Product Spotlight: Drone XT GPS Tracker

Protecting your vehicles or equipment has never been more important, and a GPS tracking system is one of the smartest upgrades you can make. The new Drone XT from Firstech gives owners a simple and effective way to monitor the location of their car, truck or powersports vehicle in real time. Whether you want added security against theft or want to keep tabs on valuable equipment, a professional-grade tracking solution can improve your chances of quickly recovering your property. Let’s take a closer look at the new Drone XT tracking system.

What is the Drone XT?

Drone XT is a self-contained GPS tracking solution that features an integrated battery for stand-alone operation. Unlike Bluetooth devices like AirTags, the Drone XT operates completely independently from other devices like a smartphone, so you can always check its location from the app or website.

The Drone XT includes a USB-C hardwire power cable that your installer can integrate with the vehicle to power the system and indicate when the ignition is on. There’s also a dual-ended USB-C cable for charging the unit in stand-alone mode. For convenience, four high-strength neodymium magnets are integrated into the base of the unit. If you have heavy equipment to monitor, you can simply attach the Drone XT, and you are good to go.

Full-Time GPS Tracking System

The Drone XT works with the Dronemobile.com website and smartphone app. You can locate your vehicle anytime you want, as long as you have access to the Internet. You don’t need to involve the police or call a phone number. You’ll know the solution is working as soon as you power it up. If you can’t check the location of your GPS tracking system, do you even know if it’s working?

When the unit is moving, the Drone system tracks location with a breadcrumb trail that updates every minute or 30 seconds, depending on the service plan you’ve chosen. Not only can you see where the device is, but where it’s been. This is great as a tracking solution for company-owned service or delivery vehicles.

Low-Power Operation

Firstech engineers have gone to great lengths to maximize the built-in battery’s longevity. The system combines a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with a state-of-the-art LTE Cat M1 cellular radio. Unlike conventional cellular radios, the LTE Cat M1 is designed specifically for low-power IoT devices like the Drone XT.

The Drone XT has power-saving modes to further extend the battery’s life. The unit doesn’t update GPS location or communicate with the DroneMobile server unless it detects motion. The “Wake on Movement” feature has a five-meter buffer, so even shifts in GPS location due to signal strength variations won’t trigger communication. If someone moves the vehicle or piece of equipment, you will be notified immediately.

The 2,200 mAh battery will last up to 3 weeks in Energy-Saving mode and up to 10 months in Deep Sleep mode.

Integrated Environment Monitoring

The Drone XT GPS tracker includes three additional sensors that can be configured to provide alerts to the owner. There’s a temperature sensor that provides notifications for changes by a user-configurable number of degrees. Likewise, a humidity sensor monitors moisture in the air and sends an alert if that changes by a certain percentage. Finally, there’s a light sensor that’ll tell you if someone is snooping around with a flashlight. These alerts show up almost instantly as notifications on your smartphone.

Protection For Unique Applications

The Drone XT GPS tracker is an affordable, convenient way to monitor your car or truck. However, its applications extend much farther. If you have a side-by-side, ATV or motorcycle you want to monitor, the Drone XT is perfect. Your boat, personal watercraft or trailer is also a great application for the compact tracking solution. Did we mention the unit has an IP67 rating for water and dust intrusion?

If you have a service or delivery vehicle and need to monitor its location, Drone XT is a perfect solution. You’ll know when the ignition turns on or off, where it’s located and what stops it has made throughout the day. If the vehicle is used after hours, you’ll be alerted instantly.

Heavy equipment theft is a major issue. Protect your dozers, graders, excavators, compact track loaders and skid steers with this reliable and affordable solution.

For more information on the Drone XT GPS tracker, or to schedule an installation, contact your local authorized Drone retailer by visiting the dealer locator on the Drone website. Be sure to follow the Drone team on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to stay up-to-date with new 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.

Product Spotlight: KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures

Adding a subwoofer system to a pickup truck is one of the best audio system upgrades you can make. The mobile audio specialists at KICKER have developed an entire series of truck-specific enclosures that use their world-famous square L7T thin subwoofers to deliver maximum bass. Let’s take a look at the enclosure solutions offered by KICKER.

KFDL7T102 Subwoofer System for Ford Trucks

The KFDL7T102 is a dual custom-made down-firing MDF enclosure that houses a pair of 10-inch L7T square subwoofers. Combined, the enclosure can handle up to 1,000 watts of power. That’s not peak power, we’re talking 500-watts of continuous power handling per driver. That’s a great match for the CX800.1 or even better, the LX850.1 amp.

