'Marine' head units vs regular AM/FM/CD decks

StinkyH · 03-01-2004, 09:10 PM

Regarding Marine decks and just the regular automotive decks... will the automotive decks cut the mustard?

Also curious - what sized speakers are people running in their boat?

Kinda pondering 6x9s or some 8" 2-ways in the not so distant future...

StinkyH

Rakkasan · 03-01-2004, 09:20 PM

I would go marine from what I have read. I typed in "Marine CD players" There is a lot of info on why they are better. Weather it is true or just a marketing deal I have no idea. Good luck

joliver · 03-02-2004, 05:13 AM

I am not a radio tech. but I have owned 5 jet sleds in my life. The first 4 had standard car decks in them and I ran the Rogue, Deschutes and Columbia year round with never a problem. My new boat has a marine deck in it which cost twice as much and has been in for warranty twice. I will buy a standard car deck next time. My 2 cents.

Bonneville Dan · 03-02-2004, 05:51 AM

I installed a standard radio/cassette deck into my inboard jet boat 2 years ago with some high density padding between the deck and the wrap-around bracket. Have had no problems. CD players however are more sensitive to shock. It would be hard for me to believe that the relatively tiny marine market would be enough reason for some factory in Malaysia or China to change their CD mechanism manufacturing process to make them more durable. They need to punch them out like a cookie machine to stay profitable. If I were you, I would pay more attention to mounting and wiring it in a way that makes it easy to change out if it fails, rather than trying to get a bullet proof deck. I don't think they exist. "Marinized" is overrated in my opinion (except in the case of justifiable Coast Guard rated spark-proof electrical parts).

Dan

Silver Eagle · 03-02-2004, 06:03 AM

I bought a Regular CD player last year and when we mounted it we put foam sheets under it to minimize the shock and it worked fine, I had a Seaswirl that had standard cassette ran for 14 years and still works, but I would agree with Playnhookie keep it easy to get at and then you can change if easy..........

mtpar · 03-02-2004, 06:12 AM

I use standard players and they have worked fine .

I choose to use outdoor speakers in enclosures so you don't have to cut hole and you can move them any direction when anchored up.

my02 :grin:

mtpar

ISeeFish · 03-02-2004, 06:24 AM

If I remember right, a marine stereo has the circuit board epoxy coated mainly for corrosion resistance. I didn't think corrosion of the unit would be that big of a problem, so I just picked out a stereo with clean power that would play MP3's (so that I don't need a lot of CD's). It powers a set of 6" speakers just fine without an amp, but you could use what ever size speaker you have room for.

jet · 03-02-2004, 06:36 AM

Marine are white and standard are usally black. You choose. I have used both and I choose to save the money.

Jet~~~

freespool · 03-02-2004, 07:00 AM

They do make enclosures for CD radios. They say they are water tight,also have a very cool smoked plastic front cover with a rubber gasket. It's gimbal mounted either up or underdash,cost $50.

salmon hugger

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 03-02-2004, 01:27 PM

The USS HogHunter has a standard deck & removeable 6x9 speakers ...

I have 4 speakers (2) 8" 2 ways & 2 6x9's but the 6x9's are all I ever take...I can move them inside when it rains or keep them outside when it is nice...

Got the speaker boxes at car toys and they work great...

Good luck and OBTW...It is great to have tunes on the boat...Have had many good comments regarding that...

[ 03-02-2004, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: Kentucky Hog Hunter ]

StinkyH · 03-02-2004, 02:09 PM

Right on - thanks for all the feedback!

Was actually pondering some 2-way 8" and/or some 6x9s and a high power deck. :smile:

And FWIW my radio won't be heard much by other boats. :smile:

StinkyH

rola76 · 03-02-2004, 11:13 PM

I agree...marine decks are overpriced. As long as you take care of your "standard" deck, they're just as good.