

With today's SUVs and minivans growing ever larger, the view of what's behind us as we back up can be dangerously limited. There's always a chance small children will be well below our field of vision, not to mention Fido or Fluffy. While one of those backup warning beepers might help a little, there's no substitute for being able to actually see what's out there. Luxury autos sometimes feature a backup camera mounted on the vehicle's rear — which transmits video to a screen on the dash — but why should safety be restricted to those with a big-ticket ride? Roadmaster has come up with a solution by introducing the VR3 system, which combines a tiny camera attached to the license plate frame with a 2.5-inch LCD screen that you can mount directly on your car's dashboard. Installation is simple enough for most car owners to handle, and the monitor can be rigged so it turns on automatically when you shift into reverse. The VR3 is available now for $99 — a small price to pay for some extra peace of mind.