Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX4000 Digital Multimedia Receiver

Over the last few years, Sony’s multimedia receivers have become increasingly popular. As more units have sold, retailers have asked for iDatalink Maestro integration, USB-C support and powerful sound customization. With Sony’s new XAV-AX4000, those requests and more have been fulfilled. Let’s look at what this sleek and impressive car audio source unit offers.

Clean Cosmetics and Intuitive Technology

The first thing you’ll notice about the XAV-AX4000 is that it still looks great in the dash of your car or truck, and the user interface is as intuitive as it gets. Anyone can easily select source options or adjust settings without needing to read the owner’s manual. The icons on the screen can be expanded by selecting the “All Apps” icon on the screen and can be rearranged to create a layout that gives you quick access to the elements you choose on the home screen.

The 6.95-inch touchscreen display has a resolution of 800 by 480 pixels with a brightness of 600 Cd/m2. Four physical control buttons along the bottom of the screen make it easy to access the main menu, adjust the volume, change tracks or activate voice recognition features.

Sony XAV-AX4000 — Sony multimedia receivers have one of the most intuitive menu systems on the market.

The radio includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wired and wireless Android Auto connectivity. Start your car, and the phone will connect automatically so you can make phone calls, send texts or get navigation directions from Google Maps or Waze. Of course, you can use your favorite streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio or Apple Music to be entertained while you drive. A USB-C port on the rear of the chassis can be used with a USB mass storage device to play MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV, ALAC, DSF or DSDIFF audio files.

You can also use the USB-C port to charge your phone with up to 3 amps of current. The XAV-AX4000 supports the LDAC codec with Android smartphones for those wanting excellent Bluetooth streaming audio quality. Of course, the radio includes an AM/FM receiver with RDS information display.

Audio Features Add Realism to Your Music

The XAV-AX4000 includes a 14-band graphic equalizer, front, rear and subwoofer signal delay setting adjustments and adjustable three-zone high- and low-pass crossovers so your installer can fine-tune your system to deliver excellent sound and detail. The preamp outputs are rated to provide up to 2 volts of output, and the built-in four-channel amp is good for 20 watts of power in compliance with the CTA-2006 standard.

iDatalink Maestro Integration

One of the most sought-after upgrades to the XAV-AX4000 is the inclusion of support for the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 integration modules. These interfaces will allow the radio to communicate with certain vehicles to provide steering wheel control, backup camera and auxiliary input connectivity. You can display vehicle information such as engine speed, vehicle speed, battery voltage or engine load on the dashboard display and check tire pressures and battery voltage on another. Many vehicles allow the Maestro interface to provide access to climate control adjustments. Your Sony retailer can let you know about the features that are compatible with your make, model and year of car or truck.

Installer- and User-Friendly Design

From an installation standpoint, the single-DIN chassis behind the double-DIN display dramatically simplifies installation. The radio includes an external Bluetooth microphone to deliver excellent outgoing audio quality. Another new feature is selectable and user-uploadable background wallpapers to match your vehicle interior or your mood.

The radio also includes a rear-view camera input with automatic reverse triggering, and the Maestro will include factory parking lines and sensor data in some vehicles. Finally, Sony has designed the XAV-AX4000 to wake up quickly, so your music starts playing when you are ready to go.

Experience the Sony XAV-AX4000 Today!

If it’s time to upgrade the technology in your car or truck, drop by an authorized Sony retailer today and ask for a demonstration of the new XAV-AX4000 multimedia receiver. We’re sure you’ll be impressed by its performance, features, appearance and intuitive interface. You can find a Sony retailer using the dealer locator on the Sony Car Audio website. Be sure to subscribe to Sony’s YouTube channel and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to learn about their latest car audio product releases.

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

DroneMobile Smartphone Vehicle Control Response Time vs OEM

Being able to lock, unlock or remote start your car or truck using an app on your smartphone is handy. In listening to what owners of these solutions have been saying over the last few years, we’ve noticed a disturbing pattern: Most factory-installed remote systems are agonizingly slow. Nobody wants to wait around for their vehicle to unlock. So let’s do some research and see how the DroneMobile system from Firstech stacks up in terms of responsiveness.

