BUY LANEFX AND SAVE |
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Let me tell you about the coolest product I never reviewed. It's a wonderfully complex solution to a problem that shouldn't
even be a problem. This product, LaneFX, is a microcontroller that interacts with the side mirrors in your car.
You want to change lanes, and you glance in your side mirror. It looks clear. But in your LaneFX-equipped car, you can press a button and the mirror sweeps out to show you the blind spot
beyond the limit of your peripheral vision. Then it returns to its normal position. If you flick on your turn signal, the mirror also does its sweep.
It works on either side of the car, and it also has an extended mode for when you want to keep an eye on traffic alongside and behind you, as when you're merging onto a freeway. Now let's
say you're going to parallel-park. You slip your car into reverse—and the right mirror angles itself downward so you can see the curb.
Although that's the end of the LaneFX's bag of tricks, it's just the beginning of the ways it can be implemented. You can customize how far each mirror moves, how long it pauses, and how
long it takes to get there. You can even make mistakes in hooking up the wires to the mirror motors; the microcontroller has a learn mode so you can teach it which wires to use to control each
motion. An LCD screen prompts you through every step of the procedure.
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Christmas Gift Ideas
For Car Lovers
‘Tis the season, as they say, when we start dreaming up wish lists and dropping hints to our loved ones. For the automotive enthusiast or anyone
on the go, here are some holiday gift ideas to make it a very merry Christmas.
Satellite Radio ($50 and up for radio, subscription $10-15/month)
Becoming more popular all the time, satellite radio is a wonderful gift idea for anyone spending large chunks of time on the road. Portable models can fit onto any vehicle and offer excellent
sound quality through your car’s speakers. With hundreds of channels of listening options, satellite radio is the gift that keeps on giving (provided you keep up with the subscription
fee, of course).
MP3 Player Attachment ($30-99)
For another audio option, consider an MP3 dock. Most plug into your car’s cigarette lighter and transmit an FM signal through the vehicle’s stereo with little to no sacrifice in
sound quality. Some will even recharge your MP3 player during playback. Some models limit the choice of available FM signals, while upscale versions have more options and clearer transmission.
Self-Heating/Cooling Travel Mugs ($15-35)
Does your coffee lose its steam on those long commutes? Is the ice in your soda melting too quickly during the summer? Try a mug that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter to heat or
cool your beverage as necessary. Most have multiple temperature settings and will emit a small beep when the desired level has been reached.
Roadside Emergency Kit ($35-85)
On the more practical side, another gift idea (and something that should be in the trunk of every vehicle) is an emergency kit. These
supply collections typically include necessities such as jumper cables, a flashlight, and work gloves, but many kits with even more to offer. Some will have a heavy-duty tow rope, first aid
equipment, flares, and a tire pump. Most kits are packaged in a convenient carry-all and don’t take up too much space. If you have a younger driver or live in an unforgiving climate a
roadside kit is a gift that can be a lifesaver.
Portable JumpStarter ($50-125)
No one likes getting stranded with a dead car battery, which have a habit of letting you down at the worst possible moment. A portable JumpStarter can prevent that hassle. Typically less than
20 pounds and about the size of a toaster, JumpStarters vary in available battery life and power, and most need an overnight recharge every couple of months. Some include gauges that display
how much charge they have left to offer, or indicate just when recharging is necessary.
Digital Key Chain Tire Gauge ($5-25)
For a handy stocking stuffer, consider a tire gauge that doubles as a key chain. Tires not inflated properly can hinder a vehicle’s handling capability, increase tire wear, and potentially
be a safety hazard. They will also detract from your vehicle’s gas mileage. These keychains connect to your tire’s air nozzle
and show their psi with a digital display. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s recommended pressure and adjust accordingly.
Remote Starter (Key-FOBs $20-70, Installation varies)
During these cold winter months, a remote starter is an enviable amenity. Sitting cozily in your home, you can ignite and warm your engine before venturing out into an early morning blizzard.
You can buy a remote starter at most auto parts stores but you may need to take your vehicle to a mechanic or dealer to have the transmitter installed.
GPS Navigation System ($200-700)
Portable global positioning systems have been out for a couple of years and have improved in reliability and ease of use. Most provide software updates to account for changing traffic patterns
and are very handy when traveling. More upscale models offer a voice-prompted navigation aid and their maps have more detail. Some systems can also self-adjust their screen’s brightness
based on outside weather conditions. For anyone that is “directionally challenged”, a GPS can be the most useful Christmas gift around.
Automotive gifts are both practical and fun, and some can even keep you out of harm’s way. Treat your favorite road warrior (or yourself)
and above all, have a great holiday. AutoExtra.com: We’re all you need.
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LaneFX Helps Drivers Remember to Use Their Blinkers Before Merging or Changing Lanex
- Wear your seatbelt. Almost 40 per cent of all vehicle occupants killed in 2002 were not wearing a seatbelt. So whether you're a driver or passenger, buckle up.
