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Need a new stereo head unit in the boat

Waterjunky

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Hello all;

I need a new stereo head unit in the boat. Pulled it out this season and it is dead. I can still get the speakers to chirp and such when powering on and off but its not working right and not sending any signal to the speakers other than the beeps and chirps when powering up and changing a few settings.

As sacrilegious as this is in this group, I do not have an amp in the boat and am not looking at adding one at this point. It is a basic Sony marine system. I am just looking at replacing the head unit and want something that sounds good and isn't crazy complex or expensive. If I keep the boat more than another year or two I will probably go through the entire system at that point.

What I'm looking for is:
Marine grade / water resistant
Standard single din size
Easily connect to phones / satellite radio receiver / other common but random stuff.
No crazy install issues.

Budget $ 200
Of course I would be happy being under but if needed that number could grow a little.

Thoughts on what I should get? I do not track this stuff at all so I don't know much about the different brands and performance vs value.
 

Loony Toon

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I snagged a Kenwood unit off the clearance table at Bass Pro Shop in Rancho last weekend for $119.00.
Blue tooth, Sirius/XM ready. They had several of the same unit and speakers also.
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Alpine UTE-73BT

$95 shipped on Amazon.

Alpine UTE-73BT Advanced Bluetooth Mech-less Digital media receiver (does not play CDs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BJM6H51/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cYz8Cb387NKCM

It is RF remote ready (waterproof remote with no wires). Has Bluetooth, USB, Pandora, satellite ready. No CD player.

You can also buy a mini amp that attaches directly to the head unit to get a bit more power to the speakers if you wanted to.


KTP-445A - Alpine 4-Channel 45W RMS X 4 at 4-Ohms Amplifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CQBY174/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hXz8CbF9RP6Q9
 

JD D05

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I have a Alpine I will give you but it is not bluetooth.
 

Andy B.

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What's the best bluetooth,cd(yes I still listen to them) that comes with a waterproof remote?
 

LargeOrangeFont

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What's the best bluetooth,cd(yes I still listen to them) that comes with a waterproof remote?

Most will not come with the waterproof remote.

Alpine CDE-172BT is the CD version of the one I listed above.

$105 shipped

Alpine CDE-172BT Bluetooth Receiver (replacement of CDE-143BT) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BJMK8FR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oqA8Cb1GSVEC8


Alpine Marine wireless RF remote. I really like this thing. $93

Alpine RUE-M1RF Marine Remote Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NFTYI0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GrA8CbEZ2MJVW
 
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Andy B.

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Rondog4405

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Alpine UTE-73BT

$95 shipped on Amazon.

Alpine UTE-73BT Advanced Bluetooth Mech-less Digital media receiver (does not play CDs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BJM6H51/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cYz8Cb387NKCM

It is RF remote ready (waterproof remote with no wires). Has Bluetooth, USB, Pandora, satellite ready. No CD player.

You can also buy a mini amp that attaches directly to the head unit to get a bit more power to the speakers if you wanted to.


KTP-445A - Alpine 4-Channel 45W RMS X 4 at 4-Ohms Amplifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CQBY174/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hXz8CbF9RP6Q9
Are you able to brighten the screen on yours?
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Are you able to brighten the screen on yours?


I have the older model from 2 years ago, the UTE-62BT. I have the screen set to white letters to see it better.

I had a JVC Powersports/Marine receiver before this one. Their marine receivers have a white screen with black letters and are very bright. I liked it a little better, but there was no wireless remote options so I went Alpine.
 

Rondog4405

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I have the older model from 2 years ago, the UTE-62BT. I have the screen set to white letters to see it better.

I had a JVC Powersports/Marine receiver before this one. Their marine receivers have a white screen with black letters and are very bright. I liked it a little better, but there was no wireless remote options so I went Alpine.
I have the cd version of your h/u. It does everything i need . just cant see the damn screen. How did you change the color?
 

LargeOrangeFont

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I have the cd version of your h/u. It does everything i need . just cant see the damn screen. How did you change the color?

If you go into the settings you can change the display and button colors.. I think I held the upper right button on the HU, turn the knob and go into the display settings.
 

02HoWaRd26

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Alpine UTE-73BT

$95 shipped on Amazon.