What Is a Telematics System?

In the context of cars and trucks, telematics is a way of remotely controlling basic vehicle functions using an app on your smartphone. In essence, these systems replicate the operation of a key fob to let you lock or unlock your vehicle, pop the trunk or hatch, or remote start the engine. In addition, many systems include a GPS receiver that can locate your vehicle on a map or configure location-based security alerts.

DroneMobile is the aftermarket telematics system offered by Firstech – the company behind Compustar remote car starter and security systems. DroneMobile can be integrated with a Compustar remote car starter to provide unlimited control range. So long as your vehicle is parked somewhere with cellular service and your smartphone has access to the internet, you can send commands quickly and easily.

Smartphone Control Response Time

In addition to reliability and ease of use, impressive response time is one of the main reasons thousands of people have upgraded their cars and trucks with this system. Firstech moved its authentication services to AWS a few years ago to increase reliability and responsiveness. AWS is one of the world’s premier cloud computing platforms and is used by companies like Netflix, Amazon, Capital One, Coca-Cola, Expedia and thousands more to host their online platforms.

If you’re sitting at your desk at work and want to remote start your vehicle with your smartphone, it doesn’t matter significantly if the process takes 2, 20 or 120 seconds. However, if you’re walking up to your vehicle and want to use your phone to unlock it, response time matters. The last thing you want is to stand in front of your vehicle for 30, 40 or 60 seconds while data commands travel around the globe. You want the system to unlock as quickly as possible so you can be on your way.

We surveyed a group of friends to look at the response time of the telematics systems that came with their cars and trucks. The answers were surprising in all regards. Most response times were slower than we expected, with a surprisingly significant number of users completely giving up on these systems because they often didn’t respond.

If we average all the responses, it took just under 18 seconds from when an icon on the smartphone was pressed to when the vehicle responded on most factory-installed telematics systems. In most cases, this was a simple lock or unlock command. However, the time it took for these vehicles to remote start and then report their status back to the app was often more than twice that.

DroneMobile – The King of Vehicle Remote Control Speed

Most of the employees at BestCarAudio.com have Compustar remote starters installed in their vehicles. We also have DroneMobile telematics systems integrated with those starters. We surveyed our team and many of our peers and found that the average response time for a lock or unlock request was about 2 seconds. In some cases, it was less. Sending a lock command over LTE was often faster than using a one-button RF remote. This isn’t a failing of the remote – it waits a second before transmitting to see if you’re going to press the button again.

If you have remote started your car or truck from inside your home, work, a restaurant or movie theater and are approaching the vehicle, using the DroneMobile system to unlock the doors in about 2 seconds is, frankly, the way these systems should work.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with DroneMobile

Many friends we talked with for this article expressed an interest in replacing the factory system with a solution like DroneMobile. The slow response time or complete failure of the system to function had led many of them to abandon using the factory-installed solutions. If you’re shopping for a lightning-quick telematics system for your car or truck, drop by a local DroneMobile retailer today. You can learn more about this impressive smartphone control solution by visiting the DroneMobile website, their Facebook page, Instagram feed or YouTube channel.

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

Product Spotlight: Firstech 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.

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: Momento IC6 Infrared Camera

Having a dashcam system like the Momento M6 (MD-6200) or M7 (MD-7200) installed in your vehicle is the best way to protect yourself from fraudulent accident claims. If you drive for Uber, Lyft or a taxi company, or operate a school bus or an airport shuttle, you’ll want video of what happens in the vehicle. The Momento IC6 (MD-IC6) interior camera is the perfect upgrade to the M6 or M7 to capture high-resolution video of the interior of the car, van or bus. Let’s look at why the features of the IC6 make it the perfect upgrade to round out your protection package.

Momento IC6 Interior Camera Specifications

The IC6 is a 1920×1080 pixel, 60-frames-per-second video camera with a 125-degree field of vision. The unit features six infrared LED emitters to illuminate the vehicle’s interior so it can record clear images at night.

When used with the M6 dashcam, the IC6 replaces the secondary camera included with the kit. When used with the new M7 dashcam, the IC6 plugs into the mounting base and serves as a third video stream along with the forward- and rear-facing cameras included in the system.

