Garmin Unveils New Fusion Apollo Marine Speakers and Subwoofers

OLATHE, KS (10.03.24) – Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), the world’s most innovative and recognized marine electronics manufacturer, today announced the new Fusion Apollo™ Marine Speakers and Subwoofers that merge crystal-clear, premium sound quality with enhanced visual features. For a superior onboard entertainment experience, the Apollo speakers and subwoofers boast dual-hue LED lighting rings and easily interchangeable grilles to match any boat’s design.

“We’re excited to expand our award-winning Apollo series with new speakers and subwoofers that allow boaters to hear their music louder and clearer than ever before. Blending style and substance, the Apollo series has been redesigned to offer an exceptional audio experience with an attractive new look and feel that’s easy to customize and install.” –Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales Audio excellence

Garmin is on site at the IBEX Show in Tampa… Booth 3-2019

The Apollo speakers and subwoofers are engineered to produce premium and engaging audio at higher volumes, thanks to an updated motor design and a new composite material. The coaxial speakers deliver high-fidelity sound throughout the audio curve, while the subwoofers bring crystal-clear premium bass to boaters who want to feel their music.

For superior performance, users can easily integrate their Apollo speakers and subwoofers with Fusion stereos and amplifiers (sold separately) to experience the maximum listening volume with minimal distortion. Fusion products are designed to work together as an optimized ecosystem and can be controlled from a compatible Garmin smartwatch or smartphone using the Fusion Audio App.

Combinations to fit any style

The Apollo series stands out from other speakers and subwoofers on the market with removable grilles, dual-hue LED lighting rings and a distinct hexagonal-shaped tweeter that provides a sleek, unique-looking sound source. Boaters can customize the look with easily interchangeable grilles offered in sports white or sports gray, or the optional shielded white or shielded gray (sold separately). The grilles are easy to install and have a seamless finish without visible screws.

With new dual LED lighting rings, the Apollo speakers and subwoofers provide users with an extraordinary spectrum of color – from soft pastels to vibrant hues – to match their mood or music. Accent lighting is bright yet elegant and understated with support for traditional red, green and blue LEDs in addition to cool white or warm white. Integrate with the Garmin Spectra™ LED control modules for full LED illumination control from a compatible Garmin chartplotter or the ActiveCaptain app on a smartphone.

The Apollo series includes a variety of size options that suit the needs of any boat type, with the coaxial marine speakers available in 6.5”, 7.7” and 8.8” models and the premium marine subwoofers available in 10” and 12” designs.

Superior marinized durability

Engineered to perform year after year, the Apollo series speakers and subwoofers are rated to IP66 and IP67 for dust and water protection, with ISO12216 compliance in pressure and water tightness tests. They’re built to withstand dust, salt fog, temperature, vibration and UV rays, giving boaters confidence that their speakers and subwoofers will stand the test of time. The full range also includes a 3-year consumer warranty.

All Apollo series speakers and subwoofers utilize new embedded plug-and-play, water-resistant connectors that meet industry standards (ABYC) for simplified aftermarket and OEM installation and enhanced protection against the elements.

The Fusion Apollo speakers and subwoofers have suggested retail prices ranging from $549.99 to $949.99. Visit garmin.com/fusion to learn more about the Apollo series and its seamless integration with Garmin marine electronics.

This article originated from garmin.com.

NAV-TV Remains In The Aftermarket Under New Management

CORAL SPRINGS, FL (10.03.24) – NAV-TV’s aftermarket division (brand and assets) has been purchased and the company will continue offering its customers the same outstanding support, service and product quality it has always been known for. Development of exciting new products has picked up right where they left off. General manager of mObridge, Fraser Ryan will be managing the NAV-TV brand going forward.

