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Product Spotlight: KICKER LX1200.5

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ICKER LX1200.5

If you’ve been paying attention, then you’ll know that DSP-equipped car audio amplifiers are pretty common these days. KICKER introduced a new series of amplifiers called LX. These beasts are not only packed with serious power production capabilities, but they include digital signal processing and a unique configuration solution that separates them from everything else on the market. We’ll focus on the five-channel LX1200.5 in this Product Spotlight.

What is the KICKER LX1200.5 Amplifier?

The KICKER LX1200.5 is a five-channel amp with an integrated digital signal processor. The amp is based on a cast aluminum chassis that measures 12.625 inches in length, 8.875 inches in width and stands 2.375 inches tall. All the connections are hidden under a removable panel along the long edge of the amp. The panel is held in place with magnets for a clean and tidy appearance. Wire connections are made via terminal blocks with heavy-duty set screws. Interestingly, there are only three controls on the amp, which are gains for the subwoofer, AMP1 and AMP2 channels.

Power-wise, KICKER rates the output of AMP1 and AMP2 at 125 watts per channel into four-ohm loads and 175 watts per channel when driving two-ohm loads. The channel pairs can be bridged to provide 350 watts into a single four-ohm load. The subwoofer channel produces 300 watts into a four-ohm load, 550 watts into two ohms and an impressive 700 watts when driving a one-ohm load. All specifications include the 14.4-volt, less than 1% THD+N qualifications, so you know they are comparable to other quality brands. The amplifier’s signal-to-noise ratio is greater than 75 dB, referencing one watt of output into a four-ohm load.

ICKER LX1200.5
To keep the installation tidy, signal, speaker and power connections are all made along one side of the amp.

OEM Audio Integration

The KICKER team knows that many amplifier installations in modern vehicles use factory-installed source units. This means the amplifiers need to accept speaker-level signals. The LX1200.5, like other models in the LX Series includes fully differential speaker inputs that can take up to 40 volts of signal without needing an external interface. In low-level mode, the preamp inputs accept up to 5 volts.

The amplifier also has two turn-on modes. The amp can be activated with the typical 12-volt signal from an aftermarket source unit or switched to DC offset detection to monitor the speaker wires for a voltage from a factory radio. KICKER calls this their FIT+ technology.

Speaking of integration, the LX amplifiers have input gain matching LEDs that illuminate when you have reached the maximum output capabilities of the amplifier.

Integrated Digital Signal Processing

Unlike most DSP-equipped amplifiers on the market that require a laptop or tablet to set up, KICKER includes a controller with the amp called the LX Control Center. This compact controller features a two-line LCD screen, four rotary encoders and buttons to access different amp channels and functions.

ICKER LX1200.5
Each amplifier includes an LX Control Center (LXCC) to let your installer configure the amp quickly and easily.

In terms of signal processing, your installer can apply high-pass, low-pass or band-pass crossover to each of the three channels on the amp. The high-pass filters are adjustable from 20 Hz to 5 kHz and the low-pass from 40 Hz to 5 kHz. Slopes can be set to 12 or 24 dB Linkwitz-Riley alignments or 12, 18 or 24 dB/octave Butterworth. You’ll want to use the Linkwitz alignment so you can set the crossover points at the same frequencies. The subwoofer channel low-pass filter is adjustable from 20 to 160 hertz and there is an infrasonic filter that can be set from 10 to 80 Hz to control subwoofer cone excursion.

KICKER includes a signal delay for the left channels on both AMP1 and AMP2. Your installer can delay the output of the left channels, which correlate to the speakers closest to the listening position in 0.1 millisecond steps, up to a maximum of 10 milliseconds. When set properly, adding delays to the closer speakers can help improve imaging and staging.

The subwoofer channel has a parametric equalizer that can be set between 20 and 80 hertz with a Q factor between 1 and 5 and a maximum gain of 6 dB. If you want to add a little Kick, no pun intended, this is the perfect solution. The LX amps also include SHOCwave 2.0. This feature analyzes audio information and creates a harmonic one octave below the fundamental to restore audio information lost by many factory-installed amplifiers. If you want to rumble, SHOCwave 2.0 can do it!

