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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.

Custom Installations – Past and Present

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Custom InstallationsCustom car audio installations have changed a great deal over the years. More often than not, custom installations from years ago often looked like ‘bolted-on’ additions to a vehicle. Modern systems blend seamlessly with your interior. Advances in construction techniques allow your installer to create complex multi-dimensional shapes that look like they came from the vehicle assembly line. Read on as we contrast the materials and designs of the past with what is currently available.

Source Units

If you look at a custom installation more than about five years old, the trademark was an aftermarket source unit in the dash. Working backward chronologically, we saw Double-DIN navigation systems, flip-up multimedia receivers, detachable face CD receivers and pull-out cassette decks with CD changers. The quality and features of factory radios just could not match what the aftermarket had to offer.

Custom InstallationsAs companies like Ford spearheaded the move towards integrated infotainment solutions like Ford Sync, vehicle manufacturers increased their emphasis on providing clients with more features and better performance. Navigation, USB support for MP3 and WMA files, iPhone control and backup camera systems are now common in even the most basic of vehicles.

Modern source units have become a central control system for vehicle functions such as heating and cooling adjustments. They also have become vehicle information displays for things like tire pressure monitoring. In the past, the radio was a single component that performed a single task. Now, they are an integral part of the car, and no longer an option that can be replaced easily. Many modern vehicles use distributed multimedia systems that cannot be replaced at all.

How do we upgrade the sound system? Your mobile electronics specialist retailer is armed with several integration solutions that work with your factory source unit. These products allow for the installation of high-power amplifiers, signal processors and speaker upgrades to dramatically improve the performance of the system. Vehicle manufacturers rarely invest in high-quality speakers, so there is ample opportunity to improve even premium-branded OEM sound systems.

Cosmetic Integration

Another telltale sign of an old-school, high-end sound system were custom door panels. A set of aftermarket components mounted to an adapter plate or panel on top of the factory door skin was common. A premium installation may have a custom cloth-covered grill over the speaker instead of the mesh grill provided by the manufacturer.

Custom Installations
This speaker installation by Adrenaline Autosound is representative of best-practice work.

Modern sound system upgrades are often nearly invisible. With the increase in available speaker mounting depth afforded by complex contoured door panel designs, high-end component speakers can be installed behind factory grills on custom adapter plates. Once the door is back together, there is no sign of the upgrade. Add in some sound deadening and speaker coupling rings, and the performance of your new sound system will increase by another order of magnitude.

Depending on the design of the vehicle, the tweeters from the new component set may fit into the factory location with little to no modification. In cases where the factory tweeter is in a location that doesn’t provide optimum placement, your installer can fabricate a compact tweeter pod for the sail panel or mount them in the A-pillar. Either way, the result is cosmetically inconspicuous while offering excellent performance.

Subwoofer Enclosures

It used to be that having a subwoofer in your vehicle meant sacrificing a significant amount of storage area in the hatch or trunk of your vehicle. A pair of ten- or twelve-inch subwoofers in a large vented enclosure took up take up a large amount of space. While the underlying philosophy of how speakers work has not changed in decades, modern subwoofer designs produce excellent low-frequency output from extremely compact enclosures. Enclosures concealed in spare tire wells or into the corner of a hatch take up little to no cargo space while providing excellent low-frequency performance.

Custom Installations
This JL Audio Stealthbox takes advantage of the slim design of the TW1 woofers.

Pickup trucks are a popular platform for upgrades. There are now dozens of subwoofers on the market that feature basket and motor designs that allow for under-seat enclosures. A pair of ten-inch subwoofers under the rear seat of a Sierra, Silverado, F-150 or Ram is a daily occurrence.

Materials and Cosmetics

If you look back through car audio magazines from the 90’s, you would be assaulted with amplifier and processor racks finished in tweed and trunk liner carpet. For a custom show-car installation, high-gloss painted fiberglass was popular. Looking back, these installations rarely matched the styling cues and materials that came from the factory. Instead, they seemed to contrast them deliberately. There are always exceptions, but from a stereotypical perspective, divergence appeared to be the name of the game.

Custom Installations
This controller mount was upholstered in matching Alcantara for a seamless look.

