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A Close Look at the Four Drone Subscription Packages

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Drone Subscription

Drone is a state-of-the-art vehicle control, monitoring and tracking solution from Firstech. Using lightning-fast LTE connectivity, the system will let you unlock the doors, pop the trunk, remote start and ensure that nobody is tampering with your vehicle — from almost anywhere on the planet. The Drone system requires a service package to let your smartphone connect to your vehicle. You have four packages to chose from, and each includes more features and information. Let’s take a close look at the functionality in each solution.

Drone Basic Subscription

Designed to provide remote control and security system (if equipped) feedback, the Basic package is an inexpensive way to make sure you are always connected to your vehicle. All packages include remote start, keyless entry, auxiliary output control and security system alerts. You can check the battery voltage and the temperature inside the vehicle at any time, from anywhere your smartphone has access to the internet.

Drone Subscription
You can check the temperature inside the vehicle using the DroneMobile app on your smartphone.

Drone Premium Subscription

Stepping up to the Premium package adds GPS location-based tracking features. You gain access to the GPS Car Finder feature so you can pinpoint the position of your vehicle in a matter of seconds. The Drone system can be configured to provide speed-based notifications to the user, so you will know if the kids or your employees are driving safely. Using the same technology, Curfew Monitoring will let you know if your vehicle moves after business hours or bedtime.

Drone Subscription
Users will get a notification if the vehicle exceeds a speed limit to ensure that everyone is driving safely.

Point of interest (POI) and geofence alerts are also included in the Premium subscription. You can define geographic areas that will trigger a notification on your smartphone when the Drone-equipped vehicle enters or leaves those zones. Setup for the location-based alerts is done through the web interface at accounts.dronemobile.com. The Premium package includes 10 point-of-interest locations and four geofences.

Drone Subscription
Geofences can be configured by street address or GPS coordinates. The boundaries can be fine-tuned to ensure that you receive notifications only when required.

The Premium package also offers maintenance reminders, so you’ll never forget when it’s time for an oil change. Likewise, diagnostic trouble code alerts will let you know if your vehicle has an issue that might require service.

Drone Subscription
Proper vehicle maintenance can save money in repair costs. Drone reminds you when it’s time for an oil change or regular service.

Premium Plus and Ultimate Packages

If you are a business owner, knowing where your assets are and how they are being used is crucial to managing your expenses. The Premium Plus and Ultimate packages are designed specifically for you. Both packages include a breadcrumb function. The Premium Plus package records a breadcrumb every two minutes, and the Ultimate records every 30 seconds. For clarification, breadcrumbs are location updates based on time. Every 30 seconds, or two minutes, the Drone system will note the location of the vehicle. Just like Hansel and Gretel, the system leaves a trail of location markings as the vehicle moves so you can review the route it has taken. Both packages also log turn-by-turn updates, and there are no limits to the number of geofence and point-of-interest notification locations you can add. Finally, the Ultimate plan includes location-based alerts, so you can be notified when your staff arrives at a client location.

Drone Subscription
Monitor where your vehicles travel and when with the Trip Report feature in the web interface.

History Log Information

All packages provide access to six months of activity in the History Log. You can sort information by vehicle or by the type of event for specific analysis. The information can be quickly and easily exported into a CSV file that will work with an external spreadsheet or database. The Trip Report option shows start and stop locations and times, based on the vehicle ignition being turned on and off. If any alerts are configured, they are added to the report.

Drone Subscription
Drone tracks where and how your vehicle is being used. This information is ideal for owners of company vehicles.

