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Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam: Innovating Vehicle Safety with 4K Clarity and Radar Technology!

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam

It’s no exaggeration to say there are hundreds of dash cams on the market. Many are budget models plagued by low-resolution sensors, excessive image compression, and contrast issues. Others offer upgraded optics but still lack state-of-the-art convenience features. However, leading the way in surveillance technologies are dash cams like the Thinkware U3000. Equipped with a Sony image sensor, radar-based parking mode, and Wi-Fi connectivity, this dash cam offers nearly everything you could ask for. Let’s dive in.

Thinkware U3000 Image Sensors

Image quality is paramount when purchasing a dash cam. Clarity and detail largely depend on the choice of image sensor and its resolution. However, data compression settings also play a crucial role in capturing vital information, such as a license plate. The U3000 features a 4K UHD front-facing Sony IMX678 Exmor R Starvis 2 image sensor with a 152-degree lens. With 3840 by 2106 pixels, it captures impressively subtle details.

The most popular U3000 package includes the U3000R rear-facing camera and a cable. The rear camera uses an IMX335 Exmor R Starvis 2K QHD image sensor with a 128-degree lens angle. Although this sensor is higher in quality than most forward-facing sensors on the market, it doesn’t offer the same low-light capabilities as the Starvis 2.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
The most popular U3000 kits include the 2K QHD U3000R rear camera.

Speaking of night recording, Thinkware’s Super Night Vision 4.0 technology reduces sensor noise at high gain levels, allowing for brighter, sharper images after sunset. Capturing clear images in low-light conditions is essential for comprehensive protection.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
Thinkware’s Super Night Vision 4.0 brightens low-light settings while minimizing video noise for a clear image.

In addition, Thinkware includes a circular polarizing filter to reduce glare during the day, further enhancing image quality and clarity.

Compact Chassis Design

The U3000’s chassis was designed for discretion. The image sensor mounting position allows the electronics to fit neatly into the space typically blocked by the sun visor at the top of the windshield. Four buttons across the body’s center control manual emergency recording, power down the camera, activate the dash cam’s Wi-Fi connectivity, and toggle audio recording mode on and off. To clarify, the camera begins recording automatically when you start your vehicle, so you never have to worry about forgetting to turn it on. The power button is simply an option to turn the system off, if desired.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
The low-profile chassis design helps the U3000 fit behind the rearview mirror.

All electrical and peripheral connections are located along the rear edge of the chassis, near the top of your windshield. This design reduces clutter and ensures a clean installation. The most popular camera kit includes Thinkware’s OBD II power cable. However, some retailers may use the dealer-exclusive hardwire kit for integration into the vehicle. Both cables automatically enable parking mode when the vehicle ignition is turned off.

Adding an external battery pack like the Thinkware iVolt Mini or iVolt Xtra is a popular upgrade. These packs prevent the main vehicle battery from heavy discharge if the vehicle isn’t driven for a few days, thereby extending battery life.

Thinkware also includes a piece of heat-blocking film and a second piece of two-sided adhesive. The film is ideal for hot climates like Florida or Texas, where interior temperatures can easily exceed 140 degrees. It also simplifies removing the camera if you decide to purchase a new vehicle.

Radar Parking Mode

One of the U3000’s most important features is its radar-based parking mode. Parking mode allows the U3000 to continue monitoring the area around the vehicle after you’re parked. Historically, cameras would monitor the image sensor’s signal and store recordings when motion was detected. This feature, however, consumes a noticeable amount of power from the vehicle’s electrical system.

Uniquely, the kit’s front and rear cameras include radar transceivers. If someone approaches behind to steal your license plate, you’ll have it on video.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
The radar-based parking mode consumes minimum current while monitoring in front and behind your vehicle.

Thinkware’s radar-based monitoring solution consumes just a fraction of the energy compared to video monitoring. This allows the camera to monitor the area around your vehicle for days rather than hours. When it detects someone or something nearby, it records a 20-second video. You can fine-tune the radar detection range to suit your parking location.

The U3000 features a built-in supercapacitor. This energy storage solution ensures that recorded video files are saved and closed correctly when power is removed from the camera. In the unlikely event of a severe accident, having a small onboard power source greatly increases the likelihood of retaining evidence compared to a low-cost dash cam.

