Author Topic: Radio idea... (Read 17070 times)

dorelse · « **on:** April 16, 2013, 09:59:13 PM »

I've been eyeing this radio on ebay for a while...I'm looking for a compact solution that I don't have to cut more holes in my boat!

It would fit into a cup holder or even a gauge hole...I was thinking of a gauge pod on top of my gauges, under the windshield.

Anyway, just wanted to put this out there as an option:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230930057897?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Hyperacme · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2013, 10:01:55 PM »

That's COOL !

75starflight · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2013, 10:08:29 PM »

I did a lot of research on that radio. I was looking at it for Phoenix rising. Reviews were bad! From what I remember a lot of complaints about sound quality. But hey, that was last summer., they could have changed.

dorelse · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2013, 11:00:01 PM »

Quote from: 75starflite on April 16, 2013, 10:08:29 PM

I did a lot of research on that radio. I was looking at it for Phoenix rising. Reviews were bad! From what I remember a lot of complaints about sound quality. But hey, that was last summer., they could have changed.

For less than $80...its worth the gamble I think... but for that price I'll lower my expectations. I just want to be able to stream Pandora through my phone to the boat. While also using the gps... so I'll be running a powered usb port as well.

Sent from my M9300 using Tapatalk 2

thedeuceman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2013, 06:11:47 AM »

I have been looking at the remote units too, for the same reason. My concern is will it have enough power (the great outdoors sucks up all the sound) though 40 watts x 4 is respectable. I ran across this amp only deal the other day
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003GSLDUY/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1366196463&sr=8-25&pi=SL75

It can be had without speakers too for around $40, so I'm torn... I doubt I would actually listen to the radio, but it might be nice to have. I did not see the feature on this one but some have a voltage monitor so you can see battery condition from the radio when not running the motor, I also thaught was kinda cool.

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2013, 07:56:41 AM »

Looks like a great deal. I'd be torn too as most of the reviews are really positive, but then a handful are really negative. I guess for $100 it's a toss up?

WetRaider · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2013, 08:46:04 AM »

Most cheap amplifiers do more harm than good. The THD (total harmonic distortion) is so high that they'll damage your speakers. A 40 watt RMS per channel amplifier is not as powerful as a typical head unit when the gain is turned to minimum (which is where the THD ratings are measured). THD on a head unit is measured at output without an adjustable gain. Too many people pick up a cheap amplifier, crank up the gain to get some volume (the perception was that an amplifier will make it louder) and wind up blowing their speakers.
Boats are a unique animal, because of all the extra noise (hull slap, waves, spray, motor, wind) ... the extra noise masks the distortion; our ears don't always hear it, but the speakers do, and the next thing you know you're sitting at anchor and want some quiet tunes and all you hear is crackle and buzz ...

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2013, 08:50:52 AM »

Think I'll just stick with my $20 iHome pop-up speaker. Can't hear anything above 15-20 mph but don't need to anyway. It works fine for sittin at anchor or beached.

thedeuceman · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2013, 09:29:11 AM »

you guys got me thinking...
i found this Pyle PLCD16MRWB Radio/CD Player with wired remote referb for $50 ($61 shipped) so i went for it
has WB and i can mount the remote without drilling or cutting a big hole.
http://www.cedarpc.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=42105

Bayflite73 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2013, 09:31:27 AM »

Looks nice! Keep us updated!

dorelse · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2013, 09:46:45 AM »

Quote from: thedeuceman on April 17, 2013, 09:29:11 AM

you guys got me thinking...
i found this Pyle PLCD16MRWB Radio/CD Player with wired remote referb for $50 ($61 shipped) so i went for it
has WB and i can mount the remote without drilling or cutting a big hole.
http://www.cedarpc.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=42105

Huh...I just ordered that too Joe! I can mount that remote anywhere on the helm and tuck the head unit away & out of site. Cool! Let's hope they 'refurb'd' it well...Amazon reviews are mixed on it...but $61 is a great price.

thedeuceman · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2013, 10:08:28 AM »

Cool...
glad you got it, i buy lots of referb stuff, most without issue.
i plan to fire it up on the bench and test the functions as soon as i get it

dorelse · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2013, 10:46:57 AM »

Quote from: thedeuceman on April 17, 2013, 10:08:28 AM

Cool...
glad you got it, i buy lots of referb stuff, most without issue.
i plan to fire it up on the bench and test the functions as soon as i get it

I've always wanted to do that...bench test a radio...is there an easy way to do that?

thedeuceman · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2013, 10:56:23 AM »

just connect the power leads to a battery and connect a set of speakers to it, stick a piece of wire in the antenna jack. or connect an antenna and fire it up.
i make it a little more complicated that that cuz i have stuff set up for workin on electronic stuff, but thats really all it takes

fireman24mn · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2013, 10:56:42 AM »

Here is what I did. The radio has a USB plug on the front of it so I plug in my phone and use Pandora all the time and it charges the phone as well. Plus it is in the back under the pad so it dosent get stepped on or wet for the most part. The wired remote will control the songs and I can skip them if I want. Kenwood if I remember I looked at a lot of them before I decided on this one. I am very happy with it and the head unit stands up to water I found out. On the maiden Voyage I slowed down to fast and a wall of water came over the back and it shut off. I thought great I got 20 min of use out of that. But it turned back on in a few min and has worked fine with no problems. I will be putting another one in the 23 with 2 remotes one in the back and one by driver.

thedeuceman · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2013, 11:01:03 AM »

I saw that the last time this topic came up, that is a nice unit but cost prevailed, at least this time.

dorelse · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2013, 11:12:39 AM »

Quote from: thedeuceman on April 17, 2013, 11:01:03 AM

I saw that the last time this topic came up, that is a nice unit but cost prevailed, at least this time.

Me too! I'm really not a 'tunes' guy, I like to hear the water & waves when I'm at the beach. But...for $60.00, I can put something in that I don't have to cut another hole in the boat and still have something should I want it.

I like you how mounted yours on that upholstery piece Shawn. I'm assuming you had to cut into the boat for that, but its a nice flush installation. Does it have any issues with the steering rack right there as well?

Tonka Jim · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2013, 12:54:55 PM »

I put a radio with a removable face plate in my SSV.
It's two years old & I can't get the face plate to stay on.

Too much pounding I guess

Hyperacme · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2013, 07:17:06 PM »

I HATE RADIOS !
J/K
Because some one cut a hole in my dash to mount a radio ...
And to make matters worse they put in a lighter/power plug ...
LOL

WetRaider · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2013, 07:44:02 PM »

Gregg - I have a faux "EJECT" button you can put where that power plug was ...