My stereo/CD is giving me problems that I can only assume are age related. The unit is 10 years old and its time to update anyway to one of the newer systems. My question. Is it really worth the extra $$ to buy a "marine" stereo at the Marine store? Or will a decent car audio system be OK? The unit is mounted inside my H376 at the nav station and is not exposed to direct weather. Plus the boat is in S. Cal, so the weather really never gets bad. Thanks. Bob.
Time to replace Stereo
- Thread starter rfrye1
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car stereo just fine
Since it is inside a car stereo is perfectly fine (you may want to think of mp3 as well). You better spend the extra money to something else.
Since it is inside a car stereo is perfectly fine (you may want to think of mp3 as well). You better spend the extra money to something else.
No!
Quote: "My question. Is it really worth the extra $$ to buy a "marine" stereo at the Marine store?" NO! Car audio works perfectly well unless it's in the elements..
Quote: "My question. Is it really worth the extra $$ to buy a "marine" stereo at the Marine store?" NO! Car audio works perfectly well unless it's in the elements..
Do you really...
want a radio? Unless you listen to talk radio. A car radio is fine if it is under cover... like down delow. I have an Ipod with a chargeable Bose Sounddock. The initial expense is high... but I can bring it where ever I want. No drain on my batteries.
want a radio? Unless you listen to talk radio. A car radio is fine if it is under cover... like down delow. I have an Ipod with a chargeable Bose Sounddock. The initial expense is high... but I can bring it where ever I want. No drain on my batteries.
Car stereo
I replaced the radio that came with the boat with a JVC High Def unit. Plays MP3, plus I added the Sirius Sat module and iPod adapter. Also upgraded the cabin and cockpit speakers to Polk weather proofs. Now I can play any medium with great sound. BTW went to Best Buy for all the equipment. They're probably the least expensive retailer.
I replaced the radio that came with the boat with a JVC High Def unit. Plays MP3, plus I added the Sirius Sat module and iPod adapter. Also upgraded the cabin and cockpit speakers to Polk weather proofs. Now I can play any medium with great sound. BTW went to Best Buy for all the equipment. They're probably the least expensive retailer.
Stereo
Bob - I spent about $125 on a Kenwood model that is a car-stereo. Bought it online at Crutchfield.com. The thing I like best about the unit is that it has a wireless remote that allows full operation from the helm with the unit mounted way down below in my cabin at the nav table. I also have input plugs for iPod and Sirius. Go with a car stereo version. My last one I had in a small ski-boat lasted 10 yrs+ and was exposed to the elements. Rob
Bob - I spent about $125 on a Kenwood model that is a car-stereo. Bought it online at Crutchfield.com. The thing I like best about the unit is that it has a wireless remote that allows full operation from the helm with the unit mounted way down below in my cabin at the nav table. I also have input plugs for iPod and Sirius. Go with a car stereo version. My last one I had in a small ski-boat lasted 10 yrs+ and was exposed to the elements. Rob
Wal-mart
I bought a car stereo more than three years ago and it still works fine. You know the standard with a CD and clock. I forget the exact price but it was under $100.
I bought a car stereo more than three years ago and it still works fine. You know the standard with a CD and clock. I forget the exact price but it was under $100.
I hate to hijack a thread but...
any suggestions about what to do with speakers located in the cabin. I noticed this past weekend they sounded funny like maybe they were blown out. Can I replace them with any car stero speakers?
any suggestions about what to do with speakers located in the cabin. I noticed this past weekend they sounded funny like maybe they were blown out. Can I replace them with any car stero speakers?
