What kind of tech do you expect enabled in the car or interface?

[vmikee]

Amazon.com

No splicing; just run the power wire for your new device to the fuse box and pick a fuse that is powered how you like (all the time/acc/run)

I've used add-a-fuse's before for various reasons and they work well. The problem with newer vehicles is newer fuse types that don't have a compatible add-a-fuse. In my 2024 E350 most fuses are square boxes and many are three prong. Trying to decipher what they do was also a challenge because it varies based on what type of E350 it is.

But regardless, the point is that it would be really nice if Scout provided easily accessible power points for CB/GMRS radios or other accessories. Newer jeeps have an option for 4 aux power buttons (for things like off-road light bars), but I've not used those, so I don't know how accessories actually attach to them.

 

[LastDayScout]

I've used add-a-fuse's before for various reasons and they work well. The problem with newer vehicles is newer fuse types that don't have a compatible add-a-fuse. In my 2024 E350 most fuses are square boxes and many are three prong. Trying to decipher what they do was also a challenge because it varies based on what type of E350 it is.

But regardless, the point is that it would be really nice if Scout provided easily accessible power points for CB/GMRS radios or other accessories. Newer jeeps have an option for 4 aux power buttons (for things like off-road light bars), but I've not used those, so I don't know how accessories actually attach to them.

I think they plan on it. The center bar on the top of the dash is to hold accessories like a GoPro for example. There is also a bank of configurable switches for accessories.

 

[eightOne]

I've used add-a-fuse's before for various reasons and they work well. The problem with newer vehicles is newer fuse types that don't have a compatible add-a-fuse. In my 2024 E350 most fuses are square boxes and many are three prong. Trying to decipher what they do was also a challenge because it varies based on what type of E350 it is.

But regardless, the point is that it would be really nice if Scout provided easily accessible power points for CB/GMRS radios or other accessories. Newer jeeps have an option for 4 aux power buttons (for things like off-road light bars), but I've not used those, so I don't know how accessories actually attach to them.

From what I remember, they have an internal (cabin) and external (engine bay) harness that those buttons control. Anything pulling decent power should use that as a signal wire to control a relay that passes the full amps. Additionally, I believe it was possible to program the buttons to be either switched or momentary.

All that to say "yes, please" to accessory switches.

 

[Whtmustangt99]

Apple car play

A legitimately good sound system

Off road pages - view of gauges including pitch and roll, temperatures (battery, motor, etc.), gps coordinates, altitude, diff lock and sway disconnect status, etc.

The ability to track your path - use case is exploring off-road, ability to save your path and backtrack it (ability to save, publish/share to the community would be awesome too. Maybe a leaderboard for highest altitude, most off-road driving, things of that nature?)

The ability to control drive modes. Rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, 4x4, 4x4 all locked (front, center, rear)

The ability to turn off traction control and stability control off-road

Rear locker in rwd mode (off-road, so we can have fun)

Presets to save customized drive modes

Ability to configure for larger tires without needing aftermarket support (maybe a gps based speedometer calibration tool - something that compares speedo vs. gps speed to ensure properly configured for larger tires

Charging during specific times, or blackout windows (some of us have variable rate billing)

Bidirectional charging was announced, but data around this on the display. Power consumed, estimated run time remaining, etc.

 

[eightOne]

Apple car play

...

The ability to track your path - use case is exploring off-road, ability to save your path and backtrack it (ability to save, publish/share to the community would be awesome too. Maybe a leaderboard for highest altitude, most off-road driving, things of that nature?)

If they do decide to eschew CarPlay/AA, there better be a strong software side of the house integrating common music streaming services, onX, GPS mapping services, etc. All of which should be able to sign into our existing accounts. I don't want to have to manage synchronizing addresses, etc between the truck and my phone when this is already in-place technology in CarPlay/AA.

 

[Chaparral]

If they do decide to eschew CarPlay/AA, there better be a strong software side of the house integrating common music streaming services, onX, GPS mapping services, etc. All of which should be able to sign into our existing accounts. I don't want to have to manage synchronizing addresses, etc between the truck and my phone when this is already in-place technology in CarPlay/AA.

Some people present at the reveal said CarPlay was confirmed. But I’m going to keep on making the case for it until Scout show it to me.

 

[LastDayScout]

Some people present at the reveal said CarPlay was confirmed. But I’m going to keep on making the case for it until Scout show it to me.

They confirmed it at the UX display. The gentleman said it is just because of consumer demand that they will include CarPlay. He showed me a demonstration of the Scout captive navigation. It was very impressive. He said why would you want to use CarPlay if the built in navigation is so good. My response was I would like to have both.

 

[eightOne]

They confirmed it at the UX display. The gentleman said it is just because of consumer demand that they will include CarPlay. He showed me a demonstration of the Scout captive navigation. It was very impressive. He said why would you want to use CarPlay if the built in navigation is so good. My response was I would like to have both.

Isn't that always the argument they try to push?

"Why would you ever want to use your stuff over what we made?"

My usual answer to that is that most manufacturers spend the time and money for the first, flashy release and then ignore it in favor of money generators. Apple, Android, and the app developers that support CarPlay and Android Auto are continually working to make their software and integrations better. Make a better product and continue to support and improve that product, and you'll organically gain wider adoption. Force feed it, and you'll just piss off that part of your target audience.

 

[Scoutsie]

They confirmed it at the UX display. The gentleman said it is just because of consumer demand that they will include CarPlay. He showed me a demonstration of the Scout captive navigation. It was very impressive. He said why would you want to use CarPlay if the built in navigation is so good. My response was I would like to have both.