NAV-TV Corp CEO Moni Melman said “The NAV-TV brand has been synonymous with cutting edge infotainment integration since its very early days 25 years ago. I trust the new management will continue our tradition of innovation and top notch customer service. I would like to thank our thousands of loyal customers throughout the years for your trust and support, it’s been an awesome ride!”
NAV-TV General Manager, and industry stalwart Tony Yankovsky, said “this deal ensures the future supply of all current NAV-TV products, as well as the products we distribute, such as BlackVue, for all of our loyal customers who have been using and installing NAV-TV products for over two decades.”

Tony also said “Our customers will soon be able to order all product lines, and their orders will be seamlessly shipped from our Florida and/or California warehouses, for the convenience of our customers on both coasts.”

Fraser Ryan, said “this is an exciting development as we have a long-term view of the market and an absolute focus on investing in innovative new products for the future. NAV-TV is famous for its industry leading integration components. We all know that integration is becoming more and more important. I am very excited to be a part of the best integration team in the 12v industry. There will truly be no rival to the next generation of our products.”

Visit nav-tv.com for more.

SEMA Launches “Drive The Vote” Voter Mobilization Campaign

DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.02.24) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) today launched Drive The Vote (www.sema.org/vote), a campaign to mobilize voters among its 7,000 member companies and the millions of American automotive enthusiasts, with resources to enable their participation in the 2024 general election.

“Voting is an essential activity for our nation and for ensuring the automotive aftermarket industry has a say in the business undertaken by our lawmakers at the state and federal levels,” said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “SEMA’s Drive The Vote campaign equips our members and those around them with the information they need to vote in their community for the candidates who best speak for their values. And, because the 2024 SEMA Show starts on Election Day, Nov. 5, we’re encouraging those traveling to Las Vegas to review these resources so they know how to vote early.”

The Drive The Vote campaign is simple in its intent: encourage Americans to register to vote and then cast their ballots, using content designed to help industry leaders navigate interactions with congressional candidates, highlight the automotive aftermarket’s advocacy priorities, and encourage enthusiasts’ participation in the electoral process. SEMA is providing vetted links to important voter information, questions to ask candidates during campaign events, and social media assets and sample messages to encourage their employees, customers, and community members to register to vote.

“There has never been a more critical time for our members to weigh in on who’s leading in Washington, D.C., and state capitals across the U.S.,” said SEMA Board Chair Kyle Fickler of ProCharger. “The Drive The Vote campaign will help SEMA members and other auto enthusiasts raise our collective voice to secure passage of laws and policies that help preserve our industry and its $337 billion annual impact to the American economy.”

To learn more about Drive The Vote, visit www.sema.org/vote.

Q Series Speakers from MB Quart

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (10.02.24) – Superior sound meets dynamic detail. Get ready to hear more with Q Series. Seek sound that creates playback that is redefined by sharper precision. With Q Series speakers – your audio becomes infused through greater detail, deep levels of listening, and true undistorted playback. HEAR MORE in every beat.

MB Quart Q Speakers are German-built and unleash higher quality sound in every aspect and detail of listening. Any listening session will become a flagship leader in higher quality sound, rich levels of listening, and undistorted playback within every layer of audio. Q Speakers make your audio redefined.

The QSE-216 Q Series 6.5-inch 2-way component speaker system delivers audio in the highest playback. Featuring 1-inch Military A-Spec Titanium dome tweeters with Butyl rubber surrounds in a cast-aluminum housing, innovative cone materials with lightweight mica-filled poly blend, and a universal compatible vehicle fitment — every beat and note transforms to new layers of immersion and listening dimensions.

1.5-inch high-temperature copper voice coil on Kapton former is lighter and stronger than aluminum – allowing the component to support slightly higher frequency extension and efficiency. A woven fiber cotton-poly blend spider stabilizes the cone and voice coil in all musical situations.

Balanced Temperature Technology (BTT) is used through every component in the Q Speaker system as a diecast aluminum basket frame is designed to be lightweight and extremely rigid as the low-profile form can be easily installed in most factory locations with little or no modification required.

Lightweight mica-filled poly blend cone material. 1-inch military A-Spec Titanium dome tweeters. Natural Butyl rubber surround/cone couplings. Embrace every feature that redefines listening sessions and set the bar by raising your speaker game to the Q LEVEL of performance with Q speakers.

