Garmin Wireless PowerSwitch

[Lcr3000]

I don't know about you, but my phone doesn't actually charge from the truck's built-in USB ports when I'm using Android Auto. The power drain from using AA basically means that my phone sustains its battery level while using AA. Not really a problem if I'm starting out with a fresh charge. But it's a problem if I've been out for awhile and my battery is low, but now I need to use AA for nav to get somewhere AND charge up.

I wired in a USB 3.0 port. Originally it was for a charging pad (to go along with a AAWireless dongle), but again my phone didn't charge fast enough off of it, and worse, it overheated and would shut down (losing AA access). So now I just physically plug in to that port when I need to charge, and then unplug when I don't. This seems to keep the phone happier than the other ways I've tried.



Oh no doubt a usb 3.0 will do the job or the 12v usb adapter for charging. But long-term driving I have sustained and even increased my phones charge therefor I continue to use it with the USB2.0 front data port. If it didn't keep my phone up, I wouldn't mention it. I will say, also in agreement or parallel with prior statements that as phones get bigger or increase in processing power, this has direct effect on this issue. Also, Longer cables, bad cables, too much bloatware, all will affect the charging outcome. In some cases, especially in the past few years, USB2.0 is not enough. But now usb3.0 is in newer vehicles so maybe a physical cable will stay an option since voltage tolerance increased with it.

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[mtbikernate]

Oh no doubt a usb 3.0 will do the job or the 12v usb adapter for charging. But long-term driving I have sustained and even increased my phones charge therefor I continue to use it with the USB2.0 front data port. If it didn't keep my phone up, I wouldn't mention it. I will say, also in agreement or parallel with prior statements that as phones get bigger or increase in processing power, this has direct effect on this issue. Also, Longer cables, bad cables, too much bloatware, all will affect the charging outcome. In some cases, especially in the past few years, USB2.0 is not enough. But now usb3.0 is in newer vehicles so maybe a physical cable will stay an option since voltage tolerance increased with it.

A previous phone of mine would still discharge (slowly) when plugged into the truck's usb 2.0 ports while running AA. My current phone is a little better on power use, but still over the course of an 8hr drive, the battery doesn't change appreciably when connected to that port. If I'm lucky, I might gain 1% or so.

So in the context of this Garmin PowerSwitch, this is something I'd want to know If I'm headed out into the boonies and was going to rely on AA for this.

 

[bostonburner]

I was looking at the trigger controller which is pretty similar and a bit cheaper if you don't care about the carplay/android auto integration.
https://triggercontroller.com/

 

[Jhbryaniv]

I was looking at the trigger controller which is pretty similar and a bit cheaper if you don't care about the carplay/android auto integration.
https://triggercontroller.com/

I was trying to figure out how to rationalize 500 bucks for 6 switches - I can't figure it out. LOL

especially on these little 8 in screens.

I mean, it has it's place i guess . . .

 

[bostonburner]

I was trying to figure out how to rationalize 500 bucks for 6 switches - I can't figure it out. LOL

especially on these little 8 in screens.

I mean, it has it's place i guess . . .

Yeah that's pretty steep, I do like that the trigger switch includes a wireless switch panel so you can use it without a phone too. I'd probably go for the 4 switch since I just want a front light bar and some lights on the back for camping.

 

[Msfitoy]

I was trying to figure out how to rationalize 500 bucks for 6 switches - I can't figure it out. LOL

especially on these little 8 in screens.

I mean, it has it's place i guess . . .

Trigger is a power hub for accessories with wifi + bluetooth controls...is the Garmin similar product?

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Yeah that's pretty steep, I do like that the trigger switch includes a wireless switch panel so you can use it without a phone too. I'd probably go for the 4 switch since I just want a front light bar and some lights on the back for camping.

ok, to me the sPod is probably a closer comparison.

https://4x4spod.com/products/spod-sourcelt-non-switch-panel-universal/?sku=870116

they have an 8 switch version too. it connects to the phone, but no the screen of the truck. So I am at the back of the truck I can turn on area lighting . . .

they also sell a touchscreen for it . . .

damn you guys.

now I have to go down this rabbit hole and try not to spend any more money.

