Automobiles now sport some sophisticated video electronics in addition to the audio electronics. Sony’s MEX-R5 is a DVD receiver featuring dual-zone capabilities so both the front and back passengers can enjoy a good movie, especially with a 12-second memory buffer to protect jumps in skips while driving. The unit also features a wireless (2.4GHz) A/V transmitter enabling flexible and wireless in-car video setups.
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Work smarter, not harder my first boss use to say. Not only does that apply in the ultra-competitive world of yogurt shops, but is a nice universal rule.
This Lug Wrench is geared 32:1 to easily loosen those dirt crusted lug nuts applied by an over-zealous mechanic with an air-powered tool by actually increasing the pressure you apply to loosen a lug nut by thirty, plus two! For instance, you need to only apply 2.6 ft/lbs of pressure to loosen a nut torqued to 85 ft/lbs. Now that’s geeky!
One other nice feature is that the lug wrench “holds” two lug nuts at once securing it more firmly and providing better leverage than a ratchet. This little 3 pounder is great to stick in the car in case you get a flat.
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Not only does this in-dash system play AM/FM and CDs but plays WMAs and MP3s on recorded CDs. Nowadays that’s not that impressive but the CD-7000 also has an adjustable auxiliary input and a memory stick slot, so you can make full use of external audio devices through your in-dash player.
Not quite gizmo-y enough yet? How about the ability to connect to the E-iSERV network from your computer to access functions and features that will optimize in-car system response and provide map guidance. Map Guidance!?!? Yes, the CD7000 has GPS built-in. The GPS-linked CD7000 model even shows real-time color graphic mapping and gives turn-by-turn audible instructions! As Paris would say… “that’s hot!”
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Eclipse Advanced Function CD/MP3 In-Dash Player (CD7000)Read More »
A premium solution featuring an ultra compact remote control and outstanding range
November 28th, 2005—Astroflex (www.astroflex.com) has announced the introduction of the Model 701XR remote start system, designed to overcome objections from consumers whose factory keyless entry buttons are built into their ignition key assembly. Such factory keys are typically quite large, and many consumers are unwilling to add yet another sizable remote device to their already bulky key chain. The AstroStart 701XR delivers the luxury and convenience of remote start capability utilizing a tiny, single-button remote control that adds little bulk or weight to the key ring. The Model 701XR has an outstanding remote transmit range of 2000-feet, thanks to the innovative Astroflex SAW receiver technology that utilizes a high-sensitivity pre-amplifier. The Model 701XR’s single button controls engine start/stop and Continuous Mode, which allows the motorist to leave the car fully locked and protected while the engine is running. The 701XR is also diesel engine and standard transmission compatible utilizing AstroStart interface modules.
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If you bought your car in the last 10 years, then it probably has an on-board computer that monitors the vehicle’s various systems. If you’re a gearhead and want to know what’s going on with your car before you take it to the mechanic, get the CodeScout from AutoXray. The CodeScout knows what the error codes that the on-board computer generates, and outputs those in plain English descriptions. It can also perform a readiness test status that determine if your vehicle is ready for an emissions test, and can export the data to a PC for saving and future analysis.
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I wonder what kind of bureaucratic hoops a company has to jump through to get their product cleared for sale in another country. The reason I’m wondering is that the Prius Tech Edition is about to be launched in Europe, about 2 years after the its launch in Japan. In case you’re wondering why this is of any import, the Tech Edition features the futuristic self-parking feature. Unfortunately, for us Yanks, there’s no mention of the Prius Tech Ed becoming available anytime soon on the US Toyota website. In fact, the FAQ specifically says that the self-parking feature is only available on those models sold in Japan. Oh well…
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Prius Tech Edition w/ Self-Parking To Be Sold in EuropeRead More »
The iMobile PC is essentially a PC that integrates into your car and gives you many of the nicities of personal computing and multimedia capabilities right in the center front panel of your car. Some of the features include GPS-based turn-by-turn navigation, rear-view and/or backseat cameras, personal organizer and scheduler, web connectivity, multimedia, vehicle-integrated diagnostic tools. You have a choice of 2 different PC boxes, 3 different screens and 4 different software options. The advent of a product like this was just a matter of time; as it is, many luxury vehicles already have many of these features sans the outright Internet access.
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DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) has just kicked off 2005’s Grand Challenge. The Grand Challenge is a government sponsored race by autonomous vehicles (i.e. robots) to help further research and technology in the field. The winner gets this year gets $2 million. Last year, no one claimed the $1 million prize as not a single team came close to finishing the 144-mile race.
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DARPA’s Grand Challenge Robot Race is Off and RunningRead More »
This gizmo helps regulate the air temperature in your car while it’s parked out in the sun. Using solar power to power the device, the Autovent re-circulates cooler air from outside the car and sucks the hot air out of the car.
Your car should still be hot, but not nearly as hot which means your car’s air conditioner will not have to work overtime and it’s all powered by the sun!
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This beautiful looking GPS Navigation System gizmo includes 128MB of built in memory but more importantly the memory is expandable using an SD card. The FineDrive uses NAVTEQ detailed street level maps along with points of interest such as an airport, bank/atm, entertainment, gas station, hotel/motel and restaurants. Also, you can specify different route options such as quickest, shortest, highway/local, tollroad and car pool.
The 3.8″ LCD color screen looks quite groovy and has a heads up display with estimated time of arrival and distance to go.
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