Follow the link HERE and learn more on MB Quart Q Series speakers.

Firstech Launches Exclusive October Dash Cam Promotion

KENT, WA (10.01.24) – Firstech, maker of automotive security solutions, is thrilled to announce a special promotion across North America for its Drone XC-LTE Dash Cam Systems. Drone XC, which won “Best New Product” at SEMA Las Vegas, is an LTE dash camera that integrates with popular remote start and security systems like Compustar.

Throughout the month of October, customers who purchase a new Drone XC Dash Cam system at a participating retailer will receive a free RC1 rear-facing camera. Valued at $100 USD, the RC1 adds a wide-angle, high-definition view behind your vehicle, providing essential video evidence in case of a rear-end collision.

To encourage dealer/retailer participation, Firstech and its distributors will also be offering a complimentary RC1 with every Drone XC Dash Cam purchased during October.

Key Benefits of Drone XC Dash Cam with Rear-Facing Camera:

  • Enhanced Safety: The RC1 rear-facing camera records everything behind your vehicle, increasing your vehicle’s security on and off the road.
  • Video Evidence: In the event of a collision, the Drone XC Dash Cam system, paired with the RC1, can capture crucial video evidence from both front and rear angles.Remote Live View:
  • Activate remote live viewing over LTE from virtually anywhere, giving you peace of mind and the ability to monitor your vehicle from both front and rear angles.

This limited offer is valid through October 31st, 2024 or while supplies last. Retailers interested in participating in the “free rear camera” promotion should contact their Firstech sales representative or distributor. Customers interested in the Drone XC Dash Cam and RC1 Rear Camera can visit www.dronemobile.com to find a nearby Authorized Dealer.

Limitless Release New Nano HDV3 Battery for Powersports Audio

BATON ROUGE, LA (10.01.24) – Limitless Lithium is excited to announce its next Generation of Powersports Batteries. The new NanoHDv3 is the strongest and safest battery now available for Motorcycles and other forms of Powersports.

The NanoHDv3 is a direct fit replacement battery for Harley Davidson motorcycles with an exclusive built in distribution block for audio and accessories and the most revolutionary “Battery Management System” that will protect users from over charging or the dreaded non-start scenarios.

Limitless Lithium’s Chris Allen and Matt Leisch flank Dave Gill with SMS

This compact energy solution provides enough power for amplifiers of 6500W RMS and Max Burst Wattage up to 8000W. The NanoHDv3 output will provide 400 Amps of continuous power for 30 seconds and up to 800 Amps of Max Burst Output for up to 10 seconds.

Limitless Lithium has engineered the most innovative “Battery Management System” (BMS) to date. It is designed to internally disconnect the battery if it rises above 15.3V or falls below 10V. This increases stability and battery life, giving users up to 10 years of energy.

Visit limitlesslithium.com for more.

SEMA Data Excellence Award Recipients Announced

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.30.24) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the recipients of its 2024 SEMA Data Excellence Awards. These awards honor brands that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to data proficiency by delivering the most comprehensive product content for retailers and resellers in the SEMA Data network.

“Achieving data excellence requires diligence and commitment,” said Gigi Ho, SEMA vice president of Technology, Data and Strategic Initiatives. “We commend the manufacturers who have achieved this significant milestone that benefits the entire industry.”

As consumers continue to shop online, it’s essential that manufacturers maintain excellent data quality that meets or even exceeds industry standards. Ensuring that products are accurately represented can help resellers streamline their operations and eCommerce stores, boost sales, and ensure customers are equipped with accurate and complete product information when shopping for automotive parts.

The 2024 SEMA Data Excellence award winning brands have surpassed this feat, meeting the most stringent requirements of the SEMA Data Scorecard v3–a comprehensive tool designed to guide manufacturers in improving the quality of their product data. Each tier of the Scorecard–Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—presents a more rigorous challenge to create and catalog additional fields of product information. Those with Gold and Platinum scores are distinguished as having achieved Data Excellence.