Video Storage

The popular U3000-2CH kit includes a 64 GB microSD memory card, though the camera supports cards up to 256 GB. Data storage bitrates are selectable between 24 and 30 Mbps. Less compression results in a clearer image and more detail. Best of all, videos are encoded using the MPEG H.265 codec, which offers impressive file compression without significant detail loss.

Connectivity Features

The U3000 supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to download video files to your smartphone via the Thinkware Dash Cam Link App. Once connected, you can adjust menu settings and view camera images in real-time.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
The Thinkware Connected App allows you to download videos stored on the U3000 quickly to your smartphone over a Wi-Fi connection.

The Thinkware Connected App provides a suite of remote monitoring solutions. From viewing what the dash cam sees to receiving alerts from the built-in impact or radar sensors, it’s like being in the car. You can even access an image from when you last parked the vehicle. If you’ve ever lost track of your car after a day of shopping, this is a huge time-saver and stress reducer. By connecting your U3000 to the Internet using a vehicle or mobile hotspot, you maintain complete control.

Thinkware U3000 Dash Cam
When your U3000 is connected to the Internet, you can access it using the Thinkware Connected App.

ADAS Features

The U3000 offers a full suite of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS), similar to those found in lane-keeping assist and even self-driving cars. Lane Departure Warning (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning (FCWS), Front Vehicle Departure Warning (FVDW), and Rear Collision Warning (RCWS) are all included. These systems act as a computerized copilot, monitoring what other vehicles are doing around yours. Unlike many other dash cams, the U3000 uses the rear camera’s monitoring capabilities for these features. You can fine-tune which systems you want to activate and at what speed they are enabled via the smartphone apps.

The system supports both GPS and GLONASS global navigation systems. Location and vehicle speed information is stored along with the video. When you play back videos using the PC/MAC viewer software, the vehicle’s location is displayed on a map on the right side of the screen.

Class-Leading Dash Cam Technology

If you’re in the market for the best dash cam to protect your pride and joy, visit a local authorized Thinkware retailer and ask about the U3000. For more information about Thinkware products, visit their website. You can learn more about the U3000 and other impressive products they offer by following them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, 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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Backup Safety, Driver Safety, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY Tagged With: Thinkware

Is Replacing My Radio the Best Way to Increase Sound Quality?

Increase Sound QualitySince the late ’80s, the car audio industry has experienced incredible levels of growth. New technology and features have expanded our opportunities to increase sound quality and enhance entertainment. What hasn’t changed are the core building blocks of how sound systems are designed.

Every system starts with a source. We call this the head unit, source unit or radio. In more than 99.9% of vehicles, the source unit includes an AM/FM receiver, along with a CD player or USB port to play digital media files like MP3, WMA, AAC and FLAC files. The source unit also typically contains the volume control for the system.

It used to be that a new source unit was the first component that would be upgraded on the path to improving the sound system in a vehicle. From the perspective of a quality improvement, this is becoming less and less common. Read on to find out about the benefits and limitations of replacing the factory radio in your vehicle.

Can I Make the Switch?

Increase Sound QualityLook at a vehicle like a BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz or even a Mazda. Their radios are not stand-alone units at all. The Mazda 3 is an excellent example of a modern distributed source unit. There is a screen on the dash, a CD mechanism below the climate controls and a control panel in the center console. None of these components matches any size standard for an aftermarket radio. If you want to upgrade the sound system in this vehicle, you will not be buying a new radio.

Thankfully, this radio has most of the features that people want. CD, MP3, SiriusXM, an auxiliary input and Bluetooth audio streaming are readily available signal sources. The system includes hands-free calling and a built-in GPS-based navigation system.

Sadly, though, the system does not include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration.

Can We Integrate?

Increase Sound Quality
Processors like the Audison BitOne allow for tuning flexibility.

If we want to upgrade the sound system, a mobile enhancement retailer can connect an amplifier and new speakers to the signal coming out of the radio. With some fine-tuning and a well-executed speaker installation, the quality of the system will improve. You will also be able to turn your music up louder.

