Stereo head unit upgrade

[Bfun220]

Has anyone upgraded their head unit to a marine grade unit?
I was looking at the Rockford Fosgate pmx 5. But I'm not sure it will fit in the factory location. (Glovebox) i also want something with simple controls, easy to see display and a wired remote.

Let me hear your ideas.

[Ytmsn]

Big Block posted about a Sony unit here: http://www.cobaltchat.com/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=141

I ordered one and we like it a lot. It bluetooths to my phone so I can run a playlist or Pandora. I think 1 or 2 other members here have bought one as well. It syncs to the remotes that were already on my boat too.

[Big Block Power]

Sony not Sanyo. It does well. I know John and allot of guys like another brand that has my tongue right now. I think it's a Fusion model. I like the Sony because my remotes work with them.

[Bfun220]

I looked at the sony and it would be nice to use the remote on the boat. But I was thinking of getting something with a simpler layout. Maybe this.

I would replace the remote.

[Alaskabound]

Bfun, my 2017 220s came with Rockford Fosgate unit you mentioned. Main unit is in glove box and remote is to the right of the steering wheel. Also has RF speakers. Don't know how different your layout would be but it's a great sounding unit. Haven't paired up my iPhone yet but did play an MP3 player through it. If you need info or pictures, let me know. You may be able to go to Cobalt brochures & zoom in.

Dub

[Bfun220]

Thanks for the info.
Looks like the RF head unit will not fit. The face plate appears to be a little too tall.
The fusion head unit will fit, but the remote is larger than I want to find room for.
So looks like I'm going with a sony.

[Big Block Power]

B before you order you are welcome to swing over and listen and look at mine. Anytime after Thursday I'm sure.

[Ytmsn]

Sony not Sanyo. It does well. I know John and allot of guys like another brand that has my tongue right now. I think it's a Fusion model. I like the Sony because my remotes work with them.

Sony, Sanyo, tomato, toomahtoe. They're all the same, right?

B, I'm not a stereo guy (obviously!) But this sony unit is pretty easy to operate. An added bonus bling is at night. It fades into different colors or you can set it to one.

[Bfun220]

BB, thanks for the offer. I think if I swing by while your still on your meds it might be more entertaining. Lol

Ytmsn,

Thanks for the input.
My gf is the one that has trouble figuring out which button does what. So she'll be happy with easy to use.

[Big Block Power]

Ok a little side track for nauti. This is the back of the factory radio. One without a bunch of wires fits not have the premium sound system, the one with a bunch of wires does have it. The Gray plug on the right is for the remotes.
B if your off tomorrow text me late morning of you want to stop. I'll see how I feel and the drugs are nut making me loopy. It's natural.

[Bfun220]

So I ended up getting the non CD Sony. I don't need the CD player and like the fact it would work with the present remote. I got it installed and everything worked great. Well, until I tried to use the remote volume up. It cause the volume to go down . All the other buttons worked, but no volume up. Called Sony and they said it was the remote. Instead of trying to find a remote I returned the head unit, Back to square one.

[Bfun220]

Bfun, my 2017 220s came with Rockford Fosgate unit you mentioned. Main unit is in glove box and remote is to the right of the steering wheel. Also has RF speakers. Don't know how different your layout would be but it's a great sounding unit. Haven't paired up my iPhone yet but did play an MP3 player through it. If you need info or pictures, let me know. You may be able to go to Cobalt brochures & zoom in.

Dub

Do you know how far the faceplate extends above and below the opening it is mounted in ?

[Ytmsn]

B mine does the same thing! Volume down instead of up regardless of which button you push. I had a stereo shop do the installation and they couldn't figure it out either.

I bluetooth my phone, turn the head unit up, and use the phone volume when at the helm. We also carry the remote that came with the unit out to the swimdeck when it's just my wife and I, but I don't expect that to last long, even though we're real careful. I can always order another one if it takes a swim!

[Alaskabound]

Bfun, don't know if I'll be much help. I'm 3 hours away from boat so I don't know the dimensions of the face plate. I do have the instruction booklet with me. It says the opening to mount the unit should be 7" x 2.1" but can't measure that either. Here are 2 pictures that may help.

Dub

IMG_0588.JPG

IMG_0028.JPG

[Alaskabound]

If someone else has that same unit and has quick access to their boat, maybe they could measure the faceplate dimensions for you. Unfortunately, don't know when I will be back to my boat.

Dub