ENGLEWOOD, CO (02.01.2021) – SEER – Smart Entry Exit Recognition is now shipping.
“SEER was initially introduced at SEMA show and has won the SEMA 2020 Best Mobile Electronics award. It is a new category for us, and we are excited to offer our industry with a fully customized proximity automation device,” commented EVP for VAIS Dennis Hopper.
Dennis Hopper, VAIS Technology EVP, holding the new SEER product in the company’s HQ lobby in Englewood, CO.
SEER is designed, engineered, and brought to life by VAIS to trigger any factory or aftermarket electronics based on driver proximity or events. Compatible virtually with any vehicle SEER is a great add on for cars, trucks, RVs, fleet, 1st responders, and muscle cars. Once professionally installed SEER can trigger up to 10 outputs to turn the lights on and off, lock / unlock doors, lower the running boards, chirp horn, and power any other electronic accessory by approaching and exiting a certain perimeter around the vehicle. Additionally, you can trigger the outputs by 8 inputs also available on the unit.
SEER can be fully customized by the dealer using an online software tool designed by VAIS and flash the unit via a smartphone app. Dealers that choose to customize SEER can set up different proximity levels to trigger accessories, specify input and output signal types, introduce delays and timers.
“The technology behind SEER allows a user to be recognized as far as 13-15 feet away from the vehicle. The recognition zone plus customization tool is what make this product so versatile and available for multiple markets,” stated Hopper.
SEER can also be used along with industry popular CAN BUS integration modules to simplify the installation or disarm factory security for newer vehicles. VAIS is working closely with iDatalink and will carry ALCA modules in stock to bundle with SEER.
Upon release, VAIS Technology will be conducting weekly training seminars to get any dealer or distributor wishing to become familiar product and its features.
SHREVEPORT LA (01.30.21) WTF…Win This Friday. Sanford Sound won a NavAtlas prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel on Friday morning, January 29th.
The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Two months ago we celebrated the 2nd Anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.
The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 113th time on Friday, January 29th. The Wheel landed on the NavAtlas space. The Sanford Sound slip was drawn from the jar and an Instagram post of the winning slip was posted. A video of the Wheel spin was also posted. We reached out to Jack Bogard at Sanford Sound in Sanford ME. Jack was very happy to hear the news. The new Sanford Sound store is seeing increased activity in the Powersports category and the NavAtlas prize will be welcomed.
Spinning out a winner each Friday, the lucky 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.
12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, Accele, PowerBass, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, JBL, Power Acoustik, JVC and ZZ-2. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.
Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC, Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA, Audio Depot in Arlington TX, Audio Security in Houston TX, Earmark Car Audio and Marine in Lewisville TX, Audio Jam in Bear DE, Stereo City Ontario, Ontario CA, Audio By Art, San Antonio TX, Code Zero Customs in Tulsa OK, Ken’s Car Tunes in Mobile AL, Soundz Plus in Naperville IL, Markland Designs in Lithonia GA, Electronics Plus in Salinas CA, Xtreme Autosports in Santa Clarita CA, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX and Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Texas Dreamz Customs in Spring TX, Wired Electronics in Linden NJ and Intense Car Audio in OKC, OK, Underground Auto in Sarasota FL, Car Toys Tulsa in Tulsa OK, Real Audio in Erie PA, Go Autosound in Union NJ, DFM Stereo in Ukiah CA, Impact Tint and Audio in Tyler TX, Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX, Redline Audio and Performance In Spindale NC, Car Audio Land in San Diego CA, Audio X Custom Car Audio in Florence AL, River Oaks Car Stereo in Houston TX, American Radio Orlando in Sanford FL, Illustrious Customs in Woodbridge VA, Remote Start Pros in Lawrence MA, HiPro Audio in Victoria TX, AudioPlanetNY in Huntington Station NY, Endless Possibilities in Aurora IL, Audio Finesse in Santa Monica, Drive Customs in San Luis Obispo CA, Custom Works, Noblesville IN, AtoZ Detail in West Haven CT, Cars 843 in Charleston SC, CarTunes Atlanta in Atlanta GA, Mobile Concepts in Garwood NJ, Duke’s Car Stereo in Flint MI, Infinity Auto Sound, King Car Audio in Norwalk CT and PopTronics in Baltimore MD. Congratulations to all.
