www.iFourWinns.com

I'm thinking about upgrading the stereo in my 94 FW Freedom 170 to a nicer unit. It currently has a nearly new marine radio with CD. I have a really nice JVC car stereo with aux input for ipod that I would like to switch into it. The radio is housed in a weather proof enclosure so I think I may be okay with the car radio. I can't be the first person who has considered/done this. I would like feedback from anyone who has tried it.

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Derek
94 FourWinns Freedom 170
Blue Ridge Mtns. of NC

Marine units have (or are supposed to have) some additional resistance to vibration and impact. Other than not having that, you should be fine. Whether a non-marine unit will hold up as long in a marine environment - who knows.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

It'll work fine as long as it's protected from the elements. Marine radios are supposed to be water resistant. I've used non-marine radios in boats, and the biggest gripe I've seen is from the LCD fading in much less time (only a few seasons) than thier marine couterpart. If it's protected from all that, it should be OK.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I believe the Sony unit in my 2001 is a car unit. It had been replaced by a previous owner because the unit does not match the manuals I received with the boat. Mine is completely exposed behind the helm face and has a plastic door/panel over the front that gives it a little bit of weather protection. All that being said, I have been having problems with my radio -- sometimes, it just won't come on! The whole unit goes dead and nothing comes up on the display. I suspect it has to do with heat and moisture but I am not sure. I also am planning on changing my head unit to a unit that will accept a MP3 sometime this winter.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

If you boat in salt or brackish water, I'd go for a marine head unit in the hopes of longevity. If you are fresh water only, a non-marine head unit should be ok as long as it is protected from moisture. I have an old $35 automotive am/fm cassette I installed in my pontoon (where there was none before), and the face is exposed to the elements. It's run fine for 4 years now, but it's an analog tuner, with no digital nothing. (I use one of those cassette adapters with a headphone jack to play mp3's). I am certain that the digital units will be more suceptible to moisture damage. If you were going to upgrade your car stereo anyway, go for the swap to your car head unit. Otherwise, I'd suggest going with a marine head unit, even if it's a refurb, and leaving your car unit where it is.

I assume that you don't have an amplifier installed in your car or boat. If you do, then things get a bit more complex. In any case, you'll want to check on the power output of your car's head unit in RMS and compare that to what you have in your boat now (assuming no amp in the boat). You want to make sure that the car unit has enough juice to drive the speakers in your boat; at least 25W RMS per channel, as boats being less enclosed than cars need to overcome much more back ground noise, and often have less than ideal speaker placement.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

+1 to Jim. He hits on another point... if you're running the extra's..... amps, etc, does your alt and battery config have the output for your musical needs? Remember, most of your enjoyment is with the motor OFF. That's a bummer listening to tunes all day, and not have a motor to get back!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

As for sonys marine version, the face plate looks different, but they add a thin sheet of plastic on top of the head unit in case water were to drip from above. I would bet anything that there is no difference between the auto vs. marine as far as internal components.

I have used auto radios in boats for years with no problems, but current boat I bought a marine version just cause, (same price as auto).

I recomend you buy what ever radio has the features you want/need wether it be auto or marine. Radios are so cheap now days!

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

I replaced the original Sony in my 03 H190 with a non-marine Sony that had IPOD input, aux input, and plays MP3 CD's. It was really nice being able to install the new deck myself using the existing cable harness that plugged right in without cutting or splicing wires. The new deck has lasted a year and a half with no problems at all being used in fresh water lakes. The other nice part is the kids can bring their IPODS full of music and play all their favorites. The IPOD input cable is routed from the back of the deck to the side carpeted pocket completly protected while playing and charging. I bought the deck at Circuit City with the 4 year extended warrantly for 30-40 bucks just in case it failed. I think I paid about $250 for the deck.

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2003 Horizon 190 5.0 Volvo
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 5.3