If you want to take things to the next step, then add a digital signal processor (DSP) to give your installer all the tools required to flatten any peaks or dips in the system’s frequency response and adjust for different path lengths between the listening position and your speakers.

The Sound Quality Upgrade Path

Let’s look at another popular compact car: the Subaru Impreza. Subaru manufactures durable, reliable vehicles, but their sound systems are not at the forefront of technology. In fact, several models of the Impreza are begging for sound system upgrades. Luckily, improving the sound systems in these vehicles is easy. Let’s look at what’s lacking and how to fix it.

Add Bass, More Power and New Speakers

The recipe for improving the performance of an audio system does not vary much from vehicle to vehicle. The first step most retailers will recommend is to add an amplifier and a subwoofer. Adding a subwoofer will not only bring more bass to the system to make it sound more lifelike, but alleviates the need for the smaller speakers and factory amplifier to try to reproduce those frequencies. The result: Everything sounds better.

Increase Sound Quality
The JL Audio RD 5-channel amplifier can power an entire system.

The next step is to add more power to the factory speakers with an amplifier. Many people will combine the addition of a subwoofer with a multichannel amplifier that can power the factory speakers at the same time. Five-channel amplifiers are an excellent choice for a single, easy-to-install upgrade. Multichannel amplifiers have built-in crossovers that will eliminate bass information from the smaller speakers, so they sound better.

The last step in upgrading the sound system is to replace the factory speakers. Now, if you have listened to a factory Subaru stereo, this might be your first step. There is no right or wrong when it comes to the upgrade path you take. Keep reading to find out why we often leave this step to the end.

We often suggest upgrading the speakers last because high-end speakers aren’t typically as efficient as the cheap speakers that come from the factory. New speakers provide smoother frequency response and much less distortion, and can handle a lot more power and play louder. When connected to a factory radio, there isn’t have enough power to experience all of the benefits of the new speakers. A speaker will only play loud when it is driven with adequate power.

Wait – What about the Radio?

You will notice that nowhere in the upgrade path did we suggest replacing the radio. The factory Impreza radio has a reasonable feature set and provides perfectly flat frequency response that we can use to improve your system. When looking at the goal of improving the sound quality of the system, the source unit is the last thing to change (unless you want to add high-resolution audio playback).

I Want More Features!

Increase Sound QualityWe touched on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These technologies, along with Siri Eyes Free, FLAC file playback, Pandora and much more, are great reasons to upgrade a factory radio. However, these are not specifically performance improvements – they are feature enhancements. We could nit-pick about FLAC files sounding better (in a future article, we will analyze high-resolution audio in great detail.) If you want better sound, all the other upgrades offer a larger increase in performance for your investment than an aftermarket source unit.

Experience Better Sound

When it comes time to upgrade the sound system in your vehicle, visit your local specialty mobile electronics retailer. Let them know what your goals are for the system and work with them to design something that meets your expectations and your budget. Following our suggested upgrade process can yield impressive improvements with a reasonable investment at each step. Each upgrade will produce immediately audible benefits.

Have fun improving your mobile sound system!

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Car Audio System Setup

System SetupIt may seem as if they should be similar processes, but installing a new source unit, amplifiers and speakers in a car is unlike installing most home audio systems. It is not as simple as plugging things in and hoping they work. Proper integration of your new electronics into modern vehicles and their wiring is getting more and more complicated as complex factory sound systems become more involved. One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the need to configure the equipment you have selected. Your installer will include this setup time in the cost to install your system. What does system setup and configuration involve? Read on to find out.

Signal-level Adjustments

System SetupWhen it comes to adding an amplifier to your vehicle, the most significant adjustment your installer will make is to adjust the amplifier’s sensitivity or gain control. Amplifiers have these controls so they can be compatible with a variety of different source units with different maximum output voltages.

Amplifiers are relatively simple devices in concept. They take an audio signal from your source unit and increase its voltage so it can drive a speaker. A 100 watt amplifier has to be able to increase a 1 volt signal more than a 4 volt signal to reach the 20 volts required to produce 100 watts into a 4 ohm speaker. The gain or sensitivity control lets us adjust for almost any source unit voltage.

