A Close Look at the DroneMobile Car Starter Remote Control System

DroneMobile is undoubtedly one of the best solutions to control a remote car starter or security system in your car or truck. While the traditional key fob remote is a great backup, being able to send commands to your vehicle from almost anywhere using your smartphone is ultra-convenient. Better yet, your vehicle can use DroneMobile to send notifications to advise you if someone is tampering with it. Let’s take a close look at some of the features of this impressive vehicle control and communication system.

What Is DroneMobile?

Telematics is the name given to solutions used to monitor the location and operation of cars and trucks using a telecommunication system. Suppose your vehicle has a Compustar, iDataStart or iDatalink remote car starter or security system. In that case, DroneMobile allows you to use your smartphone to send commands to the system controller in the vehicle instead of a traditional key fob. The system uses an application on your Android or Apple smartphone to talk to a DroneMobile computer module in your vehicle using the cellular data network. You can send unlock, lock or remote start commands with a simple touch of a button. Auxiliary outputs and trunk release control are also available. You can even activate the panic feature right from your phone.

DroneMobile Remote Control — The DroneMobile App makes it easy to send remote start, locking and unlocking and trunk release commands to your vehicle.

When you launch the DroneMobile app, you’ll initially see a status screen display for the last vehicle you sent commands to. Indeed, DroneMobile will work with any number of vehicles, making it perfect for a family with two cars or a company with a fleet of commercial vehicles. The status screen displays the battery voltage and the temperature inside your car or truck (if you have a temperature sensor built into your remote car starter). All of these functions are included with the Basic service package, which costs as little as $3.99 a month. That’s much less than most factory-installed telematics systems cost.

Vehicle Security Features

Another essential feature of DroneMobile is its security features. If you have a Compustar car alarm or have added the DAS or DAS-II sensor to a Compustar remote car starter, then alerts from the alarm will show up on your phone as a notification. If you have installed the DroneMobile app on your smartwatch, the notifications will also show up there.

Another feature included in the Premium and higher packages is towing alerts. If your vehicle is moved without the ignition being turned on, you’ll get an instant notification on your smartphone. If you have a luxury or exotic vehicle and are concerned that someone might tow it away in the middle of the night, this feature is a perfect way to protect your pride and joy.

Find and Track Your Vehicle or Fleet

If you opt for the Premium service plan, you can access a full suite of GPS-based functions and warnings. When you log into the app, DroneMobile will show you exactly where your vehicle is located on Apple or Google maps. Tapping on the map screen will enlarge the map and show you the engine status (off or running); if the vehicle is moving, it will display how fast it’s traveling. This feature is quite handy if you share your car or truck with a family member.

You can also configure GPS-based alerts and notifications. Speed Monitoring will notify you if the vehicle exceeds a predefined limit. Likewise, you can set curfew hours and receive a notification if the vehicle is started during that time. These features are excellent for business owners with a fleet of vehicles.

The Premium plan also includes user-configurable Point of Interest and geofence warnings. If one of your kids borrows the family vehicle to go to work, you can configure a geofence around the location and receive a notification when they arrive and when they leave. This is also an excellent feature for company vehicles that are intended for use in specific areas.

The Premium service plan will also track how far the vehicle has been driven to let you know when it’s time for service and maintenance. Should the computer in your car or truck produce a check engine light or error code, DroneMobile can forward that information to you.

Advanced GPS Features Are Great for Business

The DroneMobile Premium Plus and Ultimate service plans add detailed breadcrumb trails and turn-by-turn tracking. If you use your vehicle for work, the system will log each trip. You can log into the DroneMobile website to generate travel reports for your expenses. That information is stored for six months, so there is lots of time to create reports for income tax purposes.

High-Speed Communication

One complaint we hear from people using factory-installed smartphone control systems is that they seem to take forever to send commands from the smartphone app to the vehicle. We’ve heard from many people that the process can take 30 to 60 seconds. DroneMobile modules are built using LTE-based cellular communication radios, and the authentication database is hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS). The result is a system that works with lightning-quick speed. In most cases, commands from your phone or watch are received and executed by the vehicle in two to three seconds. You’ll get confirmation back to the app that whatever command you’ve requested has been completed in the same blazing-fast time.

