June 2019 - Dalton's Dash Cams and Driving Accessories

Posted on June 23, 2019 July 20, 2019

Top 8 Driving Gadgets for Summer Travel

You will absolutely love these eight driving gadgets for summer travel. Everyone should have a dash cam installed in their vehicle to record possible insurance fraud to determine who was at fault.

The other seven items we believe you need to make traveling more fun and convenient, are the RADAR/LIDAR Detector, handsfree earphone, mini-fridge, solar powered exhaust fan, power inverter, anti-glare glasses, and my favorite, a portable espresso machine for that instant pick-me-up shot of caffeine.

Don’t leave these driving gadgets for summer travel behind when heading out to camp this summer.

#1 – Garmin Dash Cam 55

This car dash cam is my new favorite because it is voice-controlled. It has lane departure, and forward-collision warning even if your vehicle did not come with these advance warnings. This discreet dash cam is only two inches and fits sensibly right under the rearview mirror.

The Wheel Witness is the dash cam I have used in my car for years. However, with the voice-controlled Garmin on the market, I had to upgrade. Plus, I get the lane-departure and forward-collision warnings as well. I usually turn off the forward collision warning within city limits because it is too annoying in traffic, but out on the open road, it’s at the top of our list of great driving gadgets for summer travel.

The Garmin Dash Cam 55 less than two inches — Product image

Buy it now with free shipping.

#2 – Escort iX Radar-Laser Detector

Considering the outrageous fines many states charge for speeding tickets, you should install a long-range RADAR/LIDAR Detector. The Escort iX catches incoming RADAR or Laser signals before they can apprehend you.

These devices are legal in 49 states. Virginia is the only state where these devices are illegal. This IS NOT a RADAR/LIDAR jammer. However, it will warn you about incoming signals so that you can slow down.

the escort iX Radar-Laser Detector — Product image

Buy one now! With free shipping.

#3 – Mini-Fridge

Every driver should have a mini-fridge to keep drinks icy cold or takeout hot. This mini-fridge is great for the road, on the water, or family picnics. Keep foods hot or cold, depending on your needs. This device keeps mother’s milk or formula at the perfect ambient temperature. This light-weight, highly portable cooler is ideal for summer outings or in the office. The mini-fridge holds up to eight (8) 12 oz cans.

Buy it now!

#4 – Handsfree Earphones: Driving Gadgets for Summer Travel

This handsfree earphones can get used in only one ear to meet the legal requirements of most states so that you can hear your personal tunes and answer the phone when you get a call, all hands-free. Many states require drivers to keep one ear uncovered by headphones, so these are perfect.

You will enjoy your favorite tunes throughout your trip and answer your phone with crisp, crystal-clear voice.

Super clear voice mic for headset. Great driving gadget for summer travel

Buy these earphones now!

#5 – Solar Powered Exhaust Fan: One of the Great Driving Gadgets for Summer Travel

This vent fan is probably the best invention of the year. Getting into a hot vehicle can take your breath away. Instead, get a solar-powered exhaust fan that sucks out the hot air while your away from your car.

This vent fan is not meant as a fan to cool the driver or passengers while driving. The sun powers the fan and draws the hot air out of your vehicle, while parked. Alternatively, it will vent odors like stale cigarette smoke from your car. What’s more, there is no reason to fear this solar-powered device wearing down your battery.

These are great for a pickup truck, but you might need two or more for a large vehicle or four for a van. Even when you buy four, it’s still just over $100.

This Solar Powered Exhaust Fan vents air out of hot cars. — Product image

Buy one or two now.

#6 – Bestek Car Power Inverter

The Besteck car power inverter allows you or your passengers to use a laptop or other devices while traveling. You will not need to worry about a power surge from this 12-Volt to 110-Volt car power inverter. You will get 300 Watts of juice to power your laptop or other 110-Volt devices.

Product image – 12V to 110V inverter with 300 Watts of power

Buy one now!

#7 – Blupond Anti-Glare Driving Glasses

These anti-glare, night-driving glasses also filter out blue light so that you can use them with your Kindle for night reading or your computer to block harmful blue light. Of course, the primary benefit of these is for those drivers bothered by night driving, especially, those who are intolerant of the new vehicle headlights.

Blupond night driving anti-glare glasses — Product image – Blupond Anti-Glare Night-Driving Glasses

Buy a pair now!

#8 – Cisno Portable Espresso Machine

Get this portable espresso machine for that instant pick-me-up shot of caffeine. Using hot water, it takes about a minute or two for an espresso. However, when using cold water, it takes 10-15 minutes to make a cup. It’s still faster than driving to a coffee shop and much tastier than any fast food joints coffee. Most don’t even offer Espresso.

The Cisno Portable Espresso Machine one of the Top 8 Driving Gadgets for Summer Travel — Product image of the Cisno Portable Espresso Machine one of the top 8 driving gadgets for 2019 summer travel

Buy the Portable Espresso Machine

Buy the reusable Nespresso Cups for the machine Just $10.88 for a six-pack

Buy the optional Cisno carrier Just $11.99

Get These Great Driving Gadgets for Summer Travel

Shop Dalton’s Dash Cams in Bangor, Maine. Dalton’s Dash Cams & Driving Accessories is a Veteran-owned and operated dropshipping business that uses Amazon for shipping and customer service. You can get the great driving accessories shipped straight to you. Moreover, when you use Prime, you get one-two day shipping, free!

