ARB LINX - Just when you thought you are done with mods!

[Bumbo]

Its all fun and games until it doesn't work... and to some degree goes against some of the principals of off-road / overlanding. Keep it simple.

I can pretty much trouble shoot any electrical issue I have in my rig. I carry a clamp meter and a multi meter. The same tools I built the truck with in the first place.

Its substantially more irritating and difficult to fix something with a programmable logic controller. To the degree most of you probably won't be able to fix it if it shits the bed.

On top of that, none of this stuff is new... its been done for many years in public service trucks and cars. Just look at what fire/med/police use and you basically get the similar thing with a better track record behind it.

 

[WhatIsG15]

The multiple battery monitoring is functionality I wish the SPOD had.

I like the idea of add on modules. Bummer it didn't launch with a fridge monitor.

 

[rihavens]

I am actually excited about this. With my stock 4runner I was looking at how to get aftermarket accessories into it with as little hacking as possible. I was looking to run a fuse block on the firewall and run relays into the vehicle. This appears to have the control module, fuse block and wiring all under the hood. Running what is basically a PLC under the hood through an app? I'm sold.

 

[aelarson]

Lack of physical buttons is what bums me out about this. I'm sort of failing to see how this really improves on what the SPOD HD does. And a lot of people have said that the touch screens are kind of annoying when off road.

Read my mind. This seems to have a few more capabilities, but not much more than a SPOD touchscreen.

 

[wcjeep]

I think I'd use a spare phone for controls.

 

[phillyd2]

Its looks to be a dedicated android based display.

And despite the usual clownish ramblings by the usual too kool for school clowns I would absolutely seriously consider it if I were to ever build another truck.

 

[LawnDart]

Its looks to be a dedicated android based display.

And despite the usual clownish ramblings by the usual too kool for school clowns I would absolutely seriously consider it if I were to ever build another truck.

Lol. Personal attacks.

 

[phillyd2]

 

[LawnDart]

I’m not the one who’s seemingly upset enough to resort to veiled and weak sauce attacks against people who don’t have a stake in this product but are pointing out some very glaring issues in something that is reported to be more expensive than current market offerings.

Both switch pro and spod, both of which I’ve used, neither of which I own, are excellent products. ARB meanwhile has had major problems moving into the electronic world with issues such as their air gauges failing after a short while. So the fact that this uses old technology at new technology prices, and relies on a surplus android device leaves a lot of us with less confidence than normally arb products do.

See, that was a post that actually laid out an opinion.

 

[phillyd2]

 

[PK930]

I've never lost my phone, keys, fob, handheld radio or anything of the such while in or around my truck -- except maybe the 10mm cause those bastards always get lost. So losing the controller is a meh gripe unless you're just that half minded.

Saying its a complete failure without even having the chance to actually use it, let alone play with it, is a failure on its own. Just cause YOU don't have a use for it doesn't mean its garbage. It ain't for everyone.

Its, conceptually, pretty cool and adds another option for those who don't want to hassle with wiring. I think SwitchPros is simpler overall but I do like how this is expandable and patches can come through with a simple download.

 

[LawnDart]

I've never lost my phone, keys, fob, handheld radio or anything of the such while in or around my truck -- except maybe the 10mm cause those bastards always get lost. So losing the controller is a meh gripe unless you're just that half minded.

Saying its a complete failure without even having the chance to actually use it, let alone play with it, is a failure on its own. Just cause YOU don't have a use for it doesn't mean its garbage. It ain't for everyone.

Its, conceptually, pretty cool and adds another option for those who don't want to hassle with wiring. I think SwitchPros is simpler overall but I do like how this is expandable and patches can come through with a simple download.

Most of us didn't call it garbage. Someone said it's a fail. I don't agree with that.

Most of the people who played with it at SEMA seemed underwhelmed by how well it worked.

My biggest gripe is that for what will be the cost (word is 1000+) being married to an android device and not using MOSFETS (at the time of debut, maybe it'll change for release) is a bummer.

