car gadget ideas

Id love to see what people have done and what ideas people have as far as car gadgetry go. It can include modifying an existing part of the electronics or adding.
For example - I have a list of things Ive done, things I like the idea of. Some might think some of the mods are silly, but each to their own...

Done

- Camera looking to the right (would be looking to the left where you drive on the right). Placed on top of my number plate wired to my headunit.
-Front and rear camera
-Dimmable high output reverse light
-Bypass switch to operate the reverse light
-Door lock/unlock rocker (my car didnt come with one)
-Boot cigarette lighter socket (got one to install behind my centre console for the people in the back as well
-Boot spotlight mount (wired up)
-Underbody lighting facing outwards to act as puddle lamps


Interested in

Proximity entry
Auto tilting mirror in reverse

Sorry, nothing that hasn't been done before
Proximity? Modify a 508d or similar.
Auto tilt, KP Enterprises Ohio,

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Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.

Yeah, ditto.

When you said "car gadget" I thought I'd refer you to mp3car.com (a site I recently left), but they'd probably only overlap with cameras - the rest is basic wiring probably better covered here tho I have often covered puddle lights on mp3car.

Note however that certain things may be illegal - eg, bypass switches for reverse lights - ESPECIALLY if high output.
Australian Fuzz take a very dim view of 55W halogen reverse lights that are not wired via the reverse switch (even if Australian rally & competition rules allowed it!). Funny that a bright light should cause a dim view eh?

As an example because I smoke, carry an iPad plus two Android phones on away from home mobile work, I have the regular cigarette lighter, one in the glove box, one in the centre console and one in the trunk (boot).
I'm also carrying various trackers for install that need to be initialised and tested, sometimes I need to charge a Viper LCD remote en route.
Changed all my interior lights to high output LEDs plus LED strip lighting in the load areas and glovebox.
Air horns and I modded the Viper remote start to deadlock the doors on arming, ordinary lock on ignition plus of course the Viper also uses the air horns.
Autochanger moved from glovebox to under passenger seat.
Mirror tilt, who needs puddle lights.
Bumper flushed camera for the rear with infra red, much better than obvious high output illegally switched reversing light

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Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.

Im no inventor and Im not perfectly legal... Its just nice to share ideas.

Its actually a 7.5w led reverse light, but plenty bright. I have a switch that reroutes the power past a resistor to dim it. I was actually at the petrol station and came out to have a highway patrol right behind me. One that was paying particular attention to me on the road 5 minutes earlier. I was very glad to hit the dimming switch not giving them an excuse to book me.
Its there for main road reversing or such situations. Worked a dream... I use my reverse camera for parking up to bumpers and reversing into driveways. But mostly, I prefer to turn my head.

Im aware of KP, but they want $100 to ship it and I just cant pay that much in good conscience. Another one is bound to pop up eventually!

I too have LED all around my car. Strictly warm white inside as I find the white is sharp on the eyes. Definitely better looking, but not good to look at.

I also wanted to install a light in my centre console compartment, but I need a momentary switch that works in reverse. I am thinking Ill have to get my hands on a glovebox light or door open switch to suit.
I highly recommend the COB led strips. I was using 5050 led strips, then moved to 5630... Though Im starting to like the COB. Seem to be quite efficient as well.

I did buy the VLED Triton Brake/Tail kit, but the brake output was way too bright! Even if it looks very good in my opinion.

Puddle lamps are hardly ever necessary, but its my way of having underbody lighting but not while driving. Its a trade off... Some hate it, but some dont.

Various trackers? And that is a good few cigarette lighters youve got going!
I love remote start, had it on my old car which didnt have the transponder in the key. Though I dont know if I want to let go of the factory immobiliser. Are aftermarket immobilisers as good? Is it you get what you pay for?

I forgot! Auto window closer...

Is there a way to edit posts? Because I sure dont see how :/

You're too new a member to be able to edit.
You don't have to let go of the factory immobiliser there are bypasses.
Aftermarket immobilisers work but I can root them out in about 5 minutes.

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Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.

howie ll wrote:

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You're too new a member to be able to edit.
You don't have to let go of the factory immobiliser there are bypasses.
Aftermarket immobilisers work but I can root them out in about 5 minutes.

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Ah, I see!

Ok, so there are bypasses... Youve caught my attention. If I have a manual, I guess Id need to tighten up my handbrake and either buy one with a handbrake cut out or use the handbrakes earth as an earth related to the remote start working (if that is possible?). There is no electronic recognition of my car being in gear, is there? (I own a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante 3.5L).

I'm afraid you need to do an awful amount of product read-up.
Your technical knowledge appears adequate but your product knowledge appears woeful.
Window closers, remote starts with and without security, proximity detectors, immobiliser bypasses,simply look up up Viper.com, they have all of the above and it's available in Oz.

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Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.

I got one better than all of these gadgets ^

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuk_s2SVQR0