Besides offering a wide range of quality mobile electronics for your car, truck, or boat, Abt also provides award-winning, on-site installations of these components from some of the most prestigious manufacturers in the world. You can browse our selection and test out the equipment on our interactive computer displays and special showroom installations, then have us professionally install the perfect system to fit your needs.

One project we just completed was the installation of an upgraded sound system in a Donzi 35 ZR performance boat. “The boat has dual Mercury 525 engines, which can get really loud, so the owner wanted a system that could be heard over the engines running at full speed,” said Abt custom installer John Samp. “We installed an Alpine Marine Digital Media Receiver, which has CD changer control and iPod compatibility, and then we added a 100-watt Alpine Marine 4/3/2 Channel Power Density Digital Amplifier for the two sets of speakers. Then we put in a 600-watt Alpine Marine Mono Power Density Digital Amplifier for the two subwoofers.”

Abt customer Tim Fitzgerald, who owns the boat, said: “We were having a really hard time hearing our previous sound system when we were out on the water. This new system allows us to turn up the volume and have the clarity that’s necessary to hear the music over the sound of the engines.”

Thinking about upgrading your car or boat’s sound system? With the 4th of July coming up and the summer in full swing, there couldn’t be a better time to visit Abt’s mobile electronics department.     —by Graham W.

Garmin has issued a Product Return Notice to dealers and distributors of its nuvi 7×5, nuvi 8xx Series Product, zumo 660, GPSMAP 620, and GPSMAP 640 units, which may exhibit any of the following symptoms: no longer able to acquire satellites; displaying the message “Updating GPS firmware” or “GPS Update Complete”; displaying the message “GPS Update Complete” repeatedly after a short period of time; no longer powers on.

For those of you who currently own one of these affected units, Garmin has released a free, mandatory software update that the company currently has available on its website (www.Garmin.com/support) to correct these problems. Abt is returning its current stock of these models to Garmin, and we will only carry Garmin units that do not have any software problems. If you have any questions or concerns about any Garmin GPS unit you’ve purchased at Abt, you can visit our store or call us at 1-888-228-5800.     —by Graham W.

Do you have everything you need to make this 4th of July your most enjoyable one ever? No, not tons of your own fireworks, but things like outdoor grills, iPods, portable DVD players, digital cameras, outdoor speakers, and stylish sunglasses? If not, then you’ll want to take advantage of our 4th of July Sale, during which you can enjoy 5% off our everyday low prices on these items and thousands of others, both in-store and on our website.

Our Summer Specials also include HDTVs, GPS units, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, luggage, and even things like blenders and ice cream makers. To top it off, we also offer free shipping on most items. So whether you’re going to the beach, visiting friends, or throwing your own party, we’ve got just what you need to help you celebrate America’s birthday with a bang.     —by Graham W.

After a relatively cool spring, those of us who live in the Chicago area got a surprise this week when summer snuck up and hit us over the head, and other parts of the body, with some scorching 90 to 95 degree temperatures. People who weren’t prepared have been scrambling to get their older air conditioners in working condition or are seeking out new, more efficient models.

Frigidaire White Compact Room Air Conditioner

If you’re in that latter category, now is the perfect time to get yourself a new air conditioning unit from Abt. We are currently offering special sale prices on top brands like GE, Frigidaire, Friedrich, and LG, with models that carry high energy-efficiency ratios and are Energy Star Compliant. You’ll find units with all the latest features like delay timers, electronic temperature controls with remote control, antibacterial filters, sleep modes, and much more.

Friedrich ZoneAire White Portable Air Conditioner

No matter what style you need—window, wall, casement, or portable—we have a huge selection on hand so you can easily find the model and size you want, ready for you to take home or have shipped anywhere in the U.S. We also have a convenient Air Conditioner Buying Guide on our website to help you if you’re uncertain about what size you need or the meaning of terms like BTUs. If you still have questions, our knowledgeable sales staff can take the heat off your decision-making process and put you on the path to a cooler summer.     —by Graham W.