Ready When You Are

Compustar bundles a Drone X1 module with most of its premium two-way remote-control systems. New users are provided a 30-day Premium trial to experiment with the system’s features. An important consideration is that you can activate DroneMobile as you need it. If you don’t need to remote start your vehicle in the summer and only use the system in the winter, you can pay for service from December to March. Should your vehicle be stolen or you lock your keys inside and need access, you can activate the subscription and use the tracking or unlock the doors in a few minutes. You can even use DroneMobile from a desktop computer connected to the internet by visiting the DroneMobile website. One of our co-workers managed to lock his keys and phone in his truck. He used a computer at the restaurant he was dining at to log into the website and send an unlock command to the vehicle. The whole process took only a few minutes. You can even log into the dronemobile.com website using the web browser on a smartphone or tablet. As long as you have internet access, you are connected.

DroneMobile – The Ultimate Vehicle Control and Monitoring System

If you want to communicate with the remote car starter or security system in your car or truck from almost anywhere in the country, visit a local authorized Compustar or iDataStart retailer and ask about adding DroneMobile. Once you’re used to its speed and convenience, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

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.

Why Do Some Car Stereo Upgrades Need Load Resistors?

If you’ve asked your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer about upgrading your car stereo in recent years, they may have told you that they will need to add load resistors. While seemingly new in concept, the purpose of these resistors is simple. They’re often needed to ensure that the factory-installed amplifier in your car, truck or SUV continues to function the way it was designed.

Modern Car Audio Systems and Class-D Amplifiers

Most modern car audio amplifiers, especially those installed by a vehicle manufacturer on an assembly line, use Class-D output circuitry to provide a balance of sound quality and amplifier efficiency. Automakers are fanatical about reducing fuel consumption. If an electronics supplier can deliver an amplifier that draws less current, there’s less load on the alternator, and the engine has to do less work.

All Class-D amplifiers use a filter circuit on the switching devices’ output to remove high-frequency noise caused by the MOSFETs switching off and on. The output of the filter is the original audio signal. These filters typically comprise a capacitor and an inductor. The value of these components is based on the load (speaker) impedance the amplifier is designed to drive. If the values are incorrect, high-frequency audio information may be attenuated, or too much noise might be allowed into the output.

Load Resistors — Amplifiers like this AudioControl D-4.800 use high-quality capacitors and shielded inductors in their Class-D output filter networks.

Upgrading a Mobile Audio System

If you visit a local stereo shop and tell them you want to upgrade your audio system, they’ll likely suggest new speakers and an amplifier. In many cases, the shop will use the factory amplifier’s output to feed to the new amp. All good so far.

When the speaker is disconnected from the factory-installed Class-D amplifier, the filter circuit that was designed for a 2- or 4-ohm load isn’t going to function correctly. The signal presented to the capacitor and inductor will cause an oscillation, and a great deal of high-frequency noise may be added to the signal.

Another issue is that these oscillations in the output filter network may become quite significant in terms of their voltage. These voltages can damage components in the amplifier. Companies like Dodge, Chrysler and Ram have circuitry in their radios and amplifiers that prevents them from producing any output if their original speaker isn’t connected.

Upgrade Your Car Stereo Today for Better Sound!

If you can’t turn the volume on your factory-installed car stereo system up without the system distorting, drop by a local car stereo retailer and ask about upgrading your audio system with new speakers and a more powerful amplifier. If they mention that the upgrade will require load-resistors to prevent noise or hiss, now you know why.

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.

Off-road, Recreational, and Commercial Vehicle Camera Systems Enhance Driving Safety

When we consider modern safety camera systems on cars and trucks, most of us think about being able to see behind the vehicle when we’re parking or backing up. While those are two of the most common uses for video-based collision-avoidance systems, cameras can also make a difference in other situations where it’s important to see what’s around you. In this article, we’ll take a look at how a camera system can make your next trail adventure safer or your job more efficient.

Off-Road and Adventure Trail Camera Solutions

If you’ve ever gone off-roading in a lifted truck, then you know that many obstacles and challenges are better handled with a spotter. That’s someone outside your vehicle watching where each tire is and letting you know when to turn, speed up or slow down. What if you don’t have someone qualified to help you navigate a narrow opening between two trees or stay on a steep trail when all you see is the sky in front of you? A custom camera system is a great solution.

Imagine a pair of cameras mounted on your front bumper. Each camera would face downward to give you a clear image of where you’re headed and where each tire is relative to obstacles. You can see ruts, stumps, rocks, trees and, most importantly, the edge of the trail or path from the comfort of the driver’s seat.

There’s no limit to how a camera system can be configured. You may want to opt for a three-camera system, with one facing forward from the center of the grille or bumper and secondary cameras on the side-view mirrors or pods on the side of the vehicle facing forward to show your front wheels and the trail.