Why Sensitivity Adjustments are Important

If the sensitivity of the amplifier is set too low, you will not be able to get the full power of your amplifier. If it is set too high, then you can drive the amplifier into distortion quite quickly. Too much “gain” can also add noise to the system in the form of hiss. A little extra is OK to allow quiet recordings to be played loudly, but too much is a surefire sign that whoever set up the system did not fully understand gain structure.

System Setup Tools

System Setup
The SMD DD1+ allows for precision gain structure setup.

Different shops use different techniques to set gains on amplifiers. Some use an oscilloscope along with a set of test tones. Others use distortion detection devices like the SMD DD-1 or DD-1+. Finally, some installers are quite adept at setting up systems by ear, but that comes with years and years of experience.

As long as the system plays loudly without significant noise or distortion, the settings can be considered correct. If the system runs out of power at half-volume, then it needs some more adjustments.

Crossover Adjustments

There are two main advantages of adding a subwoofer to an audio system. A subwoofer provides more bass output than a typical set of door speakers could ever hope to produce. The secondary benefit is to relieve the small speakers of their requirement to try to produce bass. This reduction in bass reduces the distance the speaker cones have to move and directly reduces the potential for distortion. Midrange frequencies can be reproduced with improved clarity and at higher levels.

Tying this back to system tuning, how we set the crossovers built into your amplifier is crucial to ensuring that the output of your system blends perfectly between the midrange speakers and the subwoofer. If the crossover points overlap, there can be too much midbass, and the system will sound boomy or “honky.” If the crossover points underlap, the system probably won’t have enough midbass and will sound very dry and flat; the subwoofer can also sound “separated” from the system, reducing the coherence and realism of your music.

Speaker Polarity Adjustments

System Setup
A dip in response at the crossover point can indicate a polarity problem.

Because each vehicle is different, sometimes the direction a speaker faces requires that we wire it in reverse polarity for the output to combine properly from an acoustical standpoint. This requirement is very common with subwoofers, since they are often pointed in the opposite direction from the smaller interior speakers. Properly trained and equipped installers know how to measure the frequency response of a system and correct for that. In most cases, an audio analyzer is the best choice for setting up a system. These can be stand-alone units from companies like AudioControl and NTI or software-based solutions that work with a laptop, netbook or tablet.

Left-to-right speaker polarity, and the polarity between midrange drivers and tweeters, depends on placement and crossover slopes. These regions deserve analysis before a car leaves the install bay.

Leave It to the Experts

A properly tuned sound system will play louder, last longer and be much more enjoyable to listen to. As you can see from even from this overview, the tools and training required to maximize the performance of even a simple mobile sound system can be expensive and complicated. The staff at your local mobile enhancement retailer should be familiar with these processes and employ them on each installation they perform. Confirming this is part of your process in selecting a retailer that is qualified to work on your vehicle.

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Don’t Suffer with Slow Smartphone Vehicle Control Solutions

Smartphone Vehicle Control

If you’ve been in the market for a new car, truck or SUV recently, you’ve likely encountered the convenience of smartphone control options. These features allow you to perform tasks like locking the doors or starting the vehicle remotely from your smartphone. However, the reality is that many of these factory-installed systems can be frustratingly slow – a common pain point for many of us. You’re not alone in this: A member of our team has two brand-new vehicles in their driveway, both with comparatively sluggish smartphone control systems. Let’s delve into how these systems function, why they’re slow and, most importantly, what solutions can alleviate this frustration.

What Is a Smartphone Control System?

It should come as no surprise that computers control modern cars and trucks. Decades ago, a fuel-injected vehicle might have had a computer to control the spark plugs and fuel injectors. Today, everything from the headlights and infotainment system to the suspension, collision-avoidance systems and engine is controlled by computers. These computers are typically linked through a network data bus. In the not-so-distant future, vehicles will be able to communicate with each other, opening up a world of possibilities. The intention is to reduce accidents and traffic congestion using machine-learning software and your vehicle’s real-time location. These are called vehicle-to-vehicle systems, or V2V for short.

The benefit of linking all the features and systems in a car or truck is that one can respond to another. For example, some luxury vehicles will lower the air conditioning or heater fan speed to make using Bluetooth hands-free calling easier. Some advanced collision-avoidance systems produce warning sounds through different speakers in the vehicle, depending on where an object is. A turn-signal activation might trigger the infotainment system to display the image from a camera on the side of the car. A parking sensor on the vehicle’s rear might apply the brakes to prevent a collision.

