LAURINBURG, N.C. - Rostra Precision Controls Inc. now offers its back-up camera, obstacle sensing system and parking aid technologies for the 2000-2007 Honda Odyssey minivan.
     
"The Honda Odyssey is already renowned for its safety and innovation, but owners can achieve an even higher-level of safety by adding a Rostra RearSight(r) back-up camera, ROSS Pro(tm) or ParkPilot(r) system," said Sibyl Ringsdorf, manager of marketing and national accounts, Rostra Precision Controls Inc. 
     
According to Ringsdorf, these aftermarket products can assist in enhancing driver and pedestrian safety.
      
"Blind spots exist on every vehicle and obstacles can and do appear suddenly.  It could be as simple as backing into a pole, a parking lot barricade, the garage, another vehicle or a child's toy.  Aside from the repair cost to your vehicle, the loss of transportation during the repair process and insurance premium increases, these accidents can result in human injury," Ringsdorf said. 
     
The Rostra RearSight is a passive rear camera system that provides the driver with a 150-degree wide-angle view of the rear of the vehicle.  The Honda Odyssey model (#250-8008) uses a high-quality, waterproof camera that is installed on the vehicle's bumper and a 3.5-inch LCD color display built into the rearview mirror, which receives images from the rear-mounted camera when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
     
RearSight's capabilities are expanded with a BabyCam, a sophisticated vehicle interior camera system which allows safe and easy monitoring of children in their car seats without taking driver focus from the road.  The BabyCam uses a state-of-the-art high-quality color camera that is flush installed in the center of the vehicle's roof interior/headliner for a streamlined, OEM-like appearance.  The camera plugs directly into the mirror for easy driver viewing.
     
Drivers activate the camera by pressing a button located on the mirror.  After 20 seconds, the camera shuts off.  For a constant view, occupants on the passenger side can hold the button down.  Either way, the camera is automatically shut off when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
     
For those that prefer an audible warning of obstacles as well as visual, Rostra's ROSS Pro system is the perfect solution, according to Ringsdorf. 
     
The Honda Odyssey ROSS Pro (#250-1594) uses microwave technology to detect obstacles up to 12 feet behind a vehicle.  The driver is then warned of the object with both a tri-color display installed on the rear windshield and an audible alert, which increases in frequency as the object draws closer.
     
The system uses two waterproof microwave sensors mounted behind plastic bumpers or under steel bumpers.  The wires connect conveniently to a wiring harness, supplying the rear light assembly of the vehicle.  An audible module fits easily and conveniently behind plastic panels, carpet or beneath the parcel shelf, and the tri-color display can be mounted on the rear windshield, so it is visible through a rear-view mirror.
     
To eliminate the dangers involved with tight parking spots, Rostra offers its ParkPilot ultrasonic smart parking system that alerts drivers to unseen obstacles before a collision occurs.
     
Using two sensors mounted to the mini-van's bumper, which are available in black, white, red, silver, green or blue, the ParkPilot provides a 120-degree conical area of detection.  The system automatically engages when a vehicle is placed in reverse.  An alarm sounds in the vehicle's cabin if an obstacle is detected within five-feet of in any of the ParkPilot's three zones, alerting the driver to stop.  The Honda Odyssey model (#250-1801) features adjustable volume control and an "on/off" switch as well as an additional mute switch to temporarily silence the alarm. 
     
The RearSight back-up camera, ROSS Pro and ParkPilot are designed to work simultaneously or in conjunction with each other.  Each product carries a three-year warranty.
     
For more information or to find a dealer near you, call Rostra's customer service at 800.782.3379, or visit Rostra's Web site at www.rostra.com.
     
Rostra Precision Controls Inc., headquartered in Laurinburg, N.C., is an international supplier of vehicle speed control systems, rear obstacle sensing systems, transmission components and vehicle comfort seating systems to the global automotive and truck aftermarket industry.  The company also is a leading manufacturer of electronic controls, systems and components for the original equipment automotive industry.  It holds ISO 9001:2000 quality certification.