Would appreciate your guidance...

[philwsailz]

Heck yeah!!! Thank you for clarifying all that up. I think I'm going to throw in a car stereo, but not 100% sure I want to spend the extra $$ on an X60 (that would blow my budget for sure).

If you do not intend to lean on the digital display, the RMX-11M will work and provide all the control, you just have no screen to see what you are playing or listening to...

[Joeprunc]

I ended up going with the GT630UI head unit with the RM-X55M wired remote ($206 for it all, shipped to me off Epray)

Now I just have to wait for the brown truck to come in

[chpthril]

I ended up going with the GT630UI head unit with the RM-X55M wired remote ($206 for it all, shipped to me off Epray)

Now I just have to wait for the brown truck to come in

That's actually a shade under dealer cost.

[Joeprunc]

Well I finally got it done and installed this weekend. I'll tell you, it was scary drilling a hole in a perfectly good boat.

So here's the weak review of the new upgraded stereo. I only rocked out to a few songs and not cranked up either. I couldn't tell a huge difference in sound quality between the new and the old Alpine...but then again at lower volumes you aren't going to hear them either. The looks are night and day better...too bad its stored where that doesn't matter . The ability to play MP3 Cds, Flash Stick, and control an iPod is priceless . I hated having to change the cd every 30 minutes before. Being able to control the volume from the drivers seat is by far the biggest improvement. This and playing MP3s were the two only reasons that I upgraded, and I think it will be completely worth it. Plus I donated my old head unit to my girlfriend's father for his sail boat. Scoring some more points with her old man .

The remote...I haven't played any MP3s or plugged in a iPod yet so I can't comment on those, but I can only assume its the same. The X55M works great in the basic functions, but I'm a bit disappointing in the LCD display functionality. I was warned before that the X60M you would be able to have more control over your iPod...but I didn't realize that the only thing the X55M LCD screen reads is what source you are using (ie CD, USB, Radio, etc) or volume level. Again I only used a CD so it may be different with MP3s...but I doubt it. When I went looking for a remote I wanted to be able to mute, control volume, and change the tracks...and well this remote does that great. I just wish I stayed with the X20M or upgraded to the X60M, but now that the hole is drilled I can only go with the X60M .

Overall for > $200 I am really really pleased with the new upgrade. Thanks again for all your help and input.

Here's the new head unit CDX-GT630UI


Here's where I decided to make my hole.


The hole, the hole saws work way better at higher speeds. I was going at lower speeds at first, but it kept catching and slamming the drill into the side of the boat. Also I should have remembered from my fixing surfboards day's that fiberglass sux and is really itchy. I wish I threw a drop cloth down, or at least a towel over my body.


And there it is, the X55M....yes I know its not centered. I plan on putting a depth gauge next to it.

[yllw20]

Nice mounting, I think it is a good location and easy to reach while driving. will you be able to see the depth guage w/steering wheel right there?

[Joeprunc]

Nice mounting, I think it is a good location and easy to reach while driving. will you be able to see the depth guage w/steering wheel right there?

Hmmmm....that's a good point, I'll have to check that out. I guess you can always bob and weave your head to see it. Usually your just idling or looking to anchor when you use the depth gauge.

[Carter13]

Depth guage? You don't need no stinkin depth guage.
I use mine all the time in our slough and areas out of town that I am not familiar with.
Maybe you can move your hour meter guage or the other guage below it to the left of the Sony guage and put the depth guage in its place. I am done writing guage.

[Joeprunc]

An update on the system after several trips breaking it in....

...The Sony head unit is awesome! Sounds great, good features, the USB connector is really really nice. I just load the music I want on a a flash drive, and plug it in. Super easy to search folders, or shuffle everything. I haven't even used my Ipod yet, cause the flash drive is so quick and easy.

To be honest with you, the LCD screen wired remote is a bit of a let down (as I was warned by Mike and Phil). The screen only displays what source you are using ie USB, CD, FM, etc... Maybe I haven't messed with it enough, but it seems like that's all it does with this head unit. But the ability to control the volume, skip songs, and mute from the drivers seat is a huge improvement. I just wish I splurged a bit more to get the X60M or stick with the basics of the X20M. I like the location of the X55, when you are sitting the wheel doesn't interfere with the line of site to the remote. Since I still don't know what buttons are what, I must take a quick glance down to hit the right button.

When we are sitting, anchored, the wireless remote (comes with the headunit) works great too, but the glove box must be open to use it. Well see how long it sticks around before it gets wet and fried .

Overall for $200 bucks it is a huge upgrade from the old Alpine.