Does your car look like this!?
Well, it should look like this:
It's crazy that we are still using the cigarette lighter outlets to power our auxiliary electronics. Why! Because that was all that was available a few decades ago!? That was fine when we only had one item to plug in. Now I have my GPS, Laptop, Cell Phone, Radar Detector, MP3 Player, Rechargeable Flashlight, etc. Not to mention my kids stuff; two DVD Players, two MP3 Players, two Nintendo's and so on.
I call on all the automotive manufacturers to move to a modular base outlet that would allow 8+ outlets in the same space that you would have 2-3 now.
It would look something like this:
9 outlets might be an exaggeration, but you get the point!
(It might make sense to use both outlet styles for a few years until the transition is complete).
But wait you say; all my current electronics have the big bulky male end on them. What am I to do!??
1. Until the manufacturers switch to the new modular jack (usb compatable?), you would use adapters that look like this
This would allow you to clean up your dash and put the big bulky male/female connections in a safer, less obtrusive place.
2. Car chargers are pretty cheap anymore. As the manufacturers (and aftermarket) make new cords that fit existing electronics, you can purchase the cord by itself and get switched over!
3. Manufacturers should immediately start shipping new electronics with the new modular end. Consumers with older cars can use adapters that look like this:
