Road Trip Buying Guide

The road trip has been an American tradition for all ages from young adults in their first cars to senior citizens enjoying their golden years in an RV. Traversing America’s scenic byways is an excellent way to spend time away from school or work. Before you hit the open road, take a few minutes to consider what pieces of technology to take with you. There are several tech products that can make your road trip safer, more successful and certainly more fun.

Road trip tech can be as simple as an audio book to help break up the monotony of long drives. On the other hand, they can be as involved as GPS units to ensure that you don't get lost in an unfamiliar city. Our road trip tech helps you stay connected and avoid speeding tickets. Don’t drive into the sunset without this tech.

1. Car Stereo System 
JVC KD-A615

Nothing complements the majestic natural scenery and cityscapes like the right music coming through your car’s speakers. Before you set out on your road trip, make sure you have the best car audio system available. A solid, capable in-dash head unit is arguably the most important piece of that puzzle. The unit we recommend is the JVC KD-A615. This car stereo of course plays CDs, but you can also hook it up to your iPod or other MP3 player via its auxiliary jack or USB port. Additionally, this receiver is compatible with satellite and HD Radio. Therefore, no matter where you are across the fruited plain, you can listen to your favorite hometown radio station or talk show.

2. Radar Detector
Escort Passport 9500ix

Nobody wants to drive unsafely. However, perhaps upon occasion there are times that we all need to open up our engines to see just how high our speedometers can climb. The only problem with that is Johnny Law may just be hiding right around the next bend. Radar Detectors eliminate the anxiety that often accompanies the need for speed. If you have a lead foot and are responsible at high speeds, we recommend the Escort Passport 9500ix. This radar detector detects most of the brands of radar guns used by law enforcement. It also identifies laser guns used by some highway patrol departments.

3. Audio Books
Audible

Ten years ago the prospect of getting any reading done on the open road would have ended up with you in a ditch somewhere. Digital audio books allow you to plow through that best-seller you’ve been meaning to read. For long cross-country treks, we recommend getting an Audibleaccount. You can read as many books as your iPod or other MP3 player can hold. Plug that into your stereo and you can finish War and Peace on the roads that lead from New York to San Francisco.

4. Cell Phone Signal Amplifier
Wilson Electronics Cellular Signal Amplifier Kit

Watch TV long enough and you’re bound to see a commercial that touts one cell phone provider over another. The fact of the matter is that no cell phone provider can cover you everywhere you go. Especially on a road trip. To that end, we recommend picking up the Wilson Electronics Cellular Signal Amplifier Kit. This device helps you extend your cell phone’s range anywhere from the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the searing hot depths of Death Valley. This isn’t only convenient, but it also can help you out of really nasty situation if you happen to break down in the middle of Nowhere, Idaho.

5. Bluetooth Car Kit
MOTOROKR T505

Multitasking behind the wheel is a dangerous proposition on America’s freeways. Text messages, email and phone calls all make for deadly distractions. But you need to stay connected. That’s why we recommend the MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth Car Kit. This wireless device clips right onto your visor and connects your phone, even if it's not a high-tech smartphone. It automatically synchronizes all the contacts in your device and routes calls through its voice interface. Additionally, this device can wirelessly play any media contained on your phone. This way you can keep your hands on 10 and 2 and not miss any calls.

6. Reviews and Directions App
Yelp

Road trips inevitably take you through unfamiliar cities. While you can usually find fast food chains easily, sometimes you want more than a burger served through a window. If you have an iPhone or Android device, we recommend downloading Yelp. This app enables you to look up points of interest, including restaurants, wherever you happen to be. It also helps you locate bars, banks, gas stations and much more. It even provides reviews and location services so you know where to go and how to get there.

7. iPad Mount
DBTech Car Headrest Mount

The iPad is great for a lot of things – not the least of which is watching movies and videos. For passengers in your back seat, watching iPad videos on their laps can get a little straining on their necks. And holding it up for all in the back seat to see is annoying. To address this problem we recommend the DBTech Car Headrest Mount. This iPad holder latches onto one of the headrests of your car’s front seats, enabling your passengers to watch their iPads hands free while you drive.

8. Roadside Emergency Kit
Emergency Kit Warrior Backpack

In the unfortunate event that you find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire or, heaven forbid, a seized engine (always check your fluids), you’ll be glad you brought along the Emergency Kit Warrior Backpack. This bag of treats has everything you need to stay safe until rescue arrives. Inside you’ll find a 30-minute, high-intensity light stick, a tow rope, jumper cables, flashlight, solar rescue blanket, reflecting triangle and much more. If you were a boy scout when you were younger, you remember the term "Be Prepared" – this backpack fits that motto perfectly. And if you weren’t a boy scout, you should still be prepared.

