In June 2010, Firstech, LLC/CompuStar released a next generation, groundbreaking addition to their product line that will change the way motorists interact with their vehicle. This revolutionary new system, called DroneMobile™, puts total control of a vehicle in your hands, from any mobile device, smart phone, or any computer with an internet connection.

Drone is a complete “re-wire”, if you will, of the traditional remote control service for vehicles. From the project’s inception, Drone was designed to perform above and beyond all other remote vehicle operation services, and still provide a very practical and intuitive user interface. Utilizing a web-based user interface, Drone will enable you to gain full access to its wide array of features from any device, be it computer or phone, from anywhere. Let’s take a look at the many ways CompuStar’s DroneMobile can work for you.

- Ease of Use

Though this point may be considered a given, it remains one of the key factors when considering a remote start and operation system for your vehicle. Web Control allows you to access your vehicle options from anywhere, with any device having an internet connection. You can perform any action available in the system through your desktop computer, laptop, or smart-phone. You can even use multiple phones or computers if you frequently change devices, so you will not be tied down to access from one device.

- Loads of Features

A remote start and vehicle management system is worth nothing without the features you need, and with this in mind CompuStar has designed DroneMobile to be your ultimate solution.

Web Control – Access the system from anywhere, at any time.
Remote Start – Start your vehicle from your current location, no matter where you are.
Keyless Entry – Lock and Unlock your vehicle from anywhere.
Truck Release – Open your vehicle’s trunk.
Panic – Activate your vehicle’s alarm system remotely.
GPS Tracking – Allows visual and coordinate tracking of your vehicle on a map, and will also display other status information such as battery voltage, temperature, alarm status, and more. You can also receive updates and alerts for geo-fencing, points of interest, theft, towing, curfew violations, speed violations, battery health and service reminders.
Multiple Vehicles – Add multiple vehicles to one account, allowing you full control over all of them without the need for separate accounts and complex management. With one application, you get full control over all your vehicles with DroneMobile installed, and alerts for each vehicle.

- Full Smart Phone Support

Whether you are an iPhone, Blackberry or Android user, DroidMobile will work for you. iPhone is currently fully supported, and Blackberry and Android versions are already on the way. DroneMobile can also be accessed without the smart phone application, just visit live.dronemobile.com/login from any web browser, including mobile browsers, and you’re ready to go.

DroneMobile is defined by ease of use and a diverse feature set, and is quite possibly the best remote vehicle operation service available. DeDona Tint and Sound is now installing these systems! Contact us for more information about equipping your vehicle with DroneMobile from CompuStar.

A radar detector is a valuable device for all drivers that can save you time, money and a great deal of hassle. Speeding tickets can cut deep into your wallet, and the associated insurance rate hike that can accompany those tickets can be even more painful. In general, most of us commute, we try our best to stay within the speed limit, or flow of traffic depending on the situation, but it can be easy to focus elsewhere and lose track of  just how fast you’re going. We all have moments at some point when we look down at the speedometer and think, “How did I get going this fast?” Instead of rubber-necking around trying to spot a police cruiser around every turn, with a radar detector you will know if a police officer or state trooper is nearby so you can adjust your speed accordingly.

Every year, speeding tickets are responsible for millions of dollars in fines, and not only cost the drivers in ticket fees but also in costly insurance premiums and points against their license. The main benefit of a radar detector is to make the driver aware of an officer in the area who is using an active radar device. When you have confirmed the presence of an active radar signal, you can be sure to check speed and reduce if necessary, and avoid the speeding ticket.

There are two primary methods police use to gauge vehicle speed: Radar and Ladar (Laser Detection and Ranging). As its name implies, Ladar employs the use of lasers to measure a moving vehicle’s speed, and can be detected in the same fashion as radar signals. Some detectors are only equipped to detect either Radar or Ladar, however some devices are capable of detecting both, which can be a great value to the driver. There are even devices which jam incoming radar and laser signals, however radar jamming devices are illegal to possess and use in most states and many other places. Laser jamming devices, however, are legal in many states including North Carolina. Police often employ the use of Ladar because of it’s accurate readings and extremely quick response time. A police officer targeting your vehicle with Ladar can determine your speed in only a couple short seconds, and a detector will likely do you no good. In short, the best defense against Ladar is a jamming device, not a detector.