Safety Cameras — This Nissan includes a NAV-TV KIT564 universal camera mounted in the front grille to make maneuvering safer.

For camera systems such as this, you’ll want a monitor that can show more than one image at a time. Don’t confuse a monitor that has multiple inputs with a unit that can combine images to display them simultaneously. You don’t want to have to switch back and forth between a left and right wheel camera to ensure that you’re safe.

Commercial Camera Applications

With a safety camera system, there are dozens of ways you can improve efficiency and safety while on the job. If you’re a tow truck operator, having a camera placed strategically on a wheel lift or the boom of a heavy wrecker would allow you to position your vehicle with greater accuracy and minimize the time you spend on the side of the road. The faster you can move a stranded vehicle, the less risk there is to your safety.

Delivery Vehicles

We’ve all heard how backup cameras help prevent back-over accidents. For operators of cube vans or cargo vans, a high-mounted camera on the back of the truck can help you line your vehicle up with a loading dock. You’ll be able to park just close enough to unload boxes without having to step down to the ground.

If you’re transporting horses, you can easily monitor their health and comfort by adding a camera to the inside of the trailer. Many cameras are available with night vision capabilities, using infrared transmitters to let you see what’s going on without visible light.

If you operate a snow plow, having a camera monitoring a salter or on the light bar on the front of a truck will let you operate more efficiently. You’ll know when you’re low on salt and see when you’ve reached the edge of a parking lot. A backup camera system is also an excellent investment in these instances where the driver needs to reverse frequently to clear a parking lot.

See Safely in Absolute Darkness

Police and fire departments all around the country use thermal imaging cameras to help them find fugitives or locate otherwise invisible hotspots after a fire is extinguished. NAV-TV offers the FLIR PathFindIR II infrared camera system for automotive applications. If it’s foggy, raining or smoky, the image from the PathFindIR can help you stay on the right path. Any living object that enters the field of vision will be highlighted with a yellow box on the display screen, so you’ll know to avoid them, even if you can’t physically see them yet. There are options to integrate the camera image into a factory-installed infotainment system, or it can be used with an external display.

Upgrade Your Vehicle with a Custom Camera System Today

High-quality automotive-grade cameras are rugged and reliable. Your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer can design a bespoke system to let you see around your vehicle. Visit them and let them know how they can help you drive or work more efficiently.

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: iDatastart VWX Remote Starter for Volkswagen and Audi

Volkswagen, Audi and Bentley vehicle owners are in luck! The VWX remote car starter from iDatastart was specifically designed for your vehicle. Starting your car a few minutes before leaving for work or the drive home will let the engine warm up in the winter or allow the air conditioning to cool things off in the summer. Either way, your drive will be much more enjoyable. Let’s take a close look at the features and some of the options available from this unique remote car starter.

iDatastart VWX Features and Compatibility

The VWX includes all the inputs and outputs necessary to allow it to start Volkswagen and Audi vehicles reliably. Aside from starting your Golf, Jetta, A3 or A4, you have complete remote control over door locking, unlocking and trunk or hatch release control on compatible models. The system includes a dedicated output for the vehicle horn, and an optional siren can be added to provide enhanced security and protection. The system can monitor the hood, trunk and door status to let you know if someone is trying to break in.

Depending on the specific year, make, and model of the Volkswagen or Audi vehicle you own, the VWX can automatically activate the rear window defroster and factory-installed heated or cooled seats after the vehicle is started.

Volkswagen Car Starter — The IDatastart VWX is a remote car starter controller specifically designed to work with Audi, Volkswagen and Bentley vehicles.

Remote Control Options

The VWX can be used with current Compustar remote control kits, including the fantastic 3-mile-range, two-way T13 LCD unit or the one-button R5. The new Q9 remote is an excellent option for a price-conscious two-way remote with an LCD screen. Two-way communication lets you know that a lock, unlock or remote start request sent from the remote has been received by the VWX controller in the vehicle.

For the ultimate convenience, you can pair the VWX with the DroneMobile smartphone telematic control system. You can send commands over the cellular data network to your vehicle using an app on your Apple or Android-based smartphone and a communication module connected to the VWX in the vehicle. You can check to ensure that the doors are locked when the car is parked at the airport and you’re sitting at the pool bar at a resort in the Bahamas.

Using one of the Premium service plans for DroneMobile adds GPS locating and alert options. You will get a notification any time your vehicle moves or an alert if someone drives off after bedtime. If you share your car or SUV with a family member, a quick tap on the smartphone app will let you know exactly where your vehicle is and how fast it’s traveling.