Anyone hiring for design work - mechanical, ocean or water focused. . . LOL

 

[RAYJAY]

I was looking at the trigger controller which is pretty similar and a bit cheaper if you don't care about the carplay/android auto integration.
https://triggercontroller.com/

the trigger works flawless and does not need carplay or AA to work ..

 

[OFC Ranger]

I was lookin for a product that does not require any additional mounting of items in the cab.

Garmin is the only one who makes a product that can interface directly with the existing infotainment center to meet this requirement. Someone on here mentioned the Ranger's 8" screen. In my case this would be for my new ZR2, which has a 11"+ screen and a more robust on-screen menu system (you can add favorite icons to an always present sub-menu on the left side of the screen)

 

[Jhbryaniv]

I was lookin for a product that does not require any additional mounting of items in the cab.

Garmin is the only one who makes a product that can interface directly with the existing infotainment center to meet this requirement. Someone on here mentioned the Ranger's 8" screen. In my case this would be for my new ZR2, which has a 11"+ screen and a more robust on-screen menu system (you can add favorite icons to am always present sub-menu on the left side of the screen)

you still need your phone to connect to the garmin device and the phone has to connect to the radio . . .

What would be great is if you could configure the interface (large screen) to have a custom layout on the screen - ie hvac controls at the bottom, a row of digital switches above that, music on one side and the map on the other side. . . see attached. . .

with the ability to drag and drop around the display and adjust size . . .

ohh and all of this should be native to the vehicle - imagine tremors upfitter switches, but digital....

 

[OFC Ranger]

you still need your phone to connect to the garmin device and the phone has to connect to the radio . . .

What would be great is if you could configure the interface (large screen) to have a custom layout on the screen - ie hvac controls at the bottom, a row of digital switches above that, music on one side and the map on the other side. . . see attached. . .

with the ability to drag and drop around the display and adjust size . . .

ohh and all of this should be native to the vehicle - imagine tremors upfitter switches, but digital....

ZR2 has you covered. HVAC still has physic switches (and dear God are they better than the Ranger), and you can actually put your GPS map on your main gauge cluster (also a 11+" display) in the new truck.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

ZR2 has you covered. HVAC still has physic switches (and dear God are they better than the Ranger), and you can actually put your GPS map on your main gauge cluster (also a 11+" display) in the new truck.

I gotta say, of all the things the ranger does poorly, I think the center stack is the worst.

the screen is small, the ac is slow to respond, and you can';t adjust the HVAC without it forcing you to stop interacting with the screen.

The bronco HVAC controls are so much better. and they have the little display for temperature on the dang knobs.

add to that the fact that there are no "good" options for display replacements it sucks.

I wish I could have waited and gotten a new truck in '25 instead of '23 . . . and I still might. . .

 

[OFC Ranger]

I gotta say, of all the things the ranger does poorly, I think the center stack is the worst.

the screen is small, the ac is slow to respond, and you can';t adjust the HVAC without it forcing you to stop interacting with the screen.

The bronco HVAC controls are so much better. and they have the little display for temperature on the dang knobs.

add to that the fact that there are no "good" options for display replacements it sucks.

I wish I could have waited and gotten a new truck in '25 instead of '23 . . . and I still might. . .

ZR2 has the knobs with temps on them too. I really like all the physical buttons are basically set up like upfitter switches.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

ZR2 has the knobs with temps on them too. I really like all the physical buttons are basically set up like upfitter switches.

I do love those flippy buttons at the bottom, essentially between the 12volt outlets.

 

[Frenchy]

I was trying to figure out how to rationalize 500 bucks for 6 switches - I can't figure it out. LOL

especially on these little 8 in screens.

I mean, it has it's place i guess . . .

If it makes you feel better I just spent $600 on the Garmin Overlander GPS last week. For a GPS many think it's overpriced. Some have to remember that it's is a GPS that is build specifically for use OffRoad and has many features that support it. It also uses satellite for signal vs the Apps on your phone that rely on Cell Phone Towers for signal.

For the Power Switch even I though about it at one point. I can't justify it, but I suspect @OFC Ranger can justify it with the new truck he is looking at having. Just looking at the current truck it is easy to tell that he has no problem justifying the correct things for a build.

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