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Backup Safety

Product Spotlight: DroneMobile XC Connected Dashcam Security System

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DroneMobile XC

Thieves frequently target vehicles from Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Lexus, RAM, Chevrolet, and Honda. These vehicles are often stolen for their parts or exported overseas. Well-integrated anti-theft systems like those from Compustar greatly reduce the chances that a thief will drive off in your vehicle. However, vehicle owners have long sought the ability to monitor their vehicle and its surroundings using their smartphone. The DroneMobile XC connected dash cam is the perfect solution. Let’s check it out!

What is DroneMobile?

DroneMobile is a smartphone interface created by Firstech, the parent company of Compustar and Arctic Start. DroneMobile allows you to use an app on your smartphone to communicate with, monitor and control your vehicle from almost anywhere on the planet. If the shock sensor on your Compustar alarm is triggered, the DroneMobile app will notify you within seconds. If someone opens a door, you’ll get an alert. If a thief is trying to cut off a catalytic converter, you’ll know about it.

DroneMobile hardware works with a remote car starter or security system to add smartphone control. Door lock, trunk release, and, when applicable, remote starter activation are as simple as tapping the screen of your Android-based smartphone or iPhone. The communication is bidirectional, so you’ll be advised when the command is executed. This feedback lets you know the car is locked and safe in your driveway for the evening.

DroneMobile XC is the only dash cam we’ve reviewed that offers this level of functionality and integration with aftermarket remote start or alarm systems.

DroneMobile XC
With a DroneMobile and a Compustar remote car starter, you can lock, unlock, or remote start your car or truck from anywhere your phone has cellular or Internet service.

GPS Locating Services

The DroneMobile system offers services at various feature levels. The basic package provides door lock and remote start control. You also get security alerts from an optional (but highly recommended) DAS-II security sensor. This means that impact, motion, or tilting will result in a nearly instant phone notification. You can also monitor the temperature inside the vehicle and keep an eye on battery voltage.

Upgrading to one of the Premium plans adds location-based alerts and monitoring. If the system reports that your vehicle has moved from where you parked it without authorization, you can tap the map screen to view its current location. You can set Geofences around specific areas to monitor usage. Several of the top programs include full breadcrumb trail tracking with turn-by-turn updates.

DroneMobile XC
GPS-based locating services allow you to monitor the location of your vehicle at any time.

High-Speed Communication

One of DroneMobile’s best features is its speed. Factory-installed smartphone control systems, such as MyMazda, can take more than 30 seconds to relay a command to the vehicle. It’s incredibly frustrating to have to wait that long. DroneMobile uses the fastest LTE services and Amazon cloud servers to execute a command in a second or two. Often, they can be faster than a key fob remote control. That’s truly impressive.

Live Video Feed

What makes the DroneMobile XC so special is its integrated camera system. It includes a Sony Starvis 2K QHD camera that monitors everything in front of the vehicle while you are driving. Videos are stored on an included 64GB microSD memory card.

What sets the XC apart from other dashcams is that it can use the onboard LTE modem to transmit video to the DroneMobile app on your smartphone. Using artificial intelligence, your phone can warn you when someone walks in front of your vehicle. You can turn on the video feed to see who is lurking around your vehicle. You can even speak with them. If it’s the neighbor kids, you can ask them to be careful around your pride and joy. If it’s someone more nefarious, you can alert them that the police have been notified and that the vehicle is being tracked.

The DroneMobile XC features many of the same capabilities as the DAS-II security sensor. So, impact, tilt, motion or glass breakage will immediately trigger an alert.

DroneMobile XC
The DroneMobile XC allows you to see what the camera sees in real time.

DroneMobile XC Installation

The DroneMobile XC mounts to the front windshield and can be mostly hidden behind the rearview mirror. It starts recording video as soon as the vehicle is started. Your DroneMobile retailer can add the optional RC1 rear camera to capture what’s happening behind your car or truck as you drive. Another option is the IR1 interior camera. A second camera capturing what’s happening inside the vehicle is a wise investment if you drive a taxi, limousine, Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare service. The IR1 includes infrared LEDs, so it can see in the dark without lighting up the interior. Only one additional camera can be added to the DroneMobile XC.