Once your installer is done setting up the amp, the LXCC (LX Control Center) can be disconnected from the RJ45 port, and the included LX Remote Control (LXRC) can be plugged in. This multifunction remote controls the subwoofer level and SHOCwave 2.0 functionality and even shows battery voltage using the LEDs around the perimeter.

ICKER LX1200.5
The included LX Remote Control (LXRC) is much more than just subwoofer level control.

Full Amplifier Family

The new LX series from KICKER includes the LX1200.5 five-channel we’ve discussed, a seven-channel LX1300.7 and the monster LX3000.1 3000-watt monoblock in the same chassis size. The LX series includes a four-channel LX500.4 and LX850.1, LX1250.1 and LX1300.7 in a smaller 9.625-inch long chassis. The width and height of all the amps are the same, so mixing and matching models is easy.

Speaking of design flexibility, the little illuminated badge in the center of the amp can be rotated 180 degrees to align with however your installer configures the amps in your vehicle.

Upgrade Your Car Audio Experience with KICKER LX-Series Amplifiers

If you are shopping for an impressively featured, high-performance amplifier for your car audio system, drop by a local authorized KICKER retailer and ask about the new LX series models, like the LX1200.5. They can design a system around these products, integrate it into your vehicle and configure it to sound amazing.

You can find an authorized retailer using the locator tool on the KICKER website. Be sure to follow the KICKER on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Check out the KICKER Unmasked LIVE show for weekly updates on new products and their unique technologies.

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.

Google’s Waze offers the Best in Navigation

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Google WazeIt’s not often that a piece of software creates a significant impact on our daily lives. Milestone social media apps like Facebook and Twitter most certainly remain in the limelight, but when it comes to actually being productive, Waze is a major step forward in navigation apps for our smartphones. In the summer of 2017, Waze announced that it would include compatibility with Android Auto to make it, quite possibly, the best navigation solution for Android phone users to date.

What is Waze?

WazeWhen Waze launched in 2006 it was called FreeMap Israel. It was a turn-by-turn navigation application for smartphone users. Fast forward to 2013: Waze won the prestigious Best Overall App award at the Mobile World Congress conference. In the same year, Waze was purchased by Google for an impressive $1 billion. Google knows the value of information better than almost any other company in the world, so its choice to invest in Waze makes sense.

Waze Map Updates

Waze differs from other navigation solutions in two very important ways. Users of Waze have the ability to update map information. If there is new construction in your neighborhood or a reconfiguration of a freeway onramp, you can update the map information in real time on your smartphone. That information will be integrated into the map database, and all other Waze users can continue to enjoy the latest mapping and navigation information without the need to wait for updates or downloads.

Historically, changes to map information could take anywhere from months to years to become available. While map companies like TomTom (formerly TeleAtlas) and HERE (formerly Navteq) do update their databases quite frequently, that new information takes time to trickle through the update process for portable and vehicle navigation systems. Waze is up-to-date within hours.

Real-time Traffic Information

WazeThe second key feature of Waze is its ability to share traffic flow information with fellow users. Waze is often referred to as a crowdsourced navigation solution, as users can report traffic jams, accidents, road closures and the presence of police. Within seconds of reporting an accident or a traffic jam, all your fellow Waze users receive that information.

Waze will consider traffic jams as it creates new routing plans. If you live in a major urban area that is prone to congestion, this information can prevent significant delays and help get you to your destination much faster.

Using Waze with Android Auto

As voice control is the key benefit of Android Auto, using Waze to plan your drive is easy. Initiate the voice recognition command, then simply ask for the destination or address you want, and include the word Waze at the end of the address. Android Auto will launch Waze and calculate your route.

The Waze interface on Android Auto is very similar to what you would see while using it on your smartphone. The fonts on the screen are nice and large, and accessing route-planning options like avoiding toll roads or picking a different route are easy to get to. Many users report that Waze is, in fact, easier to configure than Google Maps.

