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Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate HD24BL69

The latest generation of Road Glide and Street Glide touring bikes from Harley-Davidson are now ready for a high-performance audio system upgrade thanks to Rockford Fosgate. We took a look at the Stage 2 and Stage 3 kits recently. Now it’s time for a deep dive into the HD24BL69 saddlebag speaker kits. Let’s check them out!

Features of the Rockford Fosgate HD24BL69

The Rockford Fosgate HD24BL69 is a cut-in speaker kit designed for 2024 and newer Road Glide and Street Glide bikes with the Skyline infotainment system and Harley-Davidson’s ABS saddlebags. You can check fitment for your bike using the compatibility chart on the product page.

The kit includes a pair of the new TMS24-69 6×9-inch Element Ready speakers, a set of bag-lid grilles, the speaker bucket system, the lid cutting templates and a plug-and-play wire harness. The kits are compatible with the Power Lock Kit, so you can keep your gear safe.

How the HD24BL69 Kit Works

Here’s how the Rockford Fosgate HD24BL69 kit works. Your installer will remove the lids from the factory saddlebags, then protect them with masking tape. Next, the cutting templates included with the kit are put in place, and holes are drilled to serve as a pilot for a saw. Lastly, the bag-lids are cut to make room for the speaker upgrade.

Once the lids are cut, the grille and basket assemblies are put in place. The new baskets mount from the top, providing room for a large speaker. They fasten to a self-centering backer ring for a watertight seal, and integrated O-rings help improve water resistance. Finally, with the speaker and wiring installed, a set of grilles shaped to match the bag geometry fit in place, and the Rockford Fosgate badge on the outside shows you are serious about your music.

Exploring the new TMS24-69 Speakers

While every component in the kit is vital to performance, the heart of the upgrade is the new TMS24-69 speakers. These new speakers take everything you love about Rockford Fosgate motorcycle audio and take things up a notch or two. First and foremost, the speakers are Element Ready. This means they can handle exposure to rain and prolonged UV without fear of damage. Each component in the speaker, from the high-performance coaxial tweeter and curvilinear polypropylene woofer cone to the motor components and basket, won’t fail even after thousands of hours of shocks and vibration.

The new speakers are based around a glass-fiber reinforced PA66 Nylon basket. This rigid and thermally stable design ensures motor geometry remains accurate. The carbon-impregnated woofer cone is attached to the basket using a Santoprene rubber surround that resists rot and UV degradation. The carbon doping in the cone enhances thermal stability and damping, resulting in tight bass and clear midrange performance. The new speakers have more excursion capability than their predecessors, with an Xmax specification of 4.5 millimeters in each direction.

Speaking of output, Rockford Fosgate implemented its Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) geometry on the woofer surround. VAST dramatically increases the driver’s cone area, which translates to more bass and improved efficiency.

Dual neodymium motor magnets ensure excellent speaker efficiency without adding a lot of weight to your bike. An integrated motor cover inside the saddlebag ensures your belongings won’t be exposed to high temperatures after a long ride with the volume cranked. Speaking of high power, the 1.5-inch Kapton voice coil is larger than previous speakers to increase power handling 50% over the 1st generation TMS69 speakers. Likewise, the tinsel leads to the coil are braided and stitched to the surround for reliable operation.

Finally, the TMS24-69 speakers feature a concealed passive crossover network that Rockford Fosgate calls their Integrated Concealed Crossover (ICC). This design eliminates the need to mount oversized external components, simplifying the installation process while ensuring maximum performance. The 4 kHz crossovers feature a second-order 12 dB/octave slope to ensure smooth performance across the entire listening range.

Power handling on the TMS24-69 is rated at 150 watts continuous, with a maximum power rating of 300 watts. The speakers are 91.4 dB efficient when measured at a distance of 1 meter and fed with 1 watt of power. That’s impressive for a speaker that still delivers bass down to 50 Hz. As with all Rockford Fosgate transducers, the specifications they provide are compliant with the ANSI/CTA-2031 standards, so you know you can trust them.

Upgrade Your Harley-Davidson with Rockford Fosgate Today!

If you are looking to hear every word and note of your favorite music on your next ride, consider visiting a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer to learn more about the new HD24BL69 saddlebag speaker cut-in kit for 2024 and newer Harley-Davidson touring bikes. You can find an authorized retailer using the locator tool on their website.

Be sure to follow the team from Rockford Fosgate on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to stay up-to-speed on all the amazing new products they will be releasing over the next year or so.

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.