People who are planning to renovate their current home or purchase a new one often have difficulty deciding which designs and materials they’d like to incorporate in their various rooms. At Abt, we frequently talk with customers who are either unaware of, or are struggling with, the multitude of choices available. With this in mind, we decided it would be a great idea to hold a special Consumer Education Day to help guide those of you who need some expert advice on your home construction or renovation projects.

This Saturday, June 27, you are invited to join us and meet with our design partners at the Abt Design Center from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. You’ll learn about the latest products, trends, and even outdoor entertainment options from experts representing the unique manufacturer showrooms featured in the Design Center, located just one block south of our main building.

Each hour, the various showrooms will offer special workshops, starting at 10 a.m. with the “Plan Your Dream Bath Workshop” at the Kohler Store. This will be followed by “Landscape Lighting Tips” at the Fox Lighting showroom, “Organization 101″ at California Closets, “Grilling Techniques for Outdoor Entertaining” at the Viking Kitchens, and “Tile and Stone Trends” at Exotic Marble & Tile. The final workshop of the day, “Innovations in Home Electronics Integration,” will be held back in our main building from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. in the Apple Boutique, located in our Atrium area.

No matter how large or small your project may be, we’ll help you gather all the information you need to design the kitchen, bath, entertainment room, or outdoor setting of your dreams. Click here for more details and a complete schedule of the day’s activities.     —by Graham W.

Do you have an older TV set that you no longer want or need? With the digital television (DTV) transition finally haven taken place throughout the country on June 12, lots of people have found themselves with analog television sets that they’ve replaced with HDTVs containing digital tuners. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is concerned about how consumers plan to dispose of those older TVs and wants to make sure the sets are recycled properly. Televisions contain materials and chemicals that create pollution problems, so don’t just throw them away.

On its website (http://www.mygreenelectronics.org/), the CEA provides lists of recycling centers that consumers can find in their area by entering their zip code. “TVs do not belong in the trash,” said CEA environmental affairs vice president Parker Brugge. “Consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers have worked diligently to provide the public with access to easy and convenient recycling options, as have many state and local governments. Consumers play a critical role in making sure that electronics products are recycled responsibly.”

If you live in the Chicago area, we encourage you to use the Abt Recycling Center, located near the southwest corner of our main building. In addition to TVs, we accept old appliances, electronics, and packing material from the public, regardless of whether you’re a customer. You can also use our convenient CExchange program to trade in your old electronics and receive an Abt Gift Card in return.

Click here to learn more about the Abt Recycling Center and our other “green” initiatives, and be sure to do your part to help create a healthier environment for everyone.    —by Graham W.

There’s something new at Abt.com that you might not have noticed yet, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Take a look near the top of our home page, and you’ll see our new Deal of the Day section, which features a new product every day that you can purchase at a special low price for a 24-hour period.

Each day, our buyers select a product from their particular section of our store (TVs, small electronics, appliances, etc.).  We then put a different one on sale every day, and you can purchase them at a cost that’s even less than our usual everyday low prices.

Be sure to check back every day to see what our special Deal of the Day will be. It’s a great way to discover new products and save money at the same time.     —by Graham W.

Fathers always seem to get neglected, or at least relegated to an afterthought, on most gift-giving occasions. But since this Sunday happens to be a day known as Father’s Day, it will be kind of hard to claim that you spent all of your money on gifts for other relatives.

Part of the problem with buying gifts for fathers is that it’s generally pretty difficult to figure out what they want, besides beer or some peace and quiet. So like we did for Mother’s Day, we’ve asked some Abt employees for their suggestions for great Father’s Day gifts.

Weber Ranch Kettle Charcoal Grill

Abt Web merchandiser Jayson O. says, “My 10-month-old daughter Jazelle is a great enough present, but since we’re talking about receiving something materialistic, I would love to receive the Weber Ranch Kettle Charcoal Grill. I love grilling for friends and family, so what better way to do that than on a charcoal grill with 1,104 square inches of cooking area. With a grill this large you can have an area for high heat for searing steaks, medium heat for perfect burgers and hot dogs, and a low heat area for slow cooking ribs until the meat falls off the bone. I guess we can throw in a couple vegetables in there if there’s room.”

