Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a hit since it debuted when I was a senior in high school. I remember the first one I saw in the parking lot with bright red paint and gold-trimmed wheels. That was a lucky student (with well-to-do parents) who obtained one of the first. I remember taking a ride and thinking what a great package it was compared to the OG Cherokee. Grand Cherokee Read more
Several years ago, iDatalink, the company known for its class-leading remote car starter interfaces, launched an amplifier integration solution called the Maestro AR. The AR (which is short for amplifier replacement) was designed to interpret the CAN bus commands intended for a factory amplifier into something a third-party digital signal processor can understand. While Read more
Though it only seems like last year, our 2019 article about the importance of test-driving a new car radio before buying is suddenly more important than ever. So let’s review some key factors and discuss a few new things you ought to test before purchasing a new radio for your car or truck. Test the Interface One of the most important reasons to try out a new car radio, Read more
In the early 2000s, most premium aftermarket in-dash multimedia radios had built-in navigation solutions based on Global Positioning System data. This was also true for many factory-installed radios in higher-end vehicles. These systems helped travelers get where they wanted to go more efficiently and safely than using printed-out maps from MapQuest or classic foldable Read more
Toyota’s Sequoia has always been a worthy competitor to Chevy’s Tahoe and now Jeep’s new Wagoneer. It flexes a nice interior coupled with Toyota reliability, and the mild hybrid system delivers 20 mpg, which is astounding for a large SUV. Now, let’s add aggressive wheels and off-road tires, a dual-tip exhaust, roof rack, LED lighting and other tasteful touches usually only Read more
When Lincoln overhauled its Navigator for 2018, it was an instant success. The new large luxury SUV featured all the latest technology in a sumptuous package that was miles away from the Lincoln of yesteryear, with no gold Signature Series badges or landau roofs. Instead, it was a comprehensive package that was also miles away from the Expedition it’s based on. Lincoln’s Read more
A demo vehicle is one of the best tools available to demonstrate the audio and convenience upgrade options for a car or truck. The team at KarTele Mobile Electronics in Waterbury, Connecticut, purchased this 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee with plans to outfit it with a premium audio system, a radar detector, window tint and paint protection to show off the solutions they offer to Read more
Decades ago, it took about $40 in parts, on top of the cost of a new car radio, to give yourself improved sound quality and more features. A simple wire harness adapter would let a single-DIN radio connect right to the factory radio harness behind your dash. Add an antenna adapter and you were likely on your way. Fast-forward to the 2020s and modern infotainment systems Read more
Maybe it isn’t fair to compare a Subaru Outback to the new Ford Bronco. No doubt about it, the new Bronco is red-hot right now, and for hardcore off-roading, it’s the perfect vehicle. Unfortunately, most Broncos will be relegated to hopping curbs at the mall parking lot. But let’s say you’re an off-roader who wants a vehicle to drive every day with reasonable fuel economy and Read more
A few weeks ago, I was at Motron Automotive Electronics in London, Ontario, to return some vintage remote car starters I’d borrowed for an article. I was talking with Lee Campbell about the work the shop does. Aside from remote car starter installations and audio system upgrades, Motron specializes in finding solutions for vehicles where the factory-installed infotainment Read more
High-end installers often get calls from clients who live outside of their county or their state or province. Now and then, a client is willing to ship his car or truck partway across the country to have work done. In the case of this 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the owner consulted with Matt Schaeffer of Musaic Audiophile Design in Lewes, Delaware, using WhatsApp. Why not Read more
Looking at the specifications and features of an amplifier rarely tells the entire story. ARC Audio sent me one of their ARC 1000.4 amplifiers that’s equipped with an IPS8.8 Pro-Series eight-channel digital signal processor. Based on a 1,000-watt platform, this four-channel amp is rated to produce 250 watts per channel into 2- and 4-ohm loads. There’s a lot of ground to cover Read more
