Firstech Announces Partnership with Tint World

SEATTLE, WA (12.20.22) – Firstech, makers of Compustar, DroneMobile, and Momento has announced its direct partnership with Tint World, America’s fastest growing auto accessories retailer.

Tint World franchise partners will gain direct access to Firstech’s catalog of vehicle remote start, security, and telematics solutions. Brands offered will include Compustar, iDatastart, DroneMobile, tesa tape, and Momento. On approval, select Tint World locations will also be eligible for selling Compustar Pro, which includes the company’s flagship remote starter with up to 3 miles of range, the Compustar Pro T13.

This announcement comes just in time for freezing temperatures and snow to sweep across North America, driving heightened consumer awareness for remote start.

“Firstech and Tint World’s company values align perfectly towards giving customers an amazing product experience backed by excellent service,” shares Firstech’s regional sales manager, Tanner Wilson. “We look forward to supporting each Tint World location and providing immense value and profitability to the categories of remote start and security.”

If you are a Tint World franchise partner and would like to learn more about this exciting partnership, please email Firstech atorders@myfirstech.com to be assigned an external and internal sales representative. All other inquiries regarding this release can be sent to Tanner Wilson at twilson@compustar.com.

Firstech Compustar Launches In-Person Installer Training Program

SEATTLE, WA (06.28.22) – Firstech, maker of Compustar and DroneMobile brand products, has announced the launch of its new national installer training program: “myFirstech Academy”. Training events, which are scheduled for Q3 2022 for authorized dealers, will include two days of intensive instruction at three different skill levels.

Level 1 – Learn how to install remote start systems and gain a deep understanding of required 12-volt electrical theory, components, and troubleshooting.
Level 2 – Take a deeper dive into Firstech remote start and security solutions, including controllers, RF, telematics, and vehicle integration.
Level 3 – For seasoned installers only. Explore advanced troubleshooting and gain experience with manual-transmission remote start, along with other complex applications.

Students of myFirstech Academy will enjoy a wide variety of learning environments over the two-day period to ensure maximum knowledge retention:

• Bench trainers for understanding fundamentals of electronics
• Steering columns with ignition switches for start/stop simulation
• Wire prep and soldering practice stations (no t-taps here, please!)
• Minimum of 3 different vehicles for full installation walkthrough
• Q+A with Firstech technical support members
• Networking with other industry professionals

All myFirstech Academy training events will be instructed by members of Firstech’s award-winning technical support team. Tech support manager Wade Beebe shares, “We have crafted our trainings to meet the growing demand for hands-on, step-by-step training on remote start.”

In addition to in-person instruction, myFirstech Academy enrollees will also receive free access to self-paced virtual learning materials. These materials will be made available on the web and the company’s “myFirstech” app for iOS and Android.

The first two myFirstech Training events, which have already been sold out, will be held in mid-July at Firstech’s new distribution center in Flower Mound, TX. Registration for other myFirstech Academy training events opens on July 6th, 2022. To view upcoming events and register, go to www.firstechllc.com/myfirstech-academy. Events will be limited to twenty or fewer attendees. A $99 refundable deposit will be required to reserve a spot.

“Our mission is to provide practical training and knowledge that pertains to everyday real world installations”, shares myFirstech Academy instructor, Doug Reed. “In our industry, when installers get the support and training they need – everyone wins.”

The first events in July have already been presold, but there are more events that will open for registration on July 6^th, 2022. The full calendar can be viewed here. 

Visit firstechllc.com for more.

Firstech Launches 3-Channel Car Dash Camera

SEATTLE, WA (05.04.22) – Firstech has announced the release of the Momento M7, a 3-channel dash camera system with 2K QHD recording and battery-saving technology. The Momento M7 is now available for preorder and will begin shipping in early May from Firstech’s new distribution center in Texas.

All-Time High Dash Cam Awareness

As more drivers return to their regular morning commutes, mobile electronics retailers have reported a
surge in customer demand for dash camera solutions, otherwise known as “dash cams.” Retail experts
and analysts have attributed this growth in consumer awareness to the effectiveness of dash cams in
fighting accident fraud and the rising trend of viral video recordings of on-road incidents.

