ION TAILGATER Smart High Power Rechargeable Speaker User Guide

TAILGATER Smart High Power
Rechargeable **Speaker
User Guide**

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Tailgater Smart. At ION, your entertainment is as important to us as it is to you. That’s why we design our products with one thing in mind—to make your life more fun and more convenient.

Box Contents

Tailgater Smart
Remote Control
Microphone with Cable
Power/Charging Cable
1/8” (3.5 mm) Stereo Aux Cable
USB-A to Micro-USB Cable
(2) Form-Fitted Rubber Inserts for Amazon Echo devices
Quickstart Guide
Safety & Warranty Manual

Support

For the latest information about this product (documentation, technical specifications, system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit ionaudio.com.
For additional product support, visit ionaudio.com/support.

Rechargeable Batteries

Note: Before you first use the product, please fully charge the battery. Your unit was purposely shipped with a reduced battery charge to ensure safe transit.
Use the included power cable to connect the unit to a power outlet and let it charge. This helps ensure the longest life for your battery.
Rechargeable lead-acid batteries are the same type used in automobiles. As with your car battery, how you use this battery has a significant impact on its lifespan. With proper use and treatment, a lead-acid battery can last for years. Here are some recommendations for getting the longest life from the internal battery.

General Usage| Fully charge the battery before using the speaker.
Charge the battery completely after each use.
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Storage| For best product longevity, do not store at exceedingly hot (greater than 90 °F / 32 °C) or exceedingly cold (less than 32 °F / 0 °C) temperatures.
It is acceptable to leave your speaker plugged in. This will not overcharge the battery.
If you leave the battery level low and do not charge it for 3 months, it may permanently lose capacity.
Repair| If the battery fails to charge, contact ION Audio at ionaudio.com.
Disposal| Bring the unit to a recycling center or dispose of it in accordance with local ordinances.

Setup

1. Make sure all items listed in the Box Contents are included in the box.
2. Read the Safety & Warranty Manual before using the product.
3. Make sure the battery is completely charged prior to first use for maximum battery life.
4. Study the Connection Diagrams.
5. Ensure the Master Volume on Tailgater Smart is at the minimum level.
6. Connect your devices.
7. Power on Tailgater Smart. Begin playing music from a connected device and raise the Master Volume on Tailgater Smart to a comfortable level.
8. When you are finished using Tailgater Smart, return the Master Volume to the minimum level and then power off the unit.

Connection Diagrams

Items not listed under the Box Contents are sold separately.
Front Panel

Rear Panel Recess (Example 1)

When connecting a 3rd generation Amazon Echo Dot, use the DC power cable attached to the Rear Panel Recess for charging the unit. If you are not paired via Bluetooth, use the included 1/8” (3.5 mm) aux cable to transmit audio. See the Features section for more information.

Rear Panel Recess (Example 2)
When connecting a 1st/2nd generation Amazon Echo Dot or an Amazon Echo Input, use the included USB cable for charging the unit. If you are not paired via Bluetooth, use the included 1/8” (3.5 mm) aux cable to transmit audio. See the Features section for more information.

Features

Front Panel

1. Power Button: Press and hold this button for one second to power Tailgater Smart on or off. After powering on, Tailgater Smart will automatically enter pairing mode and search for a Bluetooth device within range.

2. Bluetooth Button: Press this button to make Tailgater Smart unpair from a connected Bluetooth device and automatically search for another Bluetooth device to pair with.

3. Radio (FM/Off): Press this button to toggle the FM radio on and off.

4. Tune/Track Buttons: Tap these buttons to tune in to a radio station or go to the previous/next track on a Bluetooth-connected device. To “seek” (skip to the next radio station with a clear signal), hold either button down for a few seconds. The unit will remember the last station it was on and start at that station when powered off and on again. Note: With some apps on Bluetooth-connected devices, pressing these buttons may go to
   another playlist or music genre instead of another track.

5. Play/Pause/Presets: If paired with a Bluetooth device, press to play or pause a track from the connected device. If listening to the radio, press this button to cycle through the preset stations or press and hold this button to save the currently selected station as a preset.
   See Using the Radio for more details on saving and recalling presets.