“Stephen Dalton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.”

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Posted on June 7, 2019 June 7, 2019

Why Ignoring the Best Dashcam Could Cost You Thousands of Dollars

Miami Skyline at night ad for car dashcams

What is a dashcam? It’s a device people mount on their vehicle’s dashboard or windshield to record accidents while on the road, and incidents of hit and run or vandalism while parked. You can record accidents, to show investigators or your insurance company the accident was not your fault. It is an effective way to secure your car and family against insurance fraud.

The Best Dashcams: The Wheel Witness & the Vantrue N2 Pro

When it comes to security, the best dashcam could bring the most benefits. If you are parking your vehicle in a new place for the first time, it can become highly useful. Actually, any parking garage anywhere. Even those who park their car diagonally across two parking spaces still wind up with dings or get keyed by vandals. You just never know.

The next best thing to leaving a friend to watch it while you shop or enjoy fine dining at the House of Food Porn or La Ventana’s Colombian Restaurant in Miami. After a magnificent meal, coming back to find vandals have scarred your car or a hit and run driver crumpled the front fender. It can be calamitous. But with a silent witness on the dashboard, any bump will trigger the motion detectors and start recording.

Even when you don’t get footage of the vehicle’s plate, footage of the incident is enough to convince the insurance company it was a hit and run or vandalism and they need to pay your claim. Your onboard witness will capture the details of the incident. It doesn’t matter if it was vandalism, road rage, or attempted burglary. There are components exclusively designed for every situation, but there are some camera models that are an excellent fit for your vehicle. We are talking about Vantrue N2 Pro Dual Dashcam Front and Rear and the Wheel Witness.

Wheel Witness HD Pro Dashcam

Wheel Witness #2 best car cameras (dashcam) for 2018

The Wheel Witness has the technology you need to protect your vehicle and your family from insurance fraud attempts, hit & run, or parking space vandalism. For just $124.99, you can acquire the Wheel Witness Pro HD front and rear, one of the best dashcams for trucks and vans.

Features include GPS, HDR (high-dynamic range), and high-quality to improve the recording experience. It was expressly designed to give superior quality for night videos, which is why it comes with night vision and plate recognition.

Whether it is for your insurance company or court, crystal clear videos become evidence of the event. That ensures your security.

This high-resolution system comes with three different mounts. These additional mounts make it very convenient to move the camera from vehicle to vehicle without the fuss.

Even though the Wheel Witness cam loop records the scene, the G-sensor lock installed will save the video from being deleted or overwritten after an accident or vandalism in the parking lot or on the road. Unless you explicitly delete the footage or OK the overwriting, it will be locked. Considering its many features, it is not surprising that this model is one of the most popular choices in cities like Miami. Many families have saved time and money from incidents of hit and run and vandalism in parking garages while shopping or at the club.

The Vantrue N2 Pro Dashcam

The Vantrue N2 Pro is another excellent example of car dashcams meeting the needs of drivers. This camera was an innovation. It was the first dashcam to use true infrared LED’s.

This 1080p concept uses the F2.06 glass lens for these dual dashcams. Also, it enhances plate recognition using infrared lights.

As soon as its motion detector recognizes activity around your car due to a bump or vandalism, it will start recording. The parking monitor sensor that makes it automatic. It gives us peace of mind while parked on Miami streets or in a parking garage. You can order the best models for your car in Miami online with free dropshipping provided by Amazon.

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Posted on June 2, 2019 June 2, 2019

New Car Review: The Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 Car Review

In this new car review, we will look at the Volvo XC90. The Mazda CX9, Kia Sorento, Audi Q7, BMW X5, and the Volvo XC90 look very much alike. This leads some to say, “they’re the same car” but, there are some not so subtle differences. Some differences you have to test drive to discover.

The Volvo XC90 manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP): $47,700 compared to other look-alikes:

Mazda CX9 MSRP: $45,365

BMW X5 MSRP: $60,700

Audi Q7 MSRP: $50,875

Toyota 4Runner MSRP: $46,155

Although the MSRP is about the same with all these besides the BMW, which you’re likely just paying for the name, the Volvo offers incredible value for the price.

Volvo is known for creating high quality, affordable luxury vehicles. These are mechanical marvels that last for decades, and these sensible machines look amazing while doing it.

The new 2019 Volvo XC90 is another amazing addition to their lineup of vehicles. This midsize SUV has all the bells and whistles you could ever want in a car while also providing the best security possible.

Volvo interior driver's seat — You’ll truly feel like a captain this pilot’s seat

Performance

The performance of the Volvo XC90 is relatively decent. The most significant piece of information to take from this car review is that if you choose the base engine, it’s not that impressive.

The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine pumps out 250 horsepower and is acceptable as a family vehicle. Upgrade to the T6 version, and you’ll bump up your horsepower to 316. The best, however, is the 400-hp plug-in hybrid version of the vehicle which adds two electric motors for some serious power.