The enclosure features integrated bracing to ensure the panels are vibration-free, so your bass sounds tight and controlled. Rounded front corners match the contours of the seats for a tidy appearance and leg clearance while entering or exiting the vehicle. The system sensitivity is 87.1 dB at 1W/1M and the enclosure has a nominal impedance of two ohms.

The KFDL7T102 works with 2009 through 2026 Ford F-150 Crew Cab and 2017 through 2026 Super Duty Crew Cab trucks. Removal of under-seat items like inverters, spare tire tools or floor mats may be required to complete the installation of these subwoofer solutions.

KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures — The KFDL7T102 enclosure fits F-150 and Super Duty trucks and features a pair of down-firing 10-inch L7T subwoofers.

KGMDL7T122 Subwoofer Enclosure for Chevy and GMC Trucks

The KGMDL7T122 is another custom enclosure that is designed for 2008 and newer Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks. The enclosure is contoured to fit the front corners of the bench seat and clear the hinge mechanism at the back. As with all the KICKER L7T truck enclosure, the KGMDL7T122 is finished in thick black carpet for great looks and durability.

The KGMDL7T122 has a pair of 12-inch L7T thin subwoofers that are wired to a nominal impedance of two ohms. Continuous power handling on the enclosure is an impressive 1200 watts, making it an ideal match for the CX1200.1 or the LX1250.1.

KRDL7T102 RAM Classic and K5RDL7T102 Fifth-Gen Truck Enclosures

If you own a RAM truck, then KICKER has a solution that should work with your application. The KRDL7T102 enclosure is designed for Classic-Series RAM trucks including 2002 through 2018 Ram Quad Cab, 2009 through 2018 Crew Cab, 2003 through 2026 RAM 2500/3500 Quad Cab, 2009 through 2026 RAM 2500/3500 Crew Cab and 2019 through 2024 Ram 1500 Classic Quad and Crew Cab trucks. The K5RDL7T102 enclosure is designed for fifth-generation Ram Crew Cab trucks from 2019 through 2026. If your truck has a flat floor under the back seat with no molded cup holder, then the K5RDL7T102 is the right solution for you!

Both of these enclosures feature a pair of 10-inch L7T thin subwoofers in an up-firing configuration. The subwoofers are protected with mesh grilles to protect the cones from running into the seat bottom. Power handling is 1,000 watts continuous and the system has a nominal impedance of two ohms.

KTDL7T102 for Toyota Tacoma Trucks

If you have a 2005 through 2023 Toyota Tacoma four-door pickup truck, then the KICKER KTDL7T102 is designed specifically for your application. This enclosure fits behind the rear seat instead of underneath it, so cab space is retained. The enclosure is home to a pair of square L7T 10-inch subwoofers and is wired to present a two-ohm load to the amplifier. A notch in the enclosure allows it to clear the split seat hinge mechanism. Grilles are included to protect the woofers.

Of course, the enclosure is wrapped in durable black carpet for a tidy appearance. A pair of KICKER badges let everyone know you are rocking bass provided by one of the best in business.

Upgrade Your Pickup Truck with KICKER Today!

If you have a Sierra, Silverado, RAM, F-150 or Tacoma, then KICKER has a subwoofer enclosure solution that will breathe new life into your car stereo. Many new solutions are coming soon, including a tailgate subwoofer for the Jeep Wrangler! For the latest information, check out the KICKER website and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! You can find an authorized KICKER retailer near you using the Dealer Locator on the website.

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: Audison APBX 10 AS2

One of the best upgrades you can make to your car audio system is to add a high-quality subwoofer. Whether you are working with a simple factory-installed radio and speaker system or planning a studio-quality listening environment, accurately reproducing bass frequencies is important. The folks at Audison have a full line of compact subwoofer enclosures that can transform your system from good to awesome. In this spotlight, we will look at the Audison APBX 10 AS2.

Features of the Audison APBX 10 AS2

The APBX 10 AS2 is a low-profile 10-inch active subwoofer enclosure. The term “active” means this unit has an integrated amplifier. Essentially, with some wiring to feed it power and a signal from the radio, this is all you need to add bass to your car, truck, or SUV.

The enclosure measures 17.3 inches long, 13.2 inches wide, and stands a mere 6.2 inches tall. The amplifier is mounted on one of the thin side panels, and the subwoofer is designed to fire down into the floor or back wall of your car or truck. Feet are included to raise the enclosure off the floor so the subwoofer doesn’t hit anything. The enclosure has rounded corners for a little extra style.