Reporting Information

WazeAs we mentioned, a key feature of Waze is the ability to report information to other users. Tapping the Listen button will let you report traffic jams, accidents, bad weather, road closures, and more by talking to the system. You can say, “Report a traffic jam,” and Waze will ask you how bad it is. You can share the location of hidden or visible police or let your fellow Wazers know there is a pothole or ice on the road.

As users approach the location where you have provided information, they will see an alert on their screen. In the case of obstacles and police, your fellow users can also report that the obstacle has been cleared. It’s all simple, quick and easy – just like Android Auto itself.

The Navigation Experience

WazeOf course, Waze includes full turn-by-turn navigation prompting and will read out street and freeway names. You get lots of warning to let you know what maneuver is coming up next to reduce the need for sudden lane changes that can endanger you and your fellow drivers.

When you plan a route with Waze, you have the option of choosing from three different routes. Waze displays obstacle icons along a bar and the associated travel time and distance for each route. Choosing the best path is quick, easy and efficient.

If Waze is alerted to a traffic jam along your route, it will provide you with a prompt that suggests a new route and the new travel time and estimated time of arrival. You can, of course, choose to ignore that advice, but we recommend you don’t.

Another cool feature of Waze is that it will notify you of obstacles, even without a route planned. If you are driving along and someone has reported a pothole or hidden police officer, the notification appears just the same.

Is There a Downside to Waze?

Do silver linings always have a dark cloud? Maybe, maybe not. There is one limitation to Waze that is a bit of an annoyance. You can only plan routes that are less than 1,000 miles. If you are in San Francisco and want to go to Niagara Falls, you can’t plan a single route. You need to choose a destination within 1,000 miles, then plan another 1,000 miles from that point. What’s more frustrating, Google Maps CAN plot that route. Waze provides a message that they are “working to increase that distance,” but that’s been a limitation for a long time.

The other thing about Waze is advertisements. We all know that Google loves to sell advertising. Companies like McDonald’s, Whole Foods and Taco Bell all pay for pop-up ads that are displayed when you are using Waze on your smartphone. Good news, though: These advertisements aren’t currently displayed when you are using Waze with Android Auto. That would be contradictory to the philosophy of reducing driver distractions.

Check out Android Auto and Waze Today

If your car, truck or SUV came with Android Auto, then check out Waze next time you are in the car. If you don’t have an Android Auto-equipped radio, drop into your local mobile enhancement retailer and ask if there is a solution for your vehicle. Android Auto and CarPlay are amazing products, and can not only make your time behind the wheel much safer but also more productive.

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 Capri H100

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Though there are dozens, if not hundreds, of marine source unit options on the market, very few are designed with audio performance as their primary consideration. To this end, the Hertz Capri H100 features support for modern high-resolution audio file playback and premium Bluetooth streaming connectivity. Combined with a large color display, this is the marine source to consider for those who care about sound quality. Let’s check it out!

Hertz Capri H100 Design and Features

The H100’s focal point is its large 4.3-inch color TFT IPS display. The In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology dramatically improves off-axis viewing clarity to ensure the displayed information is visible even when the radio is mounted at an angle. Aside from the usual audio source information display, the Capri has a camera input that could help with docking a larger boat.

A rotary volume encoder is located on the left side of the front panel, making control easy and intuitive. Rubberized buttons above and below the control handle source selection, track selection and menu access.

The H100 radio has a slender rear chassis and an oversized face. The face measures roughly seven inches wide and four inches tall. The cutout for the chassis needs to be six by 2.5 inches. The chassis will protrude about 5 inches behind the mounting surface. The front panel has an IP67 rating, so it can handle getting splashed without fear of water damage.

Hertz Capri H100
The H100 display features a high-quality color display and intuitive controls.

Source Options

The Capri H100 features an AM/FM receiver with tuner frequency spacing support for countries worldwide. RDS and RDBS information display is also supported, so you can see what track is playing, assuming the station broadcasts that information. The radio will also receive Weather Band information so you can stay up to date with the marine forecast in your area.

