Review: Auxbeam slim switch panel systems
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
My apologies if I missed the compatibility comments in the review. That’s a huge advantage.
LOL. That sounds like a cop out..
Yes, you can run the app on Android tablets and iPads.
About compatibility of switch panels and control units, Auxbeam sent me this image… all switch panels with 4-pin connectors will work with any of the system series shown in the image. Sorry the image is so small, it was in-line in an email and I couldn’t make it bigger.
They asked me for a version of this review in MS-Word to post on their web site; when I send it to them I’ll tell them there are people who would be interested in just buying just a slim switch panel to go with their current system. If they don't want to make the slim panels available separately, I'll ask if they could make a just few slim panels available for my friends.
100% in on a slim panel if an 8 gang can be purchased separately
Auxbeam sent me an update on compatibility between switch panels and control units and about the app.
They’ve updated the app to show a 4-switch panel on the Bluetooth screen so you don’t have to go to the detailed Bluetooth list to pick the 4-switch system. They said:
And they said this about compatibility of switch panels and control units:
Hopefully this will clarify things for people who have an older Bluetooth system with a rectangular switch panel who would like to switch to a slim panel but use their existing control box and wiring.
And slightly off-topic... someone on the the Grenadier Owners USA group on Facebook asked about the Auxbeam panels so I responded with a detailed answer to their question. One option for the Grenadier is called the "High Load Switch Panel", which provides additional user circuits for accessories and my new Grenadier has this option so I doubt I'll need an Auxbeam system in that vehicle but I took this photo of the overhead panel in the Grenadier - the Auxbeam switches could be mounted on the factory overhead switch panel as shown; above the Auxbeam switches in this photo you can see the extra circuits provided by the High Load Switch Panel option, including a 500-amp circuit for winches and such but for people without that option (they still have the overhead panel but without the extra circuits), the Auxbeam is a good option and can be mounted overhead.
(Sorry for getting off the Jeep topic; I posted that in case anyone reading this has a Grenadier without the High Load Switch option and needs more circuits for accessories).
They’ve updated the app to show a 4-switch panel on the Bluetooth screen so you don’t have to go to the detailed Bluetooth list to pick the 4-switch system. They said:
And they said this about compatibility of switch panels and control units:
They included this image:
Hopefully this will clarify things for people who have an older Bluetooth system with a rectangular switch panel who would like to switch to a slim panel but use their existing control box and wiring.
And slightly off-topic... someone on the the Grenadier Owners USA group on Facebook asked about the Auxbeam panels so I responded with a detailed answer to their question. One option for the Grenadier is called the "High Load Switch Panel", which provides additional user circuits for accessories and my new Grenadier has this option so I doubt I'll need an Auxbeam system in that vehicle but I took this photo of the overhead panel in the Grenadier - the Auxbeam switches could be mounted on the factory overhead switch panel as shown; above the Auxbeam switches in this photo you can see the extra circuits provided by the High Load Switch Panel option, including a 500-amp circuit for winches and such but for people without that option (they still have the overhead panel but without the extra circuits), the Auxbeam is a good option and can be mounted overhead.
(Sorry for getting off the Jeep topic; I posted that in case anyone reading this has a Grenadier without the High Load Switch option and needs more circuits for accessories).
I really like the new panel and if i can get it to work with my older aux box I will get to mount it up higher
If they made a 8-gang slim panle, I'd be all over it. It would be nice to have it mounted up on top of the windshield frame area above the rear view mirror.
I can't imagine how big the housing would be to hold all the vacuum tubes.
I only use Locktals in that application.
What are your impressions on the Grenadier compared to the JK/JLs?
I've only put maybe 500 miles on the Grenadier so far, and mostly local errands and nothing off road so it's too early to really know.
When the JL first came out I decided that new Jeeps were not in my future as they seemed to be getting further away from their utilitarian/functional heritage and closer to the minivan world. I really prefer my LJ to my JKU and I've used the LJ far more off road than the JKU because I'm much more comfortable with its performance off road than the JKU.
That being said, the Grenadier feels like a grown-up version of my LJ; it's a little bit larger, it's much stronger (7700 lbs. towing capacity, for example), and it's well equipped for expedition use. Mine is a Trialmaster version, which includes 3 lockers (front, rear and center differentials, and it's full-time 4wd), dual batteries, the high load auxiliary power option which includes extra circuits and wiring to various places in the vehicle, including several circuits to the roof), and as with all Grenadier models, far more interior space than the Wrangler so with the space and the elctrical features it'll be much easier to outfit for expedition use than a Wrangler.
The Grenadier is built with high-end parts (BMW B58 3.0l turbocharged six cylinder and things like Brembo brakes), so it'll be more expensive to service and maintain than the Wrangler, and 91 octane fuel is recommended so it'll be more expensive to drive - I've been getting about 17mpg so far, which is a little less than either of my Wranglers typically get.
It does have a lot of electronics, some of which are a little quirky - the other day I was under the hood and after I closed the hood I couldn't lock the doors. It turns out I didn't slam the hood all the way and I suppose that was the Grenadier's way of telling me that there was a security risk in the possibly not fully latched hood.
I've been much too busy with renovations on our new-to-us early 1800's home to be able to spend much time outfitting the Grenadier with expedition things like my MORryde Trail Kitchen, most of that stuff will have to wait until the spring. I do plan to do a 3-4 week expedition in the Colorado mountains with it next summer, redoing trails I've done in the LJ, so I'll know for sure how much I like it after that. But at least for now it looks like I'm going to like it as a worthy replacement for the LJ in expedition use.
A few comparison photos...
And at least I won't have to make a custom rear barn door for the Grenadier... the cargo space is much larger than that on any Wrangler and the Grenadier's rear barn doors provide great access...
Unless the Grenadier doesn't do as well on the trails as I think it will, the LJ will be retired from expedition use.
Glad to hear you are happy with it. Keep us posted on the electronics/longevity aspect.
Similar threads
