Rostra Receives NTEA 'Editor's Choice' Award For Most Innovative New Product

LAURINBURG, NC — Rostra Precision Controls, Inc. was awarded the "Editor's Choice" for the most innovative new product at the 2005 National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Show held in Indianapolis this past month. The company earned the recognition for RearSight, its passive alert rear-camera monitor kit, built specifically for straight trucks in Class 3-7 fleet applications — including local delivery trucks, utility vehicles, cargo vans, municipal fleets, private equipment, and all other vehicles with reduced rear visibility. RearSight is also applicable to vehicles that contain equipment extending from the rear, like generator decks, buckets, and booms. This is the first year NTEA presented an Editor's Choice award. More than 45 trade press editors voted on the most innovative new product at the show. RearSight is comprised of two pieces — a compact color camera mounted in the rear of the vehicle, usually at the top of the box or other similar location, and a 3.5-inch or 5-inch LCD color monitor display, which receives images from one or more RearSight cameras. This system provides a 150-degree wide-angle view from the rear of the vehicle, helping drivers avoid dangerous blind spot obstacles while also identifying objects closer to the ground. Other optional monitors for the RearSight system can also interface with vehicle navigation/GPS systems, eliminating the need for two monitors in a vehicle. Operating like an extra set of eyes to a driver, the Rostra RearSight displays objects that mirrors cannot. The rear-looking camera system is powered on when the vehicle is placed in the reverse gear. With a low LUX rating, it works well at night, and even in the poorest weather conditions like fog, rain, or snow. A LUX rating is used for cameras to assess the ability of the camera to record images in low light. The lower the LUX rating, the darker an environment in which the camera can record. Some systems feature microphones built into the camera, enabling drivers to also hear behind them as they reverse.