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Firstech

Product Spotlight: Firstech FT-DAS II Security Sensor

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FT-DAS II Security Sensor

A laptop bag in the back seat, a smartphone in the center console or shopping bags in the rear of an SUV – each is the perfect temptation for a thief. In seconds, items you’ve spent your hard-earned money to acquire are gone forever. Protecting your vehicle with a premium car alarm that includes the Firstech FT-DAS II security sensor is one of the best options for stopping theft, vandalism or damage.

This impressive device includes four security sensors in one compact, reliable package. The FT-DAS II is also a key component in why Compustar or Arctic Start remote car starters are the safest solutions for vehicles with manual transmissions. Let’s take a look at the FT-DAS II in detail.

Firstech FT-DAS II Features

The FT-DAS II uses a high-sensitivity, multi-axis digital motion accelerometer to detect attempts to break into your vehicle or damage from shopping carts or another vehicle. If the device detects a moderate impact, the system chirps the siren a few times to scare off thieves or alert another driver that they may have touched your vehicle. If the impact is significant, the full alarm will sound instantly. The impact sensor is excellent protection against someone using a battery-powered reciprocating saw to try to steal a catalytic converter or using a cordless impact gun to steal your wheels. Your Firstech dealer (Compustar or Arctic Start) can fine-tune the sensitivity of the impact sensor to keep your vehicle safe without having false alarms when it’s windy or noisy.

The FT-DAS II includes programming logic that monitors the accelerometer to detect when the vehicle is being lifted. If someone is trying to steal your wheels or the car is being hoisted onto a flatbed or raised by a tow truck, the tilt-detection feature will trigger the alarm.

The most obvious difference between the original FT-DAS and the FT-DAS II is the inclusion of glass-breakage detection. If a thief uses a hammer or punch to break a window, the microphone will detect the sound of the glass shattering and trigger the alarm.

FT-DAS II Security Sensor
Thieves commonly use automatic center punches to break windows without triggering an impact sensor. The FT-DAS II’s glass-breakage detection will trigger the alarm instantly.

Forward-Motion Detection Delivers Class-Leading Remote Start Safety

The FT-DAS II is required anytime a CM7 or CMX control module is installed as a remote car starter on a vehicle with a manual transmission. The forward motion sensor is active during the remote start process and will shut the engine down immediately if it detects the car or truck moving forward. Even if all the safety systems have been bypassed (which is very difficult to do), you can be confident that your vehicle won’t drive through your garage when you activate the remote starter. No other brand of manual-transmission-compatible remote starter offers this level of safety and security.

Get Security Alerts Remotely

If your remote starter or security system is equipped with a two-way remote like the T13, R5, T12, T11, Q9, 901 or the T9, you’ll get alarm alerts as long as you’re within range of your vehicle. The remote will beep and, depending on the model, tell you which security zone was triggered. The security alerts include warnings for the door, hood and truck triggers and those from the FT-DAS II. For ultimate protection, the DroneMobile telematics system will show alarm alerts as notifications on your smartphone no matter where you are, as long as your phone has access to the internet.

FT-DAS II Security Sensor
If the FT DAS-II triggers your security system, DroneMobile will push an alert to your smartphone almost instantly.

Factory-Installed Security Systems Don’t Offer Damage Protection

You may have been told that your vehicle came from the factory with a security system. In most automobiles, these systems are typically just a transponder key that helps prevent vehicle theft. They do nothing to protect you against smash-and-grab intrusions as they don’t include an impact or shock sensor. A dedicated Compustar or Arctic Start system that includes the FT-DAS II will provide an instant alert if someone is attempting to damage or break into your car, truck or SUV.

Protect Your Vehicle with A Premium Digital Security Sensor

Whether you’re worried about theft, damage in a parking lot or vandalism, a security system or remote car starter that includes the Firstech FT-DAS II is the best protection you can buy. Drop by an authorized Compustar or Arctic Start dealer to ask about a vehicle protection system today. You can learn more about Compustar remote starter and security solutions by visiting their website and following them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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

Product Spotlight: DroneMobile X1-MAX

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Drone X1-MAX

In the summer of 2019, Firstech introduced a new version of its Drone vehicle telematics module called the X1-MAX. This new module took everything great about Drone vehicle tracking and remote control and injected it with a healthy dose of new-feature steroids. The result is a smartphone control solution that is unparalleled in capabilities while remaining easy to use.