For the DroneMobile XC to control your vehicle, you need a remote car starter or security system from Compustar or one of its sister products. This system must be integrated into your car or truck to monitor door locks, the hood, trunk and ignition. If you want remote starter features, then a controller with remote start functionality and a vehicle data interface will be required.

A local authorized DroneMobile and Compustar retailer can tell you the total cost of the system, including professional installation and configuration. Likewise, they can review the prices for the DroneMobile XC service plans to help you choose an option that provides the features you desire.

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: Thinkware Q200 Dash Camera

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Thinkware Q200

Consumers typically have two schools of thought when it comes to dash cameras. Some want the most advanced technology and highest-resolution image sensors available. Others believe that any dash camera system is exponentially better than none. Sadly, the latter concept often leads to people buying low-quality, unreliable solutions. Sitting between these philosophies is the Thinkware Q200 dash camera system. With 2K QHD image quality on the front, 1080P FHD image quality on the rear, intelligent parking modes, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, this affordable system is anything but run-of-the-mill. It even includes a 32 GB microSD card! Let’s check it out!

Thinkware Q200 Front and Rear Camera System

The Thinkware Q200 dash camera system is based around the compact (3.9 x 0.9 x 1.3 inches) forward-facing camera with its Quad-HD (2506 x 1440-pixel) image sensor. The camera has a 125-degree field of view, offering a good balance of forward focus and side-approach monitoring. Videos are recorded in HEVC format using the H.264 codec to keep the file sizes manageable. As mentioned, the system includes a UHS-1 32 GB memory card but can accept cards up to 256 GB in capacity for over 800 minutes of storage.

Thinkware Q200
The included GPS receiver captures both location and speed information.

The camera includes several video processing technologies to help improve image quality. First, Super Night Vision 2.0 helps ensure clear, low-noise images in low-light situations, capturing details like license plates or street signs when it’s dark. Advanced Video Clear Technology includes High Dynamic Range (HDR) capture technology that compresses washed-out highlights while boosting information usually lost in the shadows. Smart focusing and intelligent auto exposure enhance the system’s ability to store clear, sharp videos. Finally, de-warping technology reduces barrel distortion so objects at the extreme edges of the video don’t look misshapen.

Thinkware Q200
Features like Super Night Vision 2.0 dramatically improve performance in low light levels.

The camera body has three connection ports: one connection is on top of the chassis for the power source, while one on the side is for the rear camera and one for the GPS receiver. The buttons on the rear panel activate the manual recording mode, and another provides control options for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. You can use Wi-Fi with the free Thinkware Dash Cam Link application to download videos directly from the camera. Alternatively, you can remove the microSD card from the bottom of the chassis and use the PC viewer software to view video files.

Thinkware Q200
The compact Q200 dash camera fits neatly beside your rear-view mirror and captures everything that happens in front of the vehicle while you drive.

Rear and Optional Cameras

The rear camera included with the Q200 Front and Rear kit is even more compact (2.40 x 1.20 x 0.98 inches) and captures video in full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). It shares the same 125-degree field of vision as the front camera and records at 30 frames per second. A 19.7-foot cable lets your installer connect the rear camera to the front camera.

Thinkware Q200
Your installer can mount the included rear camera in the back window to monitor drivers approaching from behind.

Another option is the infrared interior camera from Thinkware. This compact camera (part number TWA-NIFR) is ideal for taxi, limousine, and rideshare applications where recording what happens and what’s said inside the vehicle is important. The camera includes two compact infrared transmitters so it can effectively see in the dark.

Thinkware Q200
The optional infrared interior camera is ideal for taxis, limousines, Uber and Lyft drivers.