6.  Bass Boost: Press this button to enhance the overall bass frequency response.

7. Display: This screen shows information relevant to Tailgater Smart’s current operation:
   • Battery Indicator: When the power cable is connected, movement of the battery segments shows the battery is charging. When fully charged, all battery segments will be lit without blinking. When the power cable is disconnected, the battery segment
   shows the level of the battery. If a front panel button is not pressed within 60 seconds, the battery level indicator will turn off (to save energy). The battery level indicator will reappear when any button is pressed. Also, when the battery gets to the lowest battery icon segment, the battery level indicator will turn back on.
   • Power Icon: The power icon will be lit when Tailgater Smart is powered on.
   • Lightning Bolt Icon: The lightning bolt icon will illuminate when the power cable is connected to wall power.
   • Bluetooth Icon: The Bluetooth icon will be lit when a device is paired to Tailgater Smart.
   • Bass Boost Indicator: The Bass Boost indicator will be on when the Bass Boost function is activated.
   • FM Indicator: When listening to the radio, this indicator will appear next to the current station number on the right.

8. Master Volume Control: This adjusts the speaker’s main mix volume, which includes the Microphone Input, Auxiliary Input, Radio, and the audio of a paired Bluetooth device.

9. USB Charging Port: Connect a device’s charge-cable here to charge it. USB charging only functions when the unit’s power is turned on.
   Note : To charge smartphones and tablets faster, put the smartphone or tablet’s screen to sleep.

10. Auxiliary Input (1/8″): This stereo 1/8″ (3.5 mm) input can be used to connect a CD player, MP3 player, or other audio source.

11. Microphone Input with Volume Control (1/4″): Connect a 1/4″ (6.35 mm) microphone to this input.

Top Panel

1. NFC (near-field communication): Touch and briefly hold an NFC-enabled audio device to the NFC logo here in order to pair the device with Tailgater Smart. See Pairing to a Device Using NFC for more information.
2. Amazon Echo Holder: Keep your Amazon Echo here while listening to it through the Tailgater Smart speaker.

The holder is designed to fit the 3rd generation Amazon Echo. If you would like to listen to a 1st/2nd generation Amazon Echo Dot or to an Amazon Echo Input, use the corresponding rubber insert (included). You will know which of the two included inserts is correct because it will match the size of your Amazon device (one is designed for the 1st/2nd generation Amazon Echo Dot, while the other is designed for the Amazon Echo Input). Place the insert into the holder, and then place your Amazon Echo into the insert.
Make sure to position your Amazon Echo in the holder such that the Echo’s ports are facing the window to Tailgater Smart’s Rear Panel Recess. This way, you can connect wires from Tailgater Smart to your Amazon Echo through this window (for a neater setup).
See Connection Diagram for an example.
Note : Alexa may not be able to hear voice commands while playing music through the Tailgater Smart speaker. To avoid this issue, press and hold the Mute button on the remote control while giving a command to Alexa. Be aware that muting the speaker will
silence not just the music but also Alexa’s voice reply to your command. In order to hear Alexa’s reply, make sure to unmute Tailgater Smart by letting go of the Mute button shortly after you give your voice command.

Rear Panel

1. Power Cable Input (rear panel): Insert the included power cable here to charge the unit. The Lightning Bolt Icon will illuminate on the Display if the power cable is connected. When Tailgater Smart is connected to a power source, it does not need to be powered on to charge the battery. If it is powered on and in use while connected to a power source, the battery will still charge.
2. Rear Panel Recess Door: Pull the tab at the top of this door toward you in order to access the Rear Panel Recess, which contains the hook-ups for an Amazon Echo device. When finished connecting your Amazon Echo, you can push this door closed to hide the wires.

Rear Panel Recess

1. Aux Input: If your Amazon Echo is not connected to Tailgater Smart via Bluetooth, use the included 1/8” (3.5 mm) aux cable to connect your Amazon Echo’s auxiliary output to this input. This connection will send the audio signal from your Amazon Echo to the Tailgater Smart speaker.

2. USB Port: If you are using a 1st/2nd generation Amazon Echo Dot or an Amazon Echo Input, connect the included USB cable from this port to the device in order to power it.
   Connect the USB-A end of the able to this port and the micro-USB end of the cable to your Amazon Echo.

