Off road vehicles are extremely tough and capable, built to tackle the roughest of terrains, but even they could benefit from some modern gadgets. Winches and GPS units are all but too common in today’s off-road market, so here are a few cool gadgets people with high tech off road vehicles should consider.
Dash Camera
You can think of dash cams like action cams for your vehicle. They rely on the car’s battery for power and are an excellent way to document your adventures and show off to your friends later. Contrary to popular belief, dash cams aren’t just useful for solving vehicle disputes and insurance claims.
Filming yourself tackling a new trail is an excellent way to make long-lasting memories that you can re-watch years down the line. This also means you can watch the footage any time you want and analyze your lines so you can tackle the trail more effectively next time.
The market is full of various dash cams from different manufacturers, but some are better than others. When choosing a dash cam for your off roader, you want one that offers decent resolution and higher frames per second. Aim for 1080p at 120 frames per second (or at least 60 frames per second), or 720p at 240 frames per second if you enjoy slowing down your footage and really analyzing it. 4K dash cams exist but they’re much more expensive.
Cell Phone Signal Booster
When you’re out in the wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, cell phone reception is sometimes difficult to come by. To reduce dropped calls and give you peace of mind, you should consider investing in a cell phone signal booster since it’s well worth it.
Although cheap cell phone signal boosters are easy to come by, they’re not that effective at amplifying the signal. The cheapest boosters only offer minor improvements if any, so you’ll still struggle with getting a consistent signal in more remote parts of the country. Invest in a decent booster since you’re buying it once and it should last you for many years to come. In addition, the more premium units offer better build quality and also come with a longer warranty.
Most signal boosters offer multiple carrier compatibility and work with popular carriers in the US and Canada such as AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc. Always check compatibility before buying a product. The more premium units also offer 5G compatibility and an extremely long battery life.
Wireless SmartPhone Winch Controller
If you thought smart TVs are incredible, wait until you check out what wireless smartphone winch controllers can do. If you’re tired of manually operating the winch every time you have to use it, you need to get yourself a wireless winch controller.
The way the controller works is really simple. The winch is attached to a receiver which in turn connects to your phone via an app. From there, you can select your winch model and remotely control it with your phone. It’s really as easy as that. Some apps and devices, such as the WARN HUB controller, even come with voltage monitoring and control. It’s no use completing a recovery only to find out your battery has been completely drained.
Remote Start System
As its name would imply, a remote start system enables you to turn the engine on even when you’re not physically inside the car. This can come in handy if you want to start up the engine and let it warm up before you go outside, making the vehicle ready to go as soon as you get in it.
In addition to being able to start the engine, many remote start systems come with extra buttons enabling you to pop the trunk and even play the radio if the unit is compatible. The more expensive systems come with an LCD screen built inside the key, feeding you vital information about the vehicle. You can check whether your truck is locked remotely from the comfort of your own home or tent, should you find yourself on an off-road adventure.
OBD II Scanner
An OBD II scanner is basically necessary for any off-road expedition nowadays. Modern off-roaders all run on OBD II, so having a scanner that can identify error codes is extremely useful if you find yourself out in the middle of nowhere with a mechanical issue.
Check engine lights are useful in that they point out that there’s something wrong with the vehicle, but they can’t specify the problem and narrow it down. This is where an OBD II Scanner comes in. By connecting the scanner to your car’s OBD port, you can scan for error codes and see what’s causing the issue in a matter of minutes. You can then act accordingly and fix the problem yourself since chances are you’re not going to find a mechanic in the desert or out in the mountains.
More advanced OBD scanners can clear error codes and reset the system, removing the error code that was causing the check engine light in the first place. OBD scanners are excellent if you want to narrow down the issue and attempt to fix it yourself. Even something as simple as changing a spark plug is made easier by using an OBD scanner since you’ll be able to know exactly which cylinder is misfiring and causing issues. We highly recommend getting an OBD scanner for high-tech off-road vehicles, as it’s probably the best investment you can make in the long run.
You can find all of the cool gadgets listed above and much more at 4 Wheel Parts. From winches and tires to lift kits and drivetrain components, 4 Wheel Parts is your one-stop shop for all your off-roading needs. Carrying components for most SUVs, 4x4s, and pickups, 4 Wheel Parts is the perfect place for the best off-road vehicles.
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