The Q200 is compatible with the optional multiplexer box. With this option, your installer can add three additional cameras to the system, bringing the total to five. The four cameras connected to the multiplexer combine their images into a single video feed that records on the rear channel of the Q200. Side-view and infrared interior cameras are just some options available for additional cameras.

Thinkware Q200
Thinkware offers several multiplexer bundles to add three cameras to the Q200.

Parking Mode

For those not up-to-date with dash camera lingo, the parking mode feature allows the camera to continue capturing what’s happening around your car when it’s parked. Depending on where you park, you can work with your installer to choose between two frame-per-second Time Lapse, Energy Saving, and Motion/Impact Detection options. In Motion and Impact mode, the camera monitors the image sensor for changes that indicate something or someone has entered the field of vision. When this happens, it stores a video file with 10 seconds of footage before and after the trigger. The built-in three-axis accelerometer also monitors the vehicle for motion from an impact, which triggers a similar recording.

Energy-saving mode foregoes image sensing, dramatically reducing the electrical energy required to maintain camera operation. This mode is ideal for longer-term parking recording.

Thinkware Q200
Parking mode will monitor what happens around your vehicle in the driveway or a garage.

Built-In ADAS Features

The Q200 is no slouch when it comes to bonus features. The camera includes Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in the form of Lane Departure Warning (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning (FCWS), and Front Vehicle Departure Warning (FVDW). These systems use artificial intelligence and advanced image processing to detect potential hazards and provide a warning to the driver. The GPS antenna must be installed for these features to function.

Protect Yourself with the Thinkware Q200

As is evident, the Thinkware Q200 dash camera system is exponentially more capable than most solutions you’ll find outside a professional mobile enhancement retailer. If you want premium image quality in the videos, advanced ADAS warnings, and easy Wi-Fi downloading, drop by your local Thinkware retailer and ask about the Q200 system. They can provide a package price for the dual camera system with expert installation to ensure reliable operation.

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.

Vehicle Parking Safety Systems

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Parking SafetyDid you ever wish you had eyes in the back of your head? When you are backing into a parking spot, being able to know where the car behind you is would save a lot of time and nervousness. If your car doesn’t have a backup camera or parking sensors, then it’s time to visit your local mobile electronics specialists. They can add these parking safety systems to almost any vehicle on the road.

Backup Camera Options

Parking SafetyThe classic backup camera system consists of a compact camera, typically about a 1-inch cube. The image produced by a backup camera covers a wide field of vision in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The image is reversed from that of a normal camera. When the camera is installed pointing rearward, this reversed image shows objects on the right side of the vehicle on the right side of the display screen. This orientation mimics what you would see in a rear view mirror.

Most cameras are water-resistant so rain, snow, mud and dust don’t affect their performance. The wiring for these cameras is also water-resistant, usually up to the first connection unless specified otherwise. That connection should be inside the vehicle.

Most good-quality cameras use wide-aperture shutters that allow the camera to capture a lot of light, even when it’s dark out. The reverse lights of your vehicle are often more than adequate to light up everything behind you. Most of these cameras are rated down to 0.5 or 1 Lux of light sensitivity. If you need to see in the dark, then there are cameras with built-in IR light transmitters. These can be used inside closed areas, like an engine compartment of a boat or the container of a delivery van.

Parking SafetyCameras can be installed at the top of or above your license plate. Some custom camera solutions are built into replacement tailgate, hatch handles and third brake light assemblies for many trucks and SUVs.

Several companies manufacture wireless camera systems. If you have a vehicle that is difficult to run wires in, then a wireless camera system may be a viable option. Just be aware that the quality of wireless cameras systems varies a great deal. The last thing you want is for an image to be full of noise, or not present at all due to interference. Wireless systems also have a small amount of delay inherent to their design. This delay can be as little as 100 mSec for some WiF-based camera systems up to almost 300 mSec for others that use more conventional AM and FM transmission techniques. You will need to work with your retailer to choose the right camera system for your vehicle.

