Car Stereo

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Jun 4, 2004
34
- - lake george, ny
I'd like to mount a car stereo (AM/FM/CD) over the nav table of my ODay 28 and control it from the cockpit via the remote control. Problem is that all the stereos I've seen are infrared, which means that there must be a clear line-of-sight between the remote and the stereo. Does anyone know of a stereo that uses a RF remote control?
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Never seen one with RF

I'd like to mount a car stereo (AM/FM/CD) over the nav table of my ODay 28 and control it from the cockpit via the remote control. Problem is that all the stereos I've seen are infrared, which means that there must be a clear line-of-sight between the remote and the stereo. Does anyone know of a stereo that uses a RF remote control?
The only ones I know of are infrared or hard wired (pita). Another option is to get an iPod and an ABT iJet RF remote control. The remote itself is water resistant and will work up to 150 feet away..

ABT iJet (LINK)
Image courtesy ABT Tech
 
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
The only issues with the Dock-interface remotes is most will prevent you from charging the iPod while the remote is in use. :)
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
http://marinestereodirect.com/aquatic-aqrf3-hand-held-remote-stereos-p-5262.html

If you think about it, there is very little reason to have a RF interface in an automobile!

My personal experience with Auto stereos was not very good. I purchase a Kenwood (about $300) and it lasted about 2-3 years. Then I purchased another "automotive" unit and it lasted until the warranty ran out.

Then I decided to purchase a crappy ol' West Marine Unit. This radio is about 10-12 years old and is still working aboard my old Hunter 31.

For just a few bucks more you can have your RF controled marine radio aboard your vessel.
 

Steph

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Sep 30, 2005
52
Cal 28-2 Port Annapolis, Annapolis, Md
Same problem

We use an infrared remote and it requires line of sight, but on my boat, leaning forward from the helm, through the companionway, I get line of sight so it's not too much of a problem. No easy fix.
 
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
You can also rig a mirror so that the light will bounce off of the mirror and to to the stereo when in use. Take the mirror down when you are done with the radio.

Getting a "Marine" radio is a good idea if you put it outside. If you put the radio in the cabin of the boat a regular automotive radio is just fine. The radio inside of the cabin is not getting exposed to anything that it doesn't get exposed to inside of a car.
 
Oct 4, 2007
81
Oday 28 Great Salt Lake Marina
I have an O'day 28, and did exactly what you are proposing. However, the guy who owned it before me did a drop down case with four screws in the ceiling, which put the screws through the deck. Not a great idea. So I built a box in top of the little teak box in the back, put some hinges on it and put the unit on the back with the face on the front. It flips down to work on, and is all out of sight except the control head when latched up. I can send you pics if you like. Anyway, the stereo I bought from WM has Ipod and Sirius and all that, as well as you can run a waterproof remote control all the way back to the cockpit, and have complete control right next to the wheel. Then you don't have to worry about throwing the little remote into the water accidentally like I ALWAYS do.....
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Remote

Remote:

Key Fob In Cockpit (stuck on with industrial Velcro)
 
Sep 25, 2008
615
Morgan 415 Out Island Rogersville, AL
Re: Remote

After using an iPod enabled stereo for a year I switched over to a usb enabled stereo. I have one in both the boat and my car. My entire library fits on an 8 gig stick. I am amazed to see all the iPod enabled stereos out there but only a few usb-enabled stereos.
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
I got a marine Kenwood which has an optional waterproof backlit wired remote two Christmases ago. I bought the S2 last spring, so the stereo didn't get mounted yet (too many other priorities). It is Sirus capable, but not ipod, but no doubt the new ones are. I have an mp3 player, not an ipod, so I just put a marine jack for an mp3 player at the helm (Jensen purchased off their web site for ~$13 but came with a free ball cap to boot). I went this route for exactly the reason you mentioned. My stereo is mounted just inside the companionway in a non-IR friendly location. Plus I don't typically want the stereo on until I am motoring back in. Then I typically catch the beginning of the Red Sox game. So it was important to me to be able to turn it on from the helm as well.
 

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
You can also rig a mirror so that the light will bounce off of the mirror and to to the stereo when in use. Take the mirror down when you are done with the radio.
Doesnt have to be a mirror, a shiny brass lantern, etc. will do the same thing.
I use an IR controller from the cockpit, aim it onto a large trawler lamp on the opposite bulkhead to the nav station where the radio is mounted - just need the controller batteries to be highly charged.
 

larryw

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Jun 9, 2004
395
Beneteau OC400 Long Beach, CA
I bought a new stereo with a remote, but the key-fob sized unit was so underpowered it had to be within 18 in. of the unit face to work, so control from the cockpit wasn't going to happen.
 

TimCup

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Jan 30, 2008
304
Catalina 22 St. Pete
Snotter, I agree-

I have a cd-mp3 player, and have 90-100 songs each on several discs. Thought I was the bomb, but now almost all the new Ford vehicles come with a usb port for sticks that make my mp3 look old... starting to miss my 8-track...


cup
 
Jun 4, 2004
34
- - lake george, ny
Pictures - Yes

I have an O'day 28, and did exactly what you are proposing. However, the guy who owned it before me did a drop down case with four screws in the ceiling, which put the screws through the deck. Not a great idea. So I built a box in top of the little teak box in the back, put some hinges on it and put the unit on the back with the face on the front. It flips down to work on, and is all out of sight except the control head when latched up. I can send you pics if you like. Anyway, the stereo I bought from WM has Ipod and Sirius and all that, as well as you can run a waterproof remote control all the way back to the cockpit, and have complete control right next to the wheel. Then you don't have to worry about throwing the little remote into the water accidentally like I ALWAYS do.....

I would be interested in seeing the pics. Also, I was of the understanding that there was a space between the cabin ceiling and the deck so that I could screw into the ceiling. Are you saying that I would be screwing right through the deck?
 
Oct 4, 2007
81
Oday 28 Great Salt Lake Marina
There is, but not as much as you might think. And with a hanger you want to be sure it's secure, and the previous owner put 1.5" inch screws and popped one through, just barely. the rest were halfway in, and the hanger was sitting down on the heads of the half screwed in screws. I'm on the road on business, but I will get you some pictures of what I did, and it works really well and I didn't have to worry about holes in the deck or working on the stereo.
 
Oct 4, 2007
81
Oday 28 Great Salt Lake Marina
Here is the little project I did for my radio. I am in the process of moving my VHF radio to the bottom of this box, but the sailing season got in my way. It has worked well for me, made it out of teak so it matches, and I can store stuff in the back and have access for all the wires. When I get a Sirius module there will be room for it too! I also will run the waterproof remote back to the cockpit this year, and it wires down to the bottom of the boat and back to the cockpit and right next to the depth/knot meter. It didn't take too long to do, and used a dremmel to shave it off and get it to fit. If you have any questions contact me.
 

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