WetSounds WS-420- Worth buying?

[Eastern shore wake]

Hi, we bought a 2010 RZ4 last November with the Premium sound system. Has the 4 Pro-60s on the tower and 2 WetSounds amps, etc. In my previous Tige I had the the ability to control tower speakers separately from boat speakers and am thinking of buying th Wetsounds Ws-420 to do this for the new RZ4. Also, the WS-420has the microphone feature which my kids tell me will be used often as well. I had a few questions I am hoping you can help with. Do any of you have the WS-420? If so, would you recommend it? Are there less expensive alternatives I should consider? Finally, if you do have it where would you recommend installing it on the boat and how difficult was the installation? Thanks so much!

[Timmy!]

I think the WS420 is worth it! I don't have one but would like one some day. I currently have the Kicker ZXMRLC which is a cheaper alternative. It allows you to control the cabin and tower's independently for about $80 instead of $250.
http://www.kicker.com/ZXMRLC

I will say that the WS420 saved our butt in Lake Powell on my buddy's boat. The prop shaft came out and the boat was taking on water pretty quickly and we were able to use the 420 to call over to our wive's on the house boat and came over and rescued us via my boat. Just something to think about, if you can afford to go the 420, do it!

[duffymahoney]

I would love a 420 I just don't want to run my rca's from the amps across to the driver, then back across to the amps. Seems like a pain. The talk back mike is what I really want!

[jbort]

Definitely YES!!! We had one installed a yr ago and love it. Does a good job of speaker control but the PA feature is the big hit. We do alot of surfing and it helps bigtime to instruct the rider or give a shout-out to nearby folks. Plus the kids go nuts using PA.

[hossdog]

I just finished installing mine. The biggest problem I encountered with it is just finding a spot to mount it. It is sweet though. It was really easy to install wiring wise. My set up had an existing bass control nob, so I just taped my RCAs on to it's wire and pulled them through to the compartment where my amps are then I just used the old bass nob hole for another switch to control some lights. It was the easiest part of my entire stereo install. For power I just tapped into the same power and ground as my head unit

Hey Duffy other than the cost of longer RCAs running it across is no biggie. You should come by the shop and check it out one of these days. I'll be working on the boat most of the weekend

[duffymahoney]

Anytime! I can't wait to pull my boat out of storage

[chpthril]

I would love a 420 I just don't want to run my rca's from the amps across to the driver, then back across to the amps. Seems like a pain. The talk back mike is what I really want!

Fallow the steering cable into the bilge then back up into the mid-ship locker. Its a lot shorted then around the bow.

[Eastern shore wake]

Thanks all for quick replies! Jbort and Hossdog, where did you install the unit? Any tips on mounting?

Timmy!, really good point on the safety factor of having PA on board. Seems like the WS-420 although more expensive provides this feature which I do like (kids will have a blast using it when wakesurfing etc as well).

Ok...on ebay there is a used one listed with current bid of $130 (2 days left, though, so will go up). Is this something I should get used or not take a chance? Appreciate any/all advice!

[hossdog]

On your boat it should be much easier to find a place to mount. I have an older 21v with the millennium dash which has lots of curves and no real flat places. I am building a small false wall under the helm to mount a heater vent and to support the back of some pull out heater vents in the walk. I am planning on adding some type of provision to it for mounting the 420. I haven't quite figured it out yet. When I get it done I'll post some photos.

[duffymahoney]

This company sells a couple nice mounts.

http://skyski.com/store/accessories-en-2.html

[ragboy]

I think its worth it, and we did it without running RCAs all the way across. I love the talk back feature, but probably worth it with just the adjustment and EQ ability.

[jbort]

will shoot a pic tmo and post up. Chpthril did the install.

[hossdog]

I think its worth it, and we did it without running RCAs all the way across. I love the talk back feature, but probably worth it with just the adjustment and EQ ability.

How did you do it without running the rca's across? Are your amps somewhere else?

[chpthril]

How did you do it without running the rca's across? Are your amps somewhere else?

They mounted the WS-420 in the port locker where the amps are. So the RCA cables are short V's running around the bow. For those that need the talk-back more then the other features, thats not a bad solution. The head-unit volume can still be used as the master volume, you just have to reach over, pop the hatch and adjust the zone volume as needed.

[Eastern shore wake]

Thanks to all for your replies! Ragboy, video was really helpful and think I will go with the install in the amp locker to keep it simpler.