Monitor and Display Options

Parking SafetyThere are many options for where the camera image can be displayed. Almost all aftermarket multimedia source units have dedicated rear view camera inputs and triggers. If your vehicle has a color display from the factory, several companies manufacture interfaces that allow an aftermarket camera image to be displayed on that screen. The third option is a dedicated display screen. This display can be a stand-alone monitor that is installed on the dash or in the center console, or is built into a new rearview mirror. Rearview mirror displays are a nice, clean option because nothing stands out as having been added to the interior.

Some camera systems designed for larger vehicles offer side and front camera locations as well. The monitors included with these systems can typically show all four cameras at once in a variety of on-screen configurations. The most elaborate of these systems will stitch the images from the four cameras together to provide a bird’s-eye view of what is around the vehicle. These 360-degree systems require careful calibration to work properly. Most of these multi-camera systems include reverse and turn signal triggers to automatically change which camera is being displayed.

How a Camera System Works

Parking SafetyWhen you put your transmission in reverse, a wire connected to your reverse lights or a reverse gear signal from your transmission triggers the camera system to turn on. You don’t need to press any buttons or flick any switches – it happens instantly and automatically. The camera should be installed and aligned so you can see the ground as close to the rear of your vehicle as possible.

Parking Sensor Systems

An alternative to a camera system is a parking sensor system. Instead of a camera, these systems use several ultrasonic sensors to detect the presence of objects. These sensors emit a very high-frequency signal, then measure how long it takes for that signal to bounce off an object and return to a receiving sensor built into the same small unit. These sensors are typically installed on the rear bumper of your vehicle. When installed properly, they do a great job of detecting even small objects like the post of a sign. This method of object detection is the same as what bats use for navigation.

Parking SafetyHow a parking sensor system works varies by brand. Some systems have a small display that shows you which sensor has detected an object and how far you are from that object. Most systems use a small beeper or buzzer to alert you to the presence of an object. The system will emit a beeping sound when it detects an object. The speed of the beeps increases as you get closer to the object. The warning beeps usually switch to a solid tone once you are within 12 inches of an object.

More-elaborate parking systems also include front-mounted sensors to help when driving forward into parking spot or garage.

Passive versus Active Warning Systems

Ultimately, cameras and parking sensor systems do the same job: They let you know when you are getting close to something.

One significant benefit of a parking sensor system over a camera system is that it is completely active. You don’t have to make a conscious decision to look at a screen or display to be warned of an imminent collision – the system beeps and tells you.

This isn’t to say that one system is better than the other – they simply differ in how they work. If you were trying to back a pickup truck up to a trailer, a backup camera system would be a huge benefit, while the parking sensor system just tells you there is something behind you.

The Importance of Parking Safety Systems

Here’s a chilling fact: More than 50 children are hit each week in the U.S. by a vehicle that is backing up. Sadly, roughly two of these children succumb to their injuries each week. We aren’t trying to scare you or make you paranoid – but accidents happen all the time while backing up.

If your vehicle didn’t come with a parking safety system, then drop by your local mobile electronics specialist retailer. They would be happy to inspect your vehicle and design a parking solution that meets your needs.

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.

Buying A New Car Audio Head Unit

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Head-UnitWhen it comes time for buying an upgraded or replacement head unit for your vehicle, there are certainly a lot of options to consider. Size, features, compatibility and accessories are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to modern source units. Let’s take a look at some basic radio-buying knowledge and a few of the latest features and innovations that vie for space in your dash.

Size And Style

Head Unit
As the name implies, a double din radio is twice as tall as a single din radio.

There are two sizes of aftermarket radios available: single-DIN and double-DIN. The former is 2 inches tall, the latter is 4 inches tall and both are 7 inches wide. One size isn’t better than the other; they are just different. Single-DIN is the most popular size for AM/FM CD receivers, and double-DIN (also known as 2-DIN) is more popular for multimedia receivers. There are some small-screen single-DIN multimedia decks and a good variety that have motorized flip-out touchscreen monitors.