Crutchfield
I like Crutchfield. Good service and wide range of products, but there are many places to get much better prices out there. Crutchfield is usually at the top of the list as far as pricing goes. They're kind of like the West Marine of stereo equipment. hehe
I like Crutchfield. Good service and wide range of products, but there are many places to get much better prices out there. Crutchfield is usually at the top of the list as far as pricing goes. They're kind of like the West Marine of stereo equipment. hehe
They all seem to last about ten years,
last time I did use a Pyle marine stereo because it had the features (RCA inputs for the XM, wired waterproof remote ) at about the same price. It was about $125 from Amazon, which you might want to check since many online retailers now sell thru them. Check the attached link, that's the one I got but there are many to choose from.
last time I did use a Pyle marine stereo because it had the features (RCA inputs for the XM, wired waterproof remote ) at about the same price. It was about $125 from Amazon, which you might want to check since many online retailers now sell thru them. Check the attached link, that's the one I got but there are many to choose from.
Princess, if they are in the cabin...
same as the stereo- automotive speakers work just fine. I certainly hope you don't need waterproof speakers in your cabin! ;D -Paul
same as the stereo- automotive speakers work just fine. I certainly hope you don't need waterproof speakers in your cabin! ;D -Paul
Not usually but
considering all the annoying little leaks I had to plug up this year maybe I do... Probably what I should do is check and see what is already installed and use those as my guide. I think they are Bose but I am not sure.
considering all the annoying little leaks I had to plug up this year maybe I do... Probably what I should do is check and see what is already installed and use those as my guide. I think they are Bose but I am not sure.
I replaced my stereo a couple of years ago
with a JVC automotive unit. AUX input, single CD (the 10-disc changer from the previous unit was full of problems) I bought the JVC cause it had the AUX input plus a remote, so I could adjust volume from the cockpit, but the tiny remote didn't have the signal power to work from the cockpit. It had to be about two feet max (like in a car)from the faceplate to work. That kind of hacked me off, but... it sounds good. I also replaced all the speakers, cabin and cockpit.
with a JVC automotive unit. AUX input, single CD (the 10-disc changer from the previous unit was full of problems) I bought the JVC cause it had the AUX input plus a remote, so I could adjust volume from the cockpit, but the tiny remote didn't have the signal power to work from the cockpit. It had to be about two feet max (like in a car)from the faceplate to work. That kind of hacked me off, but... it sounds good. I also replaced all the speakers, cabin and cockpit.
Larry..
Most car stereos have, and use, and infrared remote control that has to aim directly at the unit like on a TV and are not wel suited to use on a boat. If you use or have an iPod many companies make RF (radio frequency) remotes that don't have to be line of sight. I use an ABT iJet to control my iPod and volume from the helm. It's the best boat bucks I've spent.. ABT iJet: http://www.abtech2.com/iJetBottomDock.htm
Most car stereos have, and use, and infrared remote control that has to aim directly at the unit like on a TV and are not wel suited to use on a boat. If you use or have an iPod many companies make RF (radio frequency) remotes that don't have to be line of sight. I use an ABT iJet to control my iPod and volume from the helm. It's the best boat bucks I've spent.. ABT iJet: http://www.abtech2.com/iJetBottomDock.htm
Princess
Yes, but first check the connections at the back of the unit and check it with AM and FM and CD input to see if the speakers sound the same in order to eliminate other sources. BTW, the units installed on my 40.5 were excellent. I was going to replace them until I took a look at the quality. I did replace the cockpit ones however. I use a regular car stereo and CD changer; Panasonic I think. RD
Yes, but first check the connections at the back of the unit and check it with AM and FM and CD input to see if the speakers sound the same in order to eliminate other sources. BTW, the units installed on my 40.5 were excellent. I was going to replace them until I took a look at the quality. I did replace the cockpit ones however. I use a regular car stereo and CD changer; Panasonic I think. RD
Maine Sail; I knew it was infrared, I was trying to bounce
or reflect the signal off a decorative mirror I had on a bulkhead. My player is MP3, but I've been considering an iPod cause my fav music site at work only downloads in the iPod format. The web site was very interesting. I wonder if I could mount a unit on my Harley - (just kidding)
or reflect the signal off a decorative mirror I had on a bulkhead. My player is MP3, but I've been considering an iPod cause my fav music site at work only downloads in the iPod format. The web site was very interesting. I wonder if I could mount a unit on my Harley - (just kidding)
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