Krups Beertender Home Beer-Tap System Keg Cooler

Rafael P., an Abt sales specialist who has a 1-year-old son, would like some things to enjoy while working in his garage or relaxing in his yard. “The Gladiator Garageworks Convertible Graphite Freezer has an upper compartment that can be used as a refrigerator, so I could keep ice and extra frozen foods in the bottom compartment and cold drinks up top. When I’m done in the garage, I could take the Krups Beertender Home Beer-Tap System Keg Cooler into the yard for some frosty brews, and watch music videos or movies on the Sony 9″ Portable DVD Player. The Sony has a 6-hour rechargeable battery, and the Beertender keeps draught beer fresh for 30 days after tapping, but I don’t think my wife would let me stay in the yard that long. Maybe the 6 hours, but not the 30 days.”

Swiss Army Chrono Classic Men’s Watch

According to Abt inventory manager George G., who has two young sons, “The more kids you have, the better the gift you should get. Just kidding! One thing I’d like is a small-screen TV for the kitchen or bedroom, like the Samsung 19″ Series 3 LCD HDTV. It has an HDMI connection for quickly hooking up a DVD or Blu-ray player and also has a PC input so I could connect it to my computer. Another thing I’d really like to get is a nice timepiece, like the Swiss Army Chrono Classic men’s watch. It looks really nice and is water resistant up to 330 feet, which is perfect for those times when I have to dive into the Abt fountain to retrieve a dropped package (just kidding again).”

To see our complete list of Father’s Day gift ideas, click here.    —by Graham W.

Nearly 3 million households in the U.S. remained completely unprepared for Friday’s digital television (DTV) transition, according to surveys by Nielsen Co., and throughout the day, every single one of them called Abt’s electronic service department for help. That last part isn’t exactly true, but it sure seemed that way to our service reps who were handling the calls.

“I came in at noon on Friday, and I was on the phone the whole day answering calls about the transition,” said Abt electronic service rep Alex Chen. “Between everyone here, we handled hundreds and hundreds of calls. We also had customers in the store who came to us with questions. A lot of the calls had to do with how to properly set up the digital converter boxes, and it seemed like lots of people were having trouble receiving channel 2 (Chicago’s CBS station) and channel 7 (Chicago’s ABC station).”

If your favorite TV shows now look like this, give us a call.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also was ready to help on Friday, with 4,000 operators on standby to answer questions, along with demonstration centers set up in several cities. FCC chairman Michael Copps has warned of a “period of adjustment as we all figure out how to make this new technology work in the real world. This is a momentous change, and it will take time to get it right.”

On the other hand, Jonathan Collegio, vice president of the National Association of Broadcasters, seemed please with the transition, stating: “America is the first large country in the world to complete the transition to all-digital broadcasting, and our early reports show that the transition has been a success.”

Do you still have some lingering questions about the transition? If so, you can consult our DTV Transition Guide or call one of our knowledgeable electronic service reps at 1-888-228-5800. By now, there probably aren’t any DTV questions they haven’t handled successfully at least a hundred (or 3 million) times.     —by Graham W.

This Sunday, June 14, we will be celebrating another Kids Day at Abt from noon until 4 p.m., in the Atrium area of our store. Our last Kids Day event focused on creating personalized gifts for Mother’s Day, and since we didn’t want any Dads to feel left out, this upcoming event will give kids a chance to make a personalized Father’s Day gift.

Free individual photos will be taken of the kids, who will then be given the materials to make and decorate a picture frame to hold their photos, along with a gift bag to hold the picture frames. To keep the kids’ energy and enthusiasm in high gear, we’ll also be providing free ice cream and cookies.

“At our last event, the kids had a fantastic time making their Mother’s Day gifts,” said Abt customer service manager Cari Boyk. “This is a great way for kids to make something really special to give as a gift, and they have lots of fun interacting with each other and sharing ideas.”     —by Graham W.