If the built-in navigation lets me leave a breadcrumb trail to show where I’ve been on the map (my current nav does this, but it’s several years out of date) and also tells me exactly what lane I need to be in for a turn (Apple Maps does this and I am extremely grateful since I live in a state with rotaries, seven-way intersections, and roads that suddenly dump you out on the highway), I’ll use it.

 

[eightOne]

… also tells me exactly what lane I need to be in for a turn (Apple Maps does this and I am extremely grateful since I live in a state with rotaries, seven-way intersections, and roads that suddenly dump you out on the highway),…

Google Maps also does this. It’s been extremely helpful more than once.

In addition, Google Maps and Apple Maps use current traffic information to give me route options. Also, Google Maps will show a leaf on a the route it calculates to be the most fuel efficient, which isn’t necessarily the fastest.

Another big also is that both of these mapping apps use integrations with email, messaging, recent searches, and typical destinations when I start driving from a particular location at a particular time to have suggestions as to what my destination might be for that drive.

It’s nice to jump in the truck, pull up the navigation software of choice (I use both), tap my destination for that trip, and pick the route that makes the most sense for that drive. For over 95% of my trips, it’s three taps at most to be on my way.


It’s going to be a tall order for any startup company to be able to compete with this right out of the gate, and, coming from the perspective of a software engineer, I don’t see Scout ever having the money to support a software department large enough to compete at the level of Apple and Google. In short, spend your money where it counts instead of trying to entice customers away from CarPlay and Android Auto. Don’t reinvent the wheel because of arrogance. You have a platform with OTA updates, SM. You can enhance and fix the software and UI/UX when you have the profitability to support it. Listen to your bean counters and focus on becoming solvent. Take the base mapping experience from your connections with Rivian and VAG to satisfy the user group that does not use CarPlay/AA, and keep CarPlay/AA for those of us that use and rely on them daily.

 

[vmikee]

The real-time traffic updates and social updates from apps like Waze and Apple Maps are key. I use a mapping app through CarPlay even if I know my route like the back of my hand just to get those updates so I can re-route if necessary. Often the app tells me there is an issue and re-routes for me. I can also use an app like Trailforks to get routing for an off-road route that doesn't even appear on most mapping apps. I would be extremely surprised if Scout was able to account for all navigation use cases in one on-board app. Not even Android or iOS can do that which is why there are so many other mapping applications available.

And another big issue with Navigation that comes with a car is the slow map version updates. With over the air I'm assuming they will be able to push a map update, but in the past you had to pay an outrageous amount to get an old map update. For my Jeep, I think it was like $150 for a map update that was 1-2 years old. Unless the navigation comes with free, regular map updates and real-time social updates like traffic hazards, accidents or speed checks, I'll just continue using the apps on my phone.

 

[Chaparral]

The real-time traffic updates and social updates from apps like Waze and Apple Maps are key. I use a mapping app through CarPlay even if I know my route like the back of my hand just to get those updates so I can re-route if necessary. Often the app tells me there is an issue and re-routes for me. I can also use an app like Trailforks to get routing for an off-road route that doesn't even appear on most mapping apps. I would be extremely surprised if Scout was able to account for all navigation use cases in one on-board app. Not even Android or iOS can do that which is why there are so many other mapping applications available.

And another big issue with Navigation that comes with a car is the slow map version updates. With over the air I'm assuming they will be able to push a map update, but in the past you had to pay an outrageous amount to get an old map update. For my Jeep, I think it was like $150 for a map update that was 1-2 years old. Unless the navigation comes with free, regular map updates and real-time social updates like traffic hazards, accidents or speed checks, I'll just continue using the apps on my phone.

I love the “hazard ahead” feature. This is something that should show up in the instrument cluster. That way even if your main touchscreen does not have maps showing and sound is muted for maps so you’re not getting verbal prompts interrupting what you are listening to, you can still see an alert in the instrument cluster (or heads up display) when you’re approaching a hazard.

 

[Kalel]

For me, it’s nothing short of a fully integrated CarPlay and phone as a key capabilities.

Naturally a Scout Mobile app with on demand data.

Same, walk up to the car with my phone in my pocket — Scout lights up, allows me to enter, when I press “start” the CarPlay is up and going.

Some people aren’t as integrated as I am but my calendar events all have locations entered that are tied to my Apple Maps.

And when I am going upland hunting, the maps all have pins to my favorite places.

This will be my hunting and fishing rig!

 

[ferrarimanf355]

I got a pretty sizable address list on Google Maps, let me import it into the nav system with a few clicks.

Would implementing a Google Built-In system like the GM EVs be a good idea?

 

[MadHatter]

Something I DON'T want: a poorly-implemented driver monitoring system.

Something like this was mentioned earlier in the thread but I just drove a brand new Hyundai. It has a driver attention warning system. If the driver isn't paying attention, the car disables lane-keeping and cruise control. Sounds good enough... until you try to use it. With sunglasses, it will claim the driver's not paying attention (because it can't track the driver's eyes, I guess?). If the driver holds the wheel at the 12 o'clock position, same problem (because hands block the camera?). If the driver squints too much, same. If there are some weird shadows or reflections... you get the idea. The driver attention warning can't be disabled (anymore... I guess it could be on older models but not now), so the vehicle effectively has no cruise control because the driver tracking system sucks. I've read online that Hyundai is doing this as part of easing into NHTSA-mandated passive impaired-driver detection that must be in place by 2026, and they've chosen to use gaze tracking for their implementation. If Scout has to implement something like this, they must do a lot better than Hyundai did, or else allow it do be disabled. Otherwise I'd be sending my vehicle back.