If you want the best sound quality from your entertainment system, you must start with the best source. Connecting a USB memory stick with FLAC, WAV or Vorbis files will deliver high-resolution audio playback. You can also play MP3, WMA or AAC files. The radio supports USB memory sticks up to 256 GB in size with as many as 9999 files on the stick.

The Capri H100 isn’t shy about inputs. First, there’s an RCA input that you can use with a media or DVD player. A TOSLINK S/PDIF input also supports 24-bit, 192 kHz audio streams.

Moving down the sound quality food chain takes us to Bluetooth. The Capri is state-of-the-art, supporting LDAC and aptX HD high-resolution formats. If your Android phone supports these transmission types, your music will sound better than the classic AAC protocol. You may have to dig into your phone’s menu to turn these all on. Those of us with an iPhone are stuck with AAC.

The H100 can be upgraded with a SiriusXM SXV300 tuner module and antenna if you want to enjoy genre-specific entertainment. This is a must-have in rural regions without terrestrial radio stations or cell service.

System Connectivity and Expansion

Let’s start by looking at the audio outputs. The built-in four-channel amplifier is rated to produce up to 70 watts of power when driving four two-ohm loads. Continuous ANSI/CTA-2006 compliant output is 26 watts per channel into four four-ohm loads.

The Capri H100 is a multi-zone radio with four sets of stereo and subwoofer RCA outputs rated for four volts RMS. Each stereo output has an optional high-pass filter that can be set to 60, 80 or 100 hertz. The subwoofer outputs have the same low-pass frequencies. There’s also an eight-band graphic equalizer for each of the four zone outputs. Your installer could configure a system for the helm, the main seating area, a front berth and the cabin.

The deck is part of Hertz and Audison’s Full DA HD ecosystem. As such, it features a coaxial S/PDIF output with support for 24-bit, 192 kHz digital audio. If you want to feed a digital signal processor with a clean signal, this connection has you covered.

Hertz Capri H100
The Capri H100 offers four zones of control to ensure everyone on your boat is entertained.

Remote Control Options

The Hertz Capri H100 can be upgraded with your choice of wired remotes to make controlling the radio from around a large boat easier. The optional Capri HD1 mimics the functionality of the main Capri H100 radio and includes the same controls and color display. If you want something more streamlined, the compact HMC U1 remote has source, volume and track selection buttons in a small chassis. The latter would be ideal for a swim platform where its compact size is a big feature.

An NMEA 2000 port on the back of the radio chassis allows you to connect the H100 to a multi-function display.

What you might not have seen coming is the Hertz Marine Control app for your Apple or Android smartphone. You have complete control over all four zones’ source options and volume levels when connected. Your installer can use the app to set crossover points and fine-tune the equalizers as mentioned earlier.

Hertz Capri H100
The Capri H100 includes a NMEA 2000 that lets you connect to a multi-function display at the helm.

The Heart of a Premium Marine Audio System

Whether you have a bowrider, wakeboard boat, or want a multi-zone audio system for your cruiser or yacht, the Hertz Capri H100 marine radio is the perfect solution. Combine it with high-quality speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers, and you have entertainment options that are perfect for an evening of dinner and drinks with friends or blasting around the lake with someone on the tow rope.

Visit the Hertz website and use their dealer locator tool to find an authorized retailer near you. While online, be sure to follow Hertz on Facebook, Instagram and, of course, 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.

Will Upgrading My Speakers Make My Stereo Sound Better?

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Upgrading My SpeakersWhen it comes to reproducing an audio signal, your speakers are the most important component in the food chain. You could have the best source unit and amplifiers known to man, but if your speakers are mediocre, then the listening experience will suffer. That said, the world of car audio has changed over the years. With all of the changes in new cars lately, a question that often comes up is “Will upgrading my speakers make my stereo sound better?”.

