Automotive Upgrades That Help Seniors Drive Safely

A variety of technologies are available to help our seniors drive safely. It’s been shown repeatedly that independent mobility improves the wellbeing of those of us lucky enough to have retired after a long career. A backup camera, parking sensors, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring systems are great ways to help everyone on the road reach their destination without an accident or a close call. Let’s look at how each of these technologies works.

Backup Cameras for Safer Maneuvering

It’s been proven that having a backup camera on your vehicle can dramatically reduce the chances of accidents or injuries when parking or maneuvering. These cameras mount on or near a license plate, or they can be integrated into a tailgate handle on a pickup truck or third brake light on an SUV. The camera provides an unobstructed view of the area behind the vehicle.

Depending on the make and model of car, truck or SUV you drive, the image from the backup camera can be displayed on the factory-installed infotainment system screen, on a replacement rearview mirror with an integrated display or on a compact stand-alone display. The camera image appears automatically when reverse is selected in the transmission.

Senior Driving Safety — The Momento R1 replacement rearview mirror includes a 4.3-inch auto-dimming display that can show everything behind the vehicle when backing up. A second video input can be integrated into a forward-facing camera to make parking easier and more accurate.

Parking Sensors See the Unseen

A parking sensor system incorporates a series of ultrasonic transceivers, usually mounted in the rear bumper of your car or truck. When you are backing up, the sensors emit a radio frequency signal and look for any reflections. Even an item as small as a parking signpost can be detected by the system.

When the sensors detect an object, an audible alert is provided to the vehicle operator, usually in the form of a series of beeps. The frequency of the beeps increases as the vehicle gets closer and closer to the object. Finally, at a distance of about 1 foot, the beeps turn to a solid tone to let the driver know he or she should stop the vehicle.

A key benefit of a parking sensor system over a backup camera is that it’s an active technology: You don’t need to remember to use it, and it alerts you when you need to react.

Lane Departure Warning Systems Keep You On The Straight and Narrow

With advances in computer image processing, we now have access to reasonably priced lane departure warning systems. These systems use a camera mounted high on the windshield to watch the lane markings on the road as you drive. If you veer toward the curb or the lines, an audible warning is provided.

A system called the MDAS-9 not only lets drivers know when they are moving out of their lane, the camera system can alert the driver to impending accidents with pedestrians or cyclists approaching from the side. A small display module mounted on the dash provides a visual indication of the potential accident.

Blind Spot Monitoring Systems

If someone is driving alongside your car or truck but they aren’t visible in your peripheral vision or your side mirrors, they are said to be driving in your blind spot. Two types of blind-spot monitoring systems are available to alert drivers to the presence of vehicles in their blind spots. A sensor-based system such as the USA Spec BSM 200 includes a pair of LED indicators that are mounted in the vehicle and a set of ultrasonic sensors that are mounted behind the rear bumper cover. If someone is in your blind spot, the indicators will illuminate. If you put on your turn signal while someone is beside you, the system flashes the indicators and provides an audible warning so that you won’t change lanes and cause an accident.

Another blind spot solution is a camera-based system. Compact cameras mounted on the side of the vehicle, typically in or under the side mirrors, show an image on a screen when you activate your turn signal. Many of these systems can be integrated into a factory-installed infotainment system screen for a seamless and tidy look.

Seniors Can Drive More Safely with Advanced Automotive Technology

If you or a family member could use a co-pilot on the next road trip, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer and ask about adding one of the driving safety systems we’ve talked about in this article. They would be happy to explain how the system works and provide you with a detailed quote to integrate the safety solution into 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.

Popular Accessories and Upgrades for Ram Trucks

Whether you own a brand-new Ram Rebel or a classic Dodge 1500 pickup, your local mobile enhancement specialist carries a variety of accessories and upgrades that can improve the functionality of your vehicle and your enjoyment of it. If you love music, a speaker or subwoofer upgrade can transform your listening experience. If you use your truck for work, a toolbox or bed cover could be right up your alley. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular upgrades that are available.