In response to this growth, the Momento M7 arrives as a key addition to Firstech’s Momento brand of
dash cams. The M7, or MD-7200, includes two cameras for front and rear recording along with an
additional video input for a third camera. M7’s front camera records in 2K QHD, promising clearer visibility of details such as license plate numbers or faces – key ingredients in fighting accident fraud.

“ECO” Battery Saving Technology

Despite their rise in popularity, dash cameras have faced one consistent obstacle: car battery depletion.
For a dash camera to monitor activity around a parked vehicle, it needs to constantly draw current from
the battery. In as little as a day, a dash camera could completely drain a car’s battery.

The Momento M7 addresses this issue head-on with the introduction of “ECO” mode. “ECO” mode is
Firstech’s new battery-saving technology that reduces the M7’s power consumption by up to 90% while
the vehicle is parked. It works by turning off the M7’s image sensor and instead using radar to detect
motion in front of the vehicle. When the M7 front camera detects a vehicle or person approaching the
vehicle, the system will reactivate the cameras’ image sensors and begin recording. The utilization of
radar greatly reduces battery usage while retaining full motion detection capabilities.

More About M7

Momento M7 will serve as the brand’s co-flagship product along with the M6, which Firstech released in Whereas the M6 features a companion mobile app for iOS and Android devices, the M7 is an “allin-one” device that has a 2-inch touch LCD screen built into the camera for reviewing video.

In addition to the touch LCD, the Momento website touts the 3-channel M7 as having an enhanced lowlight image sensor, on-board GPS antenna, and industry-leading 2-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty (most other dash cam brands offer 1-year of warranty protection).

To learn more about the Momento M7, visit www.MomentoCam.com or follow the brand’s
Instagram page @momentocam. MSRP for M7 (MD-7200) will be $379.99. Dealers interested in reselling
the Momento M7 can contact an authorized Firstech distributor and/or sales representative – or visit
www.myfirstech.com.

Firstech Expands to Texas with New Facility

SEATTLE, WA (02.18.22) – Firstech, maker of Compustar, Momento, and DroneMobile products, has announced the scheduled opening of its new distribution and training facility in Flower Mound, Texas. The company planned to commence operations at its new Texas facility in April 2022.

The new Firstech facility in Flower Mound TX is located just 6 miles from DFW International Airport.

At launch, Firstech’s move to Texas will establish another distribution center in the South-Central U.S. where the company can improve its shipping turnaround times for dealer and distribution partners. Approximately half of Firstech’s logistics team will permanently relocate to Texas to make the expansion as seamless as possible.

Cody Galen is preparing pallets for shipment in the new Flower Mound location.

In the near future, the Texas facility will also provide an additional meeting hub for installers, salespeople, and partners to receive hands-on training from Firstech’s award-winning technical support team. The new location is conveniently located within six miles of Dallas Fort-Worth Airport (DFW).

Firstech’s primary headquarters will remain near Seattle, Washington where it has been since the company relocated from Anchorage, Alaska in 2003.

Neil Bagalso on the forklift in the warehouse working to put stock on shelves.

“We couldn’t be more excited to open a new branch to better serve Firstech’s growing customer base,” shares managing director, Jason Kaminski. “In addition to expanding our warehouse space and improving our just-in-time inventory, the Texas location will also open up additional port options for ocean-going cargo to combat congestion.”

If you would like to learn more about Firstech, visit the company’s website at www.firstechllc.com.

