We’re closing in on the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year. We’re also in the midst of holiday shopping, holiday gatherings, and countless other activities that take us out and about in our vehicles, often at night. So it’s not surprising that the bloggers who’ve reviewed the Autolite Flareglo and Spotglo recognize the value of these products.

First, the Flareglo - used in place of traditional flares. “Each Flareglo has three super bright LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights inside of a small red plastic casing. The lights blink rapidly and can be seen from up to 500 feet away.” One blogger reported: “I didn’t actually measure out 500 feet to test it out, but I did walk down the street while [my husband] stood at one end to make sure the lights were easily visible, and according to my tester ([my husband]), the lights are easy to see and really obviously blinking.” Another blogger added: “Unlike conventional roadside flares which last for 15 minutes, Autolite Flareglo Safety Lites will blink rapidly for a minimum of 12 hours…They’re easy to use and safe, powered by two AAA alkaline batteries.” Not only are they safer than traditional flares, they’re “compact and easy to store in the car.”

Each of the bloggers who reviewed the Flareglo commented on the importance of being prepared. One commented: “Nowadays, it’s almost inconceivable to leave home without a cell phone. Without that familiar bulge in our bags or pockets, we somehow feel vulnerable. Less safe. Now, after receiving a set of two Autolite Flareglo Safety Lites, I can’t imagine leaving home without them.” And a mother of three agreed: “Although it sends me into a mild state of panic to even think about being stranded in the car with my kids in the middle of winter, I know it happens, and it’s my responsibility as a parent to be prepared for that situation.”

While the Spotglo is geared more toward convenience than safety, it’s still a valuable addition to any vehicle. As a blogger noted: “I avoid using the overhead lights because I don’t like people looking into our car and I don’t want my or my husband’s vision or attention compromised while we are driving.” She went on to say that “The Autolite Spotglo Seatbelt Lite is a fantastic idea.”

But after checking the list of warning labels on the Spotglo (”Not for use with infant seats, child booster seats, [or] in front seat of the vehicle“), it seemed that “technically, the only people who can use this must be over 80 pounds and seated in the rear of the car.” Since these constraints weren’t realistic for her test of the product, “I tried out the Autolite Spotglo Seatbelt Lite while sitting in the front passenger’s side of the car, and I let [my son] try it out in the backseat on the properly-positioned seatbelt, even though he happened to be sitting in a booster seat to provide that proper-position.”

The blogger did have difficulty getting the light positioned for herself: “…to get the light to beam in a direction that is useful for reading was a real trick.” But her son “did not have this problem; he could see his whole book (as could [his brother]) without difficulty.” To make the Spotglo more user-friendly for adults (particularly females whose anatomy might block the beam), she “would suggest a thicker version so that the light starts further away from the person’s body, but can still be tilted up or down.”

Even so, the Autolite Spotglo was great for keeping her kids occupied without the use of a DVD, and “the light was directed enough so that I wasn’t bothered; and more importantly, [my husband] the driver wasn’t bothered.”

More reviews of the Autolite Flareglo and Spotglo are coming up!

Mon 12/10 - Mommy’s Must Haves
Tues 12/11 - My Two Cents
Wed 12/12 - Mom to the Screaming Masses
Thurs 12/13 - Lawyer Mama
Fri 12/14 - Jumping Monkeys
Wed 12/19 - Round-Up Review on PBN