“We firmly believe that quality data drives sales,” said Scott Brickey, IT Director at Advanced Clutch Technology. “Since SEMA introduced the Platinum standard years ago, it has been our mission to attain it every year—this year being no exception. Detailed descriptions, accurate pricing, actual product images, and valid fitments are crucial for making our parts easily accessible across platforms and helping customers make informed decisions.”

“Our team worked incredibly hard to achieve a Platinum score,” added Patricia Lierman, Product and Sales Information Specialist at Blue Ox. “We take pride in knowing that the information we provide to our customers is of the highest quality.”

SEMA Data is the industry’s largest product database with more than 650 brands, a collective inventory of more than 4.5 million parts, and an active network for more than 4,750 resellers. It serves as the central hub for product information in the specialty-automotive market, supplying manufacturers and resellers with continuing education regarding evolving product data standards, as well as a comprehensive set of online data management tools.

Award winners will be celebrated during the SEMA Data Users Group Meetup on Monday afternoon before the official start of the 2024 SEMA Show. To learn more about SEMA Data, visit www.semadata.org.

SEMA DATA PLATINUM BRANDS

  • Advanced Clutch
  • Blue Ox
  • Borgeson
  • BRExhaust
  • Camburg
  • CSF Cooling-Racing & High Performance Division
  • Diode Dynamics
  • Form Lighting
  • IAG Performance
  • ICI
  • Leed Brakes
  • MagnaFlow Exhaust Product

SEMA DATA GOLD BRANDS

  • Bak Industries
  • BD Diesel
  • BedRug
  • Belltech
  • Bilstein
  • BOLT
  • Boostline
  • CamLocker
  • Coast To Coast
  • Derale
  • ENEOS
  • Extang
  • FOX Offroad Shocks
  • GATE KING
  • GFB Go Fast Bits
  • HushMat
  • Husky Towing
  • KW
  • MBRP Exhaust
  • MTS Technik
  • N-Fab
  • Nolathane
  • ORACLE Lighting
  • Pacbrake
  • Pareto Point Industries
  • Pedal Commander
  • Raxiom
  • Retrax
  • Roll N Lock
  • Rugged Liner
  • SpeedFx
  • ST Suspensions
  • TI Automotive
  • Timbren SES
  • Tonno Pro
  • TrailFX
  • Truck Covers USA
  • Truxedo
  • Undercover

Visit www.sema.org for more.

Tech Talk with Brendan from ZZ2

PALM BEACH, FL (09.30.24) – Brendan here with ZZ2 tech team and I’m here to answer your most frequently asked questions.

So a question I get a lot is:
“What do you do if you can’t get audio after the ZZPLAY has been installed?

So the first thing you want to do is establish whether you’re using Bluetooth audio of the factory radio or auxiliary input as your main audio input to the car. If you’re using Bluetooth audio, you got to turn on one setting inside of our unit. It’s just a simple inside the setup there. Otherwise you got to make sure that you’re on auxiliary input. It’s one of the other. We recommend that you use Bluetooth auxiliary audio of the vehicle if the car has Bluetooth audio equipped.

We have a full team ready to go to answer all your questions. You can email us or directly message us. We’ll be able to get back to you ASAP!

Let us know if you would like to see any videos of most common FAQ’s you may have!

Visit zz-2.com for more.

SiriusXM and Pandora to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Special El Pulso Event Featuring Anitta in Miami on October 10

NEW YORK, NY (09.27.24) – SiriusXM and Pandora announced today that Latin star Anitta will perform for SiriusXM and Pandora’s El Pulso event at Ice Palace Film Studios in Miami on Thursday, October 10.   

SiriusXM y Pandora Presentan El Pulso con Anitta will feature the Brazilian star performing songs from her latest album Funk Generation as well as fan favorites. The special concert will be open to SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners. Fans can RSVP to attend the show HERE.  