Factory Audio Complexities

Upgrading My Speakers
Factory speakers are built to fit a budget.

Spurred by the efforts of companies like Harman and Bose, factory audio systems sound better than ever. Does that mean they sound great? Not necessarily. OEM audio systems have amazing technologies and elaborate tuning, but they are often missing a crucial component – excellent speakers. Why go to all that trouble and not use the best speakers possible? In most cases, the answer is cost. Building an inexpensive speaker may cost $20 or $30. Building one that is “really good” can cost more than 10 times as much, and it goes up from there. These prices don’t include packaging, shipping, marketing, training or warranty costs. When you consider that most cars with premium sound systems have somewhere between 12 and 20 speakers, with a few having more than 30, implementing truly excellent speakers would have a dramatic effect on the final cost of the vehicle.

How About Just Upgrading My Speakers?

Upgrading My SpeakersIf you had a high-end, two-channel home audio system, upgrading your speakers would be one of the easiest ways to improve the clarity, detail and accuracy of your audio system. If you have a simple stereo system in your car, the same philosophy holds true.

There is a problem, though. More and more factory audio systems, even systems without elaborate amplifiers, include signal processing to make the inexpensive speakers they use sound better. Let’s look at an example.

Chrysler is well known for its use of a woofer in the front door of its vehicles and a small midrange driver on the dash. In most applications, this midrange driver has no tweeter. The amplifier in the car or truck is tuned to increase the high-frequency information sent to that speaker. The result is that you hear high-frequency content in a relatively good balance with the midrange information.

Let’s say we upgrade those dash speakers with a good quality midrange speaker with a coaxial tweeter. The high-frequency signal boost from the amplifier or source unit now results in far too much treble information in the system. Yes, we upgraded the speakers, but now the system sounds worse. In fact, it may be unlistenable.

The same issue exists with any speaker we want to upgrade. Adding a subwoofer, better door speakers or new speakers in the back of the car can all result in a system that doesn’t sound as good as the factory system. Every speaker has different efficiencies, frequency response characteristics and frequency limits. Assuming you can swap one for another will lead to problems.

How Do We Upgrade Our Sound Systems?

Upgrading My SpeakersWithout getting into the complexities of sound systems with upmixers and other elaborate processing, the simplest method of upgrading is to include a digital signal processor and amplifier into the system. Here’s how this works.

Your mobile electronics retailer will install a digital signal processor, a new amplifier and your new speakers. He or she can then measure the output of each new speaker using a real-time analyzer and adjust the processor it so that it produces smooth and natural frequency response. The process should take just an hour or two, but it results in a significant improvement how the system sounds. Proper tuning is as important as the choice of speakers and their installation.

With most DSP units on the market, the tuning process can improve the frequency response of the system – and where the sound comes from. Ensuring that both left and right speakers sound the same at the listening position is crucial to creating the feeling that your music is coming from a soundstage right in front of you.

It’s Not Just Your Stereo

Upgrading My SpeakersYour speakers are not the only part of your vehicle that has become more complicated to upgrade. Decades ago, a set of headers and a large diameter, free-flowing exhaust could unleash a noticeable increase in performance. Your mechanic could fine-tune a carburetor to increase engine performance based on the efficiency improvements you chose.

With modern computer-controlled engine management systems, you can’t change anything. If you decide to modify the intake or exhaust, the computer may not like the changes and turn on a Check Engine light. The solution? A programmer can be purchased to recalibrate the engine management system for the modifications you have made. Do you see the parallels?

Upgrade for Better Sound

The answer to the question of whether upgrading your speakers will make your stereo sound better is a resounding yes. But the overall system design needs to be taken into consideration for the upgrade to be successful.

If you’re on the fence about upgrading your audio system, drop into your local mobile electronics retailer and listen to their demo vehicle or a set of high-end speakers on their display board. Ask if they can demonstrate how digital signal processing can improve the performance of a mobile sound system. Once you’ve heard how amazing a well-installed and properly tuned car stereo can sound, we think you’ll be hooked.

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: 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.