NEW PRODUCTS

Little light helps with roadside emergencies

You always make sure there is a spare tire in the car trunk and gas in the tank. Keeping a flashlight in the console that is especially suited for cars is just as important.

There will always be occasions to use it.

Whether you are searching for something under the front seat, need to check under the hood or just need some extra light to read a map, you need a flashlight.

And, you don’t need one with dead batteries at a time you need it most — on the road. Or worse, a dark backcountry road.

GreatLITE, a brand of GreatNeck Tools, offers a car flashlight that allows users to never be concerned about batteries because it doesn’t need them! It is designed to easily and conveniently recharge using your 12-volt car cigarette lighter plug.

This flashlight uses a 1-watt, super-bright LED light that is 10 times brighter than a standard LED, issuing up to 45 lumens of light.

Rechargeable in 20 minutes, it then runs continuously for three hours.

An added bonus, for those of us who are directionally challenged, there is a compass embedded on the flashlight end cap.

The flashlight retails for $30.

For more information, call 800-457-0600 or visit www.greatnecksaw.com.

Shower system creates vertical spa experience

Kiss stress goodbye with Moentrol shower systems.

“Research has shown that consumers want more functionality to create a robust, spalike experience,” said Mike Reffner, Moen senior product manager.

“The Moentrol shower system gives the flexibility to provide an easy-to-install and reasonably priced vertical spa option.”

We just want more in a shower these days — handheld shower heads, body sprays and rain showers.

Moentrol’s pressure-balancing volume-control valves deliver the water coverage, force and flow everyone seems to want. The three-function valve allows for two dedicated functions and one shared function. The user can choose to have both a shower head and a hand shower or a shower head and body sprays running at the same time.

For added convenience, it has a temperature memory. Keep the temperature dial in the same position from your last shower and it will return to that temp in a few seconds.

It also maintains consistent pressure throughout the shower so users will never experience “shower shock” — the hot or cold surge in temperature caused by dishwashers running, a toilet flushing or other faucets being turned on.

Moentrol shower systems are compatible with a wide variety of plumbing connections, utilize 1/2-inch plumbing for easy installation and are available in a wide variety of updated trim styles and finishes to complement any bathroom design. For more information, call 800-BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636) or visit www.moen.com.

HotSpot puts spring into kitchen collection

HotSpot is introducing five new, bright colors for spring to its collection of HotSpot pot holders: kiwi, mango, lilac, candy pink and bright blue with aqua dots.

When they debuted five years ago as the first ever silicone pot holders, the colors were red, black, hunter green, blue, yellow, white and jade. New colors are added every year and some are retired. The current HotSpot collection features about 50 different colors.

These 7-inch square pot holders are heat-, skid- and slip resistant. Unlike other pot holders, these can be cleaned in the dishwasher. The pot holders can also double as trivets and retail for $6 to $8.

Its name may be silly but colander is not

Also new from HotSpot is the SillyColander collection featuring silicone colanders that drain liquids faster, clean up better and compress flat for compact storage — a key because colanders tend to be bulky and take up a lot of space.

This colander is larger than other silicone colanders at 10 inches wide by 14 inches long by 6 inches tall. It holds as much as 5 quarts, is heat resistant to 675 degrees and folds flat when not in use.

The shape and structure also add to its efficiency. The oval shape helps when pouring water into it while the raised bottom drains liquid away from the food. The vertical holes also enhance drainage. The rolled handles, or “spandles,” are comfortable to grasp and carry, and double as pouring spouts.

The SillyColander is dishwasher safe and is available in steel, bright blue, hot pink and sunflower yellow. It retails for $30.

HotSpot, a Lamson & Goodnow brand, has been making silicone products for the home since 2002.

For more information on HotSpot products, call 800-872-6564 or visit www.hotspotsilicone.com.