Ok guys this is mostly a response to Bill, but good info for the rest of you.
The new (possibly older) boats are being equipped with Sony's CDX-HS70MP head units. They protrude quite a bit from the dash but even according to my local retailer is top of the line for sony. They come standard with CD player and I pod hook up through the 3.5mm jack that is installed on the boat. I started hooking up my IPOD through the 3.5mm jack and found it to be kinda a pain. Volume control and song selection still stays on the IPod making the transom control worthless but it does work.
A little research and I found this
http://www.xplodsony.com/xplod/accessories/XA-110IP which is the sony xplode IPod interface kit for these headunits. Sony has on all their equipment a thing called unilink which is (in my world) kinda like saying USB. It's plug and play for changers, satellite radio, and other toys.
According to the tech guys at Sony, you simply plug the unilink connection in, attach your two audio wires and plug in the Ipod.
So refusing to pay $49.95 I found some on Ebay for $17 including shipping and they even say new in box. Well got it today and I'm impressed, it was still completely sealed in the package from sony for $17.
Hooked it up tonight and I'm telling you this is the only way to fly. Song titles, artist all display on both the head unit as well as transom controls. You have complete control and I actually just velcro'd my IPOD under the dash because it self charges with this interface and other than to load songs you never even touch it. Great investment if your music is on IPOD.
Now Bill said he also bought one but never hooked it up because you would have to give up something like Sirius or a cd changer or for the cruisers possibly something else. NOT SO FAST!!
I too, when I first looked figured I'd have to unplug the unilink from my satellite radio box but more investigation revealed that the box has it's own input connection for both sets of cables. I plugged it directly into the Sat. Radio box and it fired right up. No losing anything.
Now for you guys who already have multiple toys plugged in with a Sony check out
http://www.xplodsony.com/xplod/accessories/XA-C40 which is a multiple changer adapter that allows you to plug in three at once.....
Ok, so I'm a little happy with my first change on the new boat.....sue me!
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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)
"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"
