them so the system knows all is ok and doesn't flag a warning up until something changes again.

Works the same way on the BMW Mini Cooper I'm sure other manufacturers will have similar as you say VW uses it that way.

[KRISTLEE]

Originally Posted by wullie480

Works the same way on the BMW Mini Cooper I'm sure other manufacturers will have similar as you say VW uses it that way.

Yeah I was just reading about it mate and it's quite a common set up in European cars. Quite like having it there for a bit of peace of mind but I'm still quite OCD about manually checking my tyres and pressures after my Gridspokes needed topping up regularly lol.

[macafee2]

I take it my love of cruise control does not count?

macafee2