Laser Detectors vs. Laser Transceivers

In any discussion of modern radar or laser detectors, the question of how to handle laser or Lidar speed measurement should be a fundamental and important aspect. More and more law enforcement agencies are switching to Lidar guns because they offer very precise speed measurements of a single vehicle, even at distances as far as 6,000 feet. An officer using a Lidar gun can measure the speed of your car, truck or SUV in as little as 0.3 seconds.

Portable Radar and Laser Detectors

When it comes to radar detectors, there are two basic options. Portable radar detectors mount to your windshield or rearview mirror and are often powered by a simple cigarette lighter plug. These all-in-one solutions do an excellent job of detecting long-range radar signals, thanks to their high mounting location on the vehicle. When it comes to Lidar guns, though, the best a portable radar detector can do is to advise you when it detects the laser beam.

What’s wrong with knowing that Lidar is being used? If the police officer was targeting your vehicle, he had the speed measurement before you could even put your foot on the brake pedal. Most radar detector users consider the laser detection system on a portable radar detector as an “I am about to get a ticket” warning.

Why do portable radar detector systems have Lidar detectors? The manufacturers hope that the system picks up a laser signal that has been reflected off a nearby vehicle. If you weren’t specifically targeted, this alert may be enough warning to let you slow down to a safe speed.

Custom-installed Radar Detectors

The other option for a radar detector system is one that is custom-installed in your vehicle. In this system, a dedicated radar receiver is mounted behind the plastic front bumper cover and in some vehicles, an extra radar receiver in the rear. Depending on the brand of the detector you purchase, a small display module may be mounted inside the vehicle, or you may have a simple warning LED or two and a speaker system that will alert you to what type of speed measurement system was detected. Custom-installed radar detectors use larger, higher-sensitivity radar receivers to provide excellent performance.

When it comes to Lidar, a custom-installed radar system can provide defense against laser speed measurements. Here’s why. Many systems include, or have the option to add, laser transceivers that mount in your front grille. In the same way that a portable radar detector includes laser detection, the custom-installed system also monitors the common laser wavelengths for signs of Lidar measurement.

Here is where things change dramatically. Once the system detects a Lidar signal, it immediately transmits random information on the same wavelength to confuse the Lidar gun. If your laser transceivers are installed and aligned properly, the police officer won’t be able to get a speed measurement from your vehicle.

There’s a Part 2 to this Story

If the laser transceiver system simply continued to confuse the officer, he or she will likely recognize what you are doing and may pull you over anyhow. To keep the peace, laser transceiver manufacturers suggest that you slow down to a legal speed, then cancel the laser transmission. This will allow the officer to take a speed measurement and you can carry on your merry way. In most systems, pressing a button on a small remote or control panel will cancel the laser signal transmission.

Lidar Transceiver System Options

Different manufacturers such as K40, Escort, Al Priority and Stinger each provide distinct laser transceiver solutions. The number of transceivers required for your vehicle depends on its size and design. In most applications, two transceivers on the front or rear of the car or truck will provide good coverage. If you have a larger vehicle, a third transceiver will increase the intensity and coverage of the modified laser signal.

What about DragonEye?

If there has to be a buzzword in the radar detector industry, it would be DragonEye. DragonEye Technology LLC is based in Georgia and is a manufacturer of Lidar speed measurement guns. Their speed measurement systems have proven to be difficult to confuse. Any discussion about what make and model of a laser defense system is capable of preventing a DragonEye gun from taking a measurement is often short-lived. New software updates for the guns are released on what seems like a regular basis. To keep up with this ever-changing technology, Lidar defense system manufacturers have to provide updates for their systems as well.

More important than being able to defend against DragonEye today is the knowledge that the manufacturer you have chosen will continue to provide updates as new Lidar gun firmware is released. Be sure to do your homework and ask your retailer about the frequency of updates, and how easy or complicated it is to install them on your system.

Drive Safely

We hope that this discussion of the difference between laser detection and laser defense systems helps you make an informed purchasing decision. If you do choose a custom-installed radar detector and laser countermeasure system, how the system is installed plays a significant role in how well it performs. Do your homework. Get references. Inspect the work the shop has done on other vehicles. An investment in a custom radar and laser system isn’t insignificant, so be sure it is done right the first time.

As always, the staff and editors at BestCarAudio.com hope that you always drive safely and responsibly. A radar detection and laser defense system isn’t a license to break the law. Stay in control of your vehicle at all times and drive according to the road and weather conditions. We want you as a reader for life.