Many drivers view a radar detector as a free license to speed and begin driving more aggressively with the false assumption that they will be able to slow the vehicle in time once a radar signal is detected. In many situations, excessive speeding can still cost you, even if you think you have time to slow the vehicle once your radar detector picks up a signal. Not only will the police officer detect your speed mere moments after training the radar gun on you, but attempting to rapidly decelerate in traffic to avoid a ticket can be extremely dangerous to both the driver and all traffic around them, possibly resulting in a disastrous accident and personal injury. Instead, the primary function of a radar detector should be a passive reminder, and an alert to allow you to reevaluate your speed. If you are unintentionally speeding, the audible alert from the radar detector will prompt you to check how fast you’re going, and can save you a great deal of headaches.

Before you decide to purchase a radar detector, make sure your State does not prohibit the use of such devices.

DeDona Tint and Sound proudly offers state-of-the-art Escort radar detection and laser jamming devices, such as the Passport SR7, which provides maximum warning for all radar and laser signals, and multiple low-noise laser sensors providing maximum range against targeting laser guns. Contact us or visit our local facility to learn more about our radar detection and laser jamming equipment.

Congratulations to the winners of last month’s contests!

Auto Glass Contest  – Andrew Fair

Tinting Contest – evansmusa44

Enjoy!  Make sure to tell all your friends about how Dedona hooked you up!

The following code is good through September 01, 2010.

WEBTINTAUG2010

Win $100 discount on our window tinting services!

Rules for entry:

1.  Post a comment to this thread (email address and full name required).

2.  Enter your vehicle’s year, make and model.

3.  Brief description of why you want your windows tinted (1-2 sentences).

That’s it!

At the end of the month we will pick a random winner who will receive $100 discount on our window tinting services!

Good luck!

Note:  We pick winners randomly and do not make our selection based upon the input provided in section #3.

You can win a FREE Windshield from Dedona Auto Glass!

Rules for entry:

1.  Post a comment to this thread (email address and full name required).

2.  Enter your vehicle’s year, make and model/type.

3.  Brief reason why you need your windshield replaced (1-2 sentences).

That’s it!

At the end of the month we will pick a random winner who will receive a free windshield!

Good luck!

Note:  Installation with Dedona Auto Glass is required.  Cost of windshield not to exceed $250.  We pick our winners randomly.

These days many avid gamers enjoy their favorite consoles and games at home, in concert with some type of home theater setup. The hand-held game systems have allowed players to, in a limited way, take their gaming out on the road and pretty much wherever they like, but wouldn’t it be nice to take those consoles along for the ride? With many vehicles being equipped with aftermarket LCD monitors and TV screens, it’s the foundation of what could be a powerful mobile gaming system in your vehicle.

Long trips can be a pain, and especially tiresome for the passengers who aren’t focused on driving.  Hand-held devices provide some measure of entertainment, but a powerful console can provide much more enjoyment for passengers. Not only will a console gaming system installed in your vehicle allow you to play all your favorite games that you normally could only play at home, you can also take your music and video collection stored on the console along for the ride.

There are many options available for integrating a gaming system into your car, truck or SUV. The first major step for installing a game console in a vehicle is to decide where it will be placed. Many users prefer either the trunk, glove compartment, center console or underneath seats for placement of the game console, and power can be connected to either an AC power outlet (if your vehicle is so equipped), a DC inverter drawing from the cigarette lighter recepticle, and additionally the more professional and clean approach – connect power directly through the vehicle’s electrical system. Depending on the location you choose for your game system, additional wiring may be necessary in order to connect power and display, although cabling and wires can easily be hidden and protected by carpeting and paneling. Another fantastic space-saving option is an integrated unit that houses both display and game console in one compact overhead unit. This type of solution can be particularly handy for drivers who do not have glove compartment or center console space to place a game system. Wireless controllers and headphones take the space-saving and portability to a whole other level, and allow for easy storage anywhere in the vehicle with no need to disconnect and reconnect devices everytime the gaming console is used.

As with any automotive video system, your choices for display monitors and screens for your mobile gaming system are vast, including overhead, headrest, dashboard, sun visor, and mountable screens. Headrest and overhead monitors allow your backseat passengers the best unobstructed access to the display, and are the most popular display types employed for this kind of setup. Dashboard mounted or integrated screens or sun visor screens allow for the front seat passenger to get in on the action as well. There are laws regarding the placement of displays in relation to the driver that forbid obstruction of the driver’s field of vision; these guidelines must be adhered to when installing any overhead displays near the front of the cockpit.

For many gamers, and parents with children who like to game, installing a video game console in your vehicle will add tremendously to the driving experience. Whether you’re at a rest stop, taking a short trip around the block, visiting friends, or taking a long road trip, a custom installed video game system can turn those tedious and wearisome experiences into hours of fun and enjoyment!

For more information on our custom video game console installations and wide variety of options, give us a call to find out how far we can take your vehicle’s entertainment system!