The Drone Telematics Platform

Just like the Drone X1-LTE interface included with such Compustar RF kits as the P2WR3, the X1-MAX includes a built-in LTE cellular radio that communicates directly with the DroneMobile servers. The DroneMobile app on your iPhone or Android-based smartphone can control door locking and unlocking, remote start functionality and several auxiliary outputs. Additionally, Drone modules can provide GPS tracking, driver monitoring, security alerts and vehicle health monitoring functions. The unit can also be integrated with a remote start controller like the CM7000 and CM7200 from Compustar for additional features or the inclusion of an RF remote option.

Drone X1-MAX
Complete control over your vehicle is as easy a few taps on the screen of your smartphone using the DroneMobile app.

Both systems include a GPS receiver that can be used with the DroneMobile smartphone app or the web interface to locate your vehicle and provide position-based geofencing alerts. Using the GPS features requires a subscription to the Premium, Premium Plus or Ultimate service plan instead of the Basic subscription.

Of course, both units will communicate directly with Compustar, Arctic Start, FTX, ADS iDatastart and Mid City Engineering car starters to control door locks and starting functionality. Control for optional auxiliary accessories like trunk release, sliding door or power windows may also be available.

Remote start, door locking and trunk release commands can be sent through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also use the DroneMobile app with your Apple Watch or an Android Smartwatch. There’s also an iPhone Widget to make it easy to access commonly-used functions almost instantly.

The DroneMobile app includes provisions for controlling and monitoring multiple vehicles. The Family Sharing feature allows others to control the vehicle from their smartphones. Sharing is also great for businesses that use Drone. Finally, driver monitoring features like curfew alerts, geofencing, trip reporting and speeding alerts are also available.

Drone X1-MAX

New Drone Hardware Features

The X1-MAX separates itself from the X1-LTE with the inclusion of a built-in lithium-ion backup battery that will maintain location and control communication if the vehicle battery is disconnected or the wiring is cut. Once you get an alert that the battery is disconnected, you’ll have more than enough time to check the vehicle to see what’s going on or contact local law enforcement.

The X1-MAX includes CAN/OBD network connectivity hardware so that the module can communicate directly with the computer system in your vehicle. For example, should the ECM in the vehicle generate a Diagnostics Trouble Code (DTC), the Drone system will push that information through to your smartphone. Fuel level monitoring will also be available on many vehicles. These features are still in the final testing stages and, according to Firstech, should be available in the fall of 2020.

The X1-MAX system includes onboard security sensors for impact, glass breakage and tilt. If someone tries to jack the car up to steal your wheels, you’ll get a notification on your smartphone. Likewise, if a thief attempts to break a window, or if someone bumps into your vehicle, those conditions will also send an alert. Interestingly and conveniently, users can adjust the shock sensor sensitivity directly from the DroneMobile app. The tilt sensor also functions as an accelerometer so that warnings about abrupt acceleration or braking can be logged or sent to the phone application.

Finally, the X1-MAX includes a Bluetooth 4.2 radio. You can pair your smartphone directly to the system to control all the functions from the DroneMobile app. If you are traveling to a campsite or cottage outside of cellphone coverage range, Bluetooth ensures that you have complete control over the vehicle.

Drone X1-MAX

Control Your Vehicle from Almost Anywhere

Firstech recently upgraded the behind-the-scenes control system for Drone to use Amazon Web Services IoT for lightning-fast connectivity and fantastic reliability. Globally recognized companies like Formula 1, Volkswagen Group, and, of course, Amazon trust AWS IoT for their cloud-based services.

The X1-MAX is currently available for purchase exclusively in the United States.

Drone telematics systems have quickly become the industry reference for features and intuitive functionality. If you’re looking for a long-range remote control, vehicle tracking and maintenance logging solution for your car, truck or SUV, visit your local authorized Drone retailer. You can learn more about Drone by visiting their website, Facebook page, YouTube channel or Instagram. You can find a local retailer using their online dealer locator.

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.