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To continue our series, Off Road Xtreme presents part four of our ultimate off-road gear guide for UTV and SxS accessories. So far, we have covered safety equipment, performance upgrades, and most recently communication and navigation. Now it is time to cover UTV gadgets. In this UTV gear guide, we showcase some of the specialized yet practical gear that can make your UTV more useful.
It must be noted, that this is just a brief overview of UTV gadget accessories. For best recommendations, fitment, and installation, on any products, consult with the manufacturers, car builders, and experts. This is an unpaid and unbiased list we have curated specifically for the general UTV off-road enthusiast.
UTV And SxS Accessories: Gadgets
Are gizmos and gadgets really necessary for a UTV vehicle? No, they are not. We could utilize the trusty old map and compass, watch dirt drop to determine the wind direction, use our hand as a visor, and listen to the jams on an old tape deck. But in today’s day and age, and depending on the mission, we rely on our various modern devices and the latest gear to make our lives more efficient.
There are a ton of high-tech gadgets out there with different purposes, capabilities, and applications. Here are some that we want to share which could add more valuable usefulness to your side-by-side.
UTV Gadgets: Garmin Tread Audio System
Tunes on the old SxS might not be for everyone. But if you are rolling up to the spot and need to hear the bump and boom, then we have what you want. Garmin’s Tread Audio System with LED controller is an all-in-one high-performance stereo system.
These units are marine quality and designed for off-road powersport vehicles. Consider this a rugged and durable audio system, capable of delivering premium quality tunes, that is designed to mount directly on your side-by-side machine. Blast music from AM/FM radio, AUX, and Bluetooth options through custom LED speakers that can pulse with your music and more. This system is built to endure dust, water, and rough terrain, so your music never skips a beat.
The Tread Audio System with LED Controller is a serious upgrade that offers seriously good tunes for $1,199.
UTV Gadgets: SIONYX Color Night Vision Uncharted Aurora Kit
SIONYX just launched their Aurora Pro Uncharted Kit and it is perfectly designed for off-road UTV applications. It is an all-in-one digital night vision kit that mounts the Aurora and a tablet with the flexible RAM Mounts systems. At only $1,299, this is an affordable night vision monocular that offers hands-free, streaming video to a tablet or mobile device. Whether your night exploration is on land or water, you can see, record, stream, and capture everything in full color with rugged and reliable SIONYX and RAM Mounts products.
You've got to see it to believe it! SIONYX Aurora Pro Night Vision offers amazing high-contrast clear images.
SIONYX just launched their Aurora Pro Uncharted Kit and it is perfectly designed for off-road UTV applications. It is an all-in-one digital night vision kit that mounts the Aurora and a tablet with the flexible RAM Mounts systems. At only $1,299, this is a super affordable night vision monocular that offers hands-free, streaming video to a tablet or mobile device. Whether your night exploration is on land or water, you can see, record, stream, and capture everything in full color with rugged and reliable SIONYX and RAM Mounts products.
The Aurora PRO Uncharted kit includes the full Aurora PRO Explorer Kit with an IR illuminator, a RAM Mounts camera mount system, and a RAM Mounts tablet mount system for the ultimate hands-free adventure setup.
Aurora PRO Explorer Kit:
- Aurora PRO color digital night vision camera
- Hardshell waterproof case
- 940nm IR Illuminator, rail mount, and camera belly rail
- Two camera batteries and an external battery charger
- Rechargeable batteries & external battery charger for IR Illuminator
- 32 GB microSD card
- USB charge/data cable
RAM Mounts Camera Mount System:
- RAM Tough-Ball with 1/4-20 x .25 threaded stud
- 3-inch double socket arm
- Strap hose clamp ball base
- RAM Tough-Claw medium clamp base with ball
RAM Mounts Tablet Mount System:
- RAM X-Grip universal holder for 7-inch to 8-inch tablets with ball
- 1-inch B-size rubber ball compatible with any B-size RAM Mounts double socket arm
- 3-inch double socket arm
- Includes optional device tether for peace of mind during rugged use
- Easy access grip knobs on the back of the holder allow for the quick release of your tablet
UTV Gadgets: Moto-Centric Peak Design 1-Inch Ball Mount
Of all of the gear on this list, this is my favorite and has the most practical use. Simply put, it gets used every day and in all of my rides. Known for its high-end photography gear, Peak has developed a Moto-centric 1-Inch Ball Mount designed to work with their proprietary SlimLink mounting technology. I have my phone set up with the Peak Everyday Case and can quickly snap into the mount knowing it is safe and secure.
The Peak 1-Inch Ball Adapter Phone Mount also incorporated vibration damping and isolation component. Whether it is off-roading, ATVing, overlanding, motorcycling, boating, or mowing lawns, your phone can be quickly mounted. For under $50 (phone case sold separately for around $40), the Peak 1-Inch Ball Adapter Phone Mount is ready for action. A third-party ball and socket mount would also be necessary. Mine is fixed into place with various RAM Mounts attachments.
I have paid good money for premium cell phone cases that have their own ecosystem of mounting solutions. Using materials like machined aluminum alloy, and even carbon fiber, besides the price, my complaint was that they were heavy and or bulky. And they were only limited to a mount or grip. Peak has a whole system of attachments and mounts designed around their SlimLink.