We love the simplicity and ease of troubleshooting electrical systems that use mechanical switches and relays. However, the benefits of computer control can’t be denied.

Smartphone Vehicle Control
The ability of the multitude of computers in a vehicle to communicate with each other improves convenience and safety.

Smartphone Control Integration

So, how can an app on a smartphone communicate with the computers in your car or truck? It uses cell phone towers and cellular radios or modems. Unlike an old cell phone optimized exclusively to transmit and receive voice information, modern cellular radio modules are just as good at sending massive amounts of data. Those of us who like to watch YouTube on our phones understand this. Essentially, the phone acts like a modem connected to our home’s cable or phone service provider. However, rather than a wired connection, the information is broadcast over the air to a nearby cell phone tower. From there, it’s on the internet, and you can reach whatever server and website you want.

Most new cars and trucks include a cellular data radio to communicate with a centralized server to provide vehicle information. This connectivity allows commands from the app on your smartphone to be relayed to the vehicle and vice versa.

Say you want to use your smartphone to make sure your truck’s doors are locked before you go to bed. You launch the app on your phone, then press the lock button. The app will send a message, along with your username and password, to a server operated by the vehicle manufacturer or a third-party company contracted to provide the telematics service. The message is already on the internet if connected to your home Wi-Fi. If you aren’t home and are using a cellular data connection, the message is sent to the cell phone tower, which then passes it along to the cell phone provider’s connection to the internet.

After the server has authenticated the message, a new message with the command is sent to your vehicle. This message travels through the internet to the cell phone service provider tied to your car. From there, the message goes to a cell tower near your vehicle. The message is broadcast digitally to the cellular radio in your car. That radio will recognize the command and send a digital message to the body control module to lock the doors.

Once locked, the process reverses. The vehicle confirms that the door lock request has been executed and returns that confirmation to the smartphone app along the same path.

These messages might travel the entire length of a state or province or even across the country to authenticate and execute commands. It is truly fascinating that any of this can happen in a reasonable amount of time.

Smartphone Vehicle Control
Commands from your smartphone app use the cellular data network to communicate with your vehicle.

Benefits of Smartphone Vehicle Control

Having smartphone control of some of your vehicle’s features is extremely convenient. For example, being able to check to make sure the vehicle is locked from your home or office is excellent. With that said, this isn’t a time-sensitive process from the perspective of waiting for the information. However, if you’re walking out of a store or your home and you want to pop the trunk or open the hatch, it would be nice if that were done by the time you got to the car. The same goes for unlocking the vehicle. Sure, most vehicles with smartphone apps also have keyless entry systems. Nevertheless, the app should work fast enough that you are never waiting.

In reality, the choice of cellular data providers and the companies that host the authentication services plays a considerable role in determining the time it takes for your vehicle to respond to commands. If Mazda wanted to reduce operational costs on the MyMazda service, they could select a less expensive, lower-priority service from the cellular data provider. We’ve seen smartphone control systems that take more than a minute and others under two seconds. That’s a significant difference.

Testing Smartphone Apps on Modern Vehicles

We’ll examine smartphone app responsiveness with the MyNissan app and a 2023 Nissan Rogue. After the vehicle had been sitting idle for a few hours, we sent an unlock command from the smartphone. It took 10.8 seconds for the vehicle to respond. We followed this by sending a lock command. That took 3.7 seconds.

Next, we have the MyMazda app and a 2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV. The test criteria are the same. The vehicle has been sitting idle for several hours. The delay between sending the unlock command and the vehicle responding was 16.6 seconds. The delay to relock the vehicle was 4.7 seconds.

As you can see, sending a second command is much faster. We hypothesize that some of the account authentication processes on the server have already been completed, and your information is now in the cache rather than buried on a storage device.

One MyMazda function regularly used on the Mazda is checking the battery charge status. Oddly, this process takes an abnormally long time – we measured 31 seconds. It’s faster than walking to the vehicle, but not much.

To put these wait times into perspective, the average adult walks about 17 meters or almost 56 feet in 17 seconds. If you are leaving a store and want to remote-start the vehicle, you might be halfway across the parking lot before it gets the start command.