- Slow down. Excessive speed is a contributing factor in 20 per cent of occupant fatalities.
- Each year, 25 per cent of deaths and 40 per cent of serious injuries from vehicle collisions occur at intersections. Be careful, even when you have the right of way, and remember to treat a
non-working traffic light like a four-way stop.
- In summer, there are more people on the roads in many different kinds of vehicles. Remember to watch out for motor bikes and bicycles and be courteous to these road users.
- The safest place for kids under 12 is in the back seat. Have kids travel in the back seat, especially when there is an airbag for the passenger seat.
Impaired driving is a problem that seriously affects the safety of our roads. Every year more than 1,100 people die in alcohol-related collisions - that's about one-third of the total
number of fatalities. Thousands more are injured, many of them permanently disabled. In fact, nearly 40 per cent of seriously injured drivers consumed alcohol prior to their collisions.
Driving a car taps into almost all our basic skills - perception, attention, judgment, decision making, physical reactions - as well as our ability to coordinate these skills. Alcohol impairs
these skills and our ability to drive.
- Put simply, don't drink and drive.
- If you are hosting a party or function where alcohol is served, remember that you may be legally liable for damage caused by guests - even after they have left the premises.
Check your tires
Without proper maintenance, your tires could fail and cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Proper tire maintenance is not only critical to the safe operation of your vehicle, but will also
improve fuel economy, extend tire life, provide better vehicle handling, help prevent avoidable breakdowns and collisions, and reduce exhaust emissions that contribute to environmental, health
and climate change problems.
- Driving on under-inflated tires at high speeds on a warm summer day is a dangerous combination. For safety's sake, check your tires once a month, especially before you head out on a long trip.
- Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct levels and do not exceed the load limit of your vehicle. This information can usually be found on the inside of the driver's door.
- Inspect your tires regularly for uneven tread wear, cuts, cracks, bulges and foreign objects and rotate tires on a regular basis.
Sharing the road with large trucks and commercial vehicles
There are more commercial vehicles on Canada's roads now than ever before. These vehicles can be up to 40 times heavier than an average car and take more than twice the distance to stop. To prevent
collisions with these vehicles, remember:
- Avoid cutting in front of trucks or braking suddenly in front of them.
- When you are in the driver's blind spot, move through quickly and never pass on the right, where the blind spot is even larger. If you
can't see the driver's face in their side mirror, they can't see you.
- When passing a truck, ensure you can do it safely, signal, then pass promptly. Be prepared to encounter splash and spray on wet roads.
Cell phones and other distractions
Pay attention-don't engage in distracting activities while driving. Cell phones and other devices such as electronic
navigation systems are emerging as factors in road collisions.
- Do not use a phone while driving.
- Turn the phone off before you start driving. Let callers leave a message.
- If there are passengers in the vehicle, let one of them take or make the call.
- If you're expecting an important call, let someone else drive.
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Introducing LaneFX - The World's First Active Blind Spot Exposure System
Take the Safer Lane Change Alternative for a Test Drive Online
The blind spot mirrors mechanism used by motorists is an entirely manual task. As part of basic driver education, drivers are taught to check their Blind
Spot Zone before executing a lane change
by turning the driver’s head by as much as 90 degrees in the direction of the desired lane check/change.
This manual technique to the persistent Blind Spot problem is inherently flawed in the following ways:
- The driver is required to direct his / here direction away from the road ahead.
The head turning task is strictly voluntary to the driver. Driver fatigue or low alertness levels can contribute to ignoring or neglecting to perform this manual check when changing lanes.
Human perception of sight ahead is based on a concept of continuity.
- Any product that eliminates or reduces FOR Adaptation Time can provide significant benefits in collision avoidance. In normal highway traffic flows, 280-1,200 milliseconds
of FOR Adaptation Time translate into 124 feet of advance emergency stopping distance.
- Vehicle designs vary widely. Some vehicles have severely restricted side view through and behind the driver side B-pillar. This occurs most commonly in some sports cars and
convertibles. Similarly, tall SUVs, while having ample viewing room up to the B-pillar on the driver side, have impeded blind spot mirrors to their relatively large dimensions, including height.
In essence, any B-pillar or height design issues inherently limit the side and rearward view through the driver’s side window. This consequently further limits the reliability and efficiency
of conventional Blind Spot checking mechanism in preventing avoidable lane change collisions.
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Why Turn Your Head Away From Traffic? Turn Your Side Mirror Instead!
Motor vehicles rely on two mirrors mounted on each side of the vehicle to uncover objects (including other vehicles such as passing or trailing traffic) next to
them and behind them.
These vehicle power side mirrors are based on a design that is incapable of displaying, or “detecting”,
a vehicle occupying a directly adjacent lane and approaching the reference vehicle from the rear (such as the situation of a faster vehicle passing a slower vehicle).
The overall phenomenon of a vehicle in an adjacent lane becoming invisible in a driver’s side mirror is known as the “Blind Spot”, or “Blind Zone.”