Audio Features

Here is where your pre-purchase homework begins. What do you want your new radio (also known as a source unit) to do – iPod audio playback? Bluetooth hands-free cellphone and audio streaming? Backup camera display? Digital media playback? Consider how you use your existing radio and what features you’d like to have. Make yourself a list and take it with you to the store.

Head Unit
The Kenwood DDX393 head unit offers 3 sets of preamp outputs.

It will help your salesperson if you know whether you want to expand the audio system with better speakers, an amplifier or a subwoofer. If so, then you should look for a source unit with six-channel preamp outputs rated at a minimum of 4 volts RMS. The unit should have adjustable electronic crossovers and a subwoofer level control built in.

Are you going to use an external signal processor for equalization, or is the built-in unit adequate? Look for as many equalizer bands as possible if you are going to use the on-board processing. Some source units offer time alignment to delay the signals to the speakers for better imaging and staging. Imaging and staging refer to where it seems as if the music is coming from. Most audiophiles prefer for it to sound like the performance is coming from as far out in front of them as possible. Some people like to be surrounded by the sound. Let your salesperson know which you prefer.

Smartphone Integration

Most radios these days have the option of a Bluetooth transceiver. Bluetooth is a low-power data communication protocol. It can be used for hands-free phone calls, audio streaming and – beyond the car audio environment – much more. Take your phone with you to the store and pair it to the radio you are thinking of buying. Turn the power to the radio on and off a few times and make sure it reconnects every time. Have the store call your phone to make sure it rings as expected. Finally, try streaming audio from your phone to the radio.

Head Unit
Many radios now offer the safety and convenience of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

It’s critical to make sure the phone works properly before you purchase the radio. If the software on the phone is updated (something that seems to happen every few months), some features or functions may not work as intended. Some higher-end source units will allow two phones to be paired simultaneously. This could be beneficial to families who share the use of the vehicle.

There are several multimedia radios that include dedicated smartphone integration software for iPhone- and Android-based phones. Apple has developed the CarPlay system for the iPhone, and Google has Android Auto for newer Android devices. These interfaces let you talk to your radio to perform functions like reading and sending text messages, making phone calls, getting navigation instructions, and choosing what music to play.

Navigation

Head Unit
The Kenwood DNX892 offers sophisticated navigation features.

Multimedia source units have become synonymous with GPS navigation. Mapping software is built into the radio, and it knows where you are using a signal from a series of satellites that are in a stationary orbit around the world. These programs rely on complex algorithms and map data to plot an efficient course from your current location to a destination you choose. You are, however, at the mercy of the accuracy of the map data. You will want to inquire about the cost to upgrade maps, and what the procedure is. You will want to check to make sure that any state or province you want to travel to is included in the mapping on the unit.

Finally, ask about how many Points of Interest are included. If you love to get your coffee from Starbucks, then the more POI information there is, the faster you can get your java fix.

Digital Media Support

Most people now source their music from the Internet. Historically, MP3 and WMA files were popular. These files were very small, and you could put hundreds of them on a single CD and thousands on a DVD or USB stick. Their problem? The file size was reduced by throwing away some of the most subtle information in the music. The audio wasn’t completely ruined, but these didn’t sound as good as a CD.

Head Unit
The Sony RSX-GS9 is a high resolution player capable of playing FLAC files

The industry has seen a welcome focus on high-resolution audio files in the past few years with the rise in popularity of FLAC and ALAC file formats. FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Code and ALAC for Apple Lossless Audio Codec. These file formats are lossless – no audio information is removed. They are compressed in a similar way that “zipping” a computer file makes the file smaller for more efficient transmission by e-mail. These file formats also support higher resolution – audio frequencies up to almost 100 kHz and more detail in the form of 24-bit depth. If sound quality is your thing, then support for lossless audio might be worth investigating.

