www.iFourWinns.com

So, I have a new to me boat learning all the new nuances to it. We typically use our iPhone/iPod on our last boat all the time....

One that I am stumped by.... it's a Sony cdx-c5005 that has a CD player, changer, helm remote and swim platform remote. Those parts work great, the am/fm radio part never tunes to a station, there is no static, won't seek or anything. Seemed like the antenna was not connected (but it was). Went to the local parts store and picked up an aftermarket antena to try, same result.... so, I am at a cross roads, do I want to replace the head unit, or try to put a Bluetooth into the RCA inputs where the changer is currently plugged in (I don't really care to have the changer).

Any ideas on why the radio wouldn't find stations? I did the hard reset on the button behind the faceplate to no avail....

Any recommendations on a Sony unit that would use my 2 remotes now?

Lastly, here is the Bluetooth adder I read about on another post...
https://www.amazon.com/Fusion-MS-BT100- ... sxts1&sr=1


What have you guys done or would you recommend?

Thanks in advance

_________________
Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp

We had this attached to a Fusion head unit in our cabin, used it for a few months when we first got the boat. I was using a Iphone 5 at the time, but when I was up in cockpit or bow, music seemed to drag if it was played through the blue tooth connection. Now, we just leave a iphone attached via usp and control it through 2 remotes upstairs. Ended up installing the fusion Bluetooth module in an old jeep and it works great. Less electronic interference??

_________________

Lakebum
2006 378 Vista
Nashville, TN
Current
04 Hustler Cheetah
06 Seadoo sportster 150
Past
06 378 vista
328 vista
240 horizon
21' glastron
20' celebrity

chris,

Have you tried to tune from the remotes? If the working from the remote yields the same results as working right from the face of the head-unit, id say you have an internal head unit issue. Does the head unit have a flip down face? If so, does it use a row of brass terminals or a thin ribbon like on a laptop screen? Very common for those little terminals to get dirty or not make contact. Try cleaning them and also a little push on the face while tuning.

As to the universal BT. There are 10X better units out there than the fusion 100. its the same unit now for like 8 years. Old and outdated. Check out the Wet Sounds BTVC or the Roswell Cybox. If the rear AUX or BUS AUDIO is adjustable, then check out the Cerwin Vega CER-CVBTR4 and Metra Install Bay IBR64. These are two are the same and work well for the price. Also the JL BT unit. very similar to the CV and Metra. Great range and excellent signal strength compared to the fusion 100.

Probably best to get a Fusion HU if you can swing it. Or just add the Fusion BT as mentioned. It will work just fine
for a boat stereo, and not cost an arm an a leg like the Wet Sounds, CV stuff.

Well, retail on the Wet Sounds is $99.99 and the Roswell unit is $85.00. However, the other 3 sell for under $40 and I see that the BT-100 seems to run between $40 and $50.

Yes, the BT-100 works. But its like comparing throttle body injection to today's Direct-Injection H6 marine engines.

Or the WS and CV stuff like putting a high end stereo on a garden tractor.

I appreciate the suggestions. The radio will change numbers on the fm dial at all 3 locations, but doesn't receive anything, regardless, so I am guessing it's shot.... so should I upgrade to a new Sony Bluetooth like these

http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/s ... tereo.html


If I go with the cheap one, it's almost the same money as the good Bluetooth adders....

Does anyone have any of these?

_________________
Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp

What remotes do you currently have? My understanding is that current Sony HUs no longer support the unilink remotes with the display such as the RM-X60.

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

yep, pretty much. Sony has retired the LCD remote and slimmed down their line to maybe one marine remote that actually supports the LCD remote.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Here is a link to each remote

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_464 ... Black.html

https://www.amazon.com/Access-Technolog ... uminium-20

_________________
Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp

Chris, I installed the MEX-M70BT like http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158MEXM70B ... M70BT.html. Overall I'm happy with it. I have the 1st remote you show at the helm. It controls the new head unit, but the remote's display doesn't work.

This head unit does allow you to use your smart phone as a remote, or play music from your phone via blue tooth. It has 2 USB connections (front and rear), and an aux in.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Thanks Gary
My display on my helm controls doesn't work either

Really leaning toward the one you bought, it's $100 less than the most expensive, all I really want is Bluetooth and the existing remotes to work... I think I will add that to the list for Santa

_________________
Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp

It is possible that the helm control unit may work with the new unit. I would not rule it out. The new Sony control units do not have the digital display, so it is probably worth a try before replacing the helm control. If you still have the little hand held remote, it should work with that new head unit also. Mine does. The MEX M70BT does include a new handheld remote if the original is missing.

Like many current head units the MEX M70BT takes a bit of practice to understand how to do things, but it's not too bad.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

I think the helm will still work, just no display, which is fine with me. The main thing is to still have hard wired remotes... I like them!
Thanks Gary! I do appreciate you answers, have a great night!

_________________
Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp

Hey Gary, did the connectors match up or did you have to rework the wiring?

_________________
Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp