I Roadtest the No Nap Drowsy Driver Alert

Hi Everybody

In the previous thread on this subject I gave a link to an English device. It took me a long time to get it (relatives were sending it to me) so in the meantime I looked around for another one. I found the No Nap Drowsy Driver Alert from

http://www.nonap.com.au/

and it works great.

I turn it on, slip it on to my left ear, and away I go. If my head drops forward on my chest an alarm goes off, and I automatically get my head upright, and looking out at the traffic. I can turn my head sideways if I want to, and I can look at the dashboard, without the alarm going off, but if I did drop off to sleep, it would definitely wake me quick sharp.

Also, if you were worried about falling asleep in front of the TV etc, and wore the device, again it would wake you up as soon as your head dropped.

I also have the one from England, which I do not recommend. The alarm continues after the head is raised, the Australian one turns off the alarm immediately your head starts to raise. The ear fitting is not as good as the Australian, and the alarm goes off without a proper head drop. Although it has an adjustable angle, it does not work well.

So I have to apologise for previously giving out the link to the English one - which is called Drive Alert Master - as I think it does not do the job it is supposed to. And I can now understand why it was criticised on Top Gear. I have gone back over my posts and corrected the link where I posted it.

Anyhow, No Nap is simple to use, and works well, and is not expensive.

Obviously it has to be used for correct purpose (eg a warning that you should pull over, as you are not alert enough to drive), but then so do most devices. And it obviously will not work for those who fall asleep without the head dropping.

To say I drive only when I am 100% alert would be not be true, so I will be using it whenever I feel the need. Especially when I have to drive for a long time, or when I drive interstate, or after a long day and very late at night.

cheers

Mars

Mercedes has an option on some models that will sound an alert when it detects a driver falling asleep. It works by analyzing steering patterns.