On multimedia source units, manufacturers have recently added support for the H.264 codec to the list of video file formats that can be decoded. H.264 is most often seen in video files with the MKV extension (known as Matroska). These files offer great image quality in relatively compact file sizes. Many newer multimedia units also feature an HDMI input so you can feed video into the unit from your phone, a video camera or even a game system. The better units have an associated feature called MHL. On Android phones, you can use the MHL connection to send touchscreen commands back to your phone. You can change source and play movies or music videos from your phone without touching it at all.

Accessories

We have grown accustomed to satellite radio being an option on many radios – in its current format, SiriusXM is now the only option. Be wary of older source units. They used tuner modules that are extremely rare these days. You may want to check for the inclusion of an HD radio tuner if there are stations in your area that use that as part of their FM broadcasting. Pandora and other cellphone-based streaming sources are also popular source unit options.

Head Unit
The Alpine HCE-C125 is a high-quality backup camera that offers great image clarity.

With a multimedia radio, you will want to look at adding a backup camera. Backup cameras dramatically reduce the chance of having an accident while backing up your vehicle. The camera image appears on the screen of your radio as soon as you put the vehicle transmission in reverse. Some multimedia radios have the provision for a secondary camera – a forward-facing camera is a great idea for lowered vehicles or sports cars that could bump into a parking curb.

Specifications

If you have read many of our articles, then you know by now that some companies like to play games with specifications. The worst offenders are the guys that rate head unit amplifier power. They put 45, 50 or 53 watt labels on the radio when, in fact, most produce no more than 18 to 22 watts of undistorted power. Look through the owner’s manual for the CEA-2006A compliant power specification for your vehicle. If you want to compare power, that’s the only specification you should consider.

Another important specification is preamp voltage. Nobody plays games with this specification any more, but you do want to look for a good, strong pre-amp if you plan on adding amplifiers. Look for a rating of 4 volts or more.

Why is this important? While it doesn’t make your amplifier play any louder, it does let your installer turn down the sensitivity adjustment on your amps, so you get all the power with potentially less background noise.

Integration

Head Unit
The Maestro Interface allows control of vehicle settings via the head unit.

Factory-installed source units often include different forms of vehicle integration features. The simplest are steering wheel audio controls. Thankfully, almost all quality source units can be made to work with factory controls via an external interface. If your factory radio also serves as the control screen for your heater and air conditioning, or for vehicle settings like headlight reminders, then fear not: The iDataLink Maestro system can talk to your vehicle and let you see what’s going on via the touchscreen of your multimedia radio. Axxess, a division of Metra Electronics, will be launching a similar interface very shortly.

Interface

Head Unit
How you interface with the radio is one of the most important aspects of head unit selection.

Above all else, the first thing you want to do after you have narrowed down your source unit options is to try them out. Is there a rotary or push-button volume control? If it’s push-button, does it respond fast enough if you want to turn the volume down quickly? Can you easily pair a new phone to the radio? Can you adjust the bass and treble? Set radio station presets? Make a phone call? You will want to spend a few minutes in the store playing with the radio to make sure it’s easy and safe to use while driving – not all of them are.

There are hundreds of different source units on the market, and your local car audio specialist can help you navigate all the options. There are still many more features and options that your salesperson can discuss with you, so work with your local car audio specialist retailer to make sure you get the radio that meets your needs.

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.

10 Things to Consider When Buying Car Audio

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Buying-Car-Audio-FI-1
Photo courtesy of Prestige Car Audio and Marine in Metairie, LA

Brought to you by our friends at BestCarAudio.com

When it comes to buying or upgrading a car audio system, there are hundreds of products to choose from and dozens of questions for you to ask the sales staff at your local car audio retailer. This article provides some basic guidelines to help make the process easier for you, and ensure you get the equipment and service that fulfills your goals.

1. What is your point?

Have you ever been driving while listening to music and thought to yourself, “That doesn’t sound right” or “This system doesn’t get loud enough”? Even worse, maybe you have headphones on – something that is illegal in many states and provinces. If there has even been a thought other than “I love my car stereo,” then you should make a visit to your local car audio retailer. Before you go, make sure you know why you are going. Is part of your system broken? Do you want a radio with a new feature? Do you want better sound quality? more overall volume? a little more bass? a lot more bass? Knowing what to ask for will help you arrive at the perfect audio solution quickly and efficiently.