9. iPod Charger
Griffin PowerJolt Dual Micro

All the devices and gadgets in the tech world will do you exactly zero good if they run out of power. You can’t make calls on a dead phone and your passengers can’t watch shows on the iPad if it has no juice. Make an investment in an iPod Car Charger to keep your iPods, iPads and iPhones fully charged throughout your whole trip. We recommend theGriffin PowerJolt Dual Micro. This car charger plugs right into your car’s cigarette lighter or other power source. We like the design of the PowerJolt because it sits flush with your power supply, eliminating accidental disconnections. So you can keep your Apple mobile devices charged up through your whole trip.

10. GPS Navigation Unit
Garmin Nuvi 755T

Lastly, and arguably most importantly for any road trip is the GPS Navigation unit. It goes without saying that you don’t know the intricacies of all the roads and highways in America. And asking for directions is so embarrassing, and kind of dangerous if you’re in the wrong neighborhood. We recommend the Garmin Nuvi 755T. This little guy has a map of every road in the United States and Canada, provides turn-by-turn directions and is loaded with more than 6 million points of interest in every major American and Canadian city. The Nuvi also directs you around traffic jams and keeps you in the right lane to make sure you don’t miss an exit or freeway junction.

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The All-Vacation Checklistt

Whether you’re planning one or several trips this summer, don’t be caught unprepared! We have rounded up the 10 best products and services to have on any vacation. From electronics for entertainment to hotel and flight booking service websites, these products are useful for road trips to visit family and flights to exotic destinations alike.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

1. eBook Reader
Kindle 3
Traveling will always be contiguous with waiting in the airport, long flights and exhausting drives. Keep your mind busy with our favorite eBook reader, the Kindle 3. The Kindle's long battery life and light weight make it especially desirable for travel. The Kindle 3’s screen and high-contrast E Ink is easy on the eyes compared to bright LCD screens that can damage your eyes if you look at it for too long. However, as with printed books, you cannot read E Ink in the dark without the aid of an overhead or book light.

2. Car Rental Service 
Enterprise
Renting a car is always a chore when you're traveling, but Enterprise’s online car rental service makes it less aggravating. The website is easy to use and understand, and it offers a wider selection of cars than most other rental service sites, including an impressive array of hybrid cars. It also helps that this company has locations is most U.S. states and foreign countries!

3. Noise-cancelling Headphones
Sennheiser PXC 350
Noise-cancelling headphones are perfect for use in cars and airplanes alike. Though they may be a little bulky, you’ll be grateful for these headphones if there’s a crying baby on your flight or if the person next to you has his music up too loud. The cushioning around your ears blocks out all outside noise so that you can listen to your music at a comfortable volume. These headphones are also great for napping, even if you don’t have music playing.

4. Travel Insurance 
TravelSafe Vacation Plan
There’s no way to guarantee that you, your family and your property will return from a vacation completely unscathed. Travel insurance can provide a hefty payout in cases of medical emergencies, lost baggage and other travel headaches. When it comes to these types of emergencies, especially common issues such as baggage delays, TravelSafe Vacation Plan is worth the premium cost.

5. Tablet and Carrying Case
iPad 2
An iPad is the cure-all for boredom on the road and in the air. Music, games, internet, eBooks and more are available at the touch of a finger on an iPad. Its 10-hour battery life should get you through most of the day’s travel time. You can also purchase travel guides to major cities such as Paris and Chicago to help you find activities and places to eat. Use our top-rated tablet to calm fussy children in the backseat by letting them play some games, but be sure to purchase a carrying case to protect your iPad from smudgy fingerprints and scratches! http://tablets-review.toptenreviews.com/apple-ipad-2-review.html

6. iPad Car Mount
DB Headrest Mount Holder for iPad 2
This mount transforms your iPad into a TV screen for backseat passengers by attaching to the back of a headrest. It has adjustable clamps and tilt so it will attach to the headrest in any car. It comes with an auxiliary cable that you can use to connect the iPad to your car’s stereo system. Although the mount probably won’t attach to many airplane seats, this is a useful item to have for rental cars and road trips.

7. Travel & Map Software
Microsoft Streets & Trips 2011
Travel and map software is an excellent trip-planning aide. Microsoft Streets & Trips, TopTenREVIEWS number one rated travel software, can help you plan ahead for your vacation with detailed maps and driving directions, among other features. Streets & Trips helps you expect the unexpected with useful tools such as a gas calculator, road construction updates and a GPS wizard.