The location of a traditional Blind Spot is denoted in Figure 1 in red. The size and position of the area constituting a Blind Spot Zone in a given vehicle is based on the following factors:
- The distance of the position of the side mirror to the driver’s eyes,
- The width of the mirror surface,
- The width of the object behind the reference vehicle (in an adjacent lane),
- The driver-specified position of the blind side mirror,
- The inflection of the mirror’s reflective surface (concave / convex mirror).
The Blind Spot phenomenon is pervasive among virtually all passenger cars, light and medium trucks and vans, and all sport utility vehicles. Some medium and heavy duty vehicles,
resort to mounting multiple side view mirrors to alleviate this problem. |
ParkFX For Your SUV - Prevent a Tragedy
At least once a week a child in America is run over, typically in backup (reversing) accidents
Are you extra aware and alert when you're in the vicinity of a sport-utility vehicle, van or a pickup truck that's backing up? Are you especially watchful for children when you're behind the wheel
of a tall-riding vehicle—be it a van, truck or SUV—and you're backing it up?
You should be. According to Consumer Reports, the blind spot behind a tall vehicle such as a Chevrolet
Avalanche truck can extend as much as 51 feet in the case of a small-stature driver about 5 feet 1 inches tall. Even for an average-sized driver, 5 feet 8 inches tall, the blind spot can
extend nearly 30 feet behind the Avalanche, according to the consumer advice publication.
"No one is telling people there's a bigger blind spot in these vehicles," said Janette Fennell, founder and president of the child safety advocacy group Kids
and Cars.
Pointing out her statistics showing at least one child a week in the United States is killed in a "backover" incident, Fennell urges that some kind of "backover warning and prevention
device" be made mandatory on all vehicles. |
ParkFX is the 360-Degree Backup Solution and it's Less Costly Than Backup Sensors, Park Assist and Rearview Cameras
Deaths increase. Ninety-one children were killed in 2003 by drivers who didn’t see them while backing up, according to Kids and Cars ( www.kidsandcars.org ),
a nonprofit organization working to improve child safety around vehicles. Those deaths represented a 57 percent increase from 2002. During the first six months of 2004, more than 40 deaths have
been attributed to backover accidents, many involving vehicles with large blind spots.
Kids and Cars compiles these statistics; the federal government does not track such incidents. Janette Fennell, president of the organization, believes that backover accidents are underreported
and that the actual number of children killed or injured is much higher.
Blind spots grow with vehicle size. A likely reason for the increase in injuries is that minivans, pickups, and SUVs account for more than half of all vehicles sold. Many have large
rear-view blind spots.
Last year, Consumer Reports began measuring the blind spot of each vehicle we test, checking the distance for short drivers (5 feet 1 inch tall) and for those of average height (5 feet
8 inches tall). The biggest blind spot: 51 feet for a short driver in a Chevrolet Avalanche pickup. But even small sedans can have blind spots of more than 40 feet. We regularly update vehicle
blind-spot information, which is available on this site free of charge in The
problem of blind spots.
Systems other than ParkFX combine a camera with sensors, so we tested each system independently; it is listed with camera systems in the Ratings.
All the systems we tested are potentially useful. They’re a good complement to looking around the vehicle before entering, and checking the rear window and rear-view mirror just before and
while moving in reverse.
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Top Fun Gifts for Tech Lovers Under $40
Do you have friends who are more into gadgets and technology that it seems like a crazy obsession almost? Are you trying really hard to get something that won't be quickly replaced by the next model,
or the smaller and faster machine? Well, then this guide is for you. Gadgets can make excellent gifts, especially for the tech-savvy. However, a vast majority of them can be extremely deadly to your
budget. So what should you do in these cases? Surprisingly, there are many options available to you today. Before we go into the top gadgets gifts, here are some tips :
Don't go for the older model of something because it's cheaper. If your friend is really tech-savvy, he/she will want to get the newer one anyway.
Make sure that these gadgets are useful or fun and won't be extra work or cost for them. For example, avoid getting something like a car security device that requires long installation time and effort.
If you get something that needs batteries to run, include the batteries in it.
Always try to bundle something with the gift that will increase the effectiveness of the gift or help in some other way. For example, I often recommend bundling theLight
In The Darkness program with many things because it helps remove the financial pressure on someone and is super cheap for what it offers.
If it's a battle between something that's useful and sentimental, always get the pragmatic gift for a guy, and the sentimental/decorative gift for the woman.
Here's a quick look at some of the different options available to you for gift giving this holiday season. All of the following gadgets cost $40 or lower:
Scrolling License Plate Frame :
The scrolling license plate frame is for those who get bored of the meaningless license plate pretty quick and would rather have a message to go with their license plates. The frame displays a scrolling
message on the back of the car. The messages are customizable and you can create your own messages with it. Here's what the Scrolling License Plate Frame offers:
License plate frame features a built-in scrolling message display.
Create up to five custom messages with up to 120 characters each.
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