Road Trip Tech Hacks: Conquer Kenya's Roads with These 5 Gadgets

Traveling across Kenya's roads requires utmost attention to safety, given the potential for unexpected challenges. One common obstacle is losing direction, particularly on extended journeys. To overcome this, carrying certain tech gadgets can be immensely helpful. These devices can assist you in staying on track, keeping your devices charged, and entertained, and having a reliable power source. In this article, we will explore some essential tech gadgets that can enhance your travel experience.

Safety First: The Power of a Dash Camera

In Kenya, the adoption of dash cameras in cars is gaining momentum. Many individuals utilize them to document their travels, while others install them as a precautionary measure in the event of an accident. The footage captured by these devices serves as valuable evidence in such situations.

Dash cameras can be beneficial in various situations during travel. For example, when visiting a national park, a dash camera can capture footage of wildlife encounters. It can also be used to monitor your driving behavior, which can be helpful for personal review or improving driving habits. Additionally, dash cameras can protect drivers from fraudulent claims by providing an unbiased record of events. In situations where someone unexpectedly steps in front of a car and later claims compensation, the footage can serve as evidence of the actual circumstances.

Among the exceptional dash cams in Kenya, the Garmin Mini 2 stands out with its compact design, offering a 140-degree field of view and a resolution of 1080p 30 fps for crisp smooth footage. It incorporates park and crash detection for increased security.

While the camera requires setup using a dedicated app, the reliance on the app for camera alignment can sometimes be a minor drawback.

The Venture n43 dashcam provides excellent value for your money. It has a high resolution of 2460 by 1440 for clear images from all three cameras. The cabin cameras have a slightly lower resolution of 1920 by 1080.

All cameras have a wide field of view, up to 155 degrees, and the interior camera has a 165-degree field of view. It supports park and crash detection, but it lacks an app, so all controls and settings are managed through the dashcam's screen.

Keep in mind that you need to purchase a memory card separately, and the maximum supported storage capacity is 256GB.

The Cobra SC 400D stands out among dash cams with its exceptional video-capturing abilities. It boasts 4K resolution, ensuring sharp and crisp footage both in daylight and nighttime conditions.

The user interface is conveniently accessible through a three-inch color display. The front camera offers a wide viewing angle of 140 degrees, while the rear camera has a 120-degree field of view and records videos up to 1080p.

Other notable features include an SD card slot, a headphone jack, and seamless Alexa integration for voice commands. Despite its premium price tag, the SC 400D delivers unparalleled features and capabilities, making it a solid investment for those seeking top-notch in-vehicle recording.

If you're someone who drives often, having a dash cam is important. However, it's important to choose the right one that meets your specific needs. Dash cams vary in resolution, making it easier to retrieve detailed information. They also differ in storage capacity and have additional features such as GPS navigation, radar detectors, and emergency services. It is important to consider the field of view of a dash cam. A wider field of view means more information can be recorded.

Get the Right Tunes and Entertainment

Picture yourself on a road trip, the only sounds being the engine's hum and the wind's rustle. A well-curated playlist or an engaging podcast can uplift your spirits and boost your energy levels, making the drive more enjoyable.

It's a good idea to have your playlist or podcast downloaded beforehand, so you don't have to worry about a spotty internet connection, especially if you're traveling to an area with poor network coverage.

For individuals who enjoy streaming music, various platforms cater to this need. As a long-time user of YouTube Music, I particularly appreciate the convenient offline playback feature. This allows seamless music enjoyment even without an internet connection, and you can even download songs for later listening.

Your car needs to have a Bluetooth connection so that you can enjoy a seamless audio experience without any wires getting in the way. However, not all cars have Bluetooth capabilities, and upgrading the entire system to include Bluetooth can be expensive.

In this case, an auxiliary cable can be used to connect your phone to the system's 3.5mm jack. While this method can result in tangled wires that may be distracting, once you're connected, you can control your music directly from your phone.

Having road trip playlists and podcasts for trips can enlighten your mood and even make you stay alert throughout the journey.

Never Get lost: Offline Maps are Your guide 

Having an online map is highly recommended to avoid getting lost or venturing into potentially dangerous areas.

Offline maps can be particularly useful in these scenarios, as they allow you to stick to your intended route and easily trace your way back in case you lose your way. While physical maps can also be used, the ability to use an app offline can provide a more convenient and reliable solution.

One such app is Google Maps, which allows you to use downloaded maps offline as long as the entire route is covered within the app. To ensure a seamless experience, it is important to download the route you intend to use in advance to avoid losing directions along the way.

Plug In and Power Up: The Essential Car Charger

If you plan on going on a road trip, it's essential to bring a car charger with you. However, not just any car charger will suffice. It's recommended to opt for a charger that has multiple ports, allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. A charger with a USB port C and a couple of USB A ports will enable you to juice up multiple devices at the same time.  

A multi-port charger will come in handy for those long trips especially when multiple devices are connected for navigation, entertainment streaming, and taking pictures.

When selecting a car charger, fast charging capabilities should be a top priority, particularly if your phone and laptop support fast charging. Opting for a reputable brand is crucial to prevent overheating, which can damage both your devices and the car's electrical system.

Stay Charged: A Powerful Power Bank Key

When shopping for a power bank, the milliamp-hours (mAh) rating is one of the essential factors to consider. mAH represents the amount of electrical charge a battery can store.

For example, a power bank with a 10,000 mAh rating will last longer than one with a 5,000 mAh rating. Additionally, consider fast-charging capabilities. A power bank with fast-charging support can quickly charge your devices, ensuring they are ready to go when you need them.

Standard USB ports typically offer slower charging speeds, so opting for a power bank with fast-charging ports can significantly reduce charging time.

Power banks aren’t just for phones, they can be used for charging other devices such as cameras, laptops,  wireless earphones, and tablets.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these five gadgets, a dash cam, car charger, power bank, offline map gadgets, and entertainment system can greatly enhance your road trip experience. Incorporating these devices into your journey will ensure a fun ride.

Which road trip gadgets do you consider essential for your travels? Feel free to share your thoughts and preferences in the comments section below. I'm keen on hearing your insights and experiences.