I do like with the SPODs that you can choose to change control faces after the fact if you so please. I like the wiring setup a bit more on the SwitchPro. Each setup has their own pros/cons.

The air read out was geeky cool until I realized the scenario to actually use that really wasn't all that practical.

I've heard a lot of issues with ARBs digital air gauges even before mine had to be replaced twice, so who knows how this will play out.

 

[e60ral]

the only people who don't think it's a fail are people who don't know how to troubleshoot wiring anyways, so i guess it's not a fail for them

 

[1engineer]

C'mon guys. If you don't like it, don't post. If you do, try to contain yourself. I'm still here.
-mod-

 

[e60ral]

it's against the rules now to talk bad about a product

that's dumb, like this product

 

[Bumbo]

All products have pros and cons... not always about good or bad.

I think the key take away was make a constructive conversion about the thing, and not blast it because you might not like it.

I don't think its bad, I just think it's complicating things that were generally very simple.

More than 1 way to skin a cat kinda deal. These products are starting to get more elaborate for their own good, adding very high levels of complexity, and maybe most buyers/users don't understand the gamut of concerns.

My Acura TL has PSI read outs per tire, its stupid convenient, but the day it breaks, its going to cost me a fortune. Alternately, I am pretty content just throwing a tire gauge on the stem and calling it a day.

Products like these are great if you understand the downsides... but are often times not necessary.

I've learned that simplicity is often times the right answer, especially on a trail rig.

 

[e60ral]

criticisms like:

totally unnecessary, no physical buttons, able to be lost... fail

have knobs and buttons for all of my important things, nothing on the in-dash touch screen is critical. and you can't misplace your in-dash unit, you won't lose it or drop it on a rock and break it

major fail, it's just a worse version of an spod/switchpro

but it's got ARB stamped on it so people will defend it

 

[PK930]

Most of us didn't call it garbage. Someone said it's a fail. I don't agree with that.

.....

I wasn't aiming at you. If it appeared that way, I apologize.

And yes, the $1000 neighborhood makes it a huge bummer. Cool? Yep. $1000 cool? Ehhhh no. At least not in this form.


And I'm not even going to start with the other quote from another user. Ain't worth my time.

 

[Bumbo]

$1000 is a lot of cash... and considering there are other well established options out there with a track record in off-road, racing, and fire/police/public service...

I have a thread on this stuff already...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ectrical-load-management-whats-out-there.html

MoTech being one of my favorite, I see them in high end race trucks often.
MoTeC > Keypad 8/15 > Overview

Feniex 4200 - Programmable
Feniex 4200 Programable Bluetooth Digital Switchbox - StrobesNMore.com

Fenix 4200 Mini
Feniex 4200 Mini Controller - StrobesNMore.com

And obviously the sPOD and SwitchPRO which everyone knows about around here too.

I have my preferences but i'll take a physical switch or keypad button over a soft-switch on a screen any day of the week.

 

[chiz45]

i watched the demo on this at SEMA this year. I thought the suggested price starting price was $699. The phone unit is not optional, and is held in place by some powerful magnet. We asked the rep why this was better than a SPOD, and he demonstrated the functionality by showing us how the buttons powered on/off a series of lights and the bed-mounted compressor.

Another product that I thought was interesting was the Trigger Six shooter, which was in a small booth against the wall. $350.

TRIGGER Accessory Control System | Home

i have no affiliation with either product.

$1000 is a lot of cash... and considering there are other well established options out there with a track record in off-road, racing, and fire/police/public service...

I have a thread on this stuff already...
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ectrical-load-management-whats-out-there.html

MoTech being one of my favorite, I see them in high end race trucks often.
MoTeC > Keypad 8/15 > Overview

Feniex 4200 - Programmable
Feniex 4200 Programable Bluetooth Digital Switchbox - StrobesNMore.com

Fenix 4200 Mini
Feniex 4200 Mini Controller - StrobesNMore.com

And obviously the sPOD and SwitchPRO which everyone knows about around here too.

I have my preferences but i'll take a physical switch or keypad button over a soft-switch on a screen any day of the week.