WTF… Where’s the Fun. On next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel will be on Friday, February 5th.
KNOXVILLE, TN (01.29.2021) – Longtime sound-off competitor Anthony Caldwell from Knoxville, TN is retiring from the lanes after 15 years, with 7 MECA World Championships in Sound Pressure League and Dueling Demos contests. His van, Big Blue, was built for music with 110 speakers, inside and out, and was a big draw at our events. It is an SQL vehicle that does SPL, and it’s an SPL vehicle that sounds great cranked up at concert levels, like a live performance. With over 2 dozen Tennessee State Championships in SQL and SPL classes over his 14 years of competition, traveling to almost all the East Coast big events, as well as Slamology, and events in IN, VA, KY . He owed Xtreme Audio (Team XFL) in Knoxville until 2020, after 17 years in business, and is now the Tech guy at MechMan Alternators.
Anthony Caldwell
Anthony and Big Blue, his 1997 Ford E150 Van, are legendary in the car audio sports world, and helped show people that BIG builds could sound great. Always demonstrating good sportsmanship and accessibility, Anthony has this way of describing 150+ MECA events:
Anthony in Big Blue – his 1997 Ford F150 van with 110 speakers
“MECA is like pizza. Even a bad pizza is still good because it’s pizza. If you have product failure, or your numbers aren’t where they should be, it’s still good, because it’s MECA. There are people to lend a hand. You get to catch up with friends. You ask ‘how’s the family? You answer questions, you help troubleshoot, you have a good time. Even on mornings that I didn’t want to make the drive, I knew when I got there everything would be okay. Too much fun!”
Big Blue took the SPL Park & Pound DB5 World Championship ( 140. 74 dB 6′ from the vehicle ) at the 2020 Finals in Lafayette, IN, along with 2nd place in Dueling Demos Extreme, and 5th place in Sound Pressure M5 ( at the headrest with 158.13 dB ). Incredible score in M5 for a music vehicle! And, as he has for many years, he won the Sound Pressure League Best of Show with highest combined scores in Sound Pressure (M5) and Park & Pound (DB5). Anthony went out banging and at the top of his game.
He’s put in a lot of years, and miles, competing and representing the Mobile Electronics Industry, and is retiring from the competition lanes. We hope that Big Blue will show up at our events in E. Tennessee every now and then. Anthony is always available for tech help at MechMan and has a wealth of real-world knowledge about power flow, especially in the big systems.
ALBERTVILLE, AL (01.29.2021) – Engaging posts on social media grab the eyes of consumers. Those consumers can become customers. Extreme Concepts grabbed eyes in the 12volt Central Studios last October with their Annual Best of the Best award post. An Extreme Concepts post on Thursday, January 28th 2021, grabbed eyes in the 12volt Central Studios again. The large Extreme Concepts graphic, with products stacked in front, did it again. The large graphic was painted freehand by a local artist on the large rollup door between the showroom and installation bay.
This graphic with the company name featured grabs attention on social media posts.
A call to Extreme Concepts on Thursday morning, January 28th, revealed business continues to be strong. Other recent Instagram posts included a Christas theme, New Year’s theme and a pickup truck with the bed loaded with the boxes of gear installed by Extreme Concepts.
This classic Chevy SS would be a great gift from Santa.
This post showed all Extreme Concepts had a full tank headed into the New Year.
Each year the Sand Mountain Reporter reaches out to readers for the newspaper’s Annual Best of the Best campaign. Extreme Concepts earned the Readers’ Choice Best of the Best Award in 2020. Extreme Concepts has earned the Best of the Best award since the Sand Mountain Reporter started the campaign in 2013. Looks like they are on the way again in 2021. The Sand Mountain Reporter is based in Albertville AL. The city has a population of just shy of 22,000 residents and is located between Birmingham and Huntsville, AL.
Followers started thinking about music and adding stereo gear to their ride when they saw this post.
The area 12volt retailer stocks a wide variety of 12volt products for car, marine and Powersports including Memphis Audio, JL Audio, JBL and Pioneer. Wheels, tint, lift kits, lighting and paint are also offered.
