Travel Expense Software
TravelTrak travel expense softwareTo help RVers keep track of their expenses while on the road, Sad Seagull Enterprises has developed TravelTrak. According to product literature, the computer software program “” which is designed to be used on personal computers using any Microsoft Windows operating system “” allows users to maintain an organized collection of costs, activities, and contacts related to their travel.
The program features modules for calculating fuel mileage and fuel costs for both the motorhome and towed vehicle; maintenance costs for both vehicles; and daily expenses. Information can be displayed in U.S. or Canadian currency; in gallons or liters; and in miles or kilometers.
The software also includes a diary for noting daily highlights and events; a contact list to record names and information about the people met while traveling; and an easy-to-use backup and restore feature to keep the information safe.
A free 30-day demonstration version of the program is available for download at www.sadseagull.com. Should you decide to register for the full version, the cost is $29.95. Once a user registers, all updates are free.
For more information, contact:
Sad Seagull Enterprises
2930 Sefton St.
Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 3P8
Canada
(604) 290-7877
www.sadseagull.com
Cleaning Products
Holy Cow’s All Purpose Cleaner and Concentrated CleanerHoly Cow Products offers several cleaning sprays that, according to company literature, will make all of the other cleaners under your sink obsolete.
Holy Cow’s All Purpose Cleaner and Concentrated Cleaner are said to contain nonhazardous ingredients and to be biodegradable. All Purpose Cleaner is designed for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and beyond, while Concentrated Cleaner is intended for tougher jobs, such as removing grease from engines or mechanical parts, stripping burnt-on food from barbecue grill or oven racks, and cleaning oil from driveways and garage floors.
Holy Cow also offers streak-free Glass Cleaner for windows, mirrors, and other surfaces.
All Purpose Cleaner and Glass Cleaner have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $3.99 for a 32-ounce bottle, while Concentrated Cleaner is priced at $5.99 for the same size bottle. The cleaners also are available in 1-gallon and 5-gallon quantities; call for pricing. Holy Cow products can be found in mass merchandise stores nationwide or purchased via the company’s Web site.
For more information, contact:
Holy Cow Products
4491 Pacific St.
Suite A
Rocklin, CA 95677
(877) 9-HOLYCOW (946-5926)
(916) 625-0694
www.holycowproducts.com
Travel Information Device
Talking Road Whiz from Ultradata SystemsThe Talking Road Whiz from Ultradata Systems Inc. is a pocket-sized electronic travel information device. It provides information regarding distances, directions, and driving times to more than 80,000 services located near interstate roads throughout the United States, as well as driving directions and driving times between 250 of the largest cities.
The traveler simply keys in the state he or she is in; the interstate highway number and direction of travel; and the nearest mile marker. The Talking Road Whiz then prompts the user to select the type of service they are searching for. Options include gas stations (including 24-hour and diesel); restaurants; rest stops (and available facilities); hospitals; campgrounds; tourist sites; road help, road conditions, phone numbers; and more.
The device then provides the distance and drive time (based on vehicle speed) to the location, as well as directions.
The Talking Road Whiz operates on three AA batteries and has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39.95.
For more information, contact:
Ultradata Systems Inc.
1240 Dielman Industrial Court
St. Louis, MO 63132
(800) 274-0971
(314) 997-2250
www.ultradatasystems.com
Cord And Hose Reel
Cordpro cord and hose reelAccording to product literature, users of the Cordpro will never again be frustrated by tangled or disorganized electrical cords or RV drinking water hoses.
The Cordpro and the larger Cordpro XL are flexible, doughnut-shaped reels that divide, store, and dispense extension cords and hoses without the use of springs, ratchets, or motorized mechanisms. Because the reel has no moving parts, it cannot break down. Both the Cordpro and the Cordpro XL can hold up to 100 feet of cord and 25 feet to 50 feet of drinking water hose (depending on cord or hose diameter). These reels also store and protect the cord ends when not in use.
As the user pulls out either end of a cord wrapped inside the Cordpro, the reel rotates, dispensing only the amount of cord needed.
The Cordpro is made of high-density polyethylene. It is connected at the inseam, which is covered with an ergonomic rubber grip. The reinforced eyelet makes it easy to hang on a pegboard or inside a storage compartment.
The Cordpro is priced at $12.95, plus $8.05 shipping and handling, while the Cordpro XL costs $24.95, plus $8.75 shipping and handling.
For more information, contact:
BurkTek Inc.
P.O. Box 10736
Kansas City, MO 64188
(800) 700-6784
(816) 734-0340
www.cordpro.com
Safety Step With Light
RV SureStep safety step with lightThe RV SureStep is touted as “your first step toward RV safety.” The step mounts directly on top of a motorhome’s existing step to extend the tread surface 1-1/4 inches, a 12 percent increase. The RV SureStep also includes a motion-activated light bar that automatically illuminates the step at night and a durable nonslip tread.
The RV SureStep works on both manual and electric steps and reportedly can be installed in 10 minutes with five bolts. The light bar operates on six AA batteries, eliminating the need to hardwire it to the motorhome.
The price of the RV SureStep is $85. A personalized label with up to 30 characters can be placed on the step for $12.50.