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: Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG2 and HD24-STG3

If there were a car audio brand synonymous with motorcycle audio upgrades for Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Street Glide motorcycles, it would be Rockford Fosgate. Their upgrade kits are the benchmark for improving the audio on these touring bikes. With the introduction of new fairing and saddlebags on 2024 and later bikes, Rockford Fosgate has introduced new audio upgrade kits featuring a unique amplifier solution. Let’s check out the HD24-STG2 and HD24-STG3 audio kits for the 2024 and up bikes.

Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG2 Features

The HD24-STG2 is a high-performance two-speaker amplified audio upgrade designed for 2024 and newer Road Glide and Street Glide models. You can find exact fitment details on the product page (https://rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/hd24-stg2/). The kit includes a set of the new TMS24-65 6.5-inch Element Ready speakers, complete with grilles, and a 1,000-watt amplifier.

The TMS24-65 speakers are the next evolution of Rockford Fosgate’s motorcycle speakers. They feature a carbon-filled curvilinear polypropylene woofer cone and a Santoprene rubber surround. The speaker utilizes the Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) design to maximize cone area, thereby increasing efficiency and bass output. The 1.5-inch Kapton voice coil is larger than that of previous models, providing improved power handling. The tweeter remains mounted in the center of the cone, delivering perfectly aligned output at all angles. The frequency response has been improved over the 1st generation by providing extended low-end response and reduced distortion for a richer, more balanced listening experience.

The new amplifier is a masterpiece. First, it connects directly to the A2B digital audio bus output of the Skyline OS factory radio, eliminating the need for expensive interfaces. The TMA-1000X4i amp is rated to produce up to 200 watts of power per channel into four 4-ohm or 2-ohm loads. It can be bridged to deliver 400 watts into a pair of four-ohm loads. The amplifier’s dynamic power output is 1,200 watts.

The amplifier includes an integrated digital signal processor. Your installer can configure the amp for the type of stage installed using the RF Connect app. These are DSP presets done by Rockford Fosgate with the EQ, Gain, and Crossover settings pre-configured to take the hassle out of tuning the amplifier manually.

The HD24-STG2 kit includes an RFK-HD24 amplifier installation kit, complete with a bracket and all necessary wiring, for your motorcycle. Best of all, everything is designed to connect directly to the factory audio system wiring, eliminating the need for cutting or splicing. This means your warranty remains intact.

Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG3 Upgrade

If you are looking for even more sound from your Harley-Davidson, then the Stage 3 kit is the way to go. The Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG3 builds upon the features of the Stage 2 kit by incorporating the HD24BL69 bag lid speaker kit. This kit includes a set of the new TMS24-69 6×9-inch Element Ready speakers, upgraded cut-in speaker grilles, and all the wiring necessary to connect to the TMA-1000X4i amplifier. It’s important to note, this system is designed for “blank” saddlebags, so if you already have color matched speaker lids, the HD24-STG2 + TMS24-69 speakers is a better choice.

The new 2024 and later saddlebag speaker kit plays louder while occupying less cargo space. It even works with the Power Lock Kit. Being Element Ready means everything can withstand water, dust, prolonged UV exposure, and harsh vibrations —such as those experienced by Road Glide and Street Glide bikes.

Upgrade Your New Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Today!

If you have a 2024 or newer Street Glide or Road Glide, it’s time to visit a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer and ask about the HD24-STG2 and HD24-STG3 audio system upgrade kits. They are designed to deliver a massive sound upgrade without any headaches. You can find a retailer near you using the Dealer Locator on the Rockford Fosgate website.

Be sure to follow Rockford Fosgate on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to stay up to date with new product releases and coverage of the events their team attends.

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 MSC65

There are dozens of companies manufacturing marine-grade speakers. That certainly doesn’t mean that all the speakers sound good and have equivalent performance. KICKER, a company known for developing car audio, powersports and marine audio solutions, recently launched their M-Class Premium Series of marine products. This spotlight will look at the MSC65 6.5-inch coaxial speaker from this high-end family. Let’s check it out!

MSC65 Specifications

The KICKER MSC65 speakers have a published frequency response of 55 Hz to 25 kHz with an efficiency of 89 dB at 1W/1M. Recommended amplifier power is 15 to 100 watts, while peak power handling is 200 watts. The mounting requirements are a 5-7/16” hole with 3-9/16” of depth behind them.

Features of the KICKER MSC65

The MSC65 is a 6.5-inch coaxial that’s designed around a glass-filled nylon chassis. The chassis provides a stable platform for the magnet and moving assembly. At the heart of the speaker is a carbon-fiber-infused polypropylene woofer cone. A Santoprene synthetic rubber surround provides a compliant connection at the top edge of the cone that will last for many years.

