How are you managing all of your external lights?

[lndcrusXCO]

There seems to be so many types of 4/6/8/12 Wiring Circuits with both wired and wireless control boxes, I feel a tad overwhelmed. I was looking at this M&R Wireless 8 Circuit wiring harness for $194, it seems like good build quality and I love the idea of using a wireless control box but I have no idea how reliable they are. Has anyone tried M&R equipment, and if so, how was your experience?

Also, the prices are all over the place, with some being $85 and some being $499, so I am curious what others on the forum are using.

 

[mdoged]

I am torn between that or the garmin so I don't have to run wires into the cab. I am also intrigued by the new diode dynamics unit coming out. Lots of cool features i have not seen on others.

 

[robsurfskate]

I'm going with the GARMIN.

 

[lndcrusXCO]

I'm going with the GARMIN.

I am not familiar with the Garmin, can you post a link to the one that you are going to be using?

 

[mdoged]

Here ya go.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/718849#overview

 

[PurelyAbrasive]

I started out with just normal switches that look like the stock switches but I didn't like the look of the cabling mess under the hood. I am now working on removing my existing relay box and replacing it all with a Auxbeam Slim 6. I will be posting more pics once I get to the point of installing it.

 

[lndcrusXCO]

Here ya go.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/718849#overview

Thanks!!

 

[lndcrusXCO]

I am torn between that or the garmin so I don't have to run wires into the cab. I am also intrigued by the new diode dynamics unit coming out. Lots of cool features i have not seen on others.

Now that I am seeing the Garmin listed as the same price as the Diode Dynanmics, but without a physical controller, I think I am leaning more towards Diode. I do love Garmin quality and I love the expandibility to the phone, but my concern is what happens if there is an issue with the app, there is no backup. I worry being out in the wilderness, away from reception, if the app crashes and I am unable to get to the aux lights, what I would then do. I do realize that you can access the Garmin PowerSwitch from another Garmin device, I don’t currently own any.

This has been so helpful, I really appreciate it!

 

[Alex_Prado]

Now that I am seeing the Garmin listed as the same price as the Diode Dynanmics, but without a physical controller, I think I am leaning more towards Diode. I do love Garmin quality and I love the expandibility to the phone, but my concern is what happens if there is an issue with the app, there is no backup. I worry being out in the wilderness, away from reception, if the app crashes and I am unable to get to the aux lights, what I would then do. I do realize that you can access the Garmin PowerSwitch from another Garmin device, I don’t currently own any.

This has been so helpful, I really appreciate it!

Never ever had an issue, but get your concern. You can also control it from the unit directly mate. There are buttons directly on the powerswitch corresponding to each terminal.

 

[lndcrusXCO]

Never ever had an issue, but get your concern. You can also control it from the unit directly mate. There are buttons directly on the powerswitch corresponding to each terminal.

Oh well shit, I didn’t see that you could still control the lights directly from the unit. That makes this more attractive. I am glad to hear that you haven’t experienced any issues though. I love Garmin products in general and have always loved their Pilot gear.

 

[advnt4re]

+1 for the garmin PowerSwitch. Not having to figure out a place for a switch panel / physical buttons on already limited real estate was the one of the pros. App carplay integration or controlled from your phone. Easy installation, I’d recommend a negative bus bar for a tidy installation.

Other Pros: Bluetooth wireless connection so I can be away from my truck’s cabin at camp and still be able to control the switches. Not as pricey as the switchpro + terminal block or spod setups I’ve run in the past. Garmin quality + warranty. Dimmable & On/off toggle, momentary switch, & strobe functionality all of which is customizable in terms of on/off strobe intervals. 6 30 amp max outputs, and that’s expandable with more units, customizable channel groups + other features you’d expect from high end switch panel controllers. Oh and low voltage battery shutoff protection.

Cons: sometimes I want physical buttons instead of having to swap to the app on CarPlay . It’s easier to forget that you’ve left something on since you don’t have the switch panel in front of you all the time with illuminated buttons. I’ve done this a few times but I usually realize it once I leave my truck. The above can be solved if you get their digital switch box, which is a lot like the spod bantamx and their digital switch panel.
If I had to nitpick, even though the app does allow for button / strobe customization, I found that SPOD’s app allows for more control (in terms of strobe on/off times).

 

[lndcrusXCO]

View attachment 32993

+1 for the garmin PowerSwitch. Not having to figure out a place for a switch panel / physical buttons on already limited real estate was the one of the pros. App carplay integration or controlled from your phone. Easy installation, I’d recommend a negative bus bar for a tidy installation.

Other Pros: Bluetooth wireless connection so I can be away from my truck’s cabin at camp and still be able to control the switches. Not as pricey as the switchpro + terminal block or spod setups I’ve run in the past. Garmin quality + warranty. Dimmable & On/off toggle, momentary switch, & strobe functionality all of which is customizable in terms of on/off strobe intervals. 6 30 amp max outputs, and that’s expandable with more units, customizable channel groups + other features you’d expect from high end switch panel controllers. Oh and low voltage battery shutoff protection.

Cons: sometimes I want physical buttons instead of having to swap to the app on CarPlay . It’s easier to forget that you’ve left something on since you don’t have the switch panel in front of you all the time with illuminated buttons. I’ve done this a few times but I usually realize it once I leave my truck. The above can be solved if you get their digital switch box, which is a lot like the spod bantamx and their digital switch panel.
If I had to nitpick, even though the app does allow for button / strobe customization, I found that SPOD’s app allows for more control (in terms of strobe on/off times).

Thank you so much for sharing all of this, it is beyond helpful! All of this input and information on Garmin has me leaning that way now!! Thank you again for all of the insight and photos @advnt4re !

 

[t6pilot]

I went with the M&R switch, no issues, may have to be recharged every 6-12 months lights can be controlled at the hard wire point, easy install had Mike from M&R do the install!!

 

[mountaindesert]

I went with the M&R switch, no issues, may have to be recharged every 6-12 months lights can be controlled at the hard wire point, easy install had Mike from M&R do the install!!

Link?

 

[lndcrusXCO]

I went with the M&R switch, no issues, may have to be recharged every 6-12 months lights can be controlled at the hard wire point, easy install had Mike from M&R do the install!!

I was looking at that M&R switch to begin with, I really liked the design and the quality in the board construction. I also like the wireless control module. I am looking to avoid running wires through the firewall if I can help it. My only issue was the lack of portability in the wiring. I like how dynamic the Garmin and even the Diode switches were.

Did you happen to run any of their lighting as well?

 

[lndcrusXCO]

Link?

I believe it’s the switch mentioned in the top of my post.

 

[BigMF]

I also went with the Garmin and love that I can use it with CarPlay and program certain things to automatically power up when I start the truck. This is before I'd wired anything up to it:

 

[Area 51]

I just ordered the Garmin controller, Rigid 360 lights and harness. CaTuned Hood side mounts on the way.
Thx for all the help in this thread posting.

 

[PurelyAbrasive]

Here is the Auxbeam Slim 6 installed.