Sound Connection uses technology to enhance safety, comfort

BAXTER - Not that long ago, starting a cold vehicle using a touch screen on a smartphone from a warm interior was a futuristic idea. Now that's just an everyday event at Sound Connection.

Technology is changing the way people interact with their vehicles for increased comfort and safety.

Sound Connection, a self-described vehicle enhancement facility, is based on the link between people and vehicles. While its origins in audio equipment is still a significant part of the mix, it isn't the whole picture. Safety enhancements. Creature comforts. Passenger entertainment. Those areas are all at the top of the list. Technology advances are giving motorists more options, even if the original car they purchased was a bit bare bones. Upgrades include heated and cooled seats, converting vehicles to have leather interiors, power locks and windows, cruise control, even window tint to keep ultraviolet rays out.

Recently the business moved from the Front Street store in Brainerd it called home for 14 years to Highway 371 in Baxter in the former Viking Land Harley-Davidson dealership.

Beginnings

In one way, the business has come full circle - not far from its earliest days. In August of 1995, 18-year-old Ben Larson formed his company in a 300-square-foot office off a dirt parking lot next to the Snoop-N-Save on Highway 371. He didn't have the benefit of an installation garage. Company lore noted the young entrepreneur grew his company through "drive, determination and most of all stubbornness to not fail."

Rapid growth had Sound Connection moving to larger quarters a year after opening. The business built a following and expanded offerings and locations, one in St. Cloud and the new expanded facility in Baxter.

John Larson, Sound Connection manager, believes experience is what sets the company apart.

"We've been doing this since 1995," he said. "We've been named a top 50 (Mobile Electronics Retailer) in the country for the last three years and also myself, Jason Fugate and Ben Larson were all named three of the top 100 installers in the country. We have a lot of experience - a lot of background with this."

Sayings inside the business signal its philosophy. "Happiness is liking what you do" and "Freedom is doing what you like." "Love what you do and do what you love." "The work we do here is a reflection of who we are."

Creating 'dream cars'

For the customer, Sound Connection offers them what may not have come from the factory.

"If they can't find that exact car, now we can make it the exact car for them," John Larson said. "We can build people's dream cars at this point, which is really nice."

They can add power locks and windows, cruise control, add full leather interiors, heated and cooled seats, heated windshield wiper fluid. Recently, Sound Connection started detailing vehicles. Next spring they plan to offer boat detailing. A quick clean option for $59, taking about 59 minutes, provides a hand wash, wax, vacuum and cleaning.

"We can do a lot with the inside of a car in an hour," Larson said, adding customers are coming in once a month for the service. They can steam clean cars and vents. Even if a car was used by someone who smokes, Larson said steaming the vents is a way to remove that lingering feeling of driving an ash tray.

Larson manages the St. Cloud and Baxter stores. He said he's able to juggle the workload because of the employees.

"The guys I have working for me right now, I couldn't ask for a better group of people," Larson said.

Sound Connection grew in downtown Brainerd, but it wasn't until the business moved to Baxter that organizations began to contact them to be part of charitable giving, something they were always interested in. Currently, a central spot in the display area is set aside for a coat drive.

Remote starters and more

While special lights and audio are part of the mix, often tricking out a vehicle these days means adding electronics. A top seller for the business continues to be inspired by cold Minnesota winters. A standard remote starter may cost $375 with a cellphone activation adding about $200 to the cost. Larson said the prices they quote include tax so the enhancements are quoted as they'd be ready to go out the door. Sound Connection has installed about 6,000 remote starters and expects to be closer to 7,500 by winter's end.

And the company is working with dealerships like Lake Country Toyota to upgrade new vehicles with everything from the remote starters to overhead videos and cruise control. They are also working with Minnesota Inboard and expect to do more with boats in the coming year.

Remote starters have company as far as technology improvements to interact with a driving machine. As a companion piece to the remote starters, a disc can go on the windshield for a keyless touch to unlock a vehicle if the keys end up on the wrong side of the locked door.

"We are really expecting that to be popular," Larson said.

With Compustar Dash, front- and rear-mounted cameras serve as a security and surveillance system. When the car starts, the system is constantly recording the same way a DVR works with a TV. The images will be securely recorded to the hard drive if there is a collision. The system also detects motion around the vehicle. Compustar notes those features work as a theft deterrent and provide a tool in the event of a crash. The system costs $399 installed.

"For parents of teenage drivers, it's going to be fantastic," Larson said. "Really it's all about safety."

Another new safety feature comes with a Mobileye, which warns the driver if they depart from the driving lane as it watches the road's white lines. It also gives an estimated stop time between vehicles or bicyclists, and if a driver gets too close it will emit a visual and audio warning to apply the brake. The system retails for $999 installed.

Plug-in Car Connection links cellphones via Bluetooth, allowing parents to block incoming cellphone calls, texts and prevents data use while driving. The device can be programmed to allow certain callers through like mom or dad. There are also GPS tracking options and ways parents, for instance, can check on driver habits such as hitting the brakes a lot or gas usage. The system retails for $179.

Another option custom fits a safe in vehicles to store handguns or other valuables, even keys.

"The amount of things we do is kind of never-ending," Larson said. "It just keeps going.

"We still have a lot of plans for things we want to do here."

RENEE RICHARDSON, senior reporter, may be reached at 855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz .