LaneFX is not like blind spot mirrors. It's only a mobile electronics system that moves your power mirrors in lane changes and merges.

CONTENTS: Blind Spot Mirrors to Prevent Accidents.

LaneFX automatically moves your vehicle's existing power side mirrors when you turn on your blinker. Replace Car Gadgets with the award winning blind spot mirrors solution. Also includes reverse mirror tilt module for park assist and backup warning.

LaneFX Auto Safety Series: 10 Reasons to Ditch the Stick-on Fish-eye Convex Blind Spot Mirrors

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LaneFX is Leading the Way for Auto Safety and Driver Awareness Everyday

Drive Safer With the Drivaware LaneFX: lanefx.jpgMost of the time, when consumer electronics meet the automotive world, you get more stereo options and DVD players in the back seat. Drivaware has something a little more useful: the LaneFX, a controller than connects your power mirrors to your turn signals, so that when you signal (you do signal before you turn, right?), your mirrors swivel outward so that you can see your blind spot. Hey, if this keeps just one cyclist out of the hospital, I’m happy.

Derik’s Thoughts: Geeky and useful. Double threat!


LaneFX is More Than Just a Car Gadget

blind spot use with TomTomMany of the latest car models include systems that alert you when a car is in your blind spot. Those of us with older autos have had rely on our own road skills -- until now. Drivaware has introduced LaneFX: When you activate your turn signal, the device moves the corresponding side-view mirror to expose your blind spot and any vehicles that may be hiding in it. Of course, if you remember your driver's training, a quick glance over your shoulder does essentially the same thing. The LaneFX is compatible with any car that has power mirrors and is available in a Basic Edition ($197), Highway Edition ($242) and Commuter Edition ($296).

Compare Backup Sensors & Cameras to ParkFX for the Most Reliable Backup Warning Technology

Not all reversing aids are equal. The sensing technology and the indicating method are critical to your driving safety.

How A Park Assist System Alerts You

One option is video, which at first seems like a great choice. But one major flaw with having a video camera affixed to the back of your car with a monitor on your dashboard is that it also forces you to look forward while backing up. That can disturb your perception, your reaction time, and feel very unnatural. They are also extremely expensive, and you'll pay thousands of dollars to have a video system attached to your car, whether from the dealer or an aftermarket supplier.

Compare that to other bargain basement devices which actually have LED displays (little red lights) on your dashboard. These are cumbersome -- almost useless -- for much the same reason as video: when you drive in reverse, you naturally look behind you, and you'll never see the little red lights. They are also hard to read in bright sunlight.

Some other bargain technologies use a tone which beeps more rapidly as you get closer to an obstacle. You can at least hear the relative distance just by listening to the beeps, but you have to practice a bit to really understand how far you are from danger.

That's why an audible voice sensor is best. It tells you in a spoken voice exactly how far away you are. Not only do you not have to awkwardly look forward at your dashboard, you'll know without guessing how much further you can safely back up.

How A Reversing Aid Detects Objects

If you've never seen or used a reversing aid, you might be surprised at how technically advanced they actually can be.

Reversing aids use a variety of technologies to sense an object behind the car. Some units use Doppler radar, and others use infrared sensors, but by far the most accurate method of detection is the one the U.S. Navy uses on its submarines: sonar.

Sonar can operate in any weather, including direct sunlight or rain. And it doesn't require that the car be moving in order to sense an obstruction.

ParkFX is the 360-Degree Backup Solution That's Less Costly Than Backup Sensors, Park Assist and Rearview Cameras

Deaths increase. Ninety-one children were killed in 2003 by drivers who didn’t see them while backing up, according to Kids and Cars ( www.kidsandcars.org ), a nonprofit organization working to improve child safety around vehicles. Those deaths represented a 57 percent increase from 2002. During the first six months of 2004, more than 40 deaths have been attributed to backover accidents, many involving vehicles with large blind spots.

Kids and Cars compiles these statistics; the federal government does not track such incidents. Janette Fennell, president of the organization, believes that backover accidents are underreported and that the actual number of children killed or injured is much higher.

Blind spots grow with vehicle size. A likely reason for the increase in injuries is that minivans, pickups, and SUVs account for more than half of all vehicles sold. Many have large rear-view blind spots.

Last year, Consumer Reports began measuring the blind spot of each vehicle we test, checking the distance for short drivers (5 feet 1 inch tall) and for those of average height (5 feet 8 inches tall). The biggest blind spot: 51 feet for a short driver in a Chevrolet Avalanche pickup. But even small sedans can have blind spots of more than 40 feet. We regularly update vehicle blind-spot information, which is available on this site free of charge in The problem of blind spots.

Systems other than ParkFX combine a camera with sensors, so we tested each system independently; it is listed with camera systems in the Ratings.