Why You Need an Interior Camera

If you have passengers in your vehicle, especially in the case of rideshare, taxi, carpooling or after-school pickup situations, recording what happens in the vehicle is crucially important. Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers are often treated poorly or, in extreme cases, robbed or assaulted by unruly clients. Having a camera like the IC6 connected to a Momento dashcam system may be enough to discourage poor or illegal behavior. In a worst-case scenario, the operator will have clear evidence for law enforcement agencies and the insurance company. The IC6 is also an excellent solution for the owners of fleet vehicles who need to monitor operator behavior and safety compliance.

Flexible Installation Options

The IC6 is designed with a rotating mounting base that allows the camera to be turned 360 degrees and tilted up or down by 180 degrees. Your installer can work with you to choose a mounting location that will capture the entirety of the vehicle interior. The IC6 is often mounted on the windshield near the rear-view mirror or passenger-side corner. Mounting near the dome light might be an option for some specific commercial applications.

Momento IC6 — The IC6 can be adjusted horizontally and vertically, then locked into place to capture clear video day or night.

Infrared Vision for Night Recording

Once the sun sets, normal cameras can’t record what’s happening in the vehicle’s interior. There might be a slight glow from the dash or radio display, but certainly not enough light for high-quality video of what’s happening everywhere in the interior. The infrared lighting system on the IC6 activates automatically when it’s dark to ensure that the IC6 camera captures every motion and gesture and the dashcam captures every word.

If you are curious about how the infrared lighting system works, here’s some additional detail. The human eye can detect light in wavelengths from about 400 nanometers (violet) to 750 nanometers (red) and everything in between. Infrared LED emitters are the same as what’s used on classic TV remotes. They emit light at wavelengths between 820 and 880 nanometers. This low-frequency energy isn’t visible to the human eye. The image sensor on the IC6 camera can detect and record infrared light and objects that IR emitters illuminate. The camera image will look monochromatic as the light source doesn’t cover the visible light range to show color information.

The IC6 camera also works with the M6 or M7 camera’s parking mode while you’re away from the vehicle. If someone is scoping out the contents of your car or trying to break in, the IC6 will record the whole thing. The wide field of vision can capture the faces of people trying to steal wheels or a catalytic converter – a theft problem that’s happening more and more frequently.

Protect Yourself with the Momento IC6 Infrared Camera Upgrade

If you carry passengers or clients in your vehicle and want crystal-clear recordings of what’s going on in the interior, then visit your local authorized Momento retailer and ask about the M6 or M7 dashcam system and the optional IC6 infrared interior camera. You can find a Momento dealer near you using the locator tool on the website. For more information about Momento’s video and safety products, be sure to follow 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: Momento M7 Dash Camera

Protecting yourself against fraud and false accusations while driving is easier when you have a dashcam system installed in your car or truck. Momento, the collision avoidance and safety technology brand from Firstech, has just introduced a new and revolutionary video recording solution – the M7, also known as the MD-7200. This new dash camera system increases the camera’s recording resolution, adds support for up to two additional cameras, and includes a unique radar-based motion sensor for parking mode.

Dashcam Video Features

The M7 is a super-compact dashcam system with a body measuring just over 2 inches wide, 1.5 inches tall and a mere 1.14 inches deep. The camera includes a windshield mounting bracket with the power, rear camera and interior camera connections built in for a tidy installation. The GPS receiver is also built into the base to have a clear view of the sky to provide as much accuracy as possible.

A compact color LCD touchscreen is on the rear of the body. Your installer can configure the camera settings quickly and easily through the menu, and you can view videos right in the vehicle without needing a computer or smartphone.

The integrated forward-facing camera features a QHD (Quad HD) 2560-by-1440-pixel image sensor. That’s an increase in detail of 1.78 times what’s offered by 1080p sensors. As we’ve mentioned numerous times, image sensor resolution is crucial for capturing vital information like license plates and other identifying marks. Low-light and high-contrast video performance are a key part of what separates good cameras from great ones. The 5-megapixel image sensor in the M7 benefits from class-leading light sensitivity, exceptional noise reduction in dark conditions and seamless dual-exposure HDR to ensure that every detail is captured with the utmost clarity. It’s designed around a native 16:9 aspect ratio.

