Sony Offers GPS Device
Sony Electronics will enter the portable navigation market this month with a new device called the Nav-u that is small enough to be held in the palm of a hand, can be mounted on a windshield or dashboard, and can be transferred between vehicles.

The Nav-u has a full-color 3.5-inch touch-screen display that has day and night modes regulated by a light sensor for good visibility. The core of the system is a 12-channel GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver with a built-in antenna to receive satellite signals. It has one gigabyte of imbedded flash memory preloaded with maps of the continental U.S. and 1.6 million points of interest. Also included is a DVD with full maps of Alaska, Canada, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

A two-way speaker system ensures voice prompts that Sony says are clear and audible. The NV-U70 Nav-u model will be available in stores sometime this month. Estimated price is $700. Accessories include a second vehicle kit with an additional mounting bracket and car charger for about $80, and an external GPS antenna for about $100. Sony officials said they believe the market for portable navigation system will more than double this year.

HitchSafe Protects Keys
The HitchSafe key vault enables RVers to conceal spare keys in a metal drawer inside the hitch receiver on their vehicle. The drawer is protected by a combination lock and is big enough to store keys and also hold credit cards or a driver’s license if you want to put them there while going for a hike or walk.

The HitchSafe is secured inside the hitch receiver with two sliding metal bolts. The bolts can be removed only when the combination drawer is removed. The device works with any two-inch hitch receiver attached to an RV, truck, van or SUV.

The company that produces the HitchSafe says it is a far more secure way to conceal spare keys than putting them in a magnet holder under the vehicle, where they might fall off.

HitchSafe is a division of the Frank J. Martin Company. For information, contact HitchSafe, 18424 Highway 99, Lynnwood, WA 98037. Phone (800) 654-1786 or visit www.hitchsafe.com.

Roadmaster Improves Tow Bar
Roadmaster, which has been building towing systems since 1974, has added All Terrain technology with a Freedom Latch release to its top-of-the-line Sterling aluminum tow bar to make disconnecting easier than ever. Roadmaster says the disconnect can be made at any angle, level or bind, even when the towed vehicle is at a severe angle to the motorhome.

The Sterling All Terrain is crafted from aircraft-type aluminum with steel and stainless steel at critical points to ensure strength and structural integrity. The tow bar weighs just 35 pounds and comes complete with safety cables and electrical wiring cord. Both are routed through a center channel for added safety and convenience along with a clean appearance.

The manufacturer says the Sterling All Terrain is easy to connect, and its stainless steel inner arms telescope, center and automatically lock as you pull away. Once you’ve reached your destination, a patented storage lock secures the Sterling All Terrain in its stored position on the motorhome.

For more information, contact Roadmaster, 5602 NE Skyport Way, Portland, OR 97218. Phone (800) 669-9690 or visit www.roadmasterinc.com.

BD Offers Turbo Kit
BD Diesel Performance is offering new turbo and manifold products for Duramax Diesels. The turbos are manufactured to BD’s engineering specifications by Borg Warner/Schwitzer. They promise quick spool up, good reliability and are targeted for 350 to 550 horsepower ranges. A 12-month guarantee is included.

The 2001-04 LB7 Duramax Super turbo kit has a broad top end compressor map design to supply plenty of air for 550 horsepower engines.

BD’s new driver’s side full-bore exhaust manifold for the 2001-05 Duramax is designed to balance engine power, reduce cylinder load, reduce exhaust temperature and improve fuel economy.

For information, contact BD Diesel Performance, P. O. Box 231, Sumas, WA 98295. Phone (800) 887-5030 or visit www.dieselperformance.com.

Tester Measures Battery Life
Argus Analyzers has introduced a new series of hand-held battery analyzers that are designed to make it easy to test vehicle batteries to determine if they need replacement. The series offers four models, starting at $99.

The manufacturer says the low price makes it feasible for automotive and RV service facilities to equip service bays with test devices so that batteries can be routinely checked and customers can be alerted before batteries fail. The devices use patented test technologies that analyze the starting capacity of the battery and measure internal resistance, so that the useful remaining life of the battery can be determined.

For information, contact Argus Analyzers, P. O. Box 203 Jamestown, RI 02835. Phone (401) 398-2959 or visit www.argusanalyzers.com

Dimmers Designed for RVs
New 12-volt dimmers and switches are available to duplicate home lighting conditions aboard RVs and boats. The Contoure D1201 Dimmer from InterCon Marketing is a two-wire rotary dimmer that operates incandescent, halogen or xenon lights, replacing existing on/off switches.

The low-voltage dimmer turns lights on and sets them to the desired brightness. Units are available in white, gold or chrome. The dimmer retails for $67.95. Contoure rocker switches to operate energy-efficient DC lighting are offered in single or dual-switch configurations. Prices for the switches start at $8.95.

For information, contact InterCon Marketing, 1540 Northgate Blvd., Sarasota FL 34234. Phone (941) 355-4488 or visit www.123icm.com.