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To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (20983)	6/1/2004 6:45:54 PM
From: Rock_nj	Respond to of 57684

New Jersey and California are the two environmental leaders. I see a lot of hybrids as I drive around NJ, although I don't know anyone who owns one. If I was still rolling in the dough like I was a few years ago, I'd be buying a Ford Escape Hybrid SUV, but it looks like I'll have to settle for a used Honda CRV. I think hybrids will make their biggest impact on SUVs and light trucks. When you can double the gas milage of a light truck/SUV without hurting performance, that's significant. The payback on an Escape hybrid SUV will be rather obvious, especially if gas stays above $2.00, which it might in coming years as the demand for oil continues to grow.

To: Lizzie Tudor who wrote (20983)	6/1/2004 6:57:51 PM
From: Lizzie Tudor	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 57684

new robotic product... Electrolux EL520A Trilobite Robotic Vacuum Product Description Amazon.com Review Imagine pushing a button, walking away, and having clean floors an hour later. That futuristic scenario is now here with Trilobite, the hands-free, ‘intelligent’ robotic vacuum first introduced in Europe by Electrolux. Named for the hard-shelled Paleozoic sea creature that once roamed the ocean floor, Trilobite is round, red, and ready to go after dust and dirt at a single touch. While more important tasks are attended to, the vacuuming is done. If power runs low before a larger room is fully cleaned, Trilobite automatically seeks out its recharging base, docks, recharges in just two hours, and then resumes cleaning until it’s satisfied. Trilobite offers three cleaning modes: normal, quick, and spot clean. An LCD display makes setting the mode easy. On normal mode, Trilobite sets out along walls on a reconnaissance trip to ‘map’ the room. Harmless ultrasonic waves are emitted by Trilobite’s sonar, which vibrates at 60,000 Hz and is coated with a thin gold plate for optimum performance. The waves bounce back to and are analyzed by special sensors so that Trilobite knows how much cleaning time the room will require. Like a bat, Trilobite carefully avoids obstacles in its way, such as chair legs and dog bowls, while a slim profile allows it to slip under beds and sofas as it maneuvers the room in straight lines as well as circles. Transition between hard floors and carpet takes place effortlessly. On the quick clean setting, Trilobite skips the mapping and gets right to work. For spills and heavy concentrations of pet hair and other debris, setting Trilobite on spot clean will clean a circular area about 3 feet in diameter. Room corners and edges may need a little extra help. Measuring approximately 14 by 5 inches and weighing 11 pounds, Trilobite is easily transported from room to room, floor to floor, and even house to house. The recharging dock fits along the base of any wall within 6 feet of a power outlet. Long magnetic strips are included that can be laid down across a doorway or stair top to prevent Trilobite from crossing into an off-limits room or falling down the stairs. Trilobite features 2 internal high-performance, environmentally friendly nickel-metal hydride batteries, 4 motors (one for each of 2 driven wheels, the brush roll, and the vacuum suction), micro filters, and a 1.1-quart reusable dust box (no bags required). The EL520A model comes in Cayenne Silk. --Ann Bieri amazon.com