A representative at the Sand Mountain Reporter offered “When I need anything done to my car I definitely take it to Extreme Concepts.”
DETROIT, MI (01.29.2021) – Much the “new” coming from Tesla Inc. has come from additional vehicles, such as the Model 3 and Model Y, but the EV maker has finally offered an updated Model S for the 2021 model year with a unique new styling quirk.
No, it’s not the $10K price jump for the new model.
The new Model S is a bit more angular on the outside and the interior gets a big makeover, including a touchscreen that is now horizontal, like the Model 3 and Model Y and a new steering wheel. Not sure if CEO Elon Musk drew his inspiration for the new “wheel” from a plane or the Knight Industries Two Thousand, but it looks more like you’re a pilot than a driver when in the driver’s seat.
For those unfamiliar with top ‘80s television programs, the Knight Industries Two Thousand is better known as K.I.T.T. and helped David Hasselhoff, as Michael Knight, fight crime while capturing the imagination of young children (and some adults) across the U.S. on the TV show, “Knight Rider.”
The 2021 Tesla Model S gets an all-new interior, including a yoke-style steering wheel.
It also didn’t hurt sales of the Pontiac Firebird, which is what K.I.T.T. in all black was: a 1982 Firebird with a funny red light mounted in the grille. It’s unclear if the Musk has programmed any Knight Rider-esque fun into the new model, but the look is spot on.
Although it was also popular in the ‘80s to say “It is better to look good than to feel good,” it’s uncertain how good the new yoke-style steering wheel is going to work. Having your hands perpetually at nine and three is ideal for racing, but for making sharp turns or parking, it’s not any fun and, in fact, can be dangerous.
TOLEDO, OH (01.28.2021) – Car Stereo One in Toledo has big plans for 2021. The Great Alpine Wall Of Bass in the Car Stereo One showroom has set the 2021 plan in motion.
Steve Braun, President of Car Stereo One, stated “I believe that it is up to our industry, retailers and vendors alike, to bring excitement back to car audio. With the Great Alpine Wall of Bass we are prepared to create an exciting in-store experience for consumers in Toledo and the surrounding area. Our General Manager Parker Lopez was the driving force behind this project. He enlisted support from Alpine’s Chris Reavis and Dan Sparks. Together they created the Great Alpine Wall of Bass in our showroom.”
An animated Parker Lopez, Car Stereo One GM, shows all how big the sound is coming from the Great Alpine Wall of Bass.
Parker Lopez commented “30 woofers and 30 amps, it’s amazing. It’s the first of its kind in the whole country and will definitely bring excitement back to car audio in our area”. The 30 Alpine S-SB12V Halo woofer systems link to create a wall across one side of the showroom. The 30 KTA-200M PowerPack mono amplifiers are mounted in a corner by the Great Alpine Wall of Bass.
Lopez has been on board at Car Stereo One for 5 years. His father, being on the tech side in the 12volt industry, got his son interested in car stereo at an early age.
The Great Alpine Wall of Bass is flanked by Alpine product displays.
Continuing, Lopez offered, “The Great Alpine Wall of Bass came about following conversations with our area Alpine brand representative Dan Sparks. We were talking about car audio in the old days. One thing led to another. We took our ideas to Steve and he gave the green light to go ahead with the project. The product was ordered and when it arrived Chris Reavis came up from Chicago and we knocked out the installation which took 3 days to get all in place.”
“The Great Alpine Wall of Bass is already being heard and felt. Our staff on the floor is getting a lot of attention when they crank the volume. We will be running some contests on social media. Our customers will be able to snap images and make videos in front of the Great Alpine Wall of Bass they can post on Tik Tok and other platforms for prizes. We plan a grand prize for the most views. A big thank you for the support from Alpine and the work of our team,” Braun concluded.
Braun went to work at Car Stereo One in 1978 and purchased the company in 1992.
