HeadsUp: The Anti Smashing-Into-Garage Warning Device

This is great. After Tom Rieber drove his car (with bike on top) straight into his garage, causing thousands of dollars of damage, he figured there had to be a way to prevent such accidents in the future.  This incident was the inspiration for the HeadsUp System, which he created to prevent fellow outdoor enthusiasts from making the same mistake.

The HeadsUp System is a wireless device that sends a signal to drivers as they approach their garages, reminding them if they have bikes, kayaks, etc., mounted on top of  their cars.  When a driver returns home with gear on the roof, an LED sign in the garage flashes and a warning tone sounds inside the vehicle to prevent the driver from entering the garage and smashing his/her stuff in the process.

"Our mission is to ensure that the outdoor athlete never has to hear the crunch of expensive gear from the roof of their car as they pull into the garage," said Rieber. "You can imagine, or maybe you've experienced that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize you've just trashed your favorite gear, not to mention damaged your car and garage."

The HeadsUp System sells for $169.99, which maybe seems steep, but if you've ever smashed any of your stuff (and I'll admit that I have done this once), you know that it's cheaper than repairing or replacing your gear and potentially having to fix your house as well.

Also, for those who dig the Schadenfreude of hearing about others' mishaps involving garages, bikes, kayaks, shattered carbon-fiber frames, buckled roof racks and crushed car roofs, you can find horror stories and photos of these incidents on the HeadsUp Systems website. Voting on the best (worst?) stories will take place this month, and the top vote getter will win a free HeadsUp System. If you've got a story of smashing your stuff into a garage, you can share it here.

Links and related articles

• The HeadsUp System website
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