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.

Custom-Installed Radar Detectors Deliver Better Protection

When it comes to long-range sensitivity to police radar and a defense solution against lidar, a custom-installed radar detector is your best choice. Not only do custom-installed detectors offer fewer distractions within the vehicle, they offer better range and more features to help you reach your destination quickly and efficiently. Let’s look at a few reasons why integrated or custom-installed detectors are the best choice for defending yourself against speed traps.

Radar Receiver Sensitivity

Radar receivers use a horn-shaped microwave antenna (or two) to channel high-frequency signals from the radar gun to a high-sensitivity receiver module. The best units on the market use a digital signal processor to analyze the output of the receiver and quickly and accurately extract information about the presence of X, K and Ka-band police radar.

As with any antenna, the size of the antenna itself plays a significant role in its sensitivity. Sensitivity describes how weak of a signal an antenna can detect. If you have a larger antenna, you can detect a weaker signal.

Because custom-installed radar detectors typically use larger antennae (which can be mounted to the front of the vehicle), they can detect weaker signals and provide longer warnings. Most high-quality radar detectors will detect radar guns at ranges of between 1,500 and 3,500 feet, depending on the radar gun being used and the system you have purchased.

Dealing with Police Lidar

Most police forces are investing in lidar guns as opposed to radar. Lidar is much more precise in terms of singling out a particular vehicle in dense traffic. Because lidar guns can measure the speed of your vehicle in less than half a second, there is no time for a driver to react.

Some portable radar detectors, on their own, include a lidar receiver and will provide you with an alert that your vehicle has been targeted by an officer. In most cases, if you are speeding, this means you’re likely to get a ticket. There is a slim chance that the warning was received as the lidar gun was targeting an adjacent vehicle, but with a beam pattern that is only 30 inches wide at a range of 1,000 feet, that’s unlikely.

Custom-installed detectors typically include a complete laser defense solution as opposed to a laser warning. A laser defense system detects the light signal from the police lidar gun, then transmits a scrambled beam pattern that prevents the law enforcement officer from measuring the speed of your vehicle. We have a complete article that explains how lidar defense systems work here.

Your mobile enhancement retailer will have the training and experience required to outfit your vehicle with enough lidar transceivers and ensure that they are mounted and aligned properly to provide excellent protection.

A Note on Custom Radar Installations

We’ve talked about keeping the interior of your vehicle tidy in the past. Companies like BlendMount offer some nice options for securing a portable radar detector to your rearview mirror, and your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer can take care of running the wiring to a switched power source for you.

That said, a custom-installed detector takes integration to an entirely different level. Displays can be integrated into a rearview mirror, your dash or the center console for a factory-installed appearance. Some shops, like Ai Design in Tuckahoe, New York, are printing entirely new mirror frames to integrate controls and displays for custom radar detector and laser defense system installations. Talk to the team at your local specialist retailer to find out about the options that are available for your vehicle.

Protect Your Driving Record with a Custom-Installed Radar Detector

If you want the longest-range radar detection available and a viable defense solution against police lidar, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today and ask about their custom-installed radar detector options.

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.

Understanding Advanced Dashcam Features

By now you know that having a dashcam in your car or truck is the best way to protect your self against fraud and false accusations in the event of an accident. As with any type of consumer electronics product, there are basic dashcams and models with advanced technologies. If you want to know what’s going on around your vehicle, even when you’re at home, in your office or on vacation, then you’ll be interested in what these cloud-based technologies offer.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

We’ve talked about dashcams in the past that forego the inclusion of an LCD screen in favor of Wi-Fi connectivity. In many of these cameras, the Wi-Fi connection is used to connect the camera to your smartphone and not specifically to the internet. Thanks to an application on your Apple iPhone or Android-based smartphone, you can connect directly to the camera and watch or download videos stored on the device. You can also adjust the camera settings in real time from the app on your phone, once again negating the need to remove the microSD card and go back and forth to a computer.

Connecting to your dashcam using Wi-Fi offers several benefits. First and foremost, you don’t need a computer in order to access the video files. If you witness or are involved in an accident, you can download the video file to your smartphone right on the spot. The viewing software provided with cameras like the Momento M6 allow you to edit video clips right on your device and upload them to Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Advanced Dashcam — You can connect to your advanced dashcam using an easily configurable Wi-Fi connection.

Once connected, you can view or download the videos stored on your dashcam right to your smartphone.

Cloud Connectivity

Some camera systems like the BlackVue DR900S-2CH include the ability to connect to the internet through a mobile router in your vehicle or your home Wi-Fi network for real-time remote access. Once your camera is connected to the Internet, you can access the camera from anywhere in the world to see what it sees. If you have a mobile hotspot, you can initiate two-way communication with the driver as he or she drives using the speaker and microphone built into the camera.

You have access to all the video files stored on your camera and you can download them for viewing or back them up to your cloud storage. You can even stream video to Facebook Live or YouTube Live if you have an Apple iPhone.

When your camera is in parking mode and connected to the cloud, you can configure the system to send an instant push notification to your phone if your camera system detects an event. The event can be triggered by the impact sensor or motion in the image.

Vehicle Locating and Tracking Service

Because all of the dash cameras at these feature levels include a GPS receiver, you can check the location of your vehicle on a map. For business owners, BlackVue offers a corporate service called BlackVue Fleet Tracking. You can monitor the location of your vehicles in real time, view vehicle location history and stream live video from up to four cameras at once using the BlackVue Viewer Pro application on your Windows computer. Geographically based warnings are another handy feature to let management manage their assets.