Modern installations use vinyl that matches the factory materials for color and often for grain. Acrylic plastic inserts replicate factory styling accents. Where new grills need to be created, installers are now including multi-dimensional contours to give the panel more depth and elegance. Many installations feature painted dash or center console inserts for DSPs and radar detector control panels that match other styling cues correctly. Trunk installations are trimmed nicely so the subwoofer enclosure looks integrated rather than something dropped in back of a vehicle. Chrome inserts, accent lines and the use of several complementary materials can turn what was an all-black carpeted trunk into a creative and highlighted part of the system. But it will still look like it is a cosmetically-integrated part of the vehicle.

The highest praise for most installers is to hear that the audio system they installed sounds exceptional, and that it looks like it was a factory-installed option!

System Design and Equipment

The proliferation of reasonably priced digital signal processors has changed the way car audio systems are designed. In days gone by, a mid-level sound system upgrade may have included a four-channel amplifier, a subwoofer amplifier, a set of component speakers for the front doors, a set of coaxial speakers for the rear doors and a subwoofer. Now, rear speaker upgrades are often forsaken in favor of a DSP processor and active filtering on the front stage speakers.

Custom Installations
This Audison amplifier features lots of power and plenty of processing.

The benefits of a fully active system are dramatic. Your installer has full control over the crossover frequencies and output levels for each speaker. He can equalize and adjust the signal delay to the left and right speakers to create a focused and stable soundstage across the dash of the vehicle. Your music will sound more natural and realistic. Many new system amplifiers include built-in digital signal processors to allow for a fully active three-way system installation using a single chassis. Some of these amplifiers are small enough to fit under a seat to save space.

Upgrade your Sound System for Better Performance

A lot has changed regarding car audio system design, equipment choices and vehicle integration. You can enjoy recording studio or concert-like performance from a system upgrade that is nearly invisible. If you were a fan of car audio systems years ago, then it is worth visiting your local mobile electronics specialist retailer today. You will be able to experience the latest products and installation techniques in person.

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: Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR

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Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR

Imagine you are driving your side-by-side down a twisty, high-speed trail. You want to crank up the volume on your stereo. Do you take your hands off the wheel to make an adjustment? You don’t have to if you have the Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR universal remote control installed. Let’s check it out!

What is the Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR?

The PMX-BTUR is a remote designed to mount on the steering wheel of your side-by-side, boat, car, or truck. The remote pairs with your smartphone using Bluetooth and allows you to control the device. You can adjust the smartphone’s volume, change tracks, or even answer a phone call. When used with an iPhone, you can also fast-forward and pause what’s playing.

The remote is impressively compact, measuring only 2-3/4 inches tall, 1-7/8 inches wide, and 1-1/4 inches thick. Your installer can mount it on the dash or a center console using two-sided tape. The remote also comes with a heavy-duty Velcro strap and mounting adapter that allows it to be attached to the inside of your steering wheel. Best of all, there are no wires to run. The device is powered by an easily replaceable CR2032 coin cell.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR
The PMX-BTUR universal Bluetooth remote is small enough to fit in your pocket.

How Does the PMX-BTUR Work?

The PMX-BTUR is easy to configure and use. Once installed, press any button to wake the remote up. You can then search for PMX-BTUR in the list of available devices. Once selected, it will pair with your smartphone. The remote uses Bluetooth 4.0 to communicate commands to your phone. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as only small digital commands are transmitted back to the phone. This communication method dramatically reduces power consumption and extends the battery’s life. Low Energy Bluetooth still provides up to 30 feet (10 meters) of range. As such, you can use your Polaris Ranger’s Rear Audio Cap to provide music for the entire campsite and control it all with the PMX-BTUR.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR
Are you on DJ duty with your Polaris Ranger? The PMX-BTUR remote is the perfect companion.

Durable Design for Long Life

Rockford Fosgate knows how crazy things can get in a side-by-side or after an evening of hanging out with friends by the campfire. The PMX-BTUR remote is IP67 rated, so it can be dropped in the water or get dusty without fear of failing. The materials used to construct the remote are designed to withstand prolonged UV and salt spray exposure.

Remote Control Adds Safety

The PMX-BTUR controls the operation of your phone, not a radio. As such, you can pair your phone with almost any radio brand and use this remote. It would be an excellent solution for a factory-installed or aftermarket motorcycle audio system mounted on the handlebar. You could even use the PMX-BTUR with a motorcycle helmet and built-in speakers.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR
The PMX-BTUR is an excellent solution for motorcycle and ATV applications.