Communicate and Manage Your Vehicle with Drone

Whether you want the fastest unlimited-range remote control solution for a personal vehicle, or need detailed asset tracking for a fleet of company trucks or vans, Drone has a service package that delivers a perfect, easy-to-use solution. Visit your local authorized Drone retailer today for more information. You can find a shop using the Find a Dealer page on their website. For more information, follow Drone on its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media pages, and check out the latest feature and tutorial videos on their YouTube channel.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX5500 Bluetooth Media Receiver

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Sony XAV-AX5500

Sony’s new XAV-AX5500 media receiver not only covers all the ground, but it also raises the bar in terms of smartphone connectivity. Equipped with WebLink 2.0, you can see and control your compatible smartphone right from the 6.95-inch touchscreen on the radio. Of course, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, high-quality Bluetooth audio streaming and all the digital media support you’d ever want are also included. Let’s check it out!

Same Great Look with New Features

Sony XAV-AX5500The Sony XAV-AX5500 is an evolution of Sony’s famous XAV-AX5000 media receiver. The upgrades include WebLink 2.0 smartphone display technology that lets you cast most apps to your radio to see and hear all the action. Commands from the radio screen are fed back to the phone for easy and intuitive control. Waze and YouTube are two of the most popular applications for WebLink, and both offer an app icon on the WebLink home screen.

Users can upload home screen background images to the the XAV-AX5500 to express their style by personalizing the installation to their vehicle.

The XAV-AX5500 includes 5-volt preamp outputs instead of the 2 volts of signal available from the AX5000. This extra voltage will allow your installer to turn down the sensitivity controls on any external amplifiers to reduce background noise.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone Connectivity

Sony XAV-AX5500The AX5500 continues to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity with its plug-and-play USB port. Both of these phone interface technologies use voice recognition to make it quick, safe and easy to access your music, make phone calls or send text messages using plain-English voice commands. Likewise, you can get turn-by-turn navigation directions to the address of your choice by simply asking.

Classic Style and Intuitive Interface Look Great in the Dash

Sony XAV-AX5500Sony has eschewed fancy colors and lines to offer a clean look that looks great in the dash of your car or truck. Six hard buttons, a large bezel-less 6.95-inch display with a capacitive touch interface and easy-to-understand menu options make this radio look great while streamlining the process of learning all the functions.

The AX5500 includes Bluetooth hands-free calling with an external microphone and high-quality audio streaming with album art display capability, thanks to AVRCP 1.3. You can have your retailer upgrade the radio with an SXV300v1 SiriusXM satellite radio tuner module for genre-specific music, information and entertainment.

Dual USB ports allow you to connect your smartphone for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or WebLink Cast connectivity and play MP3, WMA or FLAC audio, or MP4, WMV or MKV videos from a USB memory stick connected to the other port. The USB ports provide 1.5 amps and 500 mA of charging current.

Vehicle Integration Features

Sony XAV-AX5500The XAV-AX5500 has a dedicated backup camera input jack so your installer can connect a backup camera and have it display automatically when the vehicle is in reverse. The radio also includes support for steering wheel audio control interfaces so you can use the factory buttons to change volume, tracks or stations.

The amplifier built into the AX5500 is rated to produce 20 watts of power into each of four channels. The radio includes adjustable electronic crossovers so that the built-in amp can be optimized for use with an external subwoofer system. Speaking of signal processing, the radio includes Sony’s Dynamic Soundstage Organizer. It helps create a realistic soundstage across the dash of your vehicle and is adjustable to accommodate any type of vehicle. Your installer can further fine-tune the sound of your system with the built-in 10-band equalizer and Extra Bass processing.

Installer-Friendly Design

Sony XAV-AX5500Your installer will love integrating the XAV-AX5500 into the dash of your vehicle, thanks to the compact chassis design. Instead of being 4 inches tall by about 6 inches deep, the rear chassis is 2 inches tall and an inch shorter. This design leaves more room for interface modules, wiring and RCA cables that are typically tucked behind the unit.

