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Rostra RearSight Backup Camera

Written by Martin Scott

New from Rostra Precision Controls is their RearSight line of back-up cameras. In the past, you had to deal with complicated wiring and the challenge of finding a place to mount the bulky monitor for your back-up camera. Rostra has solved this with their integrated rear view mirror by building the color monitor right into your rear view mirror. Rostra offers both 2.5” and a 3.5” models.

We installed their 2.5” unit in a 2006 Pontiac Solstice roadster, and I don’t think we could have picked a more difficult vehicle to do this install in because of the extremely tight spaces on this two-seater. However, Rostra has made installation extremely easy with their kits, and we had the entire camera system installed in under four hours.

The Rear Sight mirror looks just like the factory model until you put the car into reverse, which activates the rear mounted micro camera and the 2.5” color monitor embedded in the mirror. GM’s new roadsters are wonderful cars, but with the big buttresses on the trunk and small ragtop window, the rear view is less than desirable. However, thanks to Rostra, I now have 180 degrees of visibility.

The current RearSight mirror is perfect for most vehicles on the road today, but many cars in are adding additional buttons and instrumentation to the mirrors, and for these vehicles, you need to be careful about what you might lose if you replace the mirror. Many vehicles put compasses in the mirrors, some GM vehicles use mirror to control OnStar features, and some BMWs put garage remote control buttons on the mirror. For these vehicles, the Rostra solution is not a perfect fit.

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TECH2 LAKE HOUSE to be Completed Spring 2009

DEC 2008 UPDATE - Ron Rosberg's current project home, the Technology Lake House, is currently under construction on the shores of Clearlake in Northern California. The new high-tech dock is complete, and the roofline is beginning to take shape. So far, more than a dozen technology vendors have stepped up to sponsor this project, which has been simmering in Ron's head since he attended the first CES show in New York in 1967. The 7,500 square foot project (plus two existing rustic cabin guest houses) is being built on a six-acre Honeymoon Cove resort with 500 feet of beach directly across from Konocti Harbor Resort. This summer retreat will host two technology gatherings annually, inviting Western states home builders, contractors, and technology consultants for a live open house. There is room to park up to twelve boats in the main dock and the guest dock, so plan on coming up for some lake fun after the project is complete. For more info, send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 650-342-5642. To see the latest photos, visit Ron's Flickr gallery.

We are currently looking for products to evaluate in these areas:

Home automation: lighting, security, HVAC and entertainment
A/V technology for the 500 SF home theater media demo room
Remote video (needed ASAP for monitoring construction live)

Hot News on Cool New Features: The ENTIRE front of the home will be made of sliding NanaWall glass panels that fold into the walls, opening the entire home up to the lake during demo days.

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