Ram Pickup Truck Stereo Upgrades

If you have an older Dodge or Ram truck, upgrading the radio with something more modern can open up a whole new world of entertainment options. For those with the 1.5-DIN radio, up until now, adding multimedia was nearly impossible. The new “floating” display radio solutions from Alpine and Sony have changed this. The Alpine iLX-F309 and Sony XAV-AX8000 (shipping around December 2019) feature a single-DIN radio chassis and a huge 9-inch touchscreen display that mounts in front of the dash. These radios include Bluetooth calling and audio streaming, support for MP3, WMA, AAC and FLAC digital audio files from a USB stick and, most importantly, include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

No matter what trim level of truck you own, upgrading the speakers or adding a subwoofer will make a huge difference in the way your music sounds. Better speakers offer improved clarity, thanks to a reduction in distortion. Typically, they will also play a lot louder when combined with an upgraded amplifier.

Adding a subwoofer system to any truck is perhaps the most dramatic improvement you can make. Having an amplifier and speaker dedicated to producing bass not only allows you to hear more low-frequency information from your music, but it also alleviates the need for your smaller speakers to try to reproduce those power-hungry frequencies. In short, everything about your stereo will sound better with a subwoofer.

Ram Accessories — MTI Acoustics in College Station, Texas, offers beautifully crafted subwoofer enclosures for Ram trucks.

Safety and Collision Avoidance Systems

Your local mobile enhancement retailer offers a variety of backup cameras and collision avoidance systems for Ram trucks. A backup camera is one of the best upgrades you can make to a pickup truck. Being able to see what’s hiding behind that tailgate can prevent accidents and injury. Camera options include solutions that mount to the license plate or that are integrated into a new tailgate handle.

Parking sensors are another great upgrade for pickup trucks. These small sensors mount in the front and/or rear bumper to detect and warn the driver as you approach an object. The system will begin beeping once you are a few feet away from a wall, a post or parked vehicle. Once you are within 12 inches, the beeping becomes a solid tone to let you know it’s time to stop.

Remote Starters and Security Systems

Most people think that remote starters are only for people who live in areas that get cold. The reality is, having a remote starter in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Georgia or California is a great way to let the air conditioning system start cooling the vehicle before it’s time to leave. Whether you are worried about heat or cold, a high-quality remote starter is a great way to make your vehicle more comfortable.

Your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer can help you choose a control option that provides the range you need to ensure your vehicle can be started long before it’s time to leave.

If you are worried about someone stealing a cool set of wheels, most remote starters can be upgraded to include security functions. Adding a tilt/motion sensor and shock sensor will sound an alert if someone jacks up your vehicle to steal your wheels.

Ram Running Boards and Bed Covers

Functionality and styling upgrades are very popular with truck owners. A set of side-steps or running boards is a welcome addition on a truck with big wheels or a lift kit. For a truly elegant solution, motorized running boards like the PowerStep from Amp Research make it easy to get in and out when a door is open, then fold up tight against the rocker panel when the doors are closed to maintain ground clearance and aerodynamics.

If you carry tools or personal belongings in the bed of your truck, adding a tonneau cover is simple and effective protection. A soft roll-up or folding cover is an inexpensive way to conceal what’s in the bed. A hard cover upgrades your protection by making it difficult to access the contents. Both hard and soft covers roll or fold quickly to provide complete access to the bed to load and unload large items.

Lighting Upgrades

If you find you spend a lot of time driving after the sun sets or you take your Ram or Dodge off-road, a lighting upgrade might be a great idea. LED and HID bulb upgrades for the factory headlights can more than double the amount of light produced to help you see farther and be safer. A set of auxiliary lights in the form of LED light cubes or a light bar can light up a trail or road to ensure you can see everything in front of you.

