Car Tech Worth Fitting: Dash Cams, Head-Up Displays and Smart Cabin Gadgets
CarMoods TeamMost car gadgets end up in the glovebox within a fortnight. The ones that stick are the ones that solve a problem you have every single drive — proof of what happened at an intersection, speed you can read without looking down, a car that starts on a cold Tuesday morning.
This is a guide to that second category. No novelty, no clutter, just the cabin tech that genuinely earns its place.
This guide covers
- Dash cams and what actually matters when choosing one
- Head-up displays and who they suit
- Emergency power and jump starting
- Lighting and small cabin upgrades
- What to fit first if you are starting from scratch
Jump to: Dash cams · Head-up displays · Emergency power · Small upgrades · FAQ
Dash cams: the one piece of tech nobody regrets
Ask any Australian driver who has been rear-ended at a roundabout and they will tell you the same thing. A dash cam turns a he-said-she-said insurance claim into a two-minute conversation.
The specs that matter are simpler than the marketing suggests. You want clear number plate capture at speed, reliable loop recording, and parking mode if your car sits on the street. Resolution beyond that is mostly bragging rights.
Front-only is enough for most people. Add a rear channel if you park in tight city streets or do a lot of highway driving where tailgating is the risk.
Editor's Choice
Sharp night footage and optional rear channel, with a hardwire kit available for proper parking surveillance.
Shop nowPro tip
Mount the camera behind the rear-view mirror, not in the middle of the screen. It stays out of your eyeline, sits inside the wiper sweep, and keeps the lens clean in wet weather.
Head-up displays: eyes up, speed visible
A HUD projects your speed onto the windscreen so you read it without dropping your eyes to the cluster. In stop-start traffic and school zones, that half-second matters more than it sounds.
There are two kinds worth knowing. GPS-based units work in almost any car and just need power. Model-specific screens integrate more deeply and add functions your car may not have from the factory.
Recommended
Car HUD GPS Digital Speedometer – Head-Up Display Windshield Projector
GPS-based, so it works in nearly any car without tapping into vehicle electronics.
Shop now
Staff Pick
9.6" Tesla HUD Display with CarPlay & Android Auto
Adds a driver-facing display with CarPlay and Android Auto to Model 3 and Model Y cabins that never shipped with one.
Shop nowEmergency power: the boot item you hope you never open
Flat batteries do not announce themselves. They happen at the campsite, the boat ramp, or the supermarket carpark at 8pm — usually somewhere jumper leads and a friendly stranger are in short supply.
A portable jump starter removes that dependency entirely. Modern lithium units are the size of a paperback and double as a phone power bank, which is why they end up being used far more often than expected.
Bestseller
600A Portable Car Jump Starter Power Bank 12V Emergency Battery Booster
Starts petrol and diesel engines without a second car, and charges your phone the rest of the year.
Shop nowCharge it every few months. A jump starter that has sat flat in the boot since last winter is just a heavy brick.
Small upgrades that punch above their weight
Not every worthwhile gadget is a headline item. Some of the best ones cost little and quietly fix a daily irritation.
Boot lighting is the classic example. Factory boot lamps are dim and badly placed, which makes loading gear after dark harder than it needs to be.
Recommended
USB Rechargeable Car Sensor Light - Magnetic LED Bar
Motion-activated and magnetic, so it sticks anywhere in the boot with no wiring at all.
Shop nowA phone mount is the other non-negotiable. Navigation from a phone in your lap is both illegal and genuinely dangerous, and a good mount makes the habit effortless.
Staff Pick
360° Magnetic Car Phone Holder – Vacuum Suction Mount
Strong suction and magnetic grip mean one-handed docking every time you get in.
Shop nowAnd for anyone who spends real hours behind the wheel — tradies, long-haul drivers, road trippers — a 12V heater turns a rest stop into a proper cuppa.
Car Electric Water Heater for Tea Coffee
Dual 12V/24V heating for hot drinks anywhere you can park, no servo stop required.
Shop nowWhat to fit first, and what can wait
If you are building up from nothing, order matters. Safety and evidence first, comfort second, novelty last.
| Upgrade | Fit now | Can wait |
|---|---|---|
| Dash cam | ✅ | |
| Phone mount | ✅ | |
| Jump starter | ✅ | |
| Head-up display | ✅ | |
| Boot sensor light | ✅ | |
| 12V water heater | ✅ |
Our top picks
- 🥇 70mai A510 Dash Cam Editor's Choice Shop →
- 🥈 600A Portable Car Jump Starter Power Bank Bestseller Shop →
- 🥉 Car HUD GPS Digital Speedometer Staff Pick Shop →
Good car tech disappears into the drive. You stop noticing it, right up until the morning it saves you a claim, a tow truck or a fine. Browse the full CarMoods range when you are ready to build your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dash cams legal in Australia?
Yes. Dash cams are legal in every state and territory, provided they do not obstruct your view of the road. Mounting behind the rear-view mirror keeps you compliant and out of your own eyeline.
Do head-up displays work in any car?
GPS-based HUDs work in almost any vehicle because they only need power and a satellite signal. Model-specific units are built for particular cars, so always check compatibility before buying.
How often should I charge a portable jump starter?
Top it up every three to six months, even if you have not used it. Lithium packs self-discharge over time and a flat jump starter is no help in an emergency.
Will a dash cam drain my battery?
Not when powered from the 12V socket, since it only runs with ignition on. Hardwired parking mode does draw a small current, but most kits include low-voltage cut-off to protect the battery.