The Peak Design 1-Inch Ball Adapter Phone Mount plus the Everyday Case fetches under $90.
Peak Design 1-inch Ball Adapter Phone Mount Main Function Tested
The SlimLink is a brilliant combination of magnetic and mechanical locking for easy one-handed attachment and removal. With best-in-class vibration damping, you can prevent phone damage while enjoying enough rigidity to interact with your mounted phone on any ride. During pre-product trials, not one phone was damaged with 80 beta testers in 12 countries covering a combined 135,000 miles of on- and off-road terrain.
Peak Design 1-inch Ball Adapter Phone Mount Features:
- SlimLink magnetic locking provides secure placement and one-handed attachment/removal
- Best-in-class vibration isolation and damping
- Works with any modular phone mount system that utilizes 1-inch (25.4mm) ball-and-socket joints
- Machined anodized aluminum is lightweight, durable, and weatherproof for any condition
- Easily connect or disconnect, even with gloves on
- The mounting arm can be rotated and locked into 24 different positions for optimal phone placement and viewing angle
- Holds phone in portrait or landscape mode
- Guaranteed for life
- Compatible with Apple, Samsung, and Google mobile devices
UTV Gadgets: RAM Mounts
You might recognize a theme here. For every device and device mount, there needs to be a foundation. Ram Mounts is a great foundation and one that we use because of its widespread integration with other products. If you have ever tried to mount something to anything, it can be difficult or it can be really easy. For the most versatile solutions to mounting all of my gadgets any time or any place, RAM Mounts has me covered. When it comes to mounting multiple items, for example; a phone, GoPro, Garmin, SIONYX, or anything else, the RAM Tough-Track is my go-to.
A RAM Tough-Track in conjunction with a RAM Tough-Claw is the ideal setup for mounting my UTV gizmos and gadgets to a side-by-side machine.
The slotted provision accepts the T-Bolt Attachment RAM Track Ball and has plenty of room to fit a whole ensemble of gear. This device, combined with the RAM Tough-Claw, is perfect for fixing UTV and SxS roll bars or rail surfaces. This configuration ranges from 1 inch to 2.25 inches in diameter without any need for tools. It is a sweet deal for under $65! They have smaller clamping versions with smaller price tags.
Below, a RAM Tough-Claw is mounted to our ORXtreme JL passenger grab handle. Additionally, we have the RAM Tough-Track affixed to the Jeep JL’s dash holding multiple accessories.
UTV Gadgets: BioLite BaseCharge 600 Rechargeable Power Station
Having an adequate power supply does not necessarily start and end with your UTV. Sometimes an off-road adventure might take us off-grid and regular 12-volt power might not provide all the juice you need.
There is a portable and easy-to-use solution in the form of the BioLite BaseCharge 600. This is a very handy portable Lithium-Ion 622-watt rechargeable power station battery pack. I selected this unit because it packs a big punch of power in a small lightweight footprint. About the size of a lunch box and weighing only 13 pounds, this thing is ruggedly durable and has all the features one could need to power up an extended off-road adventure.
Features include a versatile input-output arrangement, plus convenient wireless charging, and grab handles.
They thought of it all with this one. Besides the portability, my favorite feature is the energy odometer which informs me of energy consumption over time. I also like the wireless charging pad. Another plus I don’t often see on competing power banks of this size is the surge-protected 600 w 110-volt AC output. The 1,000-watt surge provides enough juice to run power tools and even small appliances.
I also really like the easy-to-read smart LCD display that accurately calculates power in/out, battery life, and time until empty or full. For just under $700, it will be a worthy purchase to keep the power on tap. Check out the BioLite BaseCharge 600 technical features below.
BioLite BaseCharge 600 Power Capacity:
- Li-Ion Battery Capacity: 622 Wh
Inputs (3):
- Wall / Solar Input (HPP)
- USB-C PD: 100W
- Solar via included HPP
Outputs (10):
- (2x) 110V AC Output (600W W // 1,000 W Surge)
- (1x) Wireless Output (10 W)
- (2x) 12 V DC Barrel Port (120 W)
- (1x) 12 V Car Port Output (120 W)
- (2x) USB-A Output (5 V
- (1x) USB-C Output (5 V)
- (1x) USB-C PD Output (5 V, 100 W)
Charge-In Time:
- 7 Hours (Includes Wall Charger), 3.5 Hours (Wall Charger + USB-C PD), 6 Hours (Peak Input, 1x SolarPanel 100)
BioLite BaseCharge 600 Specifications:
- Weight: 13lbs (5.9kg)
- Dimensions: 12.2 x 7.9 x 7.9 in (309 x 200 x 201 mm)
Ultimate Off-Road Gear Guide For UTV And SxS Accessories
How about that! We hope this UTV gear guide highlighting gizmos and gadget accessories will help create more usefulness out of your UTV vehicle. In case you missed it, this is a five-part UTV and SxS accessories gear guide so we have them cataloged here for your convenience.
We know there are a lot of items out there to choose from. There is no possible way to cover it all, but we did our best to select high-quality items that will offer value to your UTV experience.
