What tech do you use on the highway?

I know there are some road warriors out there that clock some serious miles. What tech and gadgets do you use that makes live more informative or just plain helpful? I will suggest rainx at the minimum for you white knuckle, hazard light drivers in the left lane in OKC.

 

Waze...

 

I'm not running Waze, yet. But I may start doing that soon (or the Android equivalent).

I also hit the head lights, tail lights and all windows every 6 months with a Claybar & RainX. That way I have the best view possible while I'm driving. I also have a 4k Dashcam running at all times. In addition to that, I always drive with my head lights on. Even during the day. You never know when it'll get cloudy or dark-ish, or if you drive through a tunnel or a parking garage.

I run my fog lights when it's raining or foggy out. I guess that's all the "Tech" that I run. But it's really low-tech. The only real tech is Google Maps/Waze telling me where upcoming accidents are or traffic slow downs.

 

Dashcam + Dongar adapter makes for a clean, unobtrusive installation.

I keep a Garmin GPS around for second-opinions on both routes and looking around when I’m off-pavement. Also for maintaining a route to my final destination while my phone might only have a stop on the way punched in. Don’t have to worry about downloading areas beforehand either, just keeping it updated periodically.

Mapping can be better/worse but it’s a good second or third reference after Apple and Google Maps. (Shoutout to palmdr.com for a solid repair on my old unit)

Had a coworker with a radio installed in his for his semi-frequent Alabama > Virginia runs back in the day but I don’t think I’d go as far.

 

I wouldn't consider rainx tech but i use it as well for my side and rear windows and a graphene wax for the body. But i do have a ton of countermeasures and security precautions.

I run 2 dash cams, a fully active alarm with 3mi range notifications to the fob.
I run a V1 Radar Detector with an app for seamless integration with Waze.
I have an ALP jammer/shifter set up for evading police laser.
BD LED rear ditch lights for backing up and tailgaters.
GMRS radio and a bunch of emergency supplies for human and 4R emergency's.

 

I have been thinking about doing this. Do you have yours mounted on the hitch or higher up? Was it an easy install? I want them mounted under the rear spoiler on the hatch, pointing slightly downward. Like you mentioned, that would be the best position for visibility when backing up (but I'd only turn them on when it's pitch black out) or to back off tailgaters.

.....or when on the trails (and for me that'd be rare), I'd keep 'em on at all times for trail visibility.

 

Up high above the rear spoiler i have my Baja Designs S1's (Best for this use). Did it primarily for backing down trails at night, so the lense type is important. Should have went with the "work/scene" but i got the wide cornering for more distance.

They are mounted with a super heavy duty magnetic mount that can be moved for more directional light. Ran the power through the headliner and under the weatherstripping between the hatch to above the spoiler.







If you do this get the covers since some states require them.

 

Nice setup. Thanks for the pictures, that gives me a great idea how to mount the one's that I want. Did you hook up an external switch to manually turn them on/off? I assume that switch replaced a blank just to the left of the steering column and you hard wired it into the fuse box, right?

 

Yes, exactly, external switch, replaced a blank just to the left of the steering column and hardwired and fused directly to the battery. Its not connected to my backup lights since in most cases i don't want to bring any undue attention.

 

Anything better out there? Use it, it's not bad.

 

Can you spare some info on the V1 and ALP?

 

What's the obsession with the dash cam?

 

I run Waze on my Android using a dongle adapter.

 

The obsession is this: There are more and more bad drivers on the road now, and tons of road-rage. Having a dashcam (and lots of insurance) helps determine who is really at fault. On top of the bad drivers and road-ragers, every seems to lie and not want to take responsibility. "No man, YOU ran the red light not me!"

A dashcam proves who is really at fault.

 

I wonder if they would bitch about it on base.

 

I take it you mean a military base? If so, no. They'll allow it. Now, just to be safe to go HQ and the MP station to make sure. I know certain bases have different clearance levels.

 

I keep a portable radio scanner while on long road trips.

 

I found Rain X sucks after commuting W/in short period. All of a sudden the wipers smear the road grime when it's raining, no specific time to tell it'll happen, just does when you don't need it too!!
WAZE is just other Drivers out there. No thanks, IF I have to (which I found to be NOT so friendly) I'll use my Garmin GPS. It has taken me right Downtown Manhattan vs going the Verrazano bridge to get to JFK or LI.

 

The dash cam works as a deterrent and to have some accountability with all the bad drivers out there. But for me specifically its a great deterrent when camping and great to capture off road adventures.

The V1 is a radar detector with a wide range of capabilities to detect police radar, even has some some enhancements or options to Waze when you use one of the optional apps. The ALP is a active jammer to hinder police laser speed tracking, more details on this can be found at my old forum i created a while back: https://www.rdforum.org/

 

What one are you running? How does it work, what bands does it monitor?

 

Man, those S1s are bright! If you ever decide to swap the lenses, we have replacement lenses available. You can switch the pattern or color without voiding the lifetime warranty.

https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/?page=1&cat1=lighting-lenses

Best,

Brahian Herrera | Forum Sales & Support
Email: brahianh@bajadesigns.com | Phone: (760) 560-2252 Ext 201

 

They sure are! And super happy you guys came out with the Yellow/Amber and solid black "rock guards" for areas they need to be covered. Would be cool to have a clear work/scene cover so i didn't need to replace the lenses and have more flexible use.

But great product and your staff has always been helpful!

 

Hmm.
Headlights and the radio....

Have been considering dashcam. Agree with Borracho Loco except I wouldn't call them drivers. Too many that can minimally "operate" a vehicle but don't actually grasp the concept of "driving".

 

Waze and Spotify. All I need…