Of course, if you are captaining a boat, then the PMX-BTUR adds instant convenience. Imagine being at the helm of a jet boat headed up the rapids. Keeping your hands on the wheel is crucial to ending the day with great stories instead of drama. The PMX-BTUR is a perfect solution!

Do you have an older car or truck without steering-wheel audio system controls? The PMX-BTUR is the perfect solution for controlling your phone. Stream music from a service like Pandora or Spotify, then use the remote to change tracks or adjust the volume.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR
Strap the PMX-BTUR to the steering wheel of your side-by-side or UTV and enjoy the ride.

Add Audio System Convenience Today

If you’re looking for a remote that works with most smartphones to provide volume, track selection, and let you answer a call, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer today. You can find a shop near you using the online locator tool on their website. As always, be sure to follow our fanatical friends from Tempe 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.

Product Spotlight: PMX-1R Marine Remote

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Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R

Installing a marine radio in your boat is the best way to improve your day on the water. If your boat has bow seating, a swim platform, a cuddy, or a full cabin, adding a wired remote to the source unit at the helm makes it easier to control the music. The marine audio experts at Rockford Fosgate offer several wired remote solutions to upgrade their marine multimedia receivers. Let’s check out the PMX-1R wired remote control.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R Design

The PMX-1R is a compact wired remote with a rotary encoder, eight buttons, and a 2.7-inch color display. Its functions mimic the controls on the PMX-2, PMX-3, and PMX-5CAN radios. The remote also works with the PMX-8BB and the older PMX-5 source unit.

The remote measures 4.2 inches in height, 4.5 inches wide, and only 2.5 inches deep. Its shallow depth makes it a popular choice for instrument clusters where space behind the mounting panel is an issue. In those applications, a source unit like the nearly identical-looking PMX-3 could be installed in the galley or nav station.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R
The PMX-1R doesn’t require much mounting depth, making it ideal for mounting in the hull of a boat.

The display features the same TFT wet-bonded design used in the PMX-3 source unit. This construction method allows for great visibility and vibrant colors in bright conditions.

At the center of the remote is a rotary encoder with a large knob that serves as the system volume control. The knob can be pushed to access additional functions. Speaking of additional functions, the eight rubber-coated buttons provide direct access to track or channel selection, source selection, and even dimmer control. Knowing how Rockford Fosgate fanatics think, dedicated SUB + and SUB – buttons provide direct access to adjust the subwoofer output. Things couldn’t be more intuitive.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R
The wet-bonded 2.7-inch color display is easy to read in harsh lighting conditions.

Remote Wiring and Installation Options

Your installer will find a multi-pin DIN connector on the remote’s rear. This plug connects to any Rockford Fosgate marine source units mentioned above using the PMX16C 16-foot, PMX25C 25-foot, or PMX50C 50-foot extension cables sold separately. Multiple remotes can be used with a single source unit with the addition of the PMXYC Y-cable. Rockford Fosgate marine radios will support up to three remotes and as much as 100 feet of cable in the installation. That’s not 100 feet per remote, by the way.

The remote mounts through a three-inch hole in whatever panel you choose. Your installer can clamp the remote with the aluminum support bracket. Alternatively, they can use the four stainless steel mounting screws to affix the remote from the front. A trim ring is provided to conceal the mounting hardware, giving the remote a clean and tidy appearance. A rubber seal ensures water won’t get into the boat through the mounting hole in either solution.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R
The PMX-1R includes several installation options to ensure reliable operation.

Element Ready™ Design

Crucially, all Rockford Fosgate marine source units and remotes feature their Element Ready™ design. Where most companies stop with weather resistance ratings like the IPX6 found on the front panel, things go several steps further with the PMX-1R and its brethren. The remotes are tested in a UV light exposure chamber, which mimics years of prolonged sun exposure. The materials and design must remain colorfast and not turn chalky, fade, or dry out. Further, salt fog testing ensures the radios and remotes can be used in saltwater without concern over corrosion.

