In car DVD

[claricebean]

Have you got one and, if so, would you recommend it?

We just bought one, new from ebay. It's a Matsui with twin screens. We're driving to the Highlands of Scotland from Kent so I'm hoping that it will help the kids survive the journey!

Haven't got one yet but my new car, delivered next week, has one - the screen flips down from the ceiling - I'm more excited than the kids I think!

Dh will be driving to Cornwall while I watch Shrek/Ice Age/Nemo with the boys

We're driving from southern Spain to Scotland, camping on the way, this summer with three under 6s. Without some in car entertainment, I'm not sure we'll make it in one piece!!!

KBear - did you research the Matsui or know anyone with it? Like the thought of twin screens. Love the thought of one fitted on roof but fear we've missed the boat on that one.

WOW! You need one!!

My friend has one that you just buy separately like kbear has - don't know the make but I know she swears by it for long journeys

Someone I know who has one says it makes her DH car sick. But she reckons it's because her DH bought a really cheap one and so the picture's not that steady. I don't want to add carsickness to our long journey!!!

Oops, I mean DS car sick....DH driving the car!!

I wonder if there is a review on Which? or something? Could you google for a review?

Yes, thanks GDG. Will try that. Was hoping for a head start from MNs on what to look for / avoid.

We checked out lots in our price range - some looked cheaper and plasticky and looking like the buttons would break instantly. This was £150 in Currys and £90 on ebay. Worth every penny I'd say!

We have a Venturer (twin screen) which dp found just before xmas for £100 in 'cash converters' - a sort of pawn shop. I thoroughly recommend it, my kids love to watch a movie on a long journey (makes it feel like we are on Air Singapore!). I think they are much cheaper than they were in Argos. When there was an accident on the M25 we found that other cars were lurking around us to watch King Kong through the windows during our 2hr delay!

Thanks for the info, Rach. Will check it out.

Bump....any other help, gratefully received.

I was thinking of getting one of these but wondered what do they connect do? do they run on batteries or can you plug them into the cigarett lighter?

ours does both but not all have a separate battery.

I have had one of these for years. The one we have is from this website www.voyager-systems.co.uk though my model is older than what they have. Once a week I have to drive from central london out into Essex with the kids and the car journey can vary between 1 hour and 3 hours depending on traffic. I swear by this machine! We only have one screen and we have it in front of my almost 5 yera old and my almost 2 year old just turns to watch it without any problem. Though as they get older, I may get another screen. Mine has wireless comfy headphones which were wonderiful in the days when my youngest slept in the car as the oldest could still watch. As they get even older, I will make them both wear them as the sound of Barney or Elmo for 3 horus does drive me a little insane!

It was worth every penny ! And I highly recommend the company I bought it from - they have great customer service.

I forgot to say, ours plugs into the car lighter but also comes with a seperate stand and plug for use in a house (we have used it on holiday in hotels). However, it does not have a battery pack which would be useful. The new ones might though.

Thanks IlanaK, good to know that they are worth it. Good info re headsets too. I feel I've had my fill of Dumbo and Bambi already (DD2's favs), and that's before we've set off.

Ours plugs into the cigarette lighter and the two screens wrap around the headrests with velcro - great for all 3 kids (just like on a plane, they even tilt). I don't think it works on batteries but it does have a transformer to plug it into the mains (I wonder actually if it recharges? because it was second hand, we don't have the manual). It also has headphones (thankfully!).

Ours plugs into the cigarette lighter and the two screens wrap around the headrests with velcro - great for all 3 kids (just like on a plane, they even tilt). I don't think it works on batteries but it does have a transformer to plug it into the mains (I wonder actually if it recharges? because it was second hand, we don't have the manual). It also has headphones (thankfully!).