Advanced Video Compression

Though not a benefit in terms of real-time safety, cameras like the BlackVue DR900S-2CH include the option for H.265 image compression. Where most cameras use the H.264 codec to compress the video data, the more advanced H.265 (also called High Efficiency Video Coding or HEVC) format allows for a reduction in file size by about 50% with no additional loss of detail. What does this mean to the owner of a dashcam that offers H.265? You can store almost twice as many video files on the microSD card. This is an important feature for cameras that record in 2K and 4K resolution.

Advanced Dashcam Features and Technology

If you are in the market for a dashcam with advanced features like cloud connectivity and Wi-Fi, visit your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today. They would be happy to show you what is available and arrange for their technicians to integrate one 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.

The Importance of Professional Dashcam Installation

When it comes to dashcams, getting the right dashcam and having professional installation are key to creating a system that functions reliably and remains safe. Dashcams come in a variety of configurations with many options so that you can capture video of the events in front of and behind your vehicle. Proper installation not only ensures that the camera turns on when it’s supposed to but remains on in the event of an accident — without adding wire clutter to your vehicle interior. Let’s look at why professional installation is a wise choice.

Dashcam Power Options: 12V Charging Port

Your dashcam system will be powered in one of two ways. Some cameras come with a power harness that has an integrated plug that connects to a 12V charging port (formerly known as the cigarette lighter socket). While it’s obvious how this type of power connection is made, running the wiring neatly is an issue. You’ve also used up your charging port. If you need to connect a smartphone charger or a portable navigation device, you may be out of luck. A professional installation technician can add a hidden power outlet or upgrade your system with a hard-wire harness to make sure things are neat and tidy.

Dashcam Power Options: Hard-Wired Connections

The second charging option for dashcams are those systems that include a power plug with two or three bare wires at the end. To ensure that your camera operates reliably, these power wires need to connect to the proper wiring in your vehicle. Knowing which wires to use so that the camera functions reliably can be tricky. With modern computer-controlled data networks used in many vehicles, you can easily damage control modules if you guess incorrectly or use improper test equipment to probe wires or terminals. Hard wiring a dashcam isn’t a task we’d recommend for someone without proper training.

Concealed Wiring

The first and easily the most important benefit of having a professional install your dashcam is the confidence you have in their making the right connections. The second benefit is that all the wiring will be routed safely through the vehicle in a way that won’t interfere with safety systems like airbags in the dash or A-pillars. Knowing how to remove the associated trim panels to conceal wiring takes experience, something a specialist mobile enhancement retailer can offer.

Dashcam Installation — All wiring must be routed safely around airbags. The dashcam system and remote car starter antenna in this vehicle could easily be ripped off of the windshield if the airbag inflates.

Wiring Reserve Power Sources

Many people who purchase dashcams add a battery pack or power management system so that they can use the parking mode feature of their camera system without fear of draining their vehicle’s battery and leaving them stranded. The first installation consideration for these modules is that they are mounted securely. The last thing you want is a 4-pound metal box flying around the interior of your vehicle if you’re in a serious accident. Second, the unit needs to be wired correctly to ensure that enough current can be provided so that it can charge again once you start the car. Some larger battery packs draw significantly more current than a standard 12V accessory plug can supply.

Dashcam Setup and Alignment

If you have chosen a dashcam with an integrated display, ensuring that the camera is aligned perfectly is pretty easy. If your camera has Wi-Fi connectivity, chances are that the manufacturer also has a smartphone app that will let you view the camera image. No screen and no Wi-Fi? No worries: Your installation technician can check a sample of the video footage on a computer to make sure everything is aligned correctly. Settings for the shock and motion sensors, time zone, daylight saving time and smartphone connectivity should also be set by the technician.

Some camera systems have specific requirements to format the SD or micro SD memory card they use to store video. Having your dashcam installed by a professional means that you don’t have to worry about this procedure. Your car, truck or SUV will leave the shop with the system working perfectly.

Choose the Right Retailer To Install Your Dashcam System

As with any aftermarket accessories, buying quality products and having them installed and configured properly is more important than getting the best price. When you are shopping for a camera system, be sure to ask about what the business offers in terms of installation services. You want both the dashcam and the professional installation to be reliable. Drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today to find out how a dashcam system can protect you from fraud and false accusations or capture the next “I can’t believe that just happened” moment on your drive to work.

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: 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!

Custom-Installed Radar Detectors Deliver Better Protection

Radar Receiver Sensitivity

Dealing with Police Lidar

A Note on Custom Radar Installations

Protect Your Driving Record with a Custom-Installed Radar Detector

Understanding Advanced Dashcam Features

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Cloud Connectivity

Vehicle Locating and Tracking Service

Advanced Video Compression

Advanced Dashcam Features and Technology

The Importance of Professional Dashcam Installation

Dashcam Power Options: 12V Charging Port

Dashcam Power Options: Hard-Wired Connections

Concealed Wiring

Wiring Reserve Power Sources

Dashcam Setup and Alignment

Choose the Right Retailer To Install Your Dashcam System

Product Spotlight: KICKER KMC5

Features of the KICKER KMC5

System Features and Specifications

Audio Features

Upgrade Your Boat with the KICKER KMC5 Today!

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