ION Pathfinder 280 vs ION Tailgater Tough

The ION Tailgater Tough and ION Pathfinder 280 are similar speakers with different strengths, but overall, the Pathfinder is a better choice for most uses. It has a slightly more balanced frequency response with a less directive soundstage, meaning audio sounds more consistent from different angles. With a 100 dB maximum volume, the Pathfinder can get much louder than the Tailgater, and its battery lasts significantly longer. Conversely, the Tailgater can produce a bit more low-bass and has better Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, making it a better choice for watching videos on a paired smartphone. It's also smaller and easier to take on the go.