Firstech, ADS Announce Remote Start Partnership

SEATTLE, WA / MONTREAL, QC (08.27.2021) – Ahead of the upcoming remote start season, Firstech and Automotive Data Solutions (ADS) are announcing a strategic alliance to bring further innovation to iDataStart remote start solutions in the U.S. market. As part of this announcement, Firstech and ADS will also streamline future product development by better aligning the efforts of both teams.

iDataStart was created by ADS in the mid-2010s and has since become one of the leading brands of remote starters, particularly in Canada. Some of the key advantages of iDataStart products include:

• All-in-one remote start and bypass module interface

• Industry leading coverage featuring a wide range of vehicle-specific t-harnesses

• Web-programmable from desktop, tablet and mobile

• Easy-to-follow installation guides

By partnering with Firstech, ADS will instantly enhance iDataStart’s presence in the U.S. market while also streamlining product development to meet the specific needs of U.S. consumers and dealers. Firstech will extend the opportunity to purchase iDataStart products to its dealer base of 1,500+ U.S. retailers along with any new dealers interested in upgrading their remote start assortment.

“We are thrilled to bring Canada’s #1 remote start brand by volume to the U.S. market. More importantly, with the teams from both companies more closely aligned, we can speed up product innovation and better react to changing market dynamics,” said Jason Kaminski, Managing Director of Firstech.

ADS and Firstech’s alliance signals a new chapter in the companies’ shared history of collaboration and innovation. In 2007, Firstech and ADS co-released the revolutionary “BLADE-AL”, the first-ever cartridge-style immobilizer bypass module. Several years later, the two companies released the DC3 all-in-one remote starter, which remains one of Firstech’s best selling products. Lastly, Firstech’s award-winning telematics solution, DroneMobile, is compatible with all iDataStart remote starters.

“Building on the long, successful partnership between our two companies, we are excited to make iDataStart products more broadly available to Firstech’s wide network of U.S. retailers. By creating synergies with Firstech’s national salesforce and top-rate technical support staff, we are confident that iDataStart products will quickly become a valued addition on dealers’ shelves across the country,” added Robert Di Cesare, General Manager of ADS.

Firstech will transition to the exclusive source for iDataStart products in the U.S. as of September 2021. Products will be available for purchase directly from Firstech, online at myFirstech.com, and through authorized subdistributors.

To learn more about iDataStart’s U.S. lineup, visit www.idatastart.us.

Firstech Unveils New “KP2” Keyless Touchpad Accessory for Remote Start

SEATTLE, WA (06.16.2021) – Firstech, the maker of Compustar and DroneMobile connected car solutions, has announced that it will begin shipping the KP2 Keyless Touchpad (FT-KP2) in July 2021. KP2 is a windshield-mounted touchpad that gives drivers the ability to lock, unlock, and share their vehicles without the use of a key, remote, or smartphone.

In daily use, the KP2 Touchpad functions as a convenient replacement for car keys for unlocking and locking the doors. To lock/arm the vehicle’s doors, the driver simply needs to hold the “Lock” button on the KP2. When the driver is ready to hit the road, they can unlock the doors by entering their 4-6 digit PIN code onto the windshield mounted touchpad. The KP2’s upgraded capacitive touch sensors respond quickly for drivers who are on the go.

Click here to view a product video

KP2 now supports two separate PIN codes, one reserved for the vehicle owner (“Master PIN”) and one reserved for shared drivers (“Guest PIN”). The Guest PIN code is time-sensitive and will expire on the time/date appointed by the vehicle owner via the DroneMobile smartphone app. In order to enable Guest PIN codes, the KP2 must be installed with a KL1 KeyLocker, which Firstech released in Spring 2020.

Guest PIN codes make the KP2 an ideal solution for car sharing situations. Whether a vehicle owner is hosting out-of-town guests or using car-sharing services such as Turo or Getaround, he/she could share PIN codes with other drivers without revealing his/her own Master PIN code. The KP2 will eventually be included with every Drone KL1 KeyLocker, giving car sharers an all-in-one vehicle and key management solution.

Installation of the KP2 Keyless Touchpad is simple, requiring only a single connection to a compatible Firstech remote starter, alarm, or KeyLocker. As usual, Firstech offers an array of programming methods via desktop, smartphone, or Firstech’s proprietary “OP-500” option programmer.

