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Holiday Road Trip Made Better

As millions of Americans map out their holiday getaways and gear up to hit the highways, they are also looking for ways to make the journey as great as the final destination. Whether searching for in-car entertainment to keep the family happy, bringing the comforts from home on the road or anticipating every safety need, motorists seek out all the best in-car gadgets.

Pioneer in-car audio video entertainment products offer playback of DVD, CD and MP3 and WMA files with exceptional audio and video quality. Screens in sizes from 6.5 - 7 inch, enables drivers to select various functions with a touch of the screen. For added bonus, a dual-zoned entertainment system is designed so front-seat passengers can enjoy music while a movie is playing for rear-seat passengers. Pioneer's A/V products can make the "dreaded" holiday road trips the thing of the past.

With the inception of satellite radio technology, holiday driving or any driving for that matter is more fun. Adding an XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio tuner to a Pioneer stereo give holiday travelers access to more than 130 channels of programming with digital quality sound. From Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine users can enjoy the same talk, sports and music stations with no fear of interference on the open road.

Bring the comforts of home on the road.

In order to make that vehicle as comfortable as possible, many specialty gadget stores offer massaging seat toppers. They change any car seat into a soothing therapeutic experience offering different speeds of massage for different zones of the back. Massaging seat toppers range in price from $30-100. Experts agree that drivers should look for a seat topper with good lumbar support to eliminate aches and pains and make the drive as comfortable as possible.

Without question someone on the road trip will end up spilling all of the trail mix or an entire package of potato chips. Try a small portable vacuum to pick up all of those crumbs. Many have the same suction power of a full size vacuum and come with rechargeable batteries for convenience or a plug-in cable for reliability. Look for units with a flexible hose to get under seats and cushions, shoulder strap for ease of use and dust cup designed to avoid the hassle of replacement bags.

The air inside the car on a long road trip may get very stale. Air purifiers emit negatively charged ions to neutralize odors, dust, bacteria, germs, allergens and mildew in the vehicle. Some ionic air purifiers plug directly into the power socket in the car. When Mother Nature won't allow for opening the windows, rely on an inexpensive alternative that will help everyone in the car breathe easier.

Safety comes first when preparing for holiday road trips.

Fighting traffic and the uncertainty that accompanies driving in an unfamiliar area are universal sources of driving stress. Reading a map while the car is in motion or stopping to ask for directions at every gas station can quickly zap holiday fun and can lead to hazardous driving.

Pioneer's navigation systems can pinpoint exactly where the vehicle is located and advise the driver of how to get to the next destination. And, with an optional traffic tuner for the in-dash versions, it can provide up-to-the-minute traffic information about highway conditions. The systems can also suggest alternate routes to a destination when it detects an accident or congested circumstance within a route. They also contain more than 11 million points of interest (POI) to help plan where to shop for special gifts or to take a break for a bite to eat or cup of coffee. By eliminating the worry of getting lost, the systems makes the trip more relaxing so the driver can concentrate on driving and passengers can be entertained along the way.

Under inflated tires are an accident waiting to happen on any drive during the holidays. There are all types of tire gauges on the market. From a talking digital tire gauge to a tire cap that notifies the driver that tire pressure is low. Find products under $20-30 that help inflate tires to the factory specified pressure.

A safety essential for any drive is a gadget that includes a power supply and tire inflater. The 3-in-1 jump starter found at many travel stores can jumpstart a car, inflate tires and also be used as a power supply for small appliances. This gadget makes every drive a little safer.

Whether the biggest concern is not getting lost or making sure the kids don't tackle each other in the process of getting there, the time is right to start planning for an enjoyable holiday road trip.