“I couldn’t be more excited to join SiriusXM and Pandora in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Anitta. “I can’t wait to perform for my fans in Miami in this intimate setting”

“Anitta has made a significant impact on Latin music and culture throughout her career,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “We’re so excited to give SiriusXM and Pandora listeners the opportunity to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with on of Latin music’s most current influential voices.”

SiriusXM subscribers will have the chance to listen to Anitta’s performance on SiriusXM’s Hits Uno (ch. 151) on Friday, October 25 at 1:00 pm ET, SiriusXM’s Caliente (ch. 152) on Friday, October 25 at 4:00 pm ET and will stream on the SiriusXM app.

With almost 200 million spins on-platform, Anitta is one of Pandora’s top streaming Latin female artists and has had huge success on El Pulso with tracks like Envolver and Bellakeo.

Sponsors of this exclusive concert include The Glad Products Company, Life Cereal, National University, and Wendy’s.

SiriusXM continues to showcase some of the biggest names in today’s Latin pop, reggaeton, dance and viral LatinX music through the dynamic Hits Uno and Caliente channels as well as a suite of Latin music channels and programming all originating from SiriusXM’s Miami amazing state of the art studios.

Long considered the leader in Latin digital music in the US, Pandora amplifies the genre’s music and culture daily through its various stations, including its #1 Latin station, El Pulso.

2024 SEMA Show Innovates for a New Generation

DIAMOND BAR, CA (09.27.24) – The SEMA Show returns in 2024 with a renewed focus on innovation to meet the needs of an evolving automotive aftermarket industry. As the landscape of attendees shifts toward a younger, more dynamic demographic, the Show continues to transform its offerings to deliver engaging, experiential elements that go beyond traditional trade show norms.

This year’s Show will feature a wide range of activations, live demonstrations, and immersive experiences designed to serve an international community seeking more than a walk through the convention center aisles. Attendees will experience the latest trends and advancements in an interactive format that encourages participation and discovery.

“The 2024 SEMA Show is the result of a journey we started almost 20 years ago,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “Today’s attendees want to engage with products, brands, and each other in different ways, and our goal is to provide an environment where they can explore, connect, and experience innovation in real-time. This year’s event is designed with that in mind, offering more opportunities for interaction, networking, and engagement.”

The SEMA Show is one of the largest trade shows in the world, powered by a passionate and innovative community. The 2024 Show is receiving more industry support than it has seen in years, with more than 2,400 exhibitors — including 500 first-time exhibitors — projected to display their latest products and services to thousands of attendees and media.

New and Evolved Experiences
The SEMA Show continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in the industry, not just for the scale of its event, but for its ability to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of the automotive aftermarket industry. With a focus on creating meaningful experiences, the Show is primed to attract a new wave of attendees who are eager for more dynamic, participatory interactions, and support exhibitors who are looking for ways to connect directly with both industry professionals and consumers.

Among the Show’s headlining innovations are two events designed to bookend the SEMA Week experience. Show attendees will kick off the Week with Industry Night @ SEMA Featuring The Goo Goo Dolls, an exclusive party for the entire industry community on the Las Vegas Convention Center campus. Show attendees will unite to forge relationships that will drive the industry forward as they enjoy chart-topping music from the Goo Goo Dolls, O.A.R., and Reignwolf and get ready for a week of discovery and innovation. Attendees can learn more and purchase tickets at SEMAShow.com.

Closing the week is SEMA Fest, now relocated to the SEMA Show campus. SEMA Fest will welcome the enthusiast public and the industry community with live music featuring Sublime, Cage The Elephant, Fitz And The Tantrums, and Petey, as well as high-octane motorsports activations. Attendees can learn more and purchase tickets at SEMAFest.com.

“The SEMA Show is an environment for the entire community to gather,” said Gattuso. “We’re unique because we have the global marketplace represented in one place, from manufacturing to service providers to distribution to end users. When you have that, great things are bound to happen.”