Buying Car AudioIf you have friends with aftermarket car audio systems, ask them if you can have a listen. Write down what you like about their systems and what you would do differently. If you enjoy your music loud, take some notes on a system that you think plays loudly enough – the make and model of speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers. If there was something you liked, like a pair of speakers or radio, write down the model numbers. Do the same for your existing system. If you provide clear goals, your retailer can narrow down upgrade suggestions accurately and efficiently.

A request from your retailer: Be honest about your goals and expectations. If you tell your dealer that you just want a small sub, but you like the sound of a pair of 12s in the back of your friend’s truck, you will end up being disappointed, and will likely push the system beyond its limits or to the point of failure. Ask for what you really want, and you will get something you will enjoy.

2. The Latest Thing

Buying Car AudioOver the past five years, the number of people who have chosen to add some form of Bluetooth hands-free solution to their vehicles has been considerable. If the solution has been a new head unit, then they also get USB for music playback from their phones or memory sticks. If there is something new that you want, let your retailer know. Some popular upgrades include a new source unit with CarPlay or Android Auto interfaces, cellphone voice dialing, SiriusXM satellite radio, a backup camera or parking sensor system, or a source unit with a Pandora Radio interface or support for high-resolution audio files like FLAC. Your local dealer would be happy to show you some of the features and products available to the mobile electronics industry.

3. Check it out

Once you have narrowed down your reason for visiting a retailer, you should have a plan to audition the product you have chosen. If it’s a radio, using it on a display board can often tell you almost everything you want to know. Make sure the user interface is easy to use and to understand. If it has Bluetooth, make sure your phone will pair with it and reconnect automatically every time you turn on the radio. If you are looking at a multimedia source unit, make sure you know how long it takes to start up when you start your car. This is important if you are adding a backup camera to the vehicle. Waiting for the radio to start so you can use the camera to back up is somewhat frustrating.

If you are after speakers or a subwoofer system, then auditioning those in a vehicle is a great idea. Once you have established how the products sound, you can listen to different speakers or subs on a display board in the store, and reference the difference from the product you listened to in the car.

4. What Flavor?

Do you need an audio system with everything from a single manufacturer? Absolutely not. While there is nothing wrong with having amps and speakers from the same company that makes your radio, different companies have different areas of expertise. The store you are dealing with carries certain brands for several reasons. Typically, a retailer chooses brands for their performance, reliability, and how easily the store owners can work with the manufacturer or supplier. When a store has a good relationship with a supplier, that often translates into better pricing and service on the products for the store, and subsequently for you.

Some consumers are skeptical about why a brand is suggested to them. That is not unreasonable, since many big box retailers are prone to pushing products that are profitable for them. Do your research and audition the products for yourself. If you like something different, then go with that. Just make sure your comparisons are “apples to apples” as best you can, and are based on fact, not reputation.

5. Trained Professionals

Buying Car AudioWhen it comes to handing over the keys to your car or truck, you want to know that the person working on the vehicle knows exactly what they are doing. There are programs like MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) and various local and regional government-run qualification standards that can help to quantify the skillset and knowledge of the person who will be working on your vehicle.

It is also worthwhile to ask to look at some of the work the shop has done. You want to ensure that everything is always neat and tidy when it comes to wire routing, and that products are mounted safely and securely. A neat and tidy installation area can be a good sign. You can often quantify the reliability of a shop by its clientele – if there are high-end cars around, then it probably has a good reputation.