Window Tint and Paint Protection Film

Another great upgrade that can improve the comfort and safety of your Ram or Dodge truck is window tint. Adding tint to the windows blocks 99% of the UV rays from the sun to protect your skin and reduce damage to the fabric, leather and vinyl in your truck. Choosing a high-quality ceramic film can cut the amount of heat that enters the truck by more than two-thirds to keep it cool on a hot summer day.

Paint protection film is an incredibly durable transparent urethane coating that is applied directly over the paint on your truck. Also called clear bra or Heli Tape, paint protection film is designed to absorb impacts from sand, gravel, stones and small rocks to prevent chips and scratches. The film can be applied to front bumpers, the hood, fenders, mirror covers, door handle cups, rocker panels and the perimeter of the truck bed and the tailgate to keep your investment looking like new.

Upgrade Your Ram or Dodge Pickup Truck Today!

Whether you need an old blown speaker replaced, want a studio-quality sound system installed or are shopping for truck accessories, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today to find out how you can improve your Ram 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.

Drone Telematics System Minimizes Worry about Vehicle Theft, Vandalism

A high-quality car alarm or security system is a great way to prevent vehicle theft. With that said, what if thieves decide to ignore the siren and drag your car away with a tow truck? Would you even know if your vehicle was gone before you tried to leave for work the next morning? Drone has two solutions to ensure you’ll receive instant notification if someone is tampering with or trying to steal your vehicle. If you’re curious about keeping your pride and joy safe, then keep reading.

X1-MAX Standalone Security Solution

The Drone X1-MAX is a stand-alone security and vehicle control interface. X1-MAX includes an integrated shock, tilt, motion and glass breakage sensor to provide instant warnings when someone is messing with your ride. A built-in lithium-Ion backup battery will keep the system operational even if someone disconnects the battery in your vehicle. Your authorized Drone retailer can integrate the system into your vehicle so that it will control your door locks and trunk release, and the system is capable of remote starting many cars and trucks. Currently, X1-MAX is only available in the United States.

Vehicle Theft — The X1-MAX can operate in a stand-alone mode that provides excellent vehicle protection features.

Drone X1R-LTE Add-On Communication Module

If you have a Compustar or Arctic Start security system in your vehicle and want to receive smartphone notifications, then you want the X1R-LTE add-on module. Just as with the X1-Max, alerts from the door, hood and trunk inputs will produce a notification on your smartphone in about a second. If your security system features the fantastic DAS or DAS-II sensor, the smartphone alerts will include warnings from the tilt, forward motion and, exclusively with the DAS-II, glass breakage sensors. If you’re worried about someone stealing a set of expensive wheels, this is the protection you need.

Because Drone uses cellular data communication, you don’t have to be near your vehicle to get this information. Your car could be parked at home, at the opposite end of a large shopping mall, or in a city lot a few blocks away from a theatre or stadium. LTE communication technology ensures that you know what’s going on in a matter of seconds.

Time-Based Security Warnings

When you subscribe to the Premium, Premium Plus or Ultimate service package, additional features can help protect your car or truck. Curfew Monitoring is an option that allows you to set a period of time where your vehicle shouldn’t be in operation. For most people, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. would be an acceptable window. If your car or truck were started up during this time, you’d receive a notification on your phone right away.

If you’re a business owner, then you may want to set the Curfew notification start time to 6 p.m., so you’ll know that your assets are being used exclusively for work use. If your staff members know that the vehicle includes a locating system, they’ll be much less likely to make detours for personal use during the work day. This improved behavior will improve productivity and reduce vehicle-related expenses.

GPS Location-Based Notifications

You can configure your home or office with a geofence so the Drone system will send a notification any time the vehicle enters or exits that geographic area. Should someone try to tow your car or truck away in the middle of the night, not only will you receive an alert from the tilt sensor, but you’ll know when it moves. You can use the GPS Car Finder feature to track its location and notify the authorities. Best of all, you’ll receive the geofence alert even if the alarm is disarmed, so relay attacks won’t disable the system.