Drone Response Time

Let’s compare this response time to an aftermarket vehicle control solution like Drone from Firstech. You should be familiar with Firstech, which manufactures Compustar remote car starters and Momento dashcams. Sending an unlock command to a vehicle requires less than two seconds. The lock command was executed in under two seconds. We’ve seen a few instances where, just like the OE systems, the first request takes a bit longer than the subsequent, but they are always a fraction of what the OE systems we’ve tested provide.

When the Drone updates, it also provides battery voltage and the temperature inside the vehicle. All of that takes only 2 seconds.

Smartphone Vehicle Control
Smartphone vehicle control solutions like Drone from Firstech provide nearly instant responses to commands.

What about Bluetooth Control?

Some OE and aftermarket smartphone control solutions can communicate with your vehicle using a Bluetooth data connection. Tesla uses this technology in many of its vehicles. Once in range, your smartphone will connect to the vehicle using Bluetooth, and pressing a button in the app will result in a near-instantaneous response from the vehicle. The drawback here is range. Bluetooth might work up to 100 feet under absolutely ideal conditions. This will work as an entry authentication solution but not for something like a remote starter when you are far away.

Shopping for Smartphone Control Solutions

If you want to be able to control and monitor your car, truck or SUV from anywhere in the world where you can access the internet, visit a specialty mobile enhancement retailer and ask them about the solutions they offer.

Before committing to purchasing anything, ask for a real-life demonstration. How long does it take for the vehicle to respond to commands from the phone? Is it a second or two, or slow? Next, ask what functions the system can control in your vehicle. We would expect that door locks are a minimum and that you will likely add this control system to a remote car starter. Beyond that, you may have the option of automatic rear window defroster, heated seat and heated steering wheel activation if your vehicle has those features. Hatch or trunk release is another popular feature, along with sliding door control on minivans.

These days, we need to do everything in our power to keep our vehicles safe. Ask if the control system has geofencing options and if it will provide towing alerts. Find out if you can upgrade the system with a security sensor to monitor for impacts, motion, tilting or glass breakage. Advanced security features are never offered on factory-installed smartphone control systems.

Smartphone Vehicle Control
Ensure that the solution you choose can provide security alerts to help keep your vehicle safe.

Once you have a clear image of the options available, you can choose those that meet your needs. Of course, features and pricing aren’t all that matter when selecting a shop to upgrade your vehicle. Do your research to make sure that the technicians working on your car or truck are appropriately trained, use reliable connection methods and pay attention to the details when integrating the system into your vehicle. Look to see if the shop uses seat, steering wheel and fender covers while working on the vehicle. Find out if they put the vehicle battery on a charger to keep it topped up while they have the doors open. All these small items seem simple, but they are signs that the shop you are researching cares about their work and your car or truck.

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, PRODUCTS, RESOURCE LIBRARY

It’s Smart to Purchase Your Audio Gear From the Shop Installing It

Audio GearIn the “old days” if you wanted to buy something, you went to a store. Now, with the increasing popularity of online shopping, mobile electronics enthusiasts have a seemingly unlimited number of options where they buy the audio gear they want. In this article, we will discuss some of the benefits of purchasing your equipment from the same place that will be installing it.

Choosing the Right Solution

If you have a damaged speaker, subwoofer or amplifier, and are looking for a replacement, then the goal for your shopping excursion is quite clear. If you have a more generic objective, such as “making my factory stereo sound better,” then the expertise of the staff at the store you choose can provide an amazing wealth of information. They can help you determine the correct upgrade path to follow.

Audio GearA great retailer will go to your car with you and listen to your existing sound system before they make an upgrade suggestion. Your feedback about what you like about your sound system, and what you want to improve, combined with what they hear, will help govern where your budget should be dispersed.

Many people think that upgrading a factory radio will provide better performance. When compared to the offerings in late-model vehicles, that is not often the case. New source units may improve connectivity, especially for smartphones, but most factory radios have Bluetooth, can play MP3 and WMA files, and a lot include backup cameras.

Seek out the experience of a professional to help determine the best upgrade path.