6. Do It Yourself?

Buying Car AudioOver the years, do-it-yourself car audio installations have allowed people to learn a great deal about how their systems work. With the quality of factory systems improving day by day, the challenge of installing something “better” is becoming more and more difficult. Understanding polarity, phase, summing, equalization and time alignment is paramount to a successful installation. From a physical installation standpoint, working with aluminum chassis vehicles or ones with adhesive panel bonding and data communication buses poses unique challenges. Finally, even choosing a location to mount equipment has become more difficult. There are multiple computers scattered around modern vehicles, and any one of them could be a potential source of audio interference.

All of these are reasons not to do it yourself, but to turn to an established, reliable, knowledgeable shop.

7. Hook Me Up!

Modern vehicles offer many challenges when it comes to installing audio equipment. In many new vehicles, it is impossible to remove the factory radio because other vehicle functions are incorporated into it. In the case of these vehicles, you will want to make sure the shop you are working with has the tools and knowledge to test the factory audio equipment properly for signal connection points and deal with any integration challenges that come up. There are many products on the market designed to integrate with factory audio systems; ask your retailer which they use and why.

8. Stepping Higher

Buying Car AudioIf you are looking for real performance from your audio system, your retailer may suggest several accessories that can improve that performance. Adding sound-deadening to your vehicle should be at the top of your list. Properly installed sound-deadening not only makes the vehicle quieter but can improve the performance of your speakers by preventing the sound coming from the rear of the speaker from canceling with the sound coming from the front. Bluetooth systems work better when the vehicle is quieter, and most sound-deadening materials also block heat, so your vehicle will be more comfortable. A moderately priced set of speakers installed with proper sound-deadening can sound better than an expensive set without deadening.

If the shop needs to create adapter rings for your speakers, what materials are they using? Ideally, you want something that will not be harmed by water – ABS plastic, HDPE plastic, or Lexan and plexiglass materials are great choices.

A higher-end installation may start to involve some cosmetic fabrication. Many shops are adept at creating trim and accent panels that can add unique style to your system and you vehicle. Materials like leather, vinyl, suede, transparent plastics and mesh are very commonly integrated into custom door, dash and trim panels. Shops should have some samples of their work on display so you can see what they offer.

9. Play Me a Tune

Buying Car AudioOne of the most critical aspects of installing any car audio system is ensuring that each speaker is working in harmony with all the others in the vehicle. From the simplest check of balance and fader controls to ensuring that the acoustic polarity of your subwoofer is correct, each system deserves a good listen by your installer before it leaves the install bay.

As you delve deeper into the quest for realism and sonic perfection from your audio system, you will no doubt encounter Digital Signal Processing (DSP). There are several source units and amplifiers on the market with great DSP features, and the standalone processors are amazing. The key to the success of any of these systems starts with the design of the system and finishes with proper tuning. You will never get a great soundstage in front of you if your speakers are beside you. Auditioning a shop’s skills in tuning DSP systems can usually only be done in a vehicle, although a few shops have some dramatic displays in their showrooms. Have a listen to the demo vehicle.

10. After the Fact

Once your system is installed and tuned, the shop should give you a thorough walk-through of how it works, what adjustments you can make and what you should not touch. If you find that you don’t like some aspect of the system’s performance, then go back to the shop. Do not start turning dials and pushing buttons on your own – if the system was tuned properly and you start messing with it, you are more than likely to start to damage your equipment. This is a nice way of asking you not to turn up the gains on your amps.

Many shops offer lifetime installation warranties on products they install. Don’t get hung up if they don’t – it’s the philosophy of more and more shops to invest in making the installations they do so good that there is almost no chance of failure. Talk to your salesperson and understand their logic. In this case, the right answer is the one that works best for you.

Also, be sure to ask about the warranty on the products you are purchasing. Many car audio products have longer warranties when they are installed by an authorized dealer. Ask the shop what happens if something breaks. A few shops offer a direct exchange program; some send the product away for repair. Just make sure you understand how your shop of choice handles things before you make the purchase.

Buying Car Audio

The bottom line: Work with a competent retailer and you will end up with an audio system that sounds amazing and lasts for years and years. Great-sounding music can make a drive much more enjoyable.

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.