The amplifier included with the APBX 10 AS2 is rated to provide up to 400 watts of power. Audison uses a 0.16-ohm low-impedance driver in the enclosure, so the amp doesn’t need a switching power supply. This design is said to boost system efficiency.

The Audison APBX 10 AS2 looks neat and tidy once installed.

Amplifier and Integration Features

The amplifier can accept speaker-level or preamp signals to ensure integration with factory-installed and aftermarket source units is simple and reliable. In high-level mode, the amp will accept up to 8 Vrms on the speaker leads. In low-level mode, the maximum input is 4 Vrms.

The amp has a three-position remote turn-on function switch. The amp can be activated when 12 Volts is applied to the remote terminal. Alternatively, in DC mode, the amp’s circuitry will monitor the speaker wires for the DC offset voltage from a BTL amplifier. Finally, if neither of those options works with your source unit, the amp can detect an electrical audio signal to bring things to life.

In terms of signal processing, the amp has a crossover that can be adjusted from 50 to 300 hertz and features a second-order Butterworth alignment. The internal crossover can be defeated with the Lo-Pass/By-Pass switch if you have a source unit or signal processor with integrated filtering. There is also a bass boost function that lets your installer dial in a bump of up to 6 dB at 45 Hz to add a little extra thump to your music. Finally, there’s a fixed fourth-order (-24 dB/Octave) infrasonic filter set to 24 Hz.

Audison includes their HRC AP remote level control with the APBX 10 AS2. This remote connects to the amp via the included 3.5mm jack. Your installer can mount the control on the dashboard or in the center console to give you control over the bass level. While the original gain setting should provide a nice balance, sometimes we want a little more or a little less bass, depending on our mood or the choice of music.

The amplifier includes a feature called Dynamic Bass Tracking (DBT). This circuitry monitors the audio input in real time to prevent signals that could cause distortion, keeping your music from sounding bad. This circuit will also prevent damage to the woofer.

Audison Subwoofer Features

The subwoofer integrated into the enclosure is based on Audison’s APS 10 series of drivers. The subwoofer features a heavy-gauge stamped-steel chassis to which a single ferrite magnet is affixed. Cooling vents in the basket, under the spider mounting plateau, help to keep the voice coil assembly cool. There are also vents in the cone to allow hot air to escape from the motor assembly.

The cone is made of pressed paper with a water-repellent coating to prevent it from absorbing moisture in humid or damp climates. A polypropylene dust cap keeps debris out of the magnetic gap and gives the driver’s face a clean, classy appearance.

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Audison Today!

If you want to take your car audio system to the next level, drop by an authorized Audison retailer today and ask about the APBX 10 AS2 subwoofer enclosure. Audison offers a similarly designed, but slightly more compact 8-inch solution called the APBS 8 AS2 if space is at a premium.

You can find an authorized retailer using the locator tool on the Audison website. Be sure to follow Audison on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn about all the amazing audio integration solutions they offer.

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: KICKER KMC5

Going back a few decades, only a handful of car audio manufacturers offered marine-specific source unit options. These were often car radios with oversized front panels with waterproofing features. Now, there are dozens of companies that offer marine source units. One that stands out for its features and performance is the KICKER KMC5, which is the subject of this product spotlight. Let’s check it out!

Features of the KICKER KMC5

The KMC5 is a marine source unit with a face measuring 5.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall. The radio mounts through a three-inch hole, so it can replace a small round unit or a large gauge in an instrument cluster. If nothing else, drilling the mounting hole with a hole saw is much easier for your installer than cutting out a rectangle with an air saw. The radio needs about seven inches of clearance behind the mounting surface for the chassis and wire connections. The front panel is IP66 rated, so you don’t have to worry about rain or splashes causing issues. Of course, KICKER’s Real Marine rating means the radio is built with materials that won’t fade, chalk, crack, or corrode when exposed to the sun or saltwater.

The radio features a sunlight-viewable 3.5-inch full-color LCD screen that provides a clear view of what’s playing from a USB thumb drive, SiriusXM satellite radio, or the built-in AM/FM tuner. USB support is compatible with FAT32-formatted thumb drives, and media formats include MP2, MP3, WMA, WAV16, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, and M4A. You can also stream music or a service like Pandora, iHeartRadio, Spotify, or Apple Music over the Bluetooth A2DP connection. The radio includes Bluetooth AVRCP so you can control your smartphone or media player from the source unit.