Alpine UTE-73BT Advanced Bluetooth Mech-less Digital media receiver (does not play CDs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BJM6H51/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cYz8Cb387NKCM

It is RF remote ready (waterproof remote with no wires). Has Bluetooth, USB, Pandora, satellite ready. No CD player.

You can also buy a mini amp that attaches directly to the head unit to get a bit more power to the speakers if you wanted to.


KTP-445A - Alpine 4-Channel 45W RMS X 4 at 4-Ohms Amplifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CQBY174/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hXz8CbF9RP6Q9
That’s a pretty bad ass set up, specially the little amp. My wheels are spinning now, wondering if this would work with my pioneer in my rolla dd
 

Rondog4405

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If you go into the settings you can change the display and button colors.. I think I held the upper right button on the HU, turn the knob and go into the display settings.
Roger that. Thnx.. Have you added additional remotes to your setup?
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Roger that. Thnx.. Have you added additional remotes to your setup?

Just the one so far. I actually want to get a couple more. I want to say you can have 10 max to one receiver, but I don’t remember. The additional remotes are $45.
 

SJP

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Fusion Audio is a great marine product.
 

Rondog4405

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Just the one so far. I actually want to get a couple more. I want to say you can have 10 max to one receiver, but I don’t remember. The additional remotes are $45.
I bought a additional one. Came with no manual or programming info. Figured it would just sync itself but, not the case. Gotta call some audio shops and see if they know how.
 

tunnel vision

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I need to replace mine too, Jensen MS2013BT. Will the fusion fit Ok? What model fusion to use?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Last edited:

OldSchoolBoats

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Alpine UTE-73BT

$95 shipped on Amazon.

Alpine UTE-73BT Advanced Bluetooth Mech-less Digital media receiver (does not play CDs) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BJM6H51/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cYz8Cb387NKCM

It is RF remote ready (waterproof remote with no wires). Has Bluetooth, USB, Pandora, satellite ready. No CD player.

You can also buy a mini amp that attaches directly to the head unit to get a bit more power to the speakers if you wanted to.


KTP-445A - Alpine 4-Channel 45W RMS X 4 at 4-Ohms Amplifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CQBY174/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hXz8CbF9RP6Q9
Thanks for posting this, I think I am going to pick up this set up. Definitely a great deal and that little amp is just want I need.

As I stated in my stereo thread from awhile back, I blew one of my 6.5s.

I found a set of Kicker LED 8" speakers for just a few dollars more than the 6.5s.

I dont have any room under the back seat for the 8" speakers, but I do have room in the bow. So was thinking of pulling the 6.5s from the bow to replace the blown one in the back and then installing the 8's up front. I am not super familiar with 8's. What are your thoughts??

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Thanks for posting this, I think I am going to pick up this set up. Definitely a great deal and that little amp is just want I need.

As I stated in my stereo thread from awhile back, I blew one of my 6.5s.

I found a set of Kicker LED 8" speakers for just a few dollars more than the 6.5s.

I dont have any room under the back seat for the 8" speakers, but I do have room in the bow. So was thinking of pulling the 6.5s from the bow to replace the blown one in the back and then installing the 8's up front. I am not super familiar with 8's. What are your thoughts??

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Im not an audiophile, but I think that is a good plan. The 8s should be able to handle handle more power and having them up front will get more sound up and out of the boat.
 

OldSchoolBoats

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Im not an audiophile, but I think that is a good plan. The 8s should be able to handle handle more power and having them up front will get more sound up and out of the boat.
You are much more tech savvy then most, so I value your opinion. Now just have to get permission from the warden to purchase my Amazon cart......[emoji23][emoji23]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

LargeOrangeFont

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Here is where I mounted my Alpine RF remote. I made a small L bracket and screwed it to the underside of the dash. I drilled and tapped it and screwed the remote clip to the bracket.

E771A813-059F-442D-AA23-94DE97C7FBB2.jpeg
8BC7425E-86D7-4415-AF7F-740AB01B82DA.jpeg
 

Mike K

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Sony MEX M100. Easy question = easy answer :)
 

Waterjunky

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That Amazon package looks interesting. Thanks for all the ideas everyone......
 

nordic454

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I just installed Kenwood’s latest BT head unit (KMR-M325BT), and digital wired remote. I paid $99 for the HU at BestBuy, and $79 for the remote on Amazon. So far, it works great.
 
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