8. Hotel Booking Service 
Priceline
Researching hotel rates can be tedious, especially if you’re planning a trip to several locations. Online travel service sites such as Priceline make it easy. Just type in the city where you’ll be staying and the dates you’ll need a hotel and the service will bring up the best hotel deals in the area based on criteria you determine. You can compare the rates and hotels and then book the room you want from the website. Priceline also provides best-deal info for flights, cruises, vacation packages and more. By taking advantage of this website, you can book the best deals for your whole vacation at one place.

9. Compact Digital Camera
Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR
There’s no point in going on vacation without a camera! Make sure you have the best device for documenting what will later become cherished memories. We love the Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR’s 15X zoom feature. This camera is especially great for sight-seeing; it has a long battery life, excellent image quality and is small enough to fit in a bag or pocket.

10. Foreign Language Software
Tell Me More Software
Traveling abroad this summer? It’s never too late to learn a new skill, and traveling to a foreign country is the perfect reason to learn a new language. Interactive foreign language software makes learning a new language as easy as uno, dos tres. Tell Me More language software is available in nine languages including Spanish, Arabic and Chinese. This software makes brushing up on a foreign language or starting from scratch easy with tools such as voice recognition, 3D animations of lip and mouth movements and games that help you learn the names and geography of foreign cities and landmarks.

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Top 10 Social Networks for Kids

Over 20,000 kids age 13 and under try to cheat the age limit and sneak into Facebook every day, and it’s easy to see why. What kid wouldn’t want to watch funny videos of their friends, chat with their neighborhood peers or play an addicting game like Farmville? Unfortunately, Facebook and other popular social networks are also filled with adult content, unfiltered comments and potential for cyberbullying, identity theft and child predators.

With this problem in mind, several companies have attempted to create safer alternatives that are essentially “Facebook for kids” –safe social network platforms where kids can be themselves without all the risks. Social networks for kids are built on the balance of entertainment, expression, experience, education and engagement without endangering exposure. Facebook isn’t for kids, but social networking can be.

Social networks for kids are a safe alternative to Facebook because they are built with safety in mind and age-appropriate fun. The best social networks for kids have all the features of traditional social communities (friending, chat, photos, profiles, comments, etc.) but also have more kid-friendly features like games, virtual gifts, contests, art projects and more. Most importantly, kid-friendly social networks are monitored and include parental oversight to make sure everyone is safe.

More than just a digital babysitter, social networks for kids can be a useful teaching tool, helping kids learn about appropriate social network etiquette, safe sharing practices and online citizenship. You and your kids can enjoy social network training wheels while they prepare for the inevitable rite of passage of one day getting a real Facebook page. When they're ready to move on to the real deal, you can still keep in the loop by using Facebook parental controls.

Click on any of the top 10 social networks for kids to learn more about the exciting features and benefits in store for you and your kids. You can find an age-appropriate social network that your kids will love and you can approve of. Your kids will like them better than Facebook, and you’ll rest easy knowing they’re protected.

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Concerns Beyond Just Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak’s 80th year — which ended with his birthday earlier this summer and is being celebrated on Monday night with a benefit at the 92nd Street Y — was a tough one. He has been gripped by grief since the death of his longtime partner; a recent triple-bypass has temporarily left him too weak to work or take long walks with his dog; and he is plagued by Norman Rockwell.

Or, to be more accurate, he is plagued by the question that has repeatedly been asked about Norman Rockwell: was he a great artist or a mere illustrator?

“Mere illustrator,” he said, repeating the phrase with contempt. It’s not that Mr. Sendak, who has illustrated more than 100 books, including many he wrote, is angry that people question Rockwell’s talent; rather, he fears he has not risen above the “mere illustrator” label himself.

Never mind that Mr. Sendak’s originality and emotional honesty have changed the shape of children’s literature; that his work is featured in museums; that he has designed costumes and sets for operas, ballets and theater; that he has won a chest full of awards and prizes including a National Medal of the Arts. As the playwright Tony Kushner, one of his collaborators, said, “He’s one of the most important, if not the most important, writers and artists ever to work in children’s literature. In fact, he’s a significant writer and artist in literature. Period.”

Mr. Sendak protested, “But Tony is my friend.”

Mr. Sendak, a square-shaped gnome, was sitting in the dining room of his Connecticut retreat. His shoulders are a bit stooped, but his fingers are long and delicate. When he hears that the 92nd Street Y event is sold out, his eyebrows rise in surprise.

“They must be coming to see the other people,” he said, referring to guests like Mr. Kushner, Meryl Streep, James Gandolfini, Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers and Catherine Keener.

Even his heart attack doesn’t seem up to snuff. People aren’t impressed with a triple bypass, he lamented; now it has to be a quadruple: “You feel like such a failure.”