While we are on the topic of audio sources, it’s worth noting that the KMC5 includes a Weatherband tuner and an auxiliary input. You can use the input with something like a TV, DVD player or media player if you have a larger boat. Speaking of video, the KMC5 has a video input that can be used with an optional backup camera. There’s an external trigger included, so the rear camera can be activated with a switch at the helm. This would be a great option for backing a boat into a narrow slip at the marina.

If you’ve looked closely at the buttons on the face, then you might have seen the Favorite option. This is a quick-access button to whatever source, radio station or weather information channel you want.

KICKER KMC5 — The front panel of the KMC5 radio features a 3.5-inch color display, making it easy to see what’s playing.

System Features and Specifications

Moving on from source options, we should discuss the outputs from the radio. The KMC5 includes six channels of amplification, each rated to deliver 25 watts into a 4-ohm load and 40 watts into a 2-ohm load. You’ll notice the power wire on the amp harness is larger than the typical 14- or 16-gauge conductor you’d find on a 22-watt x 4 radio. Your installer may need to run a dedicated 10-AWG cable for power and ground to the fuse panel at your point. Hey, if you want an amp, even one in a source unit, to produce power, you need to feed it power properly.

On the preamp side, the radio includes stereo front and rear outputs, a pair of subwoofer outputs and a 2-zone RCA output. The fifth and sixth speaker output connections are assigned to the second audio zone output. So, you could power speakers beside the TV, in the galley or a berth. If you are using the preamp outputs with a separate amplifier, the second audio zone might be ideal for a set of wakeboard tower speakers. This system design would give you separate control of the zone-2 volume. In fact, you can rename this separate zone to Tower, Transom, Cockpit, or Interior in the setup menu. You can also configure the Zone-2 volume to track the main volume or be adjustable on its own.

Audio Features

The KICKER KMC5 includes an adjustable high-pass crossover for the front and rear speaker and preamp outputs. The filter can be set to 50, 80, or 120 hertz to suit the size of the speakers in the system. The radio has two tone-control options. It has conventional bass, midrange and treble adjustability, or it can be switched to Custom EQ mode. The Custom EQ includes Rock, Pop, Jazz and custom options. In the custom menu, you can boost or cut audio at 50, 125, 250, 500, 1k, 3k, and 8k Hz center frequencies to fine-tune the system.

You can expand the KICKER KMC5 with the two-inch KRC12 remote or the KRC55 Digital remote. The KRC55 includes a color display that replicates what’s shown on the main radio screen.

Upgrade Your Boat with the KICKER KMC5 Today!

If you are in the market for a full-featured multimedia radio for your boat, or even a side-by-side or UTV, then drop by a local authorized KICKER retailer today and ask about the KMC5 radio. You can find a KICKER dealer near you by using the locator tool on their website.

Be sure to follow KICKER on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn more about their impressive car audio, marine, motorcycle, powersport and lifestyle product offerings.

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: Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx²

The Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² is a marine-grade amplifier with a built-in digital signal processor (DSP) designed to power and tune an entire audio system from a single compact, marine-ready chassis. Combining eight channels of amplification with advanced signal processing, it allows a professionally designed system to deliver clean, controlled sound in boats and other harsh outdoor environments.

Modern marine audio systems face unique challenges. Wind noise, engine noise and open-air listening environments make it difficult to achieve balanced, detailed sound. A DSP amplifier like the VENEZIA V8 DSPx² allows a professional technician to precisely tune the system so music remains clear and dynamic even when conditions are less than ideal.

By combining amplification and signal processing in one product, the VENEZIA V8 DSPx² simplifies system design while providing the flexibility needed for high-performance marine audio systems.

The Technology Behind the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx²

Close-up of the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² marine amplifier power and signal connections. — Close-up product details reinforce the amplifier’s purpose-built marine design and professional-grade system integration.

The defining technology in the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² is the integration of a high-performance multi-channel amplifier with advanced digital signal processing. This approach allows a professional retailer to power speakers and precisely control how audio signals behave throughout the entire system.

A digital signal processor (DSP) works by analyzing and modifying the audio signal before it reaches the speakers. In a vehicle or marine environment, speaker locations, reflective surfaces and background noise can dramatically affect how music sounds. The DSP allows technicians to correct these issues by adjusting crossover points, equalization, time alignment and output levels so the system performs as a cohesive whole.

In the VENEZIA V8 DSPx², the DSP and amplifier sections are engineered to work together from the start. This integration reduces the need for separate components and allows signal processing adjustments to directly influence amplifier output. The result is more precise control over the system’s tonal balance and dynamics, which is especially important in open-air listening environments where clarity and projection matter.