Upgrade Your Driving Experience with the Sony XAV-AX5500

If you’re shopping for a new radio for your car or truck, drop by your local authorized Sony car audio retailer and ask for a demonstration of the XAV-AX5500. From its intuitive interface, great looks and quick start-up process to the fantastic features and sound quality, we are sure you’ll be impressed. To learn more about this radio or any of the amazing Sony car audio products, visit their website. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the latest product releases.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Adding Navigation To The Factory Color Screen In Your Vehicle

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Adding NavigationLet’s say you purchased a brand-new Dodge Journey, Chevy Silverado or Ford F-150. The vehicle has a big color display for the audio system, and it may even show the heating and air conditioning controls on the same screen. But alas, it would have cost several thousand dollars to add the factory navigation system because the option package it was in included features you didn’t want. A sunroof, leather upholstery or automatic climate controls are all great options – but if adding navigation is what you want, then why pay for options you don’t need? Fear not – your local specialist car audio retailer can help you out.

Add-On Navigation Systems

Adding Navigation
The NTV-KIT607 Toyota Navigation Kit From NAV-TV.

Companies like NavTV and Advent have developed add-on navigation systems that work with factory radios and their color displays. The systems include a navigation computer and an integration module that allows graphics to be displayed on the factory screen. Many vehicles with a factory touchscreen can have those input commands fed into the navigation module. There are also some navigation kits that include their own touchscreen overlays for vehicles that don’t include a touch interface.

Expert Installation Required

The installation of these systems is plug-and-play. That being said, a great deal of vehicle disassembly is often required to make all the connections to the factory screen. Some vehicles require the touchscreen panel itself to be taken apart. Taking your new car apart is not something that should be done by someone without extensive experience. Panels can easily be scratched or crack if they are not maneuvered properly. It is best to seek out the assistance of a trained and experience installation technician. He or she will also need to locate the GPS antenna, connect to the factory audio system wiring for voice prompts and tap into the vehicle CAN bus.

Benefits Of Navigation

Adding Navigation
iGo offers enhanced safety and convenience while driving.

Navigation is more than just an intelligent mapping system. If you are traveling in an area that you are not familiar with, having maneuver prompts before having to turn or exit an interstate is not only convenient, but can reduce the chances of having to make a sudden and potentially dangerous lane change. It has also been proven that navigation systems save fuel by reducing the chances of getting lost or missing an exit.

Navigation Software

Adding Navigation
Full-Feature controls are offered by the iGo navigation systems.

Different manufacturers use different navigation software applications – Garmin and iGo are amongst the most popular. The mapping in the systems can be upgraded in the same manner as an aftermarket navigation radio: with downloads available from a manufacturer’s website. These systems include street addresses as well as Points of Interest (POI) information, so you can search for the name of a restaurant or hotel.

Want To Learn More About Adding Navigation?

If you have a vehicle from Ford, Chrysler, GM, Nissan, Honda or Toyota and would like to find out if you can add navigation to the factory screen, visit your local BestCarAudio.com specialist. They would be happy to research availability for the make, model and trim level of your vehicle. They can provide an estimate to supply the product, as well as install it for you. Give them a call today.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Hertz Mille Pro Speakers

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Hertz Mille Pro

Hertz Mille Pro speakers are designed for car audio enthusiasts who demand world-class performance and impressive value. The Mille Pro series includes five component speaker systems, a pair of coaxial speakers, or drivers in a-la-carte pairs for an actively filtered system. Trickle-down technology from the esteemed Legend Series helps to ensure that music lovers can find a solution that fits their needs.

Hertz Mille Pro Speaker Systems

Starting with the flagship MPK 1650.3 Pro, this two-way component speaker set includes a pair of 6.5-inch MP 165P.3 woofers, two MP 28.3 1 3/8” tweeters and a set of MPCX 165.3 passive crossover networks. The woofers are based on a cast aluminum alloy basket and use a 1-inch polyamide voice coil former with a 0.55-inch tall winding. The woofers have a nominal impedance of 3 ohms to maximize the power production capabilities of the connected amplifier. Xmax is specified at 4.5 mm, and power handling is a healthy 125 watts continuous. The woofer cones are made from a pressed pulp paper with cotton fibers, and they feature an exponential-curve deep-V shape. The cone is attached to a rubber surround that Hertz calls “Boundary Free” in reference to the smooth transition between the area that attaches to the cone and the outer roll. The MP 28.3 tweeters have a 1.1-inch voice coil and use lightweight CCAW wiring to assist with amazing transient response. The Tetolon fiber domes work with tuned rear chambers to deliver an extremely low resonant frequency of 900 Hz. This low Fs value allows for low crossover points and improves the overall dispersion performance of the set. The passive crossover networks include tweeter level attenuation switches and two contour settings to compensate for different tweeter installation positions.