KP2 is Firstech’s fourth touchpad release. Previous models include the KP1 and the RPS TOUCH, one of Firstech’s best-selling accessories over the past ten years. In comparison to previous models, the KP2 features a new “OEM”-style interface, unbranded design, and two additional digits for code programming. Internally, the KP2 boasts significant upgrades to its memory and processor, improving the speed, responsiveness and reliability of the touchpad.

As a standalone accessory, KP2 will start at $49.99 MSRP.

KL1 KeyLocker systems bundled with the KP2 will retail at $199.99 MSRP. If you are interested in learning more about the KP2 Keyless Touchpad, visit www.myfirstech.com or email Firstech’s sales team at orders@myfirstech.com.

DroneMobile Makes Car Sharing Easier with Contactless Key Handoff

SEATTLE, WA (01.11.2021) – While travel and vacation were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, car sharing has remained relevant with commuters seeking alternatives to public transportation. However, car sharing users, both vehicle owners and renters, continue to face hurdles that prevent a smooth and safe rental experience.

First and foremost, there’s the issue of the vehicle’s key. Currently, vehicle owners’ only two methods of key handoff are to meet renters in-person or to stow away the key somewhere on the outside of the vehicle. The former presents social distancing concerns and the latter subjects the vehicle to threats of theft and key tampering. Additionally, “smash-and-grab” break-ins continue to plague vehicles parked in public places for extended periods of time awaiting rental pickup. Vehicle owners that monetize their vehicles are faced with the dilemma of choosing between convenience and safety.

Firstech, the Seattle-based maker of the DroneMobile remote car starter app, has announced that its April 2021 app update will offer vehicle owners and renters both safety and convenience with new car sharing and key management capabilities.

The upcoming DroneMobile app update will enable the use of the company’s patented KL1 KeyLocker hardware. KeyLocker is an LTE-enabled key management and storage system that makes key handoff as easy as sending an invite to a renter’s email. Upon acceptance of the invitation, renters can instantly see the vehicle’s parking spot and start their trip using only their smartphone. Meanwhile, vehicle owners receive alerts notifying them of successful pickup and drop-off. (During the rental, vehicle owners cannot track or control the vehicle without ending the renter’s access.)

KeyLocker fits into most vehicle compartments and has a sliding door mechanism for safely storing any type of vehicle key. While a vehicle’s key is stored in a KeyLocker, the system activates anti-tampering security sensors around KeyLocker and the outside of the vehicle. These sensors can only be disarmed using the DroneMobile app, which works over LTE from unlimited range. If a vehicle utilizes a “smart” key with push-to-start capabilities, KeyLocker can enable and disable the detection of that key so that it does not need to be removed throughout the duration of the rental. In this case, drivers would use their smartphone as the key for driving the vehicle.

Firstech’s KeyLocker also includes a windshield-mounted touchpad as backup in the event of poor cellular coverage or dead smartphone battery.

Firstech describes the DroneMobile app update as “enabling safer and easier car sharing for everyone.” While the DroneMobile app won’t offer a marketplace to reserve car shares, the company hopes to fill a void for vehicle owners that scale their car sharing operations on other platforms.

In order to enjoy DroneMobile car sharing, vehicle owners should visit an Authorized DroneMobile dealer to have their KeyLocker and LTE hardware installed. Parts and pricing may vary by vehicle. To find a dealer near you, visit www.dronemobile.com/find-a-dealer. All car sharing and key management features will be included for all DroneMobile Premium subscribers, with plans as low as $5.99/month.

Firstech Hosted a Compustar Online Training for Altron and Dealers Across Michigan

PONTIAC, MI (10.05.2020) – Thursday evening, October 1st, Firstech staff members Nick Frazier and Jason Ewing presented a Compustar Google Meet training for Altron International and their dealers across Michigan.

Altron’s Susan Newton, along with hands-on owner Bob English, attended the online training. Geoff Dixon and Chuck Ottati, with Michigan rep firm Opus Marketing, also attended the session. Rob Sanden, Compustar Central Regional Sales Manager, also attended the session.

