Driver Lifestyles

EO Featured Products

By Lee Kurtzmann, Associate Editor
Posted Mar 3rd 2004 5:52AM

smartnavagator.jpgOstia Smart Navigator

Smart Navigator is a Web-based suite of location-based services developed by Pharos in partnership with Tele Atlas (a provider of digital maps) to enhance consumer lifestyle experiences and mobile professional productivity.

With Smart Navigator, GPS position and navigation data and information specific to your location are all delivered via wireless communications link directly to your mobile device.

Now, with a wireless-enabled Pocket PC, you can access Pharos' Smart Navigator service on the Web and get live, real-time "Smart Traffic" information or lookup points of interest by proximity or keyword using "Smart Finder".

Smart Navigator integrates these Web-based information services with Pharos' award winning Ostia navigation and routing software (ver. 6.0) for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs, to give users the ultimate mobility tool for information anywhere.

 Simply connect to the Internet via ActiveSync from your desktop PC, WiFi (e.g., Flying J Truck Stops, Starbucks, Wireless Hotspots), wireless modem or Pocket PC phone (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Cingular or other wireless carrier).

www.pharosgps.com


voltminder.jpgVoltminder Precision Battery Tester

The VoltMinder precision electronic device is intended for use on any motor vehicle using one or more 12-volt batteries.

The device alerts the operator that the battery is approaching a voltage that will not be sufficient for the engine to start, as well as alerting that the battery is not charging while the engine is in operation.

The actual voltage of the battery is displayed via a digital readout on VoltMinder. A warning sound will be activated when the battery voltage is reduced to a level designated by the operator.

This warning voltage can be set from 10/5 to 13.5 volts DC. The VoltMinder comes with a 6-ft. cord that plugs into a truck's cigarette lighter.

For information, call 800-699-8658, or visit www.voltminder.com

dimlight.jpgDim those lights!

Have you ever had someone following you at night with their lights on high beam shining in your miror for a long distance?  The glare is unbearable and causes extremely dangerous driving situations, especially for truck drivers, because their mirrors are stationary in position so they can see the offending vehicle very clearly.

One solution is the new patent-approved Dim Light Signal Device.  It is highly visible, easy-to-install, durable and reasonably priced, according to a product press release.

The product is made out of a highly-reflective 3M material that tells the offending driver very politely to dim his lights.

Dim Light's distributor, JNBN Co. also offers a similar product for 4-wheelers.

For more information, visit www.dimlight.com 

backbuddy.jpgA Back Saver!

According to the American Journal of Public Health...

-Truck driving tops the list of the ten jobs with the highest prevalence of low back pain due to an injury at work.

-Low back pain is the No. 1 leading cause of missed work days, costing Americans $60 billion per year.

-Several NTSB studies document that fatigue is the leading cause of heavy truck accidents.

It's a common sight to see linehaul drivers parked in their day cabs and draped over the steering wheel while catching a few winks.  The makers of a new device on the market say that they have a possible solution for back pain caused by that poor sleeping position.

The Back Buddy (Patent Pending) people say that their product is ideal for drivers with a mandatory 1-hour immobile lunch break.  They also state that the device is great for commercial vans or as an extra bed in a sleeper.

The Back Buddy consists of a cushioned fabric that covers support dowels four feet in length.  It's designed to be laid across the seats in a truck cab allowing the user to stretch out full length (depending on the width of the cab).   

The Back Buddy rolls-up for easy storage and has a convenient carrying strap.  The product is 4ft. long x 4-inch diameter when it's rolled-up with a weight of 4 lbs.

For more information, visit www.backbuddy.biz or call 
888 479-BACK.