Automotive – Page 6

Locate 1, Powered by MicroTRAKgps

Automotive, Gizmo of the Day, GPS, Miscellaneous / By Doug Felteau / September 10, 2006

With yearly service plans running from just under $200 to just under $500/yr and a price tag of just under $500, you better have something important to keep track of before purchasing a Locate 1.

With that said, the Locate 1 product is sharp. Your tracking information is available via the web and is overlaid on maps. The cost in service plans depends on if you want your information updated every 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 60 minutes. Also, instant messages can be set to be sent if the device leaves strays to far from a certain area or if the tracking information shows the device is moving too quickly.

Obviously the Locate 1 is for parents to keep track of their teenagers or for paranoid people that want to be able to track their car’s movements if stolen. The device is about the size of a cell phone.

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Scrolling License Plate Frame

Automotive, Gizmo of the Day / By Doug Felteau / September 7, 2006

This innovative license plate frame features a built-in scrolling display that lets you express yourself to fellow motorists on the road. While the manufacturer’s site mentions you can display greetings, business/website information, sport scores, etc… I believe I would display some of the rules from the Road Etiquette site with perhaps a sprinkling of profanity.

Using the wireless remote control, you can flip through up to five messages. With the ability to create five custom messages and 120 characters each… I feel I just might be able to express myself.

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New Electric Car Has Zip

Automotive, Miscellaneous / By Khalid Hosein / July 23, 2006

Perhaps we may beat our oil addiction yet. A start-up based in Silicon Valley, Tesla Motors, is about to start selling its new car on a small scale soon. Oh yes, the car. It’s all electric, goes from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds, and runs for 200 miles between recharges. Only 1 little problem – the price tag: $100k. In fairness, their first vehicle is a roadster and they have plans for cheaper sedans in the not too distant future.

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Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

Automotive, Gizmo of the Day / By Khalid Hosein / July 19, 2006

I’m about to toss a perfectly good tire pressure gauge, because I’ve just discovered this digital one that is shielded in solid metal and rubber guards. Still small enough to fit enough to throw into your glove box, and the bright backlit display is easy to read in low light environments (you know … like at those gas stations you have to pull into in the middle of the night when you suspect your tire pressure is low!). I have to admit to being kind of annoyed that my stupid manual gauge with the plastic calibrated stick in the middle wasn’t that much cheaper than this one.

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One Segway User’s Reflections and Recollections after One Year

Automotive / By Doug Felteau / July 14, 2006

Steven at TechLore wrote an article about his experience over the past year with a Segway i180.

Steven summarized answers to the six most popular questions he is typically asked. Apparently, the top speed of the Segway is 12MPH and it will drive a distance of 22 miles on one charge. Also, it only takes 30 seconds to learn how to ride it and the Segway does all the balancing for you.

While he doesn’t recommend getting one for yourself… it sounds like if you can afford one, it’s worth it for a geek! Afterall, whoever has the most toys wins right?

Check out the article on TechLore.

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Heads-up Displays making a comeback in cars

Automotive / By Khalid Hosein / July 7, 2006

Heads-up displays in cars will soon make a splash again. First introduced over 20 years ago, heads-up displays simply did not take off. The geek in me obviously can’t understand why more people didn’t they were cool. Oh well. GM and other automakers, like BMW, are pushing HUDs even more. You can get multicolored HUDs right now in 5- and 6-series Beamers. Oh yes, the HUDs most practical purpose is for folks with less than perfect eyesight – they are a great deal easier to read than standard instrumention in cars. But who cares about that? They’re cool!

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Land Cruiser/Tank

Automotive, Gizmo of the Day / By Doug Felteau / June 22, 2006

Carrying a crew of up to five either internally or on the roof, NAO Design’s Badonkadonk Land Cruiser and Tank only cost $19,999.95 (not including shipping and handling). Running at top speeds of 40mph, this land cruiser and tank has a premium sound with PA system, plush interior and an external camera.

Some of the 70+ comments on Amazon’s site love the Badonkadonk while others were upset with the lack of options such as not coming with a spoiler or 8 track. One things for sure, buying this is one of the quickest ways to be put on a terrorist watch list!

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Power Pod

Automotive, Gizmo of the Day, Phones / By Doug Felteau / June 15, 2006

Brookstone has created a four-way Power Pod charger that plugs into an auto lighter. The four ways include a USB port, home electrical outlet, 9-volt battery and a 12V cigarette lighter. The device is nice and compact and comes with a retractable cord and travel pouch. Great for the those summer road trips!

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Photoblocker Spray

Automotive, Gizmo of the Day / By Doug Felteau / April 22, 2006

The Photoblocker Spray has been featured on CBS,NBC and ABC News as well as the LA Times, Chicago Sun-Times and other media outlets as a product that works and blocks the red light and speed cameras that capture your license plate and ships a ticket to you. Apparently these cameras use a strong flash to snag your license plate so when you spray the Photoblocker Spray on your license plate, the images captured by the cameras are overexposed.

Breaking the law!

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Drive Alert Master

Automotive, Gizmo of the Day / By Doug Felteau / March 30, 2006

You ever had that moment while driving where you realize you were asleep for the last quarter mile and then you start the cold sweats while thinking about what could have happened?

Well, rather than rolling down window in the middle of winter, blasting the cold of the air conditioner on you, or just pulling over to stop you can try the Drive Alert Master which will beep in your ear if you start to nod off.

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