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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 13, 2002
Road trips can be safer and more comfortable with new products including these. All items have been tested by the author, and may be available in area stores. Price does not include shipping.
DRINK AND TELL: How do you know if you've had one too many to drive? Test yourself with this battery-operated, digital Breathalyzer. Turn it on, wait for the beep and blow into the mouth vent. The detector beeps in a few seconds when a breath sample has registered and displays your blood alcohol level in .01 increments, from .00 to .19 (a level of .08 or higher is considered impaired in Florida).
An error alert warns if a complete sample wasn't measured and there is a low-battery warning. The unit runs on two AA batteries, measures 31/2 by 11/4 inches, weighs less than 2 ounces and comes with a travel pouch.
AlcAlert Digital Alcohol Detector (BT5500) is $49.95 from PNI; call toll free 1-888-422-6672; www.pnicorp.com.
BEDDING DOWN: When the gang's all there, sometimes there aren't enough beds to go around -- especially nice ones big enough for couples. The problem is solved with this unusually comfortable, queen-size, self-inflating mattress, worth keeping in the trunk of your car, just in case you wind up for the night at a place with too few beds.
The electric-powered integrated pump inflates the bed in less than a minute and a release valve deflates the bed even quicker. The cotton-surface mattress provides as much support as a quality real bed; a comfort-control button allows for fine tuning the firmness.
The bed accepts standard queen sheets and rolls for storage in its own duffel. At 14 pounds, you won't want to schlep this while backpacking, but it's great for a car trip.
Ultimate Support self-inflating queen mattress (73899) is $179.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer; call toll free 1-800-321-1484; www.hammacher.com. Also available in twin and full size.
PARKING SPOTTER: Found, a solution to that exasperating question: Where did I park?
Brookstone's battery-operated Park Smart key chain lets users click the level, section and space number via push-button controls, then lock in the location.
The featherweight unit measures 3 inches by 11/2 inches, and operates on one button cell battery. It comes with five key rings that attach to the clip.
Park Smart Key Chain (C293399) is $20 from Brookstone; call toll free 1-800-351-7222; www.brookstone.com.
SLAW AND ORDER: Backseat organizers that dangle behind the front-seat headrest are nothing new. But Lewis N. Clark's latest model is also a cooler.
The Insulated Back Seat Organizer has four mesh pockets at the top for stashing a flashlight, tissues, maps, or other items; elastic straps in the middle for holding an insulated bottle, and, at the bottom, a spacious, zippered, insulated compartment for keeping food hot or cold.
The adjustable strap can be used either for hanging in the car, or as a back strap. The organizer folds flat and fastens shut with a Velcro closure for storage.
Lewis N. Clark insulated back seat organizer (8842) is $30 in stores. Info: L.C. Industries; call toll free 1-800-575-6611; www.lewisnclark.com.
BACK BEAUTY: Long an innovator in cushy neck rests, Bucky Products has introduced an ingenious little backrest for the car.
The 7-inch-square cushion, dubbed Otto (get it?), hangs from the headrest via an adjustable shoestring cord to hit just the right spot.
If the pillow feels too full, just unzip the back and pour out some of the millet hull filling to get a better feel.
The cushion is machine washable (with the inner, millet-filled sack removed) and comes in cute cardboard packaging that makes for a nice gift presentation. Comes in latte or licorice color.
Otto auto backrest (T910) is $24.95 in stores. Info: Bucky Products; call toll free 1-800 692-8259; www.bucky.com.