3. DC Cable: If you are using a 3rd generation Amazon Echo Dot, connect this cable to the device in order to power it.

Note : Do not use the DC Cable and USB Port in the rear panel recess at the same time.
Note: For the best setup, connect cables from the Rear Panel Recess to your Amazon Echo through the window in the Rear Panel Recess (instead of making the connections over the top panel of the unit). After making the necessary connections, you should be able to close the Rear Panel Recess Door and hide the wires.

Remote Control

• (Bluetooth): Press this button to make Tailgater Smart unpair from a connected Bluetooth device and automatically search for another Bluetooth device to pair with.
• Mute: Press and hold this button to mute all audio output from the Tailgater Smart speaker. The Display screen will flash to indicate that the audio is muted. Release the button to unmute the audio output. This feature could be useful when giving a voice command to Alexa, since a connected Amazon device may not be able to hear voice commands while playing music through the speaker.
• Bass Boost: Press this button to enhance the overall bass frequency response.
• Radio (FM/Off): Press this button to toggle the FM radio on and off.
• Seek: Press this button to skip to the next radio station with a clear signal.
• Presets: Press and hold this button to save the currently selected radio station as a preset. See Using the Radio to learn more.
• (Previous): Press this button to go to the previous radio station or to the previous track/playlist/genre on your Bluetooth device.
• (Play/Pause ): When using a Bluetooth device, this button plays or pauses audio. When listening to the radio, this button cycles through your preset radio stations.
• (Next): Press this button to go to the next radio station or to the next track/playlist/genre on your Bluetooth device.

Operation

Pairing to a Bluetooth Device
To pair to a Bluetooth device (such as your Amazon Echo):

1. Turn on your Bluetooth device and power on Tailgater Smart, which will automatically begin the pairing process. You will know Tailgater Smart is searching for Bluetooth devices if the Bluetooth icon is not yet illuminated on the Display screen.
2. Navigate to the Bluetooth device’s setup screen.

• Then find and select Tailgater Smart.

The Bluetooth icon will illuminate on Tailgater Smart’s Display once your Bluetooth device is successfully paired.
Note: If your Bluetooth device prompts for a pairing code, enter “0000”.
Note: If you have previously paired to the Bluetooth device, you may be able to skip Step 2 and simply wait for it to connect with Tailgater Smart after powering on.
*The setup screen for your Amazon Echo can be found in the Alexa app. After opening the app, go to Settings. Select your Echo from the list of Amazon devices and then select Bluetooth to see a list of speakers available for pairing.
To disconnect the paired Bluetooth device, press the Bluetooth button on the unit or remote control.
To pair with a different Bluetooth device, repeat step 2 after disconnecting from the first device. During the pairing process, it may help to move the first device out of range or to disable its Bluetooth capacity.
Note: Maximum range will be achieved when using devices with Bluetooth 4.0.
Note: Users should consider updating their Bluetooth device’s operating system if experiencing trouble with pairing or playing music.
Tip: If you would like to disable (or enable) the voice prompts, press and hold the Bluetooth button on the unit or remote control.

Pairing to a Device Using NFC

With NFC (near-field communication), you can initiate wireless data transmission from an
audio device to your Tailgater Smart speaker (i.e. pairing) by gently bumping the device into
the speaker. Check your device’s manual to see if it supports NFC.

To use NFC to pair with Tailgater Smart:

1. Your device must be turned on and unlocked.
2. Enter your device’s Settings menu and check that NFC is turned On (one-time step).
3. Power on Tailgater Smart.
4. Touch and briefly hold your device to the NFC logo located on Tailgater Smart’s top panel.
5. Follow the pairing instructions that appear on your phone. If a passcode is required, enter “0000”.
6. To unpair, gently bump your device against the NFC logo.

Using the Radio

Selecting a Radio Station:

1. Press the Radio button on the unit or remote control to turn on the radio.
2. Tune in to a radio station using the Tune/Track (-/+) buttons on the unit or the buttons on the remote control. To “seek” (skip to the next station with a clear signal), press and hold one of the Tune/Track (-/+) buttons on the unit or press the Seek button on the remote control.