HOLLY HILL, FL – January 27, 2021 – Saddle Tramp by Metra Electronics is now shipping ten new audio harnesses designed for Harley-Davidson Batwing Fairing (FLH) and Shark Nose Fairing (FLT) motorcycles with or without the Tour Pak. These harnesses provide plug and play connections for adding aftermarket speakers, bypassing the amplifier, converting the radio connectors, or pre-wiring for adding an amplifier or the Axxess AXDSPX-WR or AXDSPX-HD1 kit. Saddle Tramp’s new audio solutions are designed to save installers time in the bay when upgrading the motorcycle sound system by reducing the need for wire termination.
Harnesses for Adding Amplifiers or DSPs and Radio Conversion
The new BC-9716 is designed for adding an amplifier or the Axxess AXDSPX-WR to 1998-2013 Harley-Davidson FLH and FLT models that have the factory fairing and radio, and the BC-9715 is for 2014-up* models. Both harnesses are wired with pre-terminated input and output harnesses for a fast installation of the Axxess AXDSPX-WR, which is a water-resistant 10-channel DSP. An RCA output harness is included, along with a pre-wired rear speaker plug, used with the BC-9720 backbone harness. Installation of the DSP is optional, as these harnesses also work universally with all amplifiers on the market and wiring has been covered in protective cloth tape for extra durability.
The BC-9713 radio conversion harness will help installers save even more time, as it converts the radio connectors on 1996-1997 models to the 1998-2013 radio harness. This allows for a fast installation with existing Metra products, including the Axxess AXDSPX-HD1 kit, along with Metra’s 99-9600, 99-9800, or 99-9613WR radio replacement kits.
Speaker and Amplifier Bypass Harnesses
To add speaker pods in the front, the BC-9714 is a pair of OE style front speaker pod harnesses for 2014-up* Harley-Davidson FLH and FLT models. It also features an over-molded grommet and OE connectors with 18 gauge oxygen-free copper wire. For adding lower fairing speaker pods on these same models, the BC-9722 is a lower fairing “Y” harness with plug and play OE connectors. The wiring is covered in Techflex for added durability and the harness is sold in pairs. The BC-9726 is an OE amplifier bypass harness for 2014-2020 models and the BC-9725 is a CVO amplifier bypass harness for 2011-2013 models.
Speaker Harnesses for Harley-Davidson Tour-Pak
For adding rear aftermarket speakers to 1998-2020 Harley-Davidson Tour-Pak motorcycles, the BC-9727 is a rear speaker harness that plugs into the OE backbone harness found in the 2014-up* models. If the OE harnesses are unavailable, Saddle Tramps’s BC-9720 is a 4-pin backbone rear speaker extension harness designed for adding rear speakers to 1998-2020 Harley-Davidson FLH and FLT models. It features 18 gauge oxygen-free copper wire that fits the OE connectors and works with Saddle Tramp’s BC-9721 rear 3-way speaker harness splitter. The BC-9727 has an over-molded grommet for a water-tight seal with 18 gauge oxygen-free copper wires and EIA colors. This harness is for use with Saddle Tramp’s BC-TP699713 or BC-TP6914U Tour-Pak lids with speaker adapters. All of these new Saddle Tramp products by Metra Electronics are available now.
The following important exhibitor deadlines and key dates have been set in preparation for the in-person 2021 SEMA Show. Last week, SEMA Show management announced the launch of the 2021 Exhibitor Space Rental Agreement, which is due May 7. Companies that reserve space by the deadline are eligible for the year’s Early Space Selection, where exhibitors select their booth location at the Show.
With dates set, exhibitors can make preparations to invest in the SEMA Show with confidence and reconnect with the industry in November.
Here are essential deadlines for the 2021 SEMA Show:
Exhibit Space Reservation Application Deadline: Friday, May 7
Early Space Selection: Monday, June 7–Wednesday, June 23
Full Refund Cancellation Deadline: Wednesday, September 1
Show Dates: Tuesday, November 2–Friday, November 5
LONG BEACH, CA (01.27.2021) KENWOOD USA is now shipping two new products; the KCA-HX5M (MAP $329.95), a Motorcycle/Motorsports Bluetooth Communication System, and the KCA-HX7C (MAP $399.95) a Motorcycle/Motorsports 4K Camera & Bluetooth Communication System.