Comfortable seating for four adults but room for seven.

Car Review: Interior

Expect a luxury interior in this Volvo because that’s what you’re going to get. It comes standard with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and also has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Driver’s cockpit is fabulous, roomy and convenient.

While the first two rows of seats have plenty of room, the third back row is a bit smaller and would be best for younger children or shorter people. Plus, the built in baby seat is tremendous asset for those with an infant.

built-in baby seat new car review — The Excellence Child Safety Seat Concept

Safety

Rated as a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Volvo XC90 uses forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, park assist, automated emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert systems to help keep you safe. The XC90 also has standard airbag deployment systems.

Reliability

The Volvo XC90 rates as a reliable vehicle, though JD Powers rates it 2/5. Volvo is known for having high-quality materials in their vehicles, which guarantees that the vehicle is always going to be ready whenever you need it. Volvo is also known for having great warranty options as well.

Warranty

Volvo likes to ensure that their customers are going to be happy, which is why they provide access to amazing options. The limited plan covers the vehicle for four years, or 50,00 miles, while all hybrid components in this SUV get covered for 100,000 or 8 years. Owners of this vehicle will also receive complimentary maintenance for three years as well.

New Car Review Fuel Tank Image for MPG figures

MPG City: 19-21 MPG Highway: 26-29 with 250-400 hp

U.S. News Critic’s Rating: 8.4/10

Performance: 8.4
Interior 7.9
Safety 9.8
JD Powers Reliability Rating 2/5

Should I Buy the Volvo XC90?

The Volvo XC90 is a fantastic luxury vehicle at an affordable price. While it’s not considered by “experts” to be the best midsize luxury SUV, they do agree that for the price you will not find anything better. A low-cost, luxurious ride in a seven-seater, this vehicle is a must-have vehicle for those looking for a luxury SUV.

“Sweden the Deal” Volvo Promotional Video

So, What’s Missing?

With the Volvo XC90, all you really need is the best dash cam available. In our opinion, that is the Vantrue N2 Pro Dual Front & Rear Dash Cam. When you want easy installation, GPS, night vision, motion detectors with G-sensor lock capability so that you don’t overwrite crucial footage, this dash cam is all you need.

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Posted on June 2, 2019 June 2, 2019

The Best Dash Cam for Your Buck in Miami, FL

Best Dash Cam Miami, FL driving along the beach

Have you ever used a Dash Cam? It is a camera that is installed on your car’s dashboard or windshield to record incidents such as theft or accidents with your car and your family.

Which Is the Best Dash Cam?

Purchasing a dash cam for your vehicle has many benefits. If you are ever on the receiving end of road rage, an accident, or your car is hit while it is parked; your dash cam will record footage of the accident or vandalism. The two best dash cams to invest in are the Wheel Witness and the Vantrue Dual Front and Rear N2 Pro.

The Best Dash Cam: Wheel Witness HD Pro

Wheel Witness Best Dash Cam Product Image

Wheel Witness HD Pro is a Front and Rear Dash Cam. What that means is it records the road ahead and to the sides, plus what’s going on inside the car. This feature protects you in case of a carjacking.

With features such as GPS, night vision, and high-dynamic range (HDR) recording makes this one of the best dash cams available for under $125.

Wheel Witness can be used in a variety of vehicles such as vans, RV, cars, and trucks. It has wide dynamic range technology that allows for clear visibility in night videos. It makes crystal clear footage you can use as evidence with your insurance company or in court to prove your innocence.

It has the high resolution to enable details unavailable on other dash cams. The main reason for a dash cam is to provide forensic evidence to law enforcement and your insurance company.

You get three mounts so that you can move the cam between multiple vehicles without it looking like a hack job. The continuous loop recording feature starts recording and monitoring automatically. This feature allows the reuse of your MicroSD card.

Although the Wheel Witness is a continuous loop recorder, after an accident occurs, it has a G-Sensor Locking device that will not allow the recorded footage to be deleted or overwritten. The cost is just $124.99.

However, the benefits make it worth every dollar you spend. It could easily save you thousands in damages in case of a hit and run and even more if there were injuries. Many courts now allow dash cam video footage in civil suits.

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The Vantrue N2 Pro

The Vantrue Dual Front and Rear N2 Pro dash cam is similar to the Wheel Witness but with a few more features.

The manufacturer states, “The Vantrue Dual Front and Rear N2 Pro was the first dual (front and rear) 1080p dash cam to hit the market with infrared vision: the F2.06 glass lens rear facing cam plus 4 infrared (IR) light emitting diodes (LED) lights greatly improves night vision.” It gives you peace of mind while driving at night.

https://amzn.to/2MnBScg

It also has a parking monitor and motion detector for added safety. The dual cam will automatically start recording when it detects movement around of your vehicle. What’s more the G-sensor lock will keep it from being overwritten without your permission.

The cost is slightly more than the Wheel Witness, but the Vantrue’s night vision is state-of-the-art for plate recognition. Do you need a car dash cam that is resistant to freezing up? One with automatic activation? Or, one with motion detection? Look at the features and specifications of both models before you decide.