What are your personal MUST HAVE Add-Ons/Accessories for your Slate?

[cadblu]

Not sure if anyone has seen this. Here is a concise Pareto chart illustrating the most requested accessories. It was prepared by "MiketheGeek" who has posted on this forum and done some excellent videos. It's worth revisiting as we finalize the configuration(s) in the Slate maker before the ordering process opens up.

 

[bloo]

AM/FM/HD radio with an aux input.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

The plan is to get a blank Slate and drive it around neat for a while to see what I feel is missing.
Based on past vehicles;
1.) Fog lights...really help my older eyes.
2.) Tow hitch
What I expect will be some deals on getting ADD-ON's out of the gate. This will make the brand stand out...cheap advertising.
Want but don't need; two tone wrap for a retro look. Rear gate bike pad. Front mount winch. Spare tire and mount.

 

[KevinRS]

Keep in mind what we've seen on the "maker" so far is preliminary. Many of those accessories already there are expected to be made by 3rd parties, and 3rd parties will add more before launch. I expect before launch it will be updated with known brand name 3rd party accessories and others, and at least double the accessory count, mostly small stuff, but some bigger stuff.

 

[Daemoch]

Integrated end-user-dedicated wiring channels/tunnels/conduits with knock outs that run length of the body. Ideally on both sides with left/right crossovers (think like a ladder). K.I.S.S. and make it compatible with standard 1 or 1.5 inch electrical conduit like we use in buildings.

Adding something like this after the fact would be nearly impossible. Integrating it into the core design should be pretty straight forward and add minimal costs, but it would MASSIVELY support Maker/3rdParty/DIY efforts.

 

[FlipMe]

The first thing I'll do is add a dashcam and my own GPS tracker that interfaces with Home Assistant so I know where my little truck is at all times.

The truck itself needs to be an "integration" in Home Assistant (HA). They could add WiFi without using any cloud service (all local). If the mobile app is also local, Slate would be miles ahead of the competition. Developers would jump all over this. As for tracking, use an Airpod. lol

 

[Ali]

That would be a fun project: an ESP32 that reads data from the CAN bus and GPS, connects to the home Wi-Fi network and pushes telemetry to Home Assistant. It could relay video from the reverse camera to an LED display, show vehicle stats on an e-ink screen, and control a 12 V power source for the seat heater.

 

[Vyndralys]

I have to have the fastback top and back seat because I have a little one and having them ride in the bed of a truck is generally frowned upon.

 

[metroshot]

The truck itself needs to be an "integration" in Home Assistant (HA). They could add WiFi without using any cloud service (all local). If the mobile app is also local, Slate would be miles ahead of the competition. Developers would jump all over this. As for tracking, use an Airpod. lol

Yes agree!

I'd like to have an option to allow for WiFi, BT, NFC and cellular / satellite connectivity.

I use my current EV's built in hotspot for cellular to internet connectivity for all devices inside/near the car.

 

[AZFox]

I use my current EV's built in hotspot for cellular to internet connectivity for all devices inside/near the car.

That can be done with a cellphone.

 

[FlipMe]

Yes agree!

I'd like to have an option to allow for WiFi, BT, NFC and cellular / satellite connectivity.

I use my current EV's built in hotspot for cellular to internet connectivity for all devices inside/near the car.

But, I mention HA because if done right can be completely "cloud" free. You know, for privacy.

 

[metroshot]

That can be done with a cellphone.

Yes I know but inside the EV, all the windows are all shielded and connection is awful for a decent data throughput.

Was going to install a cellular extender but using the vehicle's hot spot feature with the antenna outside the EV, makes the signal way better and consistent connectivity.

 

[AZFox]

Yes I know but inside the EV, all the windows are all shielded and connection is awful for a decent data throughput.

I was unaware there's signal-inhibiting window shielding.

I wonder if the engineers and designers have taken interior cellular reception into account as part of the design.

 

[FlipMe]

Full integration with Home-Assistant.

 

[metroshot]

I was unaware there's signal-inhibiting window shielding.

I wonder if the engineers and designers have taken interior cellular reception into account as part of the design.

The shielding is more for sunlight / UV attenuation than radio signals, but Ford does provide 2 cutouts near the headliner next to the rear view mirror which is unshielded.

I use them for the garage door opener remote and my EZ pass transponder.