That Mr. Sendak fears that his work is inadequate, that he is racked with insecurity and anxiety, is no surprise. For more than 50 years that has been the hallmark of his art. The extermination of most of his relatives and millions of other Jews by the Nazis; the intrusive, unemployed immigrants who survived and crowded his parents’ small apartment; his sickly childhood; his mother’s dark moods; his own ever-present depression — all lurk below the surface of his work, frequently breaking through in meticulously drawn, fantastical ways.

He is not, as children’s book writers are often supposed, an everyman’s grandpapa. His hatreds are fierce and grand, as if produced by Cecil B. DeMille. He hates his uncle (who made a cruel comment about him when he was a boy); he hates anything to do with God or religion, and Judaism in particular (“We were the ‘chosen people,’ chosen to be killed?”); he hates Salman Rushdie (for writing an excoriating review of one of his books); he hates syrupy animation, which is why he is thrilled with Mr. Jonze’s coming film of his book “Where the Wild Things Are,” despite rumors of studio discontent.

“I hate people,” he said at one point, extolling the superior company of dogs, like his sweet-tempered German shepherd, Herman (after Melville).

He is, at heart, a curmudgeon, but a delightful one, with a vast range of knowledge, a wicked sense of humor and a talent for storytelling and mimicry.

When Mr. Sendak received the 1996 National Medal of Arts, President Bill Clinton told him about one of his own childhood fantasies that involved wearing a long coat with brass buttons when he grew up.

“But Mr. President, you’re only going to be president for a year more,” Mr. Sendak said, “you still have time to be a doorman.”

Mr. Sendak insisted he was trying to be ingratiating, not funny.

Against all probability, some of the nightmares that have relentlessly pursued him since childhood — like the 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapping — have been laid to rest. A couple of weeks ago a dealer found one of the tiny reproductions of the kidnapper’s ladder that were sold as souvenirs at the New Jersey trial.

“I was floored,” Mr. Sendak said. He traded one of his drawings for it. “That ends my obsession with the case,” he said.

His fascination with the kidnapping, like many of the other details of his life, has been repeated endlessly over the years in the hundreds of interviews he has given. Was there anything he had never been asked? He paused for a few moments and answered, “Well, that I’m gay.”

“I just didn’t think it was anybody’s business,” Mr. Sendak added. He lived with Eugene Glynn, a psychoanalyst, for 50 years before Dr. Glynn’s death in May 2007. He never told his parents: “All I wanted was to be straight so my parents could be happy. They never, never, never knew.”

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Windows 7 Antivirus

Choosing Windows 7 antivirus protection software can be a confusing process. There are so many options advertised on the internet that the choices can be overwhelming. You need antivirus software that is compatible with Windows 7, but, more importantly, you don't want to download a product that claims to be antivirus software that is actually a virus or malware in disguise.

One of the best ways to find Windows 7 antivirus software that works for your budget and your needs while avoiding scam sites is to go with well-known companies that the Microsoft Corporation recommends.

Maybe one of the most obvious antivirus software suggestions for Windows 7 is Microsoft Security Essentials. Since both the operating system and antivirus protection are made by the same company, you can rest assured that few, if any, compatibility issues will arise as they might with other software. Microsoft Security Essentials is free to download as long as you have Windows 7 running on your computer.

Microsoft Security Essentials works in real time, which means that you don't have to schedule system checks or run scans manually. The software guards against viruses, spyware and other malicious software as well.

McAfee is well-known antivirus software that is also recommended for use with Windows 7. While McAfee claims to have the number one malware-protection software, many people may find their antivirus software aggravating to use. Many users report that McAfee tends to often miss viruses that other software catches, such as the Google Redirect Virus. On the other hand, McAfee does have comprehensive parental controls and actively works to block and destroy threats.

Norton Antivirus may be one of the best-known Windows 7 antivirus software products. It updates automatically when new viruses are created and identified, so your computer is always protected against attacks. Its constant file and website checking may be annoying, since the software will alert you every time it finds something suspicious. If you like security software to run unnoticed, you may want to go with a different brand. Also, the software will only check your system at certain times or you must run scans manually. This can mean that a virus can dwell in your computer much longer because the software isn't actively running except at certain times.

Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus is a lesser-known brand that has many of the same features as more-popular internet security options. For example, it provides real-time system checks, and easy-to-use status and graphic reports that allow you to track any potential security threats so that you know which sites to avoid next time. One difference is that it uses cloud computing, which means that it works from outside your computer to keep viruses from reaching it at all.

It's important to keep your computer guarded against attacks, not only for the sake of your system, but also to maintain your personal security and prevent identity theft and fraud. Any one of these Windows 7 antivirus software choices are excellent options that will work to keep your computer safe.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

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