Saving a preset:

1. Tune in to the radio station that you want to save as a preset.
2. Press and hold the Play/Pause/Presets button on the unit or the Presets button on the remote control for two seconds. A preset number will appear on the Display.
3. Use the Tune/Track buttons on the unit or the buttons on the remote control to adjust which preset number you want to save to. The number will update on the Display.
4. Press Play/Pause/Presets on the unit or Presets on the remote control to confirm. “SAV” will appear on the Display.

Selecting a preset station:
While the radio is on, press the Play/Pause/Presets button on the unit or the Play/Pause button on the remote control to cycle through the saved presets.

Troubleshooting

If the unit is not charging: Make sure the power cable is properly connected to the power input and the power outlet.
If the sound is distorted: Try lowering the volume control of your sound source, musical instrument, or microphone. Also, try to reduce the overall volume of Tailgater Smart using the Master Volume knob.
If there is too much bass: Try adjusting the tone or EQ control on your sound source to lower the bass level. This will allow you to play the music louder before clipping (distortion) occurs.
If there is a high-pitched whistling noise when using microphones: This is probably feedback. Point the microphone away from the speaker.
If you can’t hear the microphone over the music volume: Turn down the music volume from your source.
If you can’t play music from a flash drive: The USB port is only for charging USB devices.

If Alexa is not recognizing voice commands while your Amazon device is connected to Tailgater Smart: Mute any audio coming out of Tailgater Smart by pressing and holding the Mute button on the remote control while giving Alexa a voice command. In order to hear Alexa’s voice reply to your command, release the Mute button to unmute the speaker shortly after you give the command. You will know the speaker is muted if the Display is flashing.
If you cannot connect your audio device to Tailgater Smart via Bluetooth:

• Have your audio device (e.g., smartphone or tablet) and Tailgater Smart as close together as possible while trying to connect. Make sure both the audio device and Tailgater Smart are unobstructed by walls, furniture, etc.
• Reset the Bluetooth connection on Tailgater Smart by disconnecting Tailgater Smart from any other audio device and restarting the search process. If this does not work right away, power off Tailgater Smart and then power it back on.
• Reset the Bluetooth connection on your audio device by turning Bluetooth off and back on. You can find this under the Bluetooth menu in the Settings for your phone or other audio device.
  If this does not work, and you have connected to Tailgater Smart before, find Tailgater Smart in the list of available or previously connected devices in your audio device’s Bluetooth menu, tap the “gear” or “i” icon located next to it and then select Unpair or Forget. Turn Tailgater Smart off and back on and try pairing again once it reappears in your available devices list.

Note : If Tailgater Smart has been paired to another audio device recently that is still within range, you may need to repeat this process with that audio device to fully disconnect.

Technical Specifications

tweeter
Bluetooth| Profile: A2DP, AVRCP
Range: Up to 100 feet / 30.5 meters
Microphone Type| Dynamic microphone (included)
Radio Frequency Range| US: 87.5-107.9 MHz (FM) Europe: 87.5-108 MHz (FM) Japan: 75.5-90.5 MHz (FM)
Charging Options| USB Port (Front Panel): 5 V, 1 A USB Port (Rear Panel): 5 V, 1.8 A DC Cable (Rear Panel): 12 V, 1.25 A
Battery| Battery life: Up to 50 hours Recharge time: 6 hours Type: 12 V, 5 Ah, SLA
Power| Via power cable
Connection: IEC
Input Voltage: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Consumption: 50 W
Dimensions
(width x depth x height)| 12.6″ x 9.0″ x 13.1″ 320 x 228 x 333 mm
Weight| 11.9 lb. 5.4 kg

Specifications are subject to change without notice. Bluetooth and wireless reception and range are affected by walls, obstructions, and movement. For optimal performance, place the product in the center of the room so it is unobstructed by walls, furniture, etc. Battery life may vary based on temperature, age, and volume usage of product.

Trademarks & Licenses

ION Audio is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by ION Audio is under license. All other product names, company names, trademarks, or trade names are those of their respective owners.

ionaudio.com
Manual Version 1.4

References

• Sound Experiences | ION Audio
• Support : ION Audio
• Sound Experiences | ION Audio
• Support : ION Audio

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