The MPK 165P.3 Pro set uses the same 6.5-inch MP 165P.3 woofers as the above system with a set of MP 25.3 1.14-inch tweeters. These smaller tweeters are more suitable for integration into factory pods in sail panel, A-pillar and door locations. The crossover point in the included MPCX 2P.3 crossovers is at 4 kHz instead of 3 kHz, as in the 1650.3 Pro set.

Hertz Mille Pro
The MP 165P.3 Pro woofers feature a large 95 mm ceramic magnet for great efficiency in a package with a mounting depth of only 2.52 inches. Optional mesh grilles are available for custom installations.

The MPK 165.3 Pro Set uses the MP 25.3 tweeters with a set of 6.5-inch MP 165.3 woofers. These woofers retain the cast aluminum basket, pressed cotton and pulp-paper cone, the Boundary Free surround and a 1-inch voice coil design. Power handling is somewhat more modest at 110 watts, and Xmax is plus or minus 4 mm. The MPCX 2.3 crossovers have a 0 or +2 dB tweeter adjustment and filter the drivers at 3.5 kHz.

For those who require a three-way speaker solution, the MPK 163.3 Pro system adds a pair of MP 70.3 3-inch midrange drivers to the MPK 165.3 set. The mids feature a cast basket, dual neodymium magnets, cotton and pressed-pulp cones, and the Boundary Free rubber surround design. With a resonant frequency of 110 Hz and Xmax spec of 1.5 mm, these mids play down to 450 Hz with the included MPCX 3.3 passive networks.

Hertz Mille Pro
The three-way MPK 163.3 Pro set is a great upgrade solution for factory-installed audio systems that use a woofer, midrange and tweeter in the front stage speaker system.

For those who need a 5.25-inch component set, Hertz offers the MPK 130.3 Pro system. The system uses the MP 25.3 tweeters with a pair of MP 130.3 woofers. The woofers have cast baskets, and the same cone and surround design as their big-brother 6.5-inch speakers. The system includes the same MPCX 2.3 crossovers as the MPK 165.3 set.

High-Performance Coaxial Speaker Sets

There are two coaxial speaker options in the Hertz Mille Pro Series. The MPX 165.3 Pro set is a pair of two-way 6.5-inch speakers that use a 1-inch tweeter mounted at the very base of the woofer cone. The woofer uses a 1.42-inch voice coil former so that there is enough room for the tweeter to fit inside. The same paper-cotton cone and surround woofers design complement soft Tetolon diaphragms in the tweeters. Hertz added an acoustic lens on top of the tweeter to help improve off-axis performance.

Hertz Mille Pro
This cutaway view of the MPX 165.3 Pro shows the complexity involved in integrating a tweeter into the pole-piece of a woofer. The capacitor for the tweeter crossover is integrated into the assembly that bolts into the woofer.

The MPX 690.3 Pro is a set of 6×9-inch three-way speakers. The large oval woofer is complemented by a 1.4-inch soft-dome tweeter and a 1.14-inch super-tweeter. Both use the soft-dome Tetolon design with crossover points of 4 and 10 kHz, respectively, to deliver even dispersion both on- and off-axis. Power handling is rated at 130 watts, and the woofer has an Xmax spec of plus or minus 4 mm.