If your vehicle comes with a keyless entry fob, the iDatastart VWX can be programmed to work with that remote. Pressing unlock will not only open the doors but deactivate the security features of the VWX. The VWX can be configured to remote start the vehicle if you press the lock button on the factory remotes three times in quick succession. This feature is called 3X Lock Start and is handy if you want to use the factory key fob to keep your keychain uncluttered, along with DroneMobile for those times when you are too far away from the RF remote.

Upgrade Your Comfort with a Volkswagen or Audi Remote Starter

If you are shopping for a remote car starter for a 2006 or newer Volkswagen or Audi (or a Bentley Bentayga), drop by a local authorized retailer and ask about the iDatastart VWX system. They can explain exactly which features and functions are compatible with your vehicle’s specific year, model and trim level. The dealer will also help you choose the best remote control solution based on where you park the vehicle at home, at work and out on the town. Ensuring that you have the right control options and range is crucial to warming up or cooling the vehicle long before it’s time to drive off.

For more information on the iDatastart VWX, you can visit the iData website. In the United States, iDatastart products are distributed by Firstech, the parent company of Compustar. Most Compustar retailers have access to this unique Volkswagen and Audi-specific car starter solution.

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.

Upgrades for Nissan Skyline, the GT-R and the Z-Cars

Whether you have a classic 240Z, a 370Z right off the showroom floor or are lucky enough to roll in a Skyline or GT-R, your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer offers a variety of audio, convenience, styling and safety system upgrades. From a technology upgrade like a new radio with CarPlay and Android Auto, a custom audio system that sounds like a rock concert, to a camera system to help you park safely, it’s easy to add improvements to Nissan sports cars. Let’s look at some of the most popular and unique ways to make driving your Nissan more enjoyable.

Nissan Skyline, GT-R and Z-Car Audio System Upgrades

Way back in 1969, Nissan started selling the 240Z in North America under the now-defunct Datsun name. Equipped with only an AM radio built by Hitachi, things couldn’t have been more basic. Fast-forward to 2007, and the latest-generation GT-R rolled off the showroom floor with a multifunction display screen on the dash that was quite literally straight out of a video game. The interface was designed in cooperation with Polyphony Digital – the game development studio behind the incredibly popular Gran Turismo series of video games. With the ability to display such vehicle information as cornering forces, brake system pressure and boost pressure, the difference between these vehicles couldn’t have been more dramatic.

Nissan Upgrades — Designed by Polyphony Digital, the modern GT-R display offers an impressive array of vehicle and driving information. Thanks to Gary Bell from Define Concepts in Orange, California, for the photograph.

Whether you have a classic Datsun or a brand-new Nissan, upgrading the audio in your car will make the drive much more enjoyable. Let’s start at the front with radio upgrades. If you’ve got an older vehicle, you may want to add something with USB support for your smartphone or media player. Having Bluetooth for streaming and hands-free calling is another great reason to buy a new radio.

Thankfully, many Nissan sports cars have come from the factory with ISO-mount radio solutions that can be easily upgraded with a double-DIN multimedia receiver. Aside from options for large touchscreen displays between 6 and 7 inches, these radios open up the options for navigation solutions and backup camera upgrades. We’ll circle back around to safety system options after we finish the audio discussion.

No matter what head unit you choose, picking amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers that deliver accurate sound is crucial to your music’s faithful reproduction. If you want to make your music sound clearer or play louder, you need high-quality products, proper audio system design and a reliable installation. In the images that follow, there’s everything from daily-driven upgrades to show-quality custom installations.

There are always a few paths you can take to get better sound in your Nissan. One of the best-bang-for-your-buck upgrades is to add a subwoofer with a dedicated amplifier. Having a sub means that the small speakers in your car don’t have to work as hard. Your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer should have a variety of options for subwoofer upgrades for your car. They can build a custom enclosure like the those in the photos above or set you up with a prefabricated enclosure. Of course, make sure you pick a high-quality amp and choose good power cables to feed it.

Speaker and Amplifier Upgrades

Once you’ve got some solid bass in your Nissan, it’s time to upgrade the speakers and add an amplifier to power them. Good quality speakers are crucial in improving the realism and output capabilities of your sound system. Think about it – you could have the best radio and amplifiers, but if your speakers don’t perform well, your music won’t either.