Rockford Fosgate takes things even further with its vibration and impact testing. When crashing over the waves, your boat can experience impacts of well over 5 G’s, with emergency situations exceeding 7 G’s. All products carrying the Element Ready™ symbol are tested on a vibration bench to ensure the design and internal components can withstand these stresses. When the Product Specialist you are working with tells you that purchasing a Rockford Fosgate marine source unit and remote is an investment in quality, they have the proof to support that statement.

Unlimited Installation Applications

Aside from marine applications, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, travel trailers, campers, and toy haulers are popular applications for Rockford Fosgate marine source units and remotes. A radio can be installed in the dash, and then additional remotes can be added in the kitchen, master suite, or even outside to control a set of marine-grade speakers. If you have a four-seater side-by-side, a PMX-1R could be added to a Stage 5 Polaris Ranger audio system to give the backseat crew as much control as the driver.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R
The PMX-1R can be used almost anywhere to make controlling an audio system easier.

Upgrade Your Marine Radio with the Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R Today!

Whether you are starting to build an audio system from scratch or looking to upgrade an existing installation, adding a remote like the PMX-1R is an excellent solution. If space is limited, the PMX-0 remote without an LCD display is another option. To find the best solution for your application, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer today. You can find a shop near you using the online locator tool on their website. As always, be sure to follow our fanatical friends from Tempe 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.

Off-Road Electrical Accessories

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Off-Road Electrical AccessoriesAn afternoon of plowing through knee-high mud or bouncing off rocks in your favorite four-wheeler is a lot of fun! But proper preparation before embarking on your adventure will help to ensure that your day goes without issue. When it comes to preparation, a reliable electrical system and properly-installed accessories are as important as the mechanical systems on your truck. Read on to find out why your local mobile enhancement retailer is the perfect destination for the installation of your off-road electrical accessories.

Off-Road Lighting

Off-Road Electrical Accessories High-power lighting is synonymous with off-road adventure preparation. Nobody wants to be stuck in the woods after the sun sets and not be able to see. In years gone by, adding high-power lighting meant having a row of large round lights on your front bumper or roof rack. These incandescent lights consumed a significant amount of power. For example, a single KC Pro-Sport Halogen lights can consume 8.3 amps of current and produce 2452 lumens.

Modern lights use multiple LEDs to provide much more efficient, and arguably more durable solutions. Rigid Industries is one of the leaders in LED off-road lights. Their Dually XL lights feature 9 LEDs per light and will produce more than 2736 lumens each while consuming 4.6 Amps of current. Regarding efficiency, that is almost exactly twice as much light output per amp of current consumed.

Off-Road Electrical Accessories Lighting upgrades include light bars, small lights that can mount in your grill or bumper, rock lights, work lights, backup lights and more. Headlight upgrades to HID or LED solutions can make the drive to and from the trail safer as well. Lighting upgrades are popular on ATVs, side-by-sides and if your geography suits it, snowmobiles.

Lighting and Accessory System Control and Installation

When it comes to light installation, there are three important considerations: Mounting/aiming, wiring, and control. A reputable mobile enhancement retailer can provide a unique combination of installation creativity and durability. Custom mounting brackets, unique mounting locations and amazing integration options set their installations apart from conventional “bolt-on” solutions.

Mobile electronics technicians have unmatched experience when it comes to wiring. The path that the wiring for your lights takes is as important as how the lights are mounted and how they are controlled. Protecting wiring from damage starts with avoiding potential damage from moving parts, heat sources and sharp edges on metal brackets. Your wiring will also be concealed beautifully. Proper routing starts at the light by running the wiring into bumpers or roof racks, and where it runs through the vehicle. Cloth tape, braided wire loom, split loom tubing and heat shrink tubing are just some of the standard solutions used to conceal and protect the wiring. Zip ties or tesa tape will secure the wiring to ensure it will not fall out of place and be damaged.

Off-Road Electrical AccessoriesControlling your auxiliary lighting systems offers us another unique specialty of your local mobile electronics retailer. In days gone by, the ubiquitous chrome toggle switch mounted in the center console or on the panel under the steering column was par for the course. These days that would stand out like a paint run on a Bugatti! There are several options for lighting control. Perhaps one of the most preferred solutions is to purchase an OEM switch that fits into a blank in your dash and repurpose it for the new lights. A close second option are aftermarket switches that look like factory switches. Some of these have unusual and unique labeling to help describe the function of the light. Rock Lights, work lights, light bar and the ever-important Zombie lights are just some of the options. Your installer can integrate one or more of these lights into an existing control panel, or fabricate a new panel for all of your accessories.