For more information, contact:
RV SureStep
4371 Platte Ave.
Sedalia, CO 80135
(800) 815-2159
(303) 814-7833
www.rvsurestep.com
Multifunctional Digital Video Camera
Concord DV2020 digital video cameraThe Concord DV2020 is a five-in-one multifunctional digital recording device that features a digital video camera with MPEG-4 compression; a 2-megapixel digital still camera with 2X digital zoom; a PC cam with instant PC video playing/recording capability; a digital voice recorder; and an MP3 player all in one.
Encased in a sleek aluminum body, the camera’s familiar video camera shape, 270-degree-adjustable 1.5-inch LCD display, and 4X digital zoom are said to make it comfortable for videographers to shoot from any position. The DV2020 includes 16 megabytes of internal storage as well as a secure digital (SD) memory card slot. Video recording time is limited only by the capacity of the SD card.
The camera can record up to 8-1/2 hours of voice without the video recorder turned on, and it will play MP3 music recorded on a removable SD card.
The DV2020 comes with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, USB and AV cables, an AC adapter, earphones, photo software, and user guides. It has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199.99. It is compatible with Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, and XP, and Mac OS 9.0 operating systems.
For more information, contact:
Concord Camera Corp.
4000 Hollywood Blvd.
Suite 650N
Hollywood, FL 33021
(954) 331-4200
www.concord-camera.com
Navigation/Traffic Info System
AVIC-N2 with XM NavTraffic navigation/traffic info systemPioneer Electronics and XM Satellite Radio have collaborated to offer the first aftermarket in-vehicle navigation system with satellite-based traffic information that is available 24 hours a day. The AVIC-N2 with XM NavTraffic is a multitasking information and entertainment system that combines a detailed traffic and XM Satellite Radio tuner (GEX-P10XMT) with a turn-by-turn route guidance navigation system; a DVD/CD/MP3 player; and an AM-FM receiver all in one unit that is meant to replace any in-dash vehicle radio.
XM NavTraffic provides detailed traffic reports for 20 major metropolitan cities on the system’s 6.5-inch touch-screen monitor, showing local road incidents sorted by traffic event or distance from the vehicle’s current location. Additional icons represent scheduled events such as road construction and road closures. The subscription price for XM NavTraffic, along with XM Radio’s more than 130 digital radio channels, is expected to be $13.99 a month.
The AVIC-N2 navigation system is said to provide route guidance for the entire United States and Canada, including Alaska and Hawaii. The DVD-ROM-based system has a 12 million points-of-interest database with more than 248 categories for users to search. The system also includes a video input so owners can view images from the rearview monitor.
For more information, contact:
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
2265 E. 220th St.
Long Beach, CA 90801
(800) PIONEER (746-6337)
www.pioneerelectronics.com
Courier Bag
Torque courier bag from OspreyThe Torque courier bag from Osprey is designed to help travelers keep their laptop computer and files organized and easy to access. The bag has a formed-foam body that retains its shape and a thermofolded foam back panel for extra protection. Inside the bag are 1,200 cubic inches of storage space with separate laptop, file, and organizer sleeves. The Torque also includes a cell phone pocket and a pocket for a 32-ounce water bottle. For carrying comfort, the bag includes a padded shoulder strap and a removable waist strap.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the Torque bag is $84. It can be purchased online or at numerous outdoor retail stores.
For more information, contact:
Osprey Packs
115 W. Progress Circle
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 564-5900
www.ospreypacks.com
Silicone Tape
Rescue Tape from Harbor Products Inc.Rescue Tape from Harbor Products Inc. is a self-bonding silicone tape that does not rely on adhesive compounds to stick. According to company literature, when the tape is stretched and wrapped under tension, it bonds to itself, creating a watertight seal that is resistant to oils, fuels, acids, solvents, salt water, and ultraviolet rays. Because the tape has no adhesives, it never becomes gummy or sticky, and it resists temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rescue Tape reportedly can withstand pressure up to 700 psi, making it useful for quick-fix repairs on radiator hoses, heater hoses, fuel lines, exhaust hoses, and other pressurized lines, and it works on dirty, wet, and oily surfaces. It also can be used to wrap or protect electrical wiring and is said to resist up to 8,000 volts per layer.
Each roll includes 12 feet of 1-inch-wide tape in either red, white, black, or clear colors. A two-roll package costs $24.99; each additional roll is $6.99. Mention that you are an FMCA member when you call or order online, and you will receive a third roll of tape for free.
For more information, contact:
Harbor Products Inc.
630 S. Pacific Ave., #112
San Pedro, CA 90731
(877) 847-2628
www.rescuetape.com
Awning Lock
RV Awning Travel LockNearly every motorhomer has seen, heard about, or experienced a patio awning that has blown open while traveling. This situation can do serious damage to the awning and also could lead to an accident.
To help prevent this from occurring, Loess Hills Innovations Inc. has developed the RV Awning Travel Lock, which, according to company literature, prevents the awning roller from turning and allowing the canopy to billow while traveling. The Travel Lock is designed to fit nearly all A&E and Carefree of Colorado manual awnings. It takes approximately 30 minutes to install and, once in place, requires just a few seconds to set or release.
The RV Awning Travel Lock is priced at $39.95 (Iowa residents add 6 percent sales tax), plus $3.95 for shipping and handling. The lock comes with a 12-month warranty that covers defects in material or workmanship.
For more information, contact:
Loess Hills Innovations Inc.
P.O. Box 416
Council Bluffs, IA 51502
(712) 310-7187
(712) 310-6001
www.hometown.aol.com/goldenwgf