All the systems we tested are potentially useful. They’re a good complement to looking around the vehicle before entering, and checking the rear window and rear-view mirror just before and while moving in reverse.

ParkFX for Your SUV - Prevent a Tragedy

At least once a week a child in America is run over, typically in backup (reversing) accidents

Are you extra aware and alert when you're in the vicinity of a sport-utility vehicle, van or a pickup truck that's backing up? Are you especially watchful for children when you're behind the wheel of a tall-riding vehicle—be it a van, truck or SUV—and you're backing it up?

You should be. According to Consumer Reports, the blind spot behind a tall vehicle such as a Chevrolet Avalanche truck can extend as much as 51 feet in the case of a small-stature driver about 5 feet 1 inches tall. Even for an average-sized driver, 5 feet 8 inches tall, the blind spot can extend nearly 30 feet behind the Avalanche, according to the consumer advice publication.

"No one is telling people there's a bigger blind spot in these vehicles," said Janette Fennell, founder and president of the child safety advocacy group Kids and Cars.

Pointing out her statistics showing at least one child a week in the United States is killed in a "backover" incident, Fennell urges that some kind of "backover warning and prevention device" be made mandatory on all vehicles.

Compare Backup Sensors & Cameras to ParkFX

Get the Latest Information on the Most Reliable Backup Warning Technologies

Not all reversing aids are equal. The sensing technology and the indicating method are critical to your driving safety.

How a park assist system alerts you

One option is video, which at first seems like a great choice. But one major flaw with having a video camera affixed to the back of your car with a monitor on your dashboard is that it also forces you to look forward while backing up. That can disturb your perception, your reaction time, and feel very unnatural. They are also extremely expensive, and you'll pay thousands of dollars to have a video system attached to your car, whether from the dealer or an aftermarket supplier.

Compare that to other bargain basement devices which actually have LED displays (little red lights) on your dashboard. These are cumbersome -- almost useless -- for much the same reason as video: when you drive in reverse, you naturally look behind you, and you'll never see the little red lights. They are also hard to read in bright sunlight.

Some other bargain technologies use a tone which beeps more rapidly as you get closer to an obstacle. You can at least hear the relative distance just by listening to the beeps, but you have to practice a bit to really understand how far you are from danger.

That's why an audible voice sensor is best. It tells you in a spoken voice exactly how far away you are. Not only do you not have to awkwardly look forward at your dashboard, you'll know without guessing how much further you can safely back up.

How a reversing aid detects objects

If you've never seen or used a reversing aid, you might be surprised at how technically advanced they actually can be.

Reversing aids use a variety of technologies to sense an object behind the car. Some units use Doppler radar, and others use infrared sensors, but by far the most accurate method of detection is the one the U.S. Navy uses on its submarines: sonar.

Sonar can operate in any weather, including direct sunlight or rain. And it doesn't require that the car be moving in order to sense an obstruction.

How to Choose a Blind Spot & Backup Warning System

Aftermarket companies offer three types of backup systems: rear-view cameras, sensor systems, and mirror tilt-down. Use Types to decide which type best suits your needs. For all camera and sensor systems, we recommend professional installation.

No matter what type of system you choose, consider these things when deciding on a specific model:

Know how the device mounts on your vehicle.

Camera and sensor systems that are mounted on the vehicle’s bumper or bodywork may necessitate drilling. They may not be the best choice if you lease your vehicle.

If you have a hitch, you can consider a model that mounts in the trailer-hitch receiver. But you would have to remove the system to use your hitch.

Other camera and sensor models mount on the license-plate frame. But some states prohibit frames because they can obscure the plate.

Within types, features vary. This is especially true with the sensor models we tested. The ultrasonic systems were generally the most sensitive, but their performance was adversely affected by rain, snow, or other inclement weather.

The microwave-based sensor systems we tested were not affected by weather but are less sensitive as a group. They also don’t warn the driver unless the vehicle or object behind it is moving.

The display quality of the camera-based models is very good, although it doesn’t match that of the larger screens on some carmakers’ systems. Most of the system displays turn on when the vehicle shifts into reverse, but one, the Audiovox, must be turned off and on manually.

PC Magazine Hails LaneFX as "One of The Collest Products" Reviewed!

Let me tell you about the coolest product I never reviewed. It's a wonderfully complex solution to a problem that shouldn't even be a problem. This product, LaneFX, is a microcontroller that interacts with the side mirrors in your car.

You want to change lanes, and you glance in your side mirror. It looks clear. But in your LaneFX-equipped car, you can press a button and the mirror sweeps out to show you the blind spot beyond the limit of your peripheral vision. Then it returns to its normal position. If you flick on your turn signal, the mirror also does its sweep.

