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Has anyone on the forum attended any of the formal install schools?(Installer Institute, Mobile Dynamics, RITOP, etc) I should be going to one in a couple of months and I would appreciate any advice or comments anyone may have. Right now I am leaning toward Mobile Dynamics due to their new 6 week program. Also, it costs the same as the Installer Institutes' 4 week program. But not many people around here have went to these places, so I have little reference besides school recruiting material. Thanks,
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I am a graduate of the Installer Institute. The school was very informative and helpful. Unfortunately I have not used my skills I learned there that extensively. My own fault. The school will definitely teach you just about everything that you will need to be a good installer. The only way to become a master installer is experience. The Daytona campus of the Installer's Institute is a little small, if they haven't moved since I've been there. (1996) I would recommend going to one of these schools if you want to become a pro installer. Definitely get MECP certified.
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Posts: 169 | From: Duluth, GA | Registered: May 1999
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I am a grad of Mobile Dynamics, and let me tell you that I learned more there then in my whole life... I should have skipped High School and just gone there... My advice is if you have been in the industry for a while just take the 101, 201, 301, 122, and MECP classes... This way its only 3 1/2 weeks, or it was, and you will get all of the info you will need... Mobile Dynamics also provides 1-800 tech support to all grads which is nice to have... But if you have any more questions feel free to email and I will be happy to help you out...
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Posts: 186 | From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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The best suggestion I can make, having been to several of the courses from Mobile Dynamics is: Make sure you have a good understanding of D.C. theory, taking a basic electronics course will help a lot. And don't be afraid to stop the course to ASK QUESTIONS about something you aren't sure of. Remember it's your money paying for the course(s).
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Posts: 1057 | From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 'eh | Registered: May 1999
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I maintain that, past an MECP certificate, you will find both knowlege and work faster by spending that tuition money on gear and doing a nice clean install, possibllly with a few tricks, in your own ride. Read everything you can get your hands on and don't be afraid to experiment. Eli is right on the DC theory - most shops prefer someone who understands a vehicle electrical system rather than a vinyl whiz!
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Lord Dukk The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!!
I am also a graduate of the Installer Institute. It is a good school that builds a solid foundation for you to build on in the real world. I am not familular with Moblie Dynamics's school but I have friends who have attended and say it was almost a religious experience!
I do not think you can go wrong with either school. If you want to push your custom fabrication ability, I can personally recomend "FAST" training! It is a killer school.
BUT!! as the other posts said. Custom work is nice but, shop owners want "Deck and 2" + "Alarm" guys. Fast and accurate! (You make more $$$ this way. I speak from personal experience.) MECP certification is a MAJOR plus!
Recomended reading: "The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook" by Vance Dickerson. I would not try to read it completely, it can get VERY deep! I use mine as a reference guide, to explain why things work the way they do.
Thunder. Building Better Bread Trucks!
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[This message has been edited by Thunder (edited 06-02-99).]
[This message has been edited by Thunder (edited 06-02-99).]
Posts: 541 | From: Pearl, MS | Registered: May 1999
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While I respect your education, I find too many guys who think a 6 week course can replace years of experience. I like to run a few semi-difficult questions past applicants and find most of the grads no more knowlegable than the rest. This is not a slur of any kind, but books cannot equal experience. We had a freshly trained grad take almost 3 hours to change a head on a Cavalier. When we queried about why he responded that while in school they only actually changed one deck - their own. He drove a Honda and was suitably baffled by the extensive dash kit the Cav took. Do many installs - for free if need be. The experience is worth it!!
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Lord Dukk The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!! Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!
[This message has been edited by Dukk (edited 06-03-99).]
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Thanks guys. I am working toward an electronics engineering degree and am comfortable with basic AC/DC. One reason I want to go to one of these places is to strengthen auto electronics and electrictity knowledge, which has a way to go yet. I want to learn as much of the basics and troubleshooting as possible and then go on to the fancy stuff. I know the shops want good basic installers and that is what I want to be first. I want to make money doing what I love and I know a lot of it is small stuff. I also want to learn as many cool custom techniques as possible for the occasional big custom jobs and for my own systems. I am sure one of these places could help me immensely, and any further comments and advice is as always, appreciated.
P.S. THUNDER, I have the Loudspeaker Design Cookbook. Some of the best money I have ever spent How is the BreadTruck coming along?
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And you have a very good point, DUKK. I agree and I try to work on as many different cars as possible. I do not expect any school will make someone an instant "Master Installer", but I know there is a lot I could learn from the classes that I couldn't learn around here easily. But I have learned that experience is king when dealing with car audio and alarms. I am always trying to learn about different vehicles.
You are EXACTLY right!! There is no substitute for experience in the bay! I have found that the Toyota truck can be the best vehicle to use when breaking in a new installer. It humbles them very quickly!
Congrats on your moderator status!
The Buzz:
The van is comming along slowly.(like thats a shock!) I have just completed the weld-up on the new windshield frames.(2.25" thick!) I will start to mold them in this weekend. We have about 45 subs out right now, so we can fix the tensle lead/terminal connections. Plus all the amps are out so we can install the updated protection circuits. I HOPE!! to have it back together by the Jackson TN. show in July.
Thanks for the interest!!
Thunder. Driving it to the shows!!
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[This message has been edited by Thunder (edited 06-03-99).]
Posts: 541 | From: Pearl, MS | Registered: May 1999
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If there's screws left over they wer superfluous!!
Actually, on the new Cav, I leave most of the dash screws out. It has snaps as well, so the screws are not essential, and speeds up future forays into the dash.
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Lord Dukk The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!! Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!
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