Protect Your Vehicle with Drone

If you’re interested in the vehicle theft and vandalism warning options available from Drone, drop by your local authorized retailer. You can find a shop in your area using the dealer finder on the Drone website. Be sure to follow the updates and new releases from the Drone team on their Facebook Page, Instagram page, Twitter feed or their 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.

What Are Jam to Gun and Jam to Kill?

Having a radar detector and laser defense system in your car or truck is a great way to avoid speeding tickets. The success those systems have in helping you avoid tickets depends a great deal on how you use them. In this article, we’ll talk about laser defense systems and explain the Jam to Gun and Jam to Kill terms.

What Is a Laser Defense System?

Also called a laser or lidar jammer, laser shifter or laser countermeasure system, a laser defense system works to prevent a police officer from measuring the speed of your vehicle using a lidar (laser) gun. Because lidar guns can target vehicles very accurately (within a few feet at a range of 1,000 feet) and measure very quickly (often in less than 0.5 second), there’s no time for a driver to slow down once a detector has alerted him. Laser defense systems identify the light pulse pattern from the lidar gun, then transmit a signal that includes additional pulses that prevent the gun from working.

What Is Jam to Gun?

Imagine a scenario where you are driving at 90 mph in a 65-mph zone. When you are 1,000 feet away from the law enforcement officer, your laser defense system detects the lidar signal and starts jamming. In a scenario when you employ a Jam to Gun procedure, you allow the defense system to continue to transmit its signal and prevent the officer from taking a speed measurement.

The problem with the Jam to Gun method is that the officer will be expecting a measurement. When he or she doesn’t get it, they’ll know you are likely jamming the signal and may decide to pursue you in hopes of catching you speeding or doing something else wrong. You may have avoided the original ticket, but you may not get away without a fine.

What Is Jam to Kill?

A much better process is called Jam to Kill. When your laser defense system is triggered, you should slow down quickly but smoothly. You don’t want the nose of the car to dip suddenly, as that would attract attention. Once you’re at a speed that won’t attract attention, you can cancel the jamming signal transmission and allow the officer to take a reading. He or she may know what you’ve done, but without any proof that you were speeding, they will likely let you carry on your way.

React Quickly and Efficiently

If you are traveling at 90 mph, you are covering 132 feet per second. If the officer is 1,000 feet away, you have about 7.5 seconds before you are beside him. You need to respond quickly and efficiently to the laser alert from your defense system while not drawing attention to yourself. Several laser defense systems can be configured to automatically stop transmitting the jamming signal after a predetermined amount of time. Many users opt to set the system for 4 or 5 seconds. Others prefer to press a button to cancel the jamming signal once they know they are traveling at the desired speed.

For whatever method you choose, it’s worth practicing the process to the point that it becomes muscle memory. When the system triggers, check your rearview mirror, brake efficiently and smoothly, then cancel the jamming signal. Given that you’ll likely waste 0.25 to 0.5 second simply reacting to the signal, being good at completing the process is very important.

Protect Yourself with a Laser Defense System

If you find you occasionally (or frequently) exceed the posted speed limit, visit your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer and ask about having a custom-installed radar detector and laser defense system installed in your car or truck. Custom-installed radar detectors and laser defense solutions are something that you won’t want to try to install yourself as it typically requires the removal of the bumper covers and careful placement and alignment of the laser sensors for the system to function properly.
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.

Window Tint Goes Beyond Mere Cosmetics To Improve Safety

Did you know that automotive window tint reduces glare so that you can see better while driving? That’s right; tint doesn’t just make your car look awesome and help to keep it cool inside. Reducing glare helps you see the gauges and displays in your vehicle better and can dramatically improve your vision out the front window, making it easier to see vehicles, objects and pedestrians in your path.

What Is Glare?