Another important advantage of this integrated design is system flexibility. An eight-channel amplifier provides multiple configuration options for powering speakers and subwoofers throughout a vessel. The DSP makes it possible to tailor each channel’s response to match the speaker type and its location within the boat, helping create a balanced listening experience across multiple seating areas.

Marine environments also place special demands on electronics. Moisture, vibration and temperature changes can affect performance and reliability. By combining signal processing and amplification within a single purpose-built marine amplifier, Hertz reduces system complexity while maintaining the durability needed for life on the water.

Key Features and Capabilities

Connection panel on the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² marine DSP amplifier. — The rear panel highlights the amplifier’s integrated connectivity for multi-channel power and advanced system control.

The Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² includes a range of technologies that support high-performance marine audio systems:

Eight Channels of Amplification: Provides the flexibility to power multiple speaker zones or combine channels for higher output when needed.
Integrated Digital Signal Processor (DSP): Allows professional system tuning including equalization, crossover configuration and time alignment for improved tonal balance.
Marine-Grade Construction: Designed to withstand moisture, salt exposure and vibration common in marine environments.
Compact System Architecture: Combining amplification and DSP processing reduces the number of components required in the system.
System Tuning Flexibility: Multiple output channels allow retailers to create tailored listening zones throughout the vessel.

Design And Construction

Top view of the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² marine DSP amplifier. — The low-profile chassis and clean industrial design reflect the amplifier’s premium marine-focused engineering.

The VENEZIA V8 DSPx² is engineered specifically for marine use, where durability is as important as performance. Marine electronics must withstand humidity, salt exposure and vibration without compromising reliability or sound quality.

Hertz designed the amplifier with protective materials and sealing strategies that help guard sensitive circuitry from environmental exposure. These measures help maintain consistent performance in challenging conditions often encountered on the water.

Thermal management is also critical in compact marine installations. Efficient amplifier design helps control heat buildup while maintaining stable output performance, even during extended listening sessions.

The result is a component built not only for sound quality but also for long-term reliability in marine environments.

Why This Product Matters for Vehicle Audio Upgrades

The Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² matters because it allows a professionally designed audio system to deliver clear, balanced sound in environments where traditional systems struggle. By combining amplification and advanced signal processing, it gives system designers the tools needed to optimize every speaker in the system.

In open-air marine environments, music can easily become thin or uneven without proper tuning. A DSP amplifier allows professionals to shape the system’s response, so vocals, instruments and bass remain balanced across different seating areas.

For listeners, the result is a more immersive and enjoyable experience. Music sounds more natural, details become easier to hear and the system performs consistently even when background noise increases.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with Help from a Professional

Achieving the best performance from a DSP amplifier requires expert system design and precise tuning. A qualified specialty retailer has the tools and experience to integrate products like the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx² into a system that delivers outstanding sound.

Visit the BestCarAudio.com Dealer Locator to find a trusted professional near you. A knowledgeable retailer can recommend the right equipment, design a system tailored to your vehicle and provide the expert calibration needed to bring your music to life.

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: Drone XT GPS Tracker

What is the Drone XT?

Full-Time GPS Tracking System

Low-Power Operation

Integrated Environment Monitoring

Protection For Unique Applications

Product Spotlight: KICKER L7T Truck Enclosures

KFDL7T102 Subwoofer System for Ford Trucks

KGMDL7T122 Subwoofer Enclosure for Chevy and GMC Trucks

KRDL7T102 RAM Classic and K5RDL7T102 Fifth-Gen Truck Enclosures

KTDL7T102 for Toyota Tacoma Trucks

Upgrade Your Pickup Truck with KICKER Today!

Product Spotlight: Audison APBX 10 AS2

Features of the Audison APBX 10 AS2

Amplifier and Integration Features

Audison Subwoofer Features

Upgrade Your Car Audio System with Audison Today!

Product Spotlight: KICKER KMC5

Features of the KICKER KMC5

System Features and Specifications

Audio Features

Upgrade Your Boat with the KICKER KMC5 Today!

Product Spotlight: Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx²

The Technology Behind the Hertz VENEZIA V8 DSPx²

Key Features and Capabilities

Design And Construction

Why This Product Matters for Vehicle Audio Upgrades

Upgrade Your Vehicle with Help from a Professional

Customer Reviews

Subscribe to Our Website

Quakertown Showroom and Installation Facility

Hours

Services

Connect With Us