A key feature of the M7 is that the system comes out of the box with a high-performance rear camera. Many competing solutions have secondary cameras as an optional upgrade. Momento felt it was just as important to capture what was happening behind the vehicle as in front. The rear camera has a 1080p sensor, and the mounting bracket can be adjusted for perfect coverage out the back window of a sedan, hatchback, SUV or pickup truck.

The optional IC6 (known formally as the MD-IC6) vehicle interior camera is also 1080p and includes infrared emitters so everyone and everything inside the vehicle will be visible in the recording, even when it’s dark.

Finally, the M7 system includes a 64 GB microSD memory card, so there’s nothing extra required before your installer gets to work. Of course, a power harness is also included, so your installer can wire the camera system into the power and ignition sources for seamless operation.

Eco Mode Parking

Most modern dashcams have a function called Parking Mode. When the camera system is stationary for a short time (usually a few minutes), it stops storing video on the memory card. Most cameras continue to monitor what’s happening around the vehicle, and then they store a video file when the image sensor detects that someone or something has moved. Parking mode operating requires roughly 240 to 250 milliamps of current draw from the vehicle battery. This amount of current can drain the battery significantly after just a day or two.

The new Momento M7’s Eco Mode doesn’t use the image sensor to monitor motion. Instead, the M7 has a built-in radar sensor, as you’d find in a commercial building security system. When the radar sensor detects motion, the M7 starts to store video again. The benefit of this design is that the radar sensor motion detector draws less than 30 milliamps of current. Unless someone is circling your car constantly, that’s a massive reduction in current consumption that translates into less draw from the vehicle battery.

Just as with Momento’s previous flagship dashcam, the M6 or MD-6200, during regular driving, the integrated accelerometer can trigger an alert recording that captures 15 seconds before the trigger and 15 seconds after. In addition, you can start a manual event recording by tapping on the REC button in the lower right corner of the touchscreen should you witness something abnormal during your driving adventures.

Easy-to-Use Desktop Software

You can download the M7 PC or Apple viewing software directly from the Momento website to easily navigate videos stored on the card with your desktop computer. The software will also allow you to view the front, rear or interior video feeds along with vehicle speed and location information. The location information is overlaid onto Google Maps data to see exactly where the vehicle was headed. Finally, data from the three-axis accelerometer is also shown on the screen, so braking, sudden steering inputs or an impact are also visible.

Upgrade Your Protection with the Momento M7 Dashcam

If you’re looking for a premium dash camera system with a high-resolution image sensor, support for multiple cameras and the latest in power-saving parking mode monitoring, visit a local authorized Momento retailer and ask about the new M7 dual-camera dashcam with radar. You can find a retailer near to you using the online dealer locator on their website. Also, be sure to follow Momento on Facebook, Instagram and to keep up with their latest news and product releases.

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

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Product Spotlight: Sony XAV-AX4000 Digital Multimedia Receiver

Clean Cosmetics and Intuitive Technology

Audio Features Add Realism to Your Music

iDatalink Maestro Integration

Installer- and User-Friendly Design

Experience the Sony XAV-AX4000 Today!

DroneMobile Smartphone Vehicle Control Response Time vs OEM

What Is a Telematics System?

Smartphone Control Response Time

DroneMobile – The King of Vehicle Remote Control Speed

Upgrade Your Vehicle with DroneMobile

Product Spotlight: Firstech FT-DAS II Security Sensor

Firstech FT-DAS II Features

Forward-Motion Detection Delivers Class-Leading Remote Start Safety

Get Security Alerts Remotely

Factory-Installed Security Systems Don’t Offer Damage Protection

Protect Your Vehicle with A Premium Digital Security Sensor

Product Spotlight: Momento IC6 Infrared Camera

Momento IC6 Interior Camera Specifications

Why You Need an Interior Camera

Flexible Installation Options

Infrared Vision for Night Recording

Protect Yourself with the Momento IC6 Infrared Camera Upgrade

Product Spotlight: Momento M7 Dash Camera

Dashcam Video Features

Eco Mode Parking

Easy-to-Use Desktop Software

Upgrade Your Protection with the Momento M7 Dashcam

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