“The Compustar online training was very informative. Both Nick and Jason did a phenomenal job going through the product line and answering questions. They even stayed on the meeting site for over an hour after the meeting was officially done to answer questions. Dealers were very excited as they learned about new products and features. Compustar is always looking for ways to make it easier for dealers and installers.” Newton related.

Continuing Newton offered “The meeting was conducted through Google Meet, not like Zoom where you can see everyone. It worked well though as multiple people could view the powerpoint and talk with each other or use a text box that was equivalent to messaging that everyone could see.”

Jamie White, Opus Marketing Principal, stated “Everything was very good. We spoke with Rob Sanden and he was happy as there were more dealers on the call than expected. We also had a new dealer from the Upper Peninsula on the session.”

The Compustar aisle of the Altron warehouse is packed with product as a result of the company’s early forecasting for the remote start season.

“The day after the webinar our phones were ringing off the hook from dealers taking advantage of the deals we offered during the online Compustar session” Newton concluded.

Even though it was a virtual meeting there were Compustar giveaways. Two complete systems, plus 3 md6200”s, were awarded as prizes. In addition, Altron will send T-Shirts to all dealers who attended the Compustar online training.

Shelves in the Altron warehouse are filled with Compustar remote start units and accessories in anticipation of a strong remote start season across Michigan.

The Altron warehouse is fully stocked and ready for the remote start business that comes with the cold Michigan weather. The company did significant large early forecasting to ensure product that their customers need will be in stock. The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused product and shipping issues. Altron planned ahead to be ready and very pro-active for the remote starter season.

Visit compustar.com for more.

Firstech Compustar Signs On Premier Remote Start Dealer

SEATTLE, WA (08.26.2020) – Firstech has announced that Compustar and DroneMobile products will now be sold and installed at all Custom Sounds & Tint retail locations in Texas, Missouri, Illinois, and Oklahoma. Custom Sounds & Tint will offer many of Compustar’s premier solutions, including the 3-Mile Range PRO T12 remote starter and alarm system.

Over the past 5 years, Firstech has increased marketing efforts to promote the benefits of Compustar remote starters in hotter climates, utilizing platforms like Facebook and Google to fuel a 90% increase in consumer engagement over that span. Firstech’s retail partnership with Custom Sounds & Tint will allow both companies to meet this increased demand head-on.

Named “The Best Place to Have Installation Work” by Install News Magazine, Custom Sounds & Tint has over 20 retail locations in major cities such as Austin, San Antonio, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City. Each location’s staff will receive direct training from Firstech’s award-winning technical support team led by Wade Beebe and Joshua Woodie.

To find a Custom Sounds & Tint location near you, use Compustar’s Dealer Locator tool at www.compustar.com or visit www.customsounds.com. See www.firstechllc.com for more.

Firstech Expands Virtual Installer Support for 12-Volt Retailers

SEATTLE. WA (08.20.2020) – Firstech, the maker of Compustar and DroneMobile products, is launching expanded support hours and virtual resources for installers.

Effective August 15th, Firstech will offer over-the-phone and online installer support Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM PST. Installers will have access to these extended hours throughout the holiday season.

Firstech has also expanded its offering of digital training resources for installers. The company’s award-winning technical support team conducts biweekly virtual trainings using Facebook Live. All of these trainings are hosted on Firstech’s “TechFeed” support group, one of the industry’s largest installer-only communities on Facebook.

In addition to live and on-demand trainings, Firstech announced the beta release of major updates for “MyFirstech Install.” MyFirstech Install provides a one-stop-shop for installers to access technical documents and wiring schematics for remote start and audio applications. The website also features a portal for installers to activate and configure DroneMobile connected car systems. Beta access is currently reserved exclusively to members of Firstech’s TechFeed support group on Facebook.

Firstech’s technical support team is led by a 24-year industry veteran, Wade Beebe. Beebe shares, “Firstech is committed to investing in the current and future generations of installers. We believe that innovation in our industry starts and ends with those individuals that are open to learning and trying new things.”

If you are an installer in the mobile electronics industry and would like to learn more about Firstech’s products and services, visit firstechllc.com or search “Firstech Techfeed” on Facebook.