For a tweeter, each speaker uses a textile material called Teteron to provide smooth, audiophile-grade performance. The tweeters have a diameter of 28mm (1.1 inches), so they can play low enough to prevent the woofers from becoming directional. The speakers use an integrated -12 dB/octave passive crossover at 3.2 kHz, which helps to ensure smooth and natural sound.

A perforated metal mesh grille protects the tweeters. An eight-spoke grille above the woofer cone supports the whole assembly. This eliminates the need for a pole piece, thereby increasing the woofer’s cone area to improve efficiency and bass production. Each pair of speakers includes both the white and charcoal grilles.

Electrical connections for the speaker are made via two-position Deutsch-style connectors to ensure a reliable, water-resistant connection. The speakers feature RGBW LED illumination, which lights up the cone from an LED strip wrapped around the tweeter’s neodymium magnet. The optional KMLC LED Lighting Remote controller can control the five-wire lighting system. Alternatively, the lighting can be hard-wired to a specific color to match your boat.

KICKER MSC65 — The MSC65 set includes both charcoal and white grilles along with RGBW lighting to add a little extra style.

Real Marine™ Products

KICKER has invested significant resources into ensuring the entire series of M-CLASS products is up to the toughest challenges Mother Nature can dish out. All the speakers and subwoofers are tested for resistance to corrosion from salt under the ASTM B117 standard. They are also tested for colorfastness and resistance to chalking or fading due to prolonged UV exposure under the ASTM G154 standard. Finally, they have an IPX66 water-resistance rating thanks to integrated mounting gaskets on the backs of all the speakers. You can be confident that your purchase from KICKER will last for many years.

Upgrade Your Boat with KICKER M-Class Speakers and Subwoofers Today!

If the sound system on your boat doesn’t put a smile on your face when you turn up the volume, drop by an authorized KICKER retailer today and ask them about the amazing new M-Class marine audio products like the MSC65. You can find an authorized dealer using the locator tool on their website. For more information on KICKER marine, powersports and car audio products, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and of course, their amazing YouTube channel.

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.

It’s not often that a piece of software creates a significant impact on our daily lives. Milestone social media apps like Facebook and Twitter most certainly remain in the limelight, but when it comes to actually being productive, Waze is a major step forward in navigation apps for our smartphones. In the summer of 2017, Waze announced that it would include compatibility with Android Auto to make it, quite possibly, the best navigation solution for Android phone users to date.

What is Waze?

When Waze launched in 2006 it was called FreeMap Israel. It was a turn-by-turn navigation application for smartphone users. Fast forward to 2013: Waze won the prestigious Best Overall App award at the Mobile World Congress conference. In the same year, Waze was purchased by Google for an impressive $1 billion. Google knows the value of information better than almost any other company in the world, so its choice to invest in Waze makes sense.

Waze Map Updates

Waze differs from other navigation solutions in two very important ways. Users of Waze have the ability to update map information. If there is new construction in your neighborhood or a reconfiguration of a freeway onramp, you can update the map information in real time on your smartphone. That information will be integrated into the map database, and all other Waze users can continue to enjoy the latest mapping and navigation information without the need to wait for updates or downloads.

Historically, changes to map information could take anywhere from months to years to become available. While map companies like TomTom (formerly TeleAtlas) and HERE (formerly Navteq) do update their databases quite frequently, that new information takes time to trickle through the update process for portable and vehicle navigation systems. Waze is up-to-date within hours.

Real-time Traffic Information

The second key feature of Waze is its ability to share traffic flow information with fellow users. Waze is often referred to as a crowdsourced navigation solution, as users can report traffic jams, accidents, road closures and the presence of police. Within seconds of reporting an accident or a traffic jam, all your fellow Waze users receive that information.

Waze will consider traffic jams as it creates new routing plans. If you live in a major urban area that is prone to congestion, this information can prevent significant delays and help get you to your destination much faster.

Using Waze with Android Auto

As voice control is the key benefit of Android Auto, using Waze to plan your drive is easy. Initiate the voice recognition command, then simply ask for the destination or address you want, and include the word Waze at the end of the address. Android Auto will launch Waze and calculate your route.

The Waze interface on Android Auto is very similar to what you would see while using it on your smartphone. The fonts on the screen are nice and large, and accessing route-planning options like avoiding toll roads or picking a different route are easy to get to. Many users report that Waze is, in fact, easier to configure than Google Maps.