Aside from choosing the right speakers, make sure you are investing in proper installation. The addition of sound deadening to your doors will make a world of difference in what you hear. If your installer needs to create adapters to allow new speakers to fit, make sure they’re constructed of something other than wood. Wood will get wet and warp or become moldy. Finally, if you’ve opted for a set of component speakers, make sure the technician is going to mount the tweeters on-axis with the listening position or place them at the edge of the dash, so the sound bounces off of the windshield.

To get the most out of a new set of speakers, you’ll need a good quality amplifier to power them. Shopping for an amplifier can be tricky since it’s challenging to audition different options under controlled conditions. For a set of high-performance speakers, you’ll want at least 75 watts of power. For a subwoofer, as little as 300 watts may be enough, but some high-power subs can handle 500 or 750 watts. Stick with the name-brand amplifiers, and you shouldn’t have any issues with background noise.

If you want to extract the most out of your audio upgrade, then you’ll need a digital signal processor. The acoustics of a vehicle are, quite simply, atrocious. Compensating for different pathlengths between speakers and the reflections caused by all the glass, vinyl and plastic close to the speaker location is crucial to hearing your music the way it should sound. As we’ve said a few dozen times, ensuring that your processor is calibrated properly is key to the upgrade being worthwhile.

Lighting Upgrades for Style and Safety

Headlights are an essential and often overlooked safety feature. Being able to see clearly while not blinding oncoming drivers is crucial to driving safely once the sun sets. If your car came with incandescent halogen headlights, then you might want to ask about an HID or LED upgrade. The style of light you have (reflector or projector) will determine which upgrade works best for your application.

If you want to add a little extra style to your Nissan, RGB LED lighting is a great choice. LED lighting has replaced the unreliable and often-dangerous neon lighting that was popular many years ago. With RGB lighting, you can change colors using a wireless controller or a smartphone app to personalize your vehicle’s look.

Backup Cameras and Safety Systems

If you own a 350Z or 370Z, then you know how difficult it is to see behind you when parking. Adding a backup camera system to these vehicles makes backing up and maneuvering safer. There are many options for cameras and displays. If you want to maintain your car’s factory look, then a replacement rearview mirror with an integrated display is a great option. If you’ve upgraded the radio with a multimedia receiver, most camera solutions will work with the touchscreen.

Remote Car Starters the Drive More Comfortable

Of course, the options to make your Nissan sports car more comfortable include a host of remote starter options. If you live somewhere that’s cold in the winter or hot in the summer, then starting your car a few minutes before it’s time to leave is a great way to make the interior more comfortable. There are car starters that include safety features to make them safe for manual transmission vehicles.

Upgrade Your Nissan Sports Car Today

If a feature is missing from your car, or you’d like to enhance its looks or audio system performance, drop by your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer today. They can make your music sound amazing, make your car more comfortable or make it look even better.

Lead-In Image: A huge thanks to Robert Kelly from The Car Clinic in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for this great shot of this 2014 370Z Touring Sport. The car features a laundry list of upgrades that include a Stillen front bumper, Z1 intakes and test pipes, Eibach sway bars, Koni struts with Swift springs and Power Stop rotors. He’s added a JVC head unit and dB Drive speakers to make sure it sounds great while cruising.
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.

A Close Look at the DroneMobile Car Starter Remote Control System

What Is DroneMobile?

Vehicle Security Features

Find and Track Your Vehicle or Fleet

Advanced GPS Features Are Great for Business

High-Speed Communication

Ready When You Are

DroneMobile – The Ultimate Vehicle Control and Monitoring System

Why Do Some Car Stereo Upgrades Need Load Resistors?

Modern Car Audio Systems and Class-D Amplifiers

Upgrading a Mobile Audio System

Upgrade Your Car Stereo Today for Better Sound!

Off-road, Recreational, and Commercial Vehicle Camera Systems Enhance Driving Safety

Off-Road and Adventure Trail Camera Solutions

Commercial Camera Applications

Delivery Vehicles

See Safely in Absolute Darkness

Upgrade Your Vehicle with a Custom Camera System Today

Product Spotlight: iDatastart VWX Remote Starter for Volkswagen and Audi

iDatastart VWX Features and Compatibility

Remote Control Options

Upgrade Your Comfort with a Volkswagen or Audi Remote Starter

Upgrades for Nissan Skyline, the GT-R and the Z-Cars

Nissan Skyline, GT-R and Z-Car Audio System Upgrades

Speaker and Amplifier Upgrades

Lighting Upgrades for Style and Safety

Backup Cameras and Safety Systems

Remote Car Starters the Drive More Comfortable

Upgrade Your Nissan Sports Car Today

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