talk to me about am/fm mp3 setup

[johnnyandjebus]

Hello all

I am curently thinking about installing some type of am/fm mp3/usb port setup on my boat and am wondering what other people have done.

I am consideriing a traditional car stereo type setup, with usb port, but am wondering about power draw, both when it is in use and when it is not?

What about some type of modern ipod setup? keeping in mind I need the fm signal.

How about some type of ssb radio(recieving only) is there such a device that is fm ready and has a usb port? I have no short term need for ssb but some day I would like to play with it.

Curently I am running a signal battery charged only by the engine so keeping power draw down to a min. is important, this will change in the next year or two but for now it is all I have.

I do have a 12 volt cig adapter installed so some type of 12 volt portable system might work.


Any thoughts?

John

[JimsCAL]

A car stereo unit is the common choice. Inexpensive, decent performance, and LOTS of choices. Draw on the battery will be about 1 amp when on. If battery usage is a major issue (is your single battery needed for starting the engine?) then a boombox is an alternative.

[MSN2Travelers]

I have used the following radios in my boats. Both meet your needs and both can be had for a lower price then listed on the linked web site.

DUALMXCP25 AM/FM/CD Stereo Package at WestMarineNew

SONYStereo at WestMarineNew

Power usage was minimal while in use and, if you don't connect the memory wire (for pre-sets), there is no draw when turned off. I just installed the Sony in our new-to-us boat this weekend and it took me all of 20 minutes to replace the antiquated cassette unit that was in the boat.

[jbondy]

FWIW - I installed a switch in the wire (yellow) that supplies power to the unit for the clock and pre-set memory. The draw is minimal, but during the off-season, I leave the batteries on board and any drain could be a problem.

Better yet, some systems do not draw power for pre-set memory. Look for one of those.

[Gladrags1]

I bought a car stereo from this on-line site called Sonic Electronix (Car Audio Stereo - Car Subwoofers - Car Amplifiers and Speakers) with excellent results! They had a fantastic selection and were available to answer my questions about installation. Most units come with at least a minijack to plug your mp3 player into so you can listen to your ipod. The site will tell you about their power draws so you can determine what's best for your needs. If you are installing this in the cabin of your boat (and I think you should) there is no need for a waterproof marine unit. Hook up a couple of waterproof cockpit speakers and you are set. Hook up a couple of inexpensive box speakers in the cabin and connect 1 set to the rear speaker wire and the other set to the front and you have a sound system that can fade from inside to outside and all. We instattled a head unit which plays dvd movies and have been very happy. Now what boggles my mind is a head unit with a retractible screen for your car! Aren't you supposed to be concentrating on the road while driving??

Good luck with your decision.

Tod

[degreeoff]

OK quick thought....satalite radio......I have it love it !

my $.02

Josh

[oceanscapt]

Car stereo w CD player and iPod support, 4 speakers (2 inside, 2 water resistant outside). Works very well. There are models that have satellite radio integrated but I've got a portable XM radio so I swap the iPod out for that. Once you get south of the Bahamas, satellite radio seems to disappear.

I've got a SONY shortwave receiver that I can plug into the car stereo for times when I want to listen to the BBC in dual mono mode.

[remetau]

We have an Aquatic AV stereo that has IPod control and an RCA auxiliary input for our TV stereo sound. We have a small Bazooka sub woofer and 4 component level speakers with separate tweeters for the cabin. I put the sub on a switch so that I can turn it off to save power if needed. I have the rear speakers connected to a speaker a/b switch with the b side going to speakers in the cockpit. We had a Kenwood stereo before, but we recently switched to the Aquatic because of the RF remote control.

[Tanley]

Not sure if this helps, but I was primarily looking for iPod integration and ended up with this. The display is dimmable, all the way to off. It has direct iPod integration, XM support, SD card, DVD, CD, USB and 1/8" jack (video out for future use too).



Welcome to JENSEN

The remote that came with it is IR (line of sight) so I picked up one of these after reading one of Maine Sail's posts (Rf). If you haven't read that thread, I'd suggest you take a look as it relates to your question http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...-pick-two.html



iJet Wireless Remote With Bottom Dock

Good luck and have fun with your search

[johnnyandjebus]

Hello all

Thanks for all of the replies, after giving this some thought and reading up on ssb installation, thanks cam for the references, I have decided to go for a short term solution. A construction site fm radio
RYOBI - RYOBI One+ 18V Radio - P740 - Home Depot Canada

It gives me a portable fm radio and uses my cordless drill battery for power, at 29$ I can use it for as long as it takes to figure out how far down the ssb road I want to go, at little cost.
I am interested in learning more about ssb and hope to install a unit at some point this/or next summer but I first want to address my lack of a secondary battery and lack of an auxiliary charging system(solar) first


John