It works on either side of the car, and it also has an extended mode for when you want to keep an eye on traffic alongside and behind you, as when you're merging onto a freeway. Now let's say you're going to parallel-park. You slip your car into reverse—and the right mirror angles itself downward so you can see the curb.

Although that's the end of the LaneFX's bag of tricks, it's just the beginning of the ways it can be implemented. You can customize how far each mirror moves, how long it pauses, and how long it takes to get there. You can even make mistakes in hooking up the wires to the mirror motors; the microcontroller has a learn mode so you can teach it which wires to use to control each motion. An LCD screen prompts you through every step of the procedure.

LaneFX available features
LaneFX
with independent control of Left and Right power mirrors
Turn Signal Link
with two selectable turn signal modes: "Normal" & "Sticky"
ParkFX
park assist system with configurable mirror tilt-down movements
Power Mirror Speed Boost
configurable up to 200% of factory power mirror speed
Complete Automotive-Grade Hardware & Documentation
with Molex® brand wiring harness; Owners & Installation Guides;
Nothing more to buy!
Risk-Free Buying Backed by Triple Warranty Program
Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed.
24-Month Extended Hardware Protection Plan

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FEATURES & OPTIONS

Standard Features Interactive List
Standard Features Printable List
Turn Signal Link
ParkFX
Mirror Speed Boost
Instant Web Upgrades
Accessories & Add-On's Multi-Vehicle Kit
Accessories & Add-On's End-of-Lease Kit
Accessories & Add-On's Parts Bin

BLIND SPOT INFO

About Drivaware Inc.
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FEATURED AUTO SAFETY ARTICLES & OTHER LINKS FOR SAFE LANE CHANGES

LaneFX is Safe for Leased Vehicles
LaneFX Voted #1 Driver Awareness Technology by BlindSpotSystems.com

HOW TO CHANGE LANES SAFELY WITH LANEFX

LaneFX Demo

Virtual LaneFX Tour
Top 10 Ways Drivers Use LaneFX
LaneFX Moments
Blind Spot Challenge / Driver Awareness Index Study
Driver Safety Surveys

COMPARE LATEST 12-VOLT CAR GADGETS

Competitive Comparisons
Why LaneFX is Right For You
Compare LaneFX
10 Reasons to Replace Your Stick-On Convex Auxilliary Mirrors with LaneFX
Independent Research Studies Stress the Importance of Safer Lane Changes

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Lane Departure Warning
By the time you complete a head turn to check your blind spot, your vehicle travels more than half of a football field. Unattended! 1

As you activate your turn signal, or at the press of a button, LaneFX moves your side mirror outward to sweep and expose your blind spot. It pauses long enough for you to see what may be lurking there. Then, it reliably returns your mirror to its original position.

LaneFX’s Patents Pending technology is packed with safety features and it's guaranteed to work in any vehicle equipped with power mirrors. It's safe, reliable and responsive, even at highway speeds.
LaneFX as featured in Sept '07 issue of Car & Driver magazine
"The [LaneFX] adjusters hold more potential than, say, Volvo's blind spot system, which... can't actually show you what's lurking unseen."
the top car gadget in the world of auto safety and mobile electronics
LaneFX as featured in The Wall Street Journal
The latest car technology:
"Systems That Keep an Eye on Blind Spots"
" It's amazing to me that it's a universally adaptable product! "
HGTV's I Want That! Tech Toys
as seen on Home & Garden Television's
"I Want That! Tech Toys"
the top car gadget in the world of auto safet and mobile electronics
" It consistently found those folks who seem to want to ride next to you, just off your back bumper. "
PC Magazine ExtremeTech LaneFX Review
PC Magazine's Extreme Tech Column: "the coolest product I never reviewed!"
" LaneFX will scan the blind spot without making the driver whip his head around and without add-on cameras. "
" The system holds promise because it meets a strong desire by consumers and is less expensive and more reliable than high-tech radar systems. "
Mobile Electronics
MADE IN USA.U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL PATENTS PENDING.
Drivaware reminds you to always wear you seatbelt, exercise caution when merging or changing lanes, obey all traffic laws and always rely on your primary senses when making all driving decisions. 1 Claim based on an average driver performing a typical head turn blind spot check in a median time of 1,800 milliseconds (source: NHTSA) resulting in an elapsed distance of 171.6 feet at 65mph (or 184.8 feet at 70mph). Drivaware, the Drivaware mirror icon logo, LaneFX and the LaneFX shield logo and tag line are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Drivaware Inc. Copyright © 2005-07 Drivaware® Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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auto safety turn your mirror, not your head slogan blind spot mirrors main graphic
LaneFX is a blind spot exposure system, not a detector. This means that LaneFX is by design, inherently incapable of displaying false positives
LaneFX in the automotive accessories news

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