Summer Family Road Trippers to Have Peace of Mind and Peace in the Car as Mr. Mobile Electronics Reveals This Summer's Road Trip 'Must Have Accessories'

Al & Ed's Autosound's 'Mobile Electronics Family Road Trip Preparedness Accessories' Help Drivers and Passengers Alike Navigate Their Way to a Safe and Sane Family Vacation

VAN NUYS, Calif., May 21 -- As families pile into their cars, trucks and vans to hit the road this summer, traditional family bonding activities such as taking a road trip to visit grandparents, camping or visiting the latest vacation hotspots are often one wrong turn from becoming the most dreadful family vacation on record.

In an effort to bring families closer together, reduce road rage and restore the "fun" to classic American road trips this summer, Al & Ed's Autosound's Mr. Mobile Electronics has whipped up several helpful suggestions to make this summer's family ritual more enjoyable than deplorable.

"We have all been there before, and it isn't pretty. It usually begins with a wrong turn that sends you heading north instead of south, followed by the mandatory argument with the navigator, usually your significant other. Then it reaches the point of no-return when the kids find a cure for their boredom by initiating a backseat game of push, pull, hit and spit. By the time you get to your destination, all you want to do is go back home -- alone," said Mr. Mobile Electronics.

"Equipping a vehicle with the latest entertainment and navigation systems can help keep everyone on the right track, and well entertained at that," continued Mr. Mobile Electronics.

The "Mobile Electronics Family Road Trip Preparedness Accessories," is Mr. Mobile Electronics answer for a safe and sane ride. This year's Road Trip Preparedness Accessory "must haves" include the Magellan RoadMate 700 Portable GPS Navigation System, the KVH TracVision A5 Mobile Satellite Television System, and the Clifford Matrix 3.5 Security System.

Whether its finding the closest restroom before little "Jimmy" makes his own in the backseat, or just finding the way back to the car after a quick pit-stop, the lightweight Magellan RoadMate 700 Portable GPS Navigation System is the most on-the-go system on the market. With no wires, cables or ports to hook up, the RoadMate is ready to use right out of the box and can be taken in and out of any vehicle. It contains a built-in map database of the entire United States with two million points of interest, from gas stations, restaurants and hotels to ATMs, parks and historical monuments. The RoadMate also includes easy-to-use navigation functions including three ways to select a route, based on time, distance or freeway use; three different screen options for street, freeway or directional assistance; QuickSpell(R) address finder to find an address with minimal key strokes and even automatic re-routing for those wrong turns made by mistake. The basic installed cost for most vehicles is approximately $1,299.

Be a couch potato on wheels with the KVH TracVision A5 mobile satellite system offering more than 300 channels of live satellite television and more than 50 channels of satellite music, ready to go when and wherever desired. Never miss any of the hottest programs because KVH's groundbreaking TracVision satellite antenna easily mounts on the roof rack and stands less than 5-inches high. Enjoy Disney, CNN, HBO, ESPN, MTV and hundreds of other channels anywhere, anytime, across entire continental United States. The installed cost is approximately $3,995 for most vehicles, plus the monthly cost of service, currently the same as home satellite service.

And, while out on the open road, keep the family vehicle safe with the Clifford Matrix 3.5 security system. Its optional two-way remote technology enables vehicle owners to be connected to their cars at all times. The system communicates through an easy-to-use LCD screen on the remote, which informs owners of the vehicle status at a glance. A simple touch of a button arms the vehicle's security system and locks the doors, or disarms and unlocks the doors. When armed, if there has been a compromise to the vehicle's secured areas, the owner is alerted immediately as to which area has been compromised, via the remote. The optional convenience remote start feature allows the vehicle to be pre-warmed and defrosted on cold days, or pre-cooled on hot days using the remote control. The basic installed cost for most vehicles is approximately $599.

About Al & Ed's Autosound

Founded in 1954, Al & Ed's Autosound has grown to become the largest mobile electronics and communications specialist with more than 29 Southern California stores. As a recognized leader in the mobile electronics industry, Al & Ed's Autosound has been an instrumental partner in the pioneering of innovations such as FM radio for cars, cassette players for cars and the first car alarms, and is viewed within the mobile electronics industry as a barometer for the industry in Southern California. Additionally, the company is ranked as one of the top 500 franchising opportunities in the world, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. Additionally, the Entrepreneur Magazine 2004 Franchise 500 rankings ranked Al & Ed's as the #3 franchise in the "Miscellaneous Automotive Products and Services" category and 430th overall. For more information, visit www.al-eds.com.