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Turboflare
By Art Nadler
Everyone has at one time in their life been driving along
a lonely stretch of highway at night and wondered what
would happen if suddenly a tire blew, or the engine conked
out. How would you summon help, attract attention - out
there in the dark - all alone?
SOS-Turboflare, a new product of Lighting and Electronic
Design Inc. of Henderson, NV., can be your savior.
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No bigger than a Belgian waffle, the iridescent orange
star-like device emits pulsating multicolored LED flashing
lights, capable of being detected 30 miles from the air.
Constructed from tough Dupont Surlyn, the same material
which golf balls are made, the Turboflare comes in either
a battery-powered model (retailing at $59.95), or as a
rechargeable three- to eight-stack system selling for
$330 to $1,000.
The rechargeable models are currently in use by some 300
police agencies nationwide, says Doug Beekman, international
sales manager for the company. Also, the rechargeable
model Turboflare is being used by the Boulder City, NV.,
police and fire departments and the Las Vegas Metropolitan
police department, Beekman says. Turboflare takes the
place of the traditional hazardous and pollution producing
road flares, Beekman explains. Janie Lynn, owner of Lighting
and Electronic Design Inc., and her LED team invented
the device. It took her two years to develop and produce
the one-pound safety device.
"I knew it was going to be a winner," Lynn says
brandishing a broad smile. "The excitement this product
caused from the beginning was amazing." Lynn says
the company did $8 million in 1999 and expects to do at
least $10 million in 2000. She especially sees the battery
model becoming a winner with consumers. She foresees backpackers
taking the Turboflare with them into the mountains, and
even homeowners will use them as 911 assistance tools
at night. The battery powered model runs on four "C"
cell batteries and will last up to 135 hours, Beekman
says.
Lynn formed Lighting and Electronic Design nine years
ago to make low-voltage and specialty lighting products.
These included decorative lighting for casinos, theaters
and passenger train aisles. The Henderson factory currently
employs 30 people and is located in a 20,000 square-foot
facility.
For information, contact:
Lighting and Electronic Design Inc., 141 Cassia Way, Unit
C, Henderson, NV. 89014.
Phone: 1-800-700-5483, or (702) 568-8742. Fax: (702) 568-8753.
The company web sites are: www.sosturboflare.com,
www.ledlinc.com
and www.turbo-flare.com.
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