Picking the Right Audio Gear

Let’s say that you are in the market for a set of component speakers for your car. There are, quite literally, hundreds of options available. In fact, there are some brands that have more than a dozen different 6.5-inch component sets spread across their different series and diverse price ranges. How do you choose the right one for your application?

Audio Gear
A demo board like the one at Kingpin Car Audio & Marine offers easy speaker comparison.

The best way to choose a speaker is to audition it. Ideally, you should listen to them in a vehicle similar to yours, but listening to a display board is a good solution as well. Bringing along your favorite music is highly recommended. You can compare different speaker sets at different prices quickly and experience the benefits and drawbacks of each. We will reinforce: Listen to the speakers and ignore the brand names, colors and specifications. All that matters is you choose the best-sounding speakers for your budget.

Before you buy anything, audition it.

Product Installation

Equipment manufacturers are all unique. Each has their own set of eccentricities that makes them different than other brands. When it comes to wiring, adjustments, and so forth, a shop that sells a particular brand will be familiar with how those products work. Familiarity and experience can save time and headaches during an installation. If you bring them a radio or an amplifier that they have never seen before, they will need to take the time to figure out how to use the product before they can install it. Modern source units vary a great deal. Pairing a Bluetooth device and internal signal processing options can be quite confusing for a first-time user. You can expect your installation to take 10-15 minutes longer with an unknown brand- time that will be added to your invoice.

Audio GearSometimes, the products chosen for your vehicle may not fit. Speaker sizes may change from year to year, or between different trim levels. Radio and antenna adapter harnesses will often be different for different option packages. Many radio or amplifier installations require that an authorized retailer configure an integration module for your specific year, make, model, and trim level of vehicle for everything to work properly. If you have purchased products from somewhere other than where the installation is being performed, then you will need to get it replaced. This process will take time. If you purchased your equipment from the shop doing the installation, they could swap it out for the right size or application for your vehicle with no hassle at all.

In the unlikely event that something is wrong with the product being installed, a shop that stocks the equipment you purchased can simply pull another unit out of their inventory and finish the installation. In most cases, and unfortunate “DOA” product goes completely unnoticed by the client. If you purchased something from another shop, or even worse, online, then the installation needs to stop. The product will need to be returned to wherever it was purchased. Then repaired or replaced. Finally another appointment needs to be made to complete the installation. If the vehicle had to be put back together between these appointments, you would incur additional cost. Depending on where you purchased the product, it could take weeks to get a new one.

Buying from the shop that is performing the installation can save time and money.

Warranty Coverage

Most of the premium car audio equipment sold in North America is covered by a detailed manufacturer’s warranty against manufacturing defects. Some brands offer much longer warranty periods if their products are purchased from, and installed by an authorized dealer. Over-the-counter purchases can be covered for as little as 90 days, while some brands offer two- and three-year warranties with professional installation.

Audio GearWhen it comes to buying online, be sure that you are dealing with an authorized dealer for that brand. If the price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Many online stores or eBay sellers buy products from retailers that went out of business. The manufacturer’s warranty does not cover these products. Another concern is knock-off or clone equipment. Several popular brands that have had their products copied. These clones may look similar to the original, but they provide significantly worse performance and are unreliable.

Protect your investment by buying from an authorized dealer, and have them install it.

After Sales Support

Once you have purchased a product and it is installed, most retailers will spend some time with you to explain how it works. When it comes to modern multimedia source units, this is incredibly valuable. Using different features and functions, especially navigation systems takes some time to understand. If you have a question a few weeks or months after the sale, you can drop it and ask for some help. More often than not, the answer is quick and simple. The sales staff at your mobile enhancement retailer can show you how to do what you want on one of their display units, or maybe even go out to your car with you.

Reputable mobile enhancement retailers provide exceptional knowledge and support.

Spend Your Money Wisely

The lure of a good deal from an online sale, a deal at a pawn shop, or a used purchased from Craigslist is always a gamble. Will the product will work? Will it fit and be reliable? We all have to work hard for our money. Spending money wisely and getting the best long-term value for our investment is only common sense. Work with your local mobile enhancement retailer to choose the right product for your application. Then have it installed in a way that will maximize its performance and reliability.

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.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, RESOURCE LIBRARY

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