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Im just wondering how many of you guys on here work as an installer or if you all just do it for fun. Im going to a school called mobile dynamics and am taking the basic MECP test in like 3 weeks, How hard is the test? Just wondering about that stuff. Also how many times did it take you guys to pass the test if you didnt pass the first time.

 
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I'm assuming you're going to Phoenix if you're from Cali. Anyways, I went there in spring 2003. MECP Basic Installer's is EASY. I got a 99% on it.
If I were you, I wouldn't go.. they don't really teach you a whole if you already know the basics of car audio. Anyways, now I'm at MECP First Class level. I got a 91% on that test. A bit tougher but I wouldn't call say it was HARD. I work as an installer at a shop about half hour away from me. I've been there for almost three years now.

 
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Passed both tests on first try. 85% basic, 92% first class. I learned on the job so I can't speak to how the schools are. darklegacy, do you have plans on taking your master if MECP ever releases a study guide for it?

 
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Supposedly mecp is working on the book for the masters right now. I took a practice test and only passed a the installation part of it, but i wasnt too bad in the basic audio section or the basic electricity so i should be able to pass it in a few weeks.

 
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I remember about a year ago when it said on the MECP site the Master book would be available in the spring of 06. It's now October and the site says the book will be available in the summer of 06. Oh well. I'm sure I know quite a bit of what will be in there but it's the more detailed stuff that they're going to include I'm unsure about. Was it a practice master test you took or just practice MECP test?

 
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Yes, I plan on taking the Master's test eventually. I've always been a little "ehh" about taking it though since my boss won't pay for it.. Plus I don't want to spend that much money on a test in case I fail lol

Learned on the job? I used to work for Best Buy.. for like.. a couple months. Then I got the job at my shop.. but Best Buy has soooooooooo many gay rules!!! I'm so glad I'm not installing there anymore.. And their prices are OUTRAGEOUS. I thought it was so ridiculous having to get everything approved by corporate and not being to get certain parts.. then ordering parts took like, a week. Now I TELL (not ask, tell) my boss I need something and he's like, "well you know the number. Call them and get it over-nighted." I'll have the parts I need when I walk in the door the next day.

Anyways, Jeffsta are you taking the full 8 or 9 week program they have or are you taking the shorter one?

 
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Outrageous prices = outrageous profits
EPS up 27% over last year for most recent quarter

As far as gay rules, it's amazing how certain bays are heavily regulated and others have near complete autonomy. My first boss at BBY was the third person to ever become a Master so I got lucky, but my on the job training was certainly one of a kind.

 
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well I would call myself a installer. I install good parts on mercedes benz after diagnosing the bad parts. LOL. so yes I install stuff.

 
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I'm not sure how big of an area you live in but here, it's not that big. So a lot of people come in AFTER they bought stuff from Best Buy and we can usually talk them into returning their stuff. Like the typical GM interface for Impalas, Sunfires, Silverados, etc.. I know Best Buy sells them for $117.99 and we sell ours for $75. Just little things like that are enough to make the customers realize they were ripped off; and $91 for a 4 awg amp kit? That's ridiculous compared to $60.
Although, I do admit that one benefit to Best Buy is the free install. I think that's something that helps close a sale. Every once in awhile, we'll offer that to certain customers who are/have spending/spent a lot of money in the store.

But I do remember those things we had to remember about selling service (install bay) was certified technicians, same day install, and life time warranty on labor.. Well, we offer that as well. Big deal.

I don't mean to be putting down your place of employment because hey.. we all need paychecks to live.. that's just how I felt about it then and still feel about it now. Even while I worked there, I never understood why a customer would spend that much money when they could get way better product for a cheaper price someplace else.

 
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I'm also an Installer,

MECP 1st class. I got a 98% on the test when I went to Mobile Dynamics and passed the Installer first class at school, then logged 2000 hours as an installer and got my MECP First Class certificate. I found mobile Dynamics teaches alot of great theory, but for the most part it doesn't really help you out as an installer. Taking a basic electronics course and apprenticing at a shop does much more good and cost about $6k less. I been installing for 5 years now and I'm slowly getting myself out of the business since it's been declining alot here in Eastern canada, and I'm getting old. It's a good job, and good career for a few. But most people only install for 5 or so years then move onto something else.

Cheers
Donald

 
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Wow, I had no idea this many people on the forums attended Mobile Dyanmics. I agree with you Donald, the school really didn't help much at being an installer. I mean, really anybody can go there and take the classes but there's no way you can be called an installer afterwards. It's about the experience. Most shops won't even hire someone without experience. Well, PROFESSIONAL experience. I'm also slowly dropping out of the industry. I'll always love mobile elctronics but I'm getting into the medical field now. I figure ten years down the road.. the only major professions left will be medical, law enforcement, and computers. but who knows for sure I guess.

 
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im takin the full 9 week program thing. so far its been alright. I didnt know much going in so its helpful. I dont really plan on being just and car electronics guy, i acutally graduated from wyotech and prefer more to be a chassis fabricator but have the other end of it with the custom stuff too

 
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im first class mecp. never went to school, just learned on the job. i installed for 3 years. I got bored and now Im after my ASE certs.

 
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I went to school and got an electrical engineering degree...

working as an engineer designing and stuff..

so i am a professional....with experience...

 
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I've been installing electronics into law enforcement vehicles all over north america, never had any formal training just learned as I went. If anyone is looking for work integrating new radio systems into police vehicles send me a message. I've hired grads from Mobile Dynamics and they have worked out well.

 
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one more for mobile dynamics in toronto, i actually just finished my 2000 hours of installing and got my first class cert two days ago. the program was great in my oppinon. Allthough i knew all the theory behind mobile electronics i couldnt take apart a dash or door panel to save my life. Now im the guy everyone calls when they have a technical question or any other problem thats outa the ordinary.

 
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well just took my basic test today and got a 98% so this school has definatly helped me a lot. I got like a 63% on the practice test so yeah fun stuff

 
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great job man!

I took a look at the test and the price of the school, and I decided that Im gonna get a bachelors instead in engineering (a lot more flexibility) although, my old installer was the #9 Masters certificate holder... and he taught me some neat stuff... so at least I kinda got some of the good training.

 
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yeah there are like 200,000 basic installers and then it goes down from there steadily. I think i heard that there are only like 50-60 Master level installers lol