Many people overlook the importance of how electrical connections are made. There are several options available when it comes to making an electrical connection. We could spend an entire article discussing the benefits and drawbacks of different wire connections methods. We will simplify by stating that soldered connections, protected with premium vinyl electrical tape or heat shrink tubing will offer excellent electrical performance and exceptional reliability.

Off-Road Winches

Off-Road Electrical AccessoriesIf lighting is the number one accessory for off-roaders, then a winch has to be a very close second. Heading out on a challenging trail without a winch is a risky decision. Even a small winch can help you get out of a (literally) sticky situation. When it comes to winches, Warn Industries is the most recognized brand name in the industry. They manufacture winches for trucks and ATVs, as well as heavy duty solutions for tow trucks and compact winches for motorcycles. Winches are powered by an electric motor. To do work, these motors require large amounts of current. The compact Warn XT17 portable motorcycle winch can draw as much as 65 amps when pulling 1700 lbs, and a popular winch like the 10,000 lb Warn Zeon 10-S can consume 409 amps at full load. How your winch is connected to your vehicle electrical system will not impact its performance, but also the reliability.

Just as with a high-power amplifier, feeding your winch requires large-gauge wiring to supply power efficiently. The cable size depends on the size and subsequent current requirements of the winch, and the distance the winch is located from the battery and alternator. For a large winch, you should look at upgrading the electrical connections between the alternator and both the battery and chassis of the vehicle. Your installer can help make recommendations to ensure the system will function reliably.

High-Performance Air Compressors

Another popular off-road accessory is an air compressor. Many off-road enthusiasts will let some air out of their tires to increase the contact patch as they venture off the pavement. Once the day on the trails is done, having a quality air compressor available to pump them back up for the drive home will make your trip safer and more efficient. Air compressors can also be used to activate Air Locker differentials to increase traction or inflate air suspension components to change ride height.

Off-Road Electrical AccessoriesCompanies like ARB offer a full line of air compressors. From a compact unit like the CKSA12 that can flow just under 1 cfm and produce 100 psi of pressure to a monster like the CKMTA12 that will provide more than 6cfm and 150 psi, all of these compressors need current to perform. Big compressors can draw as much as 50 amps of current– similar to what a 500-watt amplifier can consumer. Again, proper wire size selection and reliable connections not only ensure reliability but can increase performance.

Charging System Upgrades

If you are running a big winch, lots of lighting, and have a truck full of all the latest technology…then your electrical system may have a hard time keeping up with the power demands. Your mobile enhancement retailer can help in two ways. A high-current alternator can easily double the amount of charging current available as compared to the factory unit. Many aftermarket alternators provide 280-300 amps of current, and some feature adjustable voltage regulators to fine-tune power delivery.

Off-Road Electrical AccessoriesUpgrading your battery is an excellent way to improve the reliability of your electrical system. A high-performance battery in a stock size can provide a little more capacity. AGM-style batteries can handle the shock and vibration that off-roading induces better than conventional flooded batteries. Your retailer may be able to fit an oversized battery in your vehicle with some simple fabrication.

If you are headed deep into the woods to camp, then an auxiliary battery system may be worth investigation. Having a battery dedicated to starting your engine, and a second battery dedicated to your accessories adds safety and security. The batteries are charged by your truck’s alternator but operate independently. If you kill the accessory battery, the starter battery is ready to get your vehicle running and get things charged back up.

Convenience Accessories

The list of convenience accessories you can add to your off-road is nearly endless. A high-power two-way radio can help you stay in touch with friends, or call for a little help if you get REALLY stuck! A power inverter will let you run 120 VAC accessories like a laptop or small power tools to make repairs. Additional cigarette lighter style plugs or dedicated USB ports can be added to make charging portable devices easier. We once heard of someone installing a snow-making machine in a vehicle. With that said, anything is possible.

When it comes time to outfit your off-road vehicle with equipment to make your adventure safer or more entertaining, drop by your local mobile electronics retailer. They can help you choose the right accessories for your application. Even if the shop does not sell the product you want, talk to them about doing the installation for you. The performance and reliability of your electrical components will thank you for it!

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.