Glare comes in many forms. The most common in automotive situations is a reflection in a screen or display from light coming from behind you. This light washes out the screen, making it very difficult to see. This can happen to entertainment and infotainment systems in the center console or dash of your vehicle on a bright day.

Another common type of glare is from oncoming vehicles, especially when it’s raining. The light from the headlights is scattered by the water droplets. This wash of bright light reduces our ability to see darker objects in the distance.

Even bright light coming in the side windows or a sunroof on a nice day can change the way your eyes see objects in front of you.

How Does Window Tint Reduce Glare?

In vehicles where the side and rear windows are tinted, the amount of light transmitted into the vehicle is reduced. The amount of reduction depends, of course, on how dark the tint is. Using a specification called visible light transmission, or VLT, tint film darkness is rated by the amount of visible light that passes through. A 40% VLT film allows about 40% of light to pass through and would be considered medium tint darkness. A 5% VLT film is very dark as only 5% of light passes through; this is often referred to as limo tint.

Tint Glare — Lighting reflecting off a screen that reduces is visibility is called glare. Image from Ford’s Visual Performance Evaluation Lab.

If you’re driving in a vehicle and the sun is behind you, it will reflect off the display in your dash or center console. Blocking light from entering the vehicle reduces this reflection (which is called glare) and helps make the screen more visible.

Other Ways Tint Improves Visibility

When you’re driving at night, light reflected into your eyes from your rearview or side mirrors can be quite bright. The iris in our eyes will close slightly to reduce the amount of light that reaches the optical sensors. This works the same way as the aperture in a camera lens. Once the iris is closed, it becomes much harder to see objects on the road in front of the vehicle.

Adding window tint will reduce the amount of light from vehicles behind us, helping us see farther down the road.

Night Driving Tip: Turn down the brightness of your dash display, gauges or navigation system and turn off any fog lights that light up the road directly in front of your vehicle. Reducing these light sources will let your eyes see darker objects that are farther down the road.

Protect Yourself with Automotive Window Tint

Here’s a quick test you can do the next time you’re stopped at a traffic light. If the sun is shining in the side window, hold your left hand up beside your ear. Slide it straight forward until your thumb is right beside your left eye. Did you notice how much easier it is to see out the front of your vehicle? Adding window tint has the same effect.

Whether you want to reduce glare in your vehicle so you can see farther down the road or you want to prevent potential skin damage from prolonged UV exposure, having the windows in your car or truck tinted is a great idea. Check with your specialist mobile enhancement retailer today to find out if they offer window tinting services.

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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Automotive Upgrades That Help Seniors Drive Safely

Backup Cameras for Safer Maneuvering

Parking Sensors See the Unseen

Lane Departure Warning Systems Keep You On The Straight and Narrow

Blind Spot Monitoring Systems

Seniors Can Drive More Safely with Advanced Automotive Technology

Popular Accessories and Upgrades for Ram Trucks

Ram Pickup Truck Stereo Upgrades

Safety and Collision Avoidance Systems

Remote Starters and Security Systems

Ram Running Boards and Bed Covers

Lighting Upgrades

Window Tint and Paint Protection Film

Upgrade Your Ram or Dodge Pickup Truck Today!

Drone Telematics System Minimizes Worry about Vehicle Theft, Vandalism

X1-MAX Standalone Security Solution

Drone X1R-LTE Add-On Communication Module

Time-Based Security Warnings

GPS Location-Based Notifications

Protect Your Vehicle with Drone

What Are Jam to Gun and Jam to Kill?

What Is a Laser Defense System?

What Is Jam to Gun?

What Is Jam to Kill?

React Quickly and Efficiently

Protect Yourself with a Laser Defense System

Window Tint Goes Beyond Mere Cosmetics To Improve Safety

What Is Glare?

How Does Window Tint Reduce Glare?

Other Ways Tint Improves Visibility

Protect Yourself with Automotive Window Tint

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