Premium Speaker Upgrades for Every Application

The Hertz Mille Pro series fits perfectly between the Mille Legend and the Energy speakers. The offerings combine great power handling, flexible installation options and the reputation for performance that has made Hertz one of the best-known speaker manufacturers in the car audio industry. For more information about these speakers, visit the Hertz website and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Why Drone Is the Perfect Choice for Fleet Management

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Fleet Management

Whether you are a small auto parts store with two delivery vehicles or run a local courier or moving company with dozens of trucks, Drone is the perfect fleet management tool. Drone uses high-performance telematics technology to monitor the location and behavior of the vehicle it’s installed in. DroneMobile – the powerful web and smartphone interface – makes managing the information collected by Drone efficient, so you can optimize the operation of your company vehicles and increase safety.

Drone Fleet Management Packages

Depending on the specific needs of your company, Drone offers three tracking solutions for business owners. The Premium package logs individual vehicle trips, monitors for speed violations and includes four geofence and 10 point-of-interest alert options. You can look up a vehicle location in seconds using the DroneMobile app on your smartphone or the web interface.

Stepping up to the Premium Plus plan adds turn-by-turn and breadcrumb trail logging that updates every two minutes. Geofences and point-of-interest locations are unlimited on the Premium Plus and higher packages.

Finally, the Ultimate package increases breadcrumb trail logging to every 30 seconds and adds location-based alerts. All three options include Drone’s standard vehicle control features like locking and unlocking, as well as battery voltage and vehicle temperature monitoring.

The packages include maintenance reminders, and vehicle diagnostic trouble code information is also logged to help ensure that the fleet is operating reliably and efficiently.

Fleet Management
You can choose from three GPS-enabled tracking packages to provide the connectivity and information you require to manage your fleet.

How Fleet Tracking Saves Companies Money

As a business owner, understanding how your equipment is being used is paramount to your profitability. Ensuring that delivery routes are being followed can save money in reduced fuel expenses. Information about arrival time to each destination can be used to optimize itineraries to avoid traffic congestion or construction. Curfew alerts ensure that your vehicle fleet is being used for business purposes only.

Using the Trips feature (available on the DroneMobile app or at accounts.dronemobile.com on any web browser), managers can review up to six months of data for each vehicle and look for driving behavior issues like speeding, unnecessary stops and unscheduled detours.

Fleet Management
Drone tracks start and finish points, including date, time and distance, based on when the ignition is turned on and off.

The Activity Log function at accounts.dronemobile.com includes options to sort information by vehicle, date range and activity, enabling you to analyze operational status with impressive detail. Data from the Activity Log can be exported into a spreadsheet-compatible .CSV format with a single button-click to help create presentations and reports.

Fleet Management
Management can download Drone activity information quickly and easily through the website portal.

Additional Fleet Tracking Benefits

It’s been proven repeatedly that company drivers who know a tracking system has been installed on the company vehicle drive more safely and efficiently. Safer driving reduces fuel and vehicle maintenance expenses, and can also reduce insurance costs from reduced claims. Speaking of insurance, it would be worth asking your insurance company if they offer a discount for vehicles that have tracking systems.

Drone hardware can be upgraded with security features to add another level of protection to your fleet. The Firstech DAS-II sensor monitors the vehicle for impacts, glass breakage, towing and motion. Likewise, sensors can be added to tool storage compartments or cargo loading doors. These alerts are not only logged in the activity report, but notifications are sent directly to the driver’s smartphone so he or she can contact law enforcement if the vehicle is being tampered with.

Fleet Management
Alerts from optional security features are displayed instantly on a smartphone.

Accurate Data Makes Asset Management Easier

As a company owner with a fleet of vehicles, managing their expense can be a daunting task. From fuel and regular maintenance to insurance claims and damage repairs – your overhead can be thousands of dollars a year. Knowing where and how your vehicles are used is the first step to implementing policies that ensure their efficiency and safety. Drone can provide that information.

Fleet Management
Information from the Drone Telematics System offers details about how your vehicles are being used.

Contact your local Firstech retailer today to find out how you can equip your fleet with Drone Fleet Management solutions. You can find a dealer here. To stay up-to-date with the latest from Drone, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.