ACCESSORY OVERLOAD?
ARB’S LINX SYSTEM INTERFACE WILL HELP US CLEAN UP OUR ACT.
ARB’s LINX System Interface Will Help Us Clean Up Our Act.
ARB LINX Vehicle
Accessory INTERFACE (LX100) MSRP: $695 ARBUSA.COM
During the past few decades, electronic gadgets and gizmos have infiltrated nearly all aspects of a four-wheel drive’s operation. As they gained increasing real estate on the dash, our view from the driver’s seat has become cluttered with toggles, buttons, and gauges. ARB, understanding that their accessories have contributed to our dashboard dilemma, took it upon themselves to help us clean up our act. We spent a day at their U.S headquarters to gain a better understanding of LINX, their accessories management system, and how it can simplify our backcountry experience.
At first glance LINX appears to be no more than an iPhone-sized device, but behind its touchscreen is a wealth of technology.
Rather than a tangle of electrical leads threading into your dash, wiring looms are routed to a central control hub that can be mounted under a seat or other convenient location. We call it “the little black box.” Via Bluetooth connectivity, the hub receives instructions from the dashmounted touchscreen.
The home-screen menu provides access to dedicated subpanels that control everything from pneumatic lockers to air suspension and auxiliary lights. There are currently seven factory-installed modules, but the unit is expandable to manage up to 25 components and ARB is adding new functions regularly; the latest is an inclinometer.
From the Air Locker screen, differentials can be selected independently, as a pair, or for the front to only to be activated when the rear is engaged. As is the case with all LINX modules, the driver is apprised of what units are active. When used with the optional pressure-control hardware kit, LINX will also manage tire inflation. Simply key in a target pressure, attach the air hose to the tire, and walk away. LINX will cut off air flow when the desired pressure is reached. If you run an air suspension you are in luck. ARB offers an airbag isolation kit that will allow for full adjustability and monitoring of up to four airbags. You can also preprogram your preferences for daily driving, off road, towing a trailer and so on.
“AT FIRST GLANCE LINX APPEARS TO BE NO MORE THAN AN IPHONE-SIZED DEVICE, BUT BEHIND ITS TOUCHSCREEN IS A WEALTH OF TECHNOLOGY.”
Although a single set of auxiliary lights was once the norm, current systems can include driving, flood, fog and reverse lights, as well as proximity lamps to illuminate camp. LINX can set each to work manually or in conjunction with the vehicle’s headlamps. Rear-facing proximity lights can even be programed to come on when the OE reverse bulbs illuminate. LINX will also monitor charge levels of up to three batteries simultaneously. Select the speedometer module and the built-in GPS will display bearing, elevation and speed.
To keep sub-menus and accessories organized, each can be assigned a unique label and be given a low-voltage cutoff to eliminate the possibility of finding yourself with a flat battery. Other user-friendly features include a split-screen mode, day/ night brightness, various color schemes, and preferred units of measurements. We asked if LINX will also function as a charge controller for solar panels. It is not currently an option, but the ARB team jotted this down in their notes as a potential addition. As is the case with any mobile device, software updates can be downloaded via Wi-Fi as they become available.
Overall, we are impressed with LINX; it can perform dozens of functions that simple toggles cannot. If ARB added a navigation screen and charge controller feature, this little black box could eliminate nearly all aftermarket gadgets and gizmos that currently inhibit our windshieldview of the great outdoors. Check it out at www. whatislinx.com.