Stereo head unit relocation

[uttige2002]

So it has been one year since I obtained my '95 2002 FSLM. One thing that has been bothering me is that the stereo head unit was located in the glove box - not exactly convenient. I have two options:

1. Keep the existing head unit and relocate to someplace near/in the dash. There is the spot just to the right of the wheel that is currently a "blank plate" where this might fit. or some other location

2. purchase a new unit with a remote to be located on the dash

What have others done? any pics of the relocation success?

Thanks

[JohnnieMo]

I used the usual standard remote on my old boat and put it right of the steering wheel. I went with a Clarion unit. New head units can be quite cheap these days, although the remotes are somewhat expensive (so is the wire).

I love having the stereo controls within finger's reach on my right hand. Very worthwhile.

Relocating the whole unit involves running all the wires across to the other side of the boat. That is a big headache.

[uttige2002]

JohnnieMo - which Clarion?

[JohnnieMo]

That was a few years back, but it was the single DIN that looked a lot like this:


This one is the M455 but I don't know if that is the current model. They sell remote kits and wires. At the time you could put in 2 remotes - one by the driver and one on the transom area. I only did the one (due to the cost of the remote and wire) and it is still working just fine.

[JohnnieMo]

Looking on ebay, you can find these head units for under $200 and remotes for around $20. I guess they are cheaper than they used to be. They also have bluetooth now, which is seriously handy. Do yourself a favour and get one.

Here is a used one with three remotes, and 2 speakers for $99.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clarion-Mari...-/221662865159

[chpthril]

Ut,

Allow me to ask a question. What function(s) on the head-unit has you going to the glove box time and time again, through the coarse of a typical outing?

Heres why I ask, if you get a marine remote with LCD display and mount it at the helm, the head-unit can stay where it is, and you can use the remote for all the basic functions. My next train of thought is, do you really need a traditional head-unit? If AM/FM tuner, CD, etc are no longer utilized, but rather streaming audio or stored files on a smart phone or MP3 are all you do, you may be able to leave the head-unit as is, and have the music source located at the helm. There may be hard wire or blue tooth options.

[uttige2002]

ChpThrll:

So here's the typical functions - understand first off that our typical and most used source is Sirius, since quite often my lakes (including Lake Powell) are not "internet" capable so I could stream from Pandora, etc.

We use quite frequently:

1. Volume control (lowering the volume so we can hear riders at the start of their run)
2. Changing stations.

Not high on the priority list is an LCD display that tells me what I'm listening too.