Reporting Information

As we mentioned, a key feature of Waze is the ability to report information to other users. Tapping the Listen button will let you report traffic jams, accidents, bad weather, road closures, and more by talking to the system. You can say, “Report a traffic jam,” and Waze will ask you how bad it is. You can share the location of hidden or visible police or let your fellow Wazers know there is a pothole or ice on the road.

As users approach the location where you have provided information, they will see an alert on their screen. In the case of obstacles and police, your fellow users can also report that the obstacle has been cleared. It’s all simple, quick and easy – just like Android Auto itself.

The Navigation Experience

Of course, Waze includes full turn-by-turn navigation prompting and will read out street and freeway names. You get lots of warning to let you know what maneuver is coming up next to reduce the need for sudden lane changes that can endanger you and your fellow drivers.

When you plan a route with Waze, you have the option of choosing from three different routes. Waze displays obstacle icons along a bar and the associated travel time and distance for each route. Choosing the best path is quick, easy and efficient.

If Waze is alerted to a traffic jam along your route, it will provide you with a prompt that suggests a new route and the new travel time and estimated time of arrival. You can, of course, choose to ignore that advice, but we recommend you don’t.

Another cool feature of Waze is that it will notify you of obstacles, even without a route planned. If you are driving along and someone has reported a pothole or hidden police officer, the notification appears just the same.

Is There a Downside to Waze?

Do silver linings always have a dark cloud? Maybe, maybe not. There is one limitation to Waze that is a bit of an annoyance. You can only plan routes that are less than 1,000 miles. If you are in San Francisco and want to go to Niagara Falls, you can’t plan a single route. You need to choose a destination within 1,000 miles, then plan another 1,000 miles from that point. What’s more frustrating, Google Maps CAN plot that route. Waze provides a message that they are “working to increase that distance,” but that’s been a limitation for a long time.

The other thing about Waze is advertisements. We all know that Google loves to sell advertising. Companies like McDonald’s, Whole Foods and Taco Bell all pay for pop-up ads that are displayed when you are using Waze on your smartphone. Good news, though: These advertisements aren’t currently displayed when you are using Waze with Android Auto. That would be contradictory to the philosophy of reducing driver distractions.

Check out Android Auto and Waze Today

If your car, truck or SUV came with Android Auto, then check out Waze next time you are in the car. If you don’t have an Android Auto-equipped radio, drop into your local mobile enhancement retailer and ask if there is a solution for your vehicle. Android Auto and CarPlay are amazing products, and can not only make your time behind the wheel much safer but also more productive.

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.

https://elitecarcustoms.com/https-www-bestcaraudio-com-googles-waze-offers-the-best-in-navigation/

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate HD24BL69

Features of the Rockford Fosgate HD24BL69

How the HD24BL69 Kit Works

Exploring the new TMS24-69 Speakers

Upgrade Your Harley-Davidson with Rockford Fosgate Today!

Laser Detectors vs. Laser Transceivers

Portable Radar and Laser Detectors

Custom-installed Radar Detectors

There’s a Part 2 to this Story

Lidar Transceiver System Options

What about DragonEye?

Drive Safely

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG2 and HD24-STG3

Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG2 Features

Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG3 Upgrade

Upgrade Your New Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Today!

Product Spotlight: KICKER MSC65

MSC65 Specifications

Features of the KICKER MSC65

Real Marine™ Products

Other KICKER M-Class Solutions

Upgrade Your Boat with KICKER M-Class Speakers and Subwoofers Today!

What is Waze?

Waze Map Updates

Real-time Traffic Information

Using Waze with Android Auto

Reporting Information

The Navigation Experience

Is There a Downside to Waze?

Check out Android Auto and Waze Today

Location

Connect with Us

Services

Hours

RESOURCE LIBRARY

Features of the Rockford Fosgate HD24BL69

How the HD24BL69 Kit Works

Exploring the new TMS24-69 Speakers

Upgrade Your Harley-Davidson with Rockford Fosgate Today!

Portable Radar and Laser Detectors

Custom-installed Radar Detectors

There’s a Part 2 to this Story

Lidar Transceiver System Options

What about DragonEye?

Drive Safely

Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG2 Features

Rockford Fosgate HD24-STG3 Upgrade

Upgrade Your New Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Today!

MSC65 Specifications

Features of the KICKER MSC65

Real Marine™ Products

Other KICKER M-Class Solutions

Upgrade Your Boat with KICKER M-Class Speakers and Subwoofers Today!

What is Waze?

Waze Map Updates

Real-time Traffic Information

Using Waze with Android Auto

Reporting Information

The Navigation Experience

Is There a Downside to Waze?

Check out Android Auto and Waze Today

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