With its increasing presence in the world of motorsports, KENWOOD is now leveraging its Communications and Dash Cam DNA by offering motorsports helmet riders 2 unique experiences; advanced helmet-to-helmet rider communication and 4K camera recording with advanced helmet-to-helmet rider communication.
The core function of the KCA-HX5M is to enable riders to seamlessly communicate with each other with crystal clear sound. It incorporates Bluetooth 4.1 technology to provide a powerful Mesh Intercom with a range of up to 1.2 miles, supporting up to 4 riders at a time, and can even connect with other popular brands of intercom systems like SENA. Additional intercom modes available include Open Mesh and Group Mesh. In Open Mesh mode, it can connect with a virtually unlimited number of riders, whereas Group Mesh mode allows for a closed group intercom function for up to 24 riders. Its Advanced Noise Control can also be enabled to reduce background noise during your intercom conversation. Bluetooth intercom talk time is rated at 13 hours, with Mesh intercom at 8 hours.
Other unique features include its ability to make and receive phone calls, FM radio and music listening, music sharing via Bluetooth, and voice command functionality. With its Audio Multitasking capability, riders can have an intercom conversation while simultaneously listening to music, FM radio, or hearing GPS turn-by-turn directions.
The KCA-HX5M consists of a water-resistant helmet-mounted main headset and clamp kit. The headset incorporates a Mesh Intercom, Bluetooth Antenna, Status LED, Jog Dial, and buttons for the Mesh Intercom and Phone. The clamp kit adds a Static Boom Microphone, 2 Speakers, MP3 and Earbud Ports, as well as Quick Release and Ambient mode buttons. A wired microphone and wired boom microphone are also included in the package, along with additional installation accessories. Both KENWOOD’s recommended helmet mounting hardware and optional glued surface mounting adapter parts are included for versatility and ease of installation.
The KCA-HX5M provides additional access and control with both a smartphone application and computer-based companion software. The MESH Utility for KENWOOD smartphone application is available on the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store, and provides access to device settings, user guides, and more. The Intercom Device Manager for KENWOOD PC or Apple software allows you to upgrade the firmware and configure its settings directly from your computer. It can be downloaded from http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce.
The KCA-HX7C helmet-mounted camera system delivers a lightweight, compact, and aerodynamic alternative to action cameras or other bulky camera options. It expands upon the KCA-HX5M’s primary feature set with the addition of a built-in 4K UHD (Ultra High Definition) camera that records at 30 FPS (Frames Per Second), and other slight feature variances, including 4-way intercom communication up to 1 mile away only, as opposed to the KCA-HX5M’s Mesh system for more than 4 riders. The camera features a 125-degree field of view and the lens can be rotated 30 degrees for optimal rider recording view. Smart Audio Mix is added, which allows recording of everything you hear through your speakers as well as your voice during video recording. Bluetooth intercom talk time is rated at 20 hours and video recording at 1.5 hours.
The KCA-HX7C shares the Intercom Device Manager for KENWOOD PC and Apple software for firmware upgrades and configuration settings, but utilizes two unique smartphone applications; the Intercom Utility for KENWOOD application allows you to configure the headset settings, while the Intercom Camera for KENWOOD application allows you to see a live preview from the camera, manage recorded videos, as well as configure the video settings using the built-in Wireless LAN feature of the camera system. When the camera and app are connected, the camera is synchronized with the smartphone’s date and time.
“Be it a motorcycle, UTV, or other motorsports riding activity, it’s simply not as much fun to ride alone.” said Mike Roberts, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for KENWOOD USA’s car electronics sector. “With these systems, riders can fully enjoy their riding experience together, knowing that they are receiving the ultimate in sound quality and performance.”
DIAMOND BAR, CA (01.27.2021) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame at www.sema.org/hof
Established in 1969, the SEMA Hall of Fame recognizes people who have contributed a significant body of work to the industry over a long period of time and is the most prestigious award presented to an individual by the association. It is designed to honor the leaders, innovators, creators, and enthusiasts who transformed small, burgeoning businesses into an industry worth more than $46.2 billion annually.
To nominate an individual who epitomizes the essence of ingenuity in action, visit www.sema.org/hof before the deadline on Friday, March 19.
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