Switch-Pro 8 switch panel group buy!

Its not minutia if you are using BT... and why have BT capabilities on your product if it's not conveniently usable - thats the point of BT to begin with, right? I mean, unless your using it to control a party light rave scene like Steve mentioned which hopefully non of us are needing to worry about unless we are tailgating at a football game, maybe!

Obviously the BT isn't necessary for when you are inside the truck. I therefore won't need it most of the time. I see it for practical use when you are not actually in the cab, behind the wheel.

Example 1: Camping... middle of the night in RTT, You need to go to the bathroom... Pick up phone, turn on rock/camp lights... Go to bathroom, climb back into RTT... turn off lights... No hassle. * (probably the more realistic example since I would more likely have my phone with me in the tent, than any other time during a camp)

Example 2: I'm cooking, I have the cargo lights on to see the stove, food, etc... I have my hands full of food when I'm walking over to the campfire. I sit down, pull out phone and turn off the cargo lights, no need to walk back. Again, no hassle.

Excuse me if this sounds like I'm lazy or the ultimate glamper, I'm not, but again, if a product has the BT capabilities and they are convenient to use, why not use em?

 

I'll add one more example... that many of you wouldn't think of but us AZ guys have to worry about...

Example 3: Your on a trip near the Mexican border. You've gone to bed and hear what sounds like footsteps outside. Using BT you can turn on the lights that shine outward from your vehicle to illuminate the surrounding area and see if anyone is sneaking up on you before they even see where you are.

I've had multiple run-ins with illegal migrant traffic on trips to the BMG Range.

 

I'm all for convenience.. but the BT does work.. just not exactly how you want it, maybe.

those examples are good ones, but I always have a flashlight.. or.. just use my other RTT lights.. or my phone itself, because.. it does turn your lights on and off.

IDK.. all I'm saying is dont let that one little thing deter you from the Switch-Pro. the other pros it has should be more than enough to make up for that. but.. in the end.. its not my money.

 

Good point... I hear what you are saying... and you are probably right to assume that in most cases the use of BT technology would probably be just as cumbersome as carrying a flashlight. Of course, the SwitchPro system has plenty of other pros. I'm just playing devils advocate here cause it seems like forums are the perfect place to share thoughts about products, good or bad, minute or major...

 

totally understandable man. I usually beat a product to death researching it for weeks and weeks before pulling the trigger. Devils Advocate for sure.

need to just meet up so you can check it out. It has been very useful tho, and I havent even thought about the BT since I installed it tbh.

 

When i get my setup i would likely use an older cheap smartphone for the BT, I have an old moto x laying around, but you can pick up a phone similar for 20$ or so.this would stay mounted and plugged in when in the truck. And it could be used remotely when camping. The batteries running out and turning off the accessories would be unlikely in my case.

 

this. I use an old Note 2 for my BT goodies. Torque, Switch Pro, etc.

 

@XPOTRPR random question that just came to mind... If I plan to install the panel in the overhead sunglasses holder, would I need to extend the wiring that is already attached to it in order to reach the engine bay appropriately? Does that make sense?

 

I think you should have enough. might be close, but the other guy(s) have done it, so it is possible.

 

Got it! Thanks.

 

I'll have to check again but I believe the switch will stay on unless you either turn off the BT or close the app. i.e. if your screen turns off the lights should stay on.
Also, I'm not sure if this is common knowledge but the BT will override your ignition sense switches. I have a few lights on my truck that I have programed to function when ignition is on or off. I also have a ARB compressor that is programed to only work while the truck is running. The button pad reflects the programming but I can turn the compressor on via BT with my phone when the truck is off overriding the ignition sense programming. If it matters I'm using a GS7 with the new firmware.

 

This is a bit comforting, though I'm still hoping the same can be said with certainty for iphones.

 

thats still the only time I've used the BT feature.. to program the switches. turned them all to strobe, and all to work with the ignition off.

I'll go check right now..

Scratch that.. Note needs to charge.. lol

 

tl;dr There's plenty of wire.

I installed my control unit in the engine bay on top of the factory fuse box, and there's more than enough wire to get through the driver's firewall boot, up the A-pillar and over to the sunglass holder for the switch panel. You'll have a couple feet extra to coil up and ziptie in the headliner. There's also a ton of extra length on the (blue and yellow) wires intended to splice into any ignition source and illumination source, just trim to fit your install.

 

That firewall boot, did you have to put a hole in it or is there room to force the wire through with the existing wires...mine looks really tight and i have been battling with poking a hole or not

 

I wouldn't try and force anything through right alongside the existing factory wires - most people push them through a gap kind of on the left side of the boot (not my image):



You can cut that nipple on the left side and have enough room to get your stuff through. It's slightly more complicated for the switchpro unit, as there's already a connector on the end, which makes it more difficult than pushing bare wire through that grommet.

I came up with this weird technique for the switchpro plug:

Wrap the entire connector up in some manner of tape - masking or packing tape so it's easily removable. Cover the whole plug on the end so you're not trying to push a jaggy square plug with lots of corners through the firewall boot. Pro tip: straighten out a coathanger and tape it onto the plug, too, so that it's at the end of a long, firm stick.

Break out the longest needlenose pliers you can find and push them through the boot, while closed, from the interior. Doesn't have to be fully penetrating. Push the end of the plug up into the boot - it won't go far, you just want it sitting there. Open the pliers slowly and you'll make a gap in the boot. Doesn't need to be much. Grab the end of your taped up connector with the needlenoses and pull them through to the inside.

Let us know how it goes!

 

Thats what I did too. Long screwdriver, electrical tape the shit out of the Switchpro plug to the tip of the screwdriver.. And shoved it through. Giggity.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Thanks