Stereo head unit upgrade

[AsLan7]

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PMX5 head unit to replace Sony...

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[Silverbullet555]

Anybody use the MEX-GS620BT over the 610. Can still get both, but want to get one to install over the winter to add bluetooth.

I have the 610. I'm thinking of going to the 100. Might sell mine but really they are not that expensive

Is the 100 a step up from the 610?

[Big Block Power]

Anybody use the MEX-GS620BT over the 610. Can still get both, but want to get one to install over the winter to add bluetooth.

I have the 610. I'm thinking of going to the 100. Might sell mine but really they are not that expensive

Is the 100 a step up from the 610?

Just a few. There's about 4 of them on here.

[Ytmsn]

Bobo that's the stereo I have, and it works fine with the remotes. My boat came with these Sony remote replacements. Someone had to fabricate a backplate for both units but boy they work good! Hope this helps
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Those look good YT.

I’m trying to avoid the blanking plate by using Rockford Fosgate remotes as well as their head unit. Hopefully it turns out ok.

Also new subwoofer being installed this week.


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I like those a lot! Hey while your doing your upgrades you should look at LED speaker rings. You can turn up up for daytime use or down for night cruising. Adds a whole new flavor and personality to the boat.

And then last weekend, my underwater lights didn't come on when we went to listen to a band a little ways down the lake. I didn't realize how much difference they made until they didn't work. The batteries in my remote had gone dead, so once they were swapped out everything was back to normal. But Jeesh... you would have thought I had a hole in the boat the way I fretted about them not coming on!

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[cmattj]

Those look great YT . I’ll bet the band was happy they worked too! Awesome night shot

[jasonm]

For you guys who have redone their stereo systems...

I am planning on switching my head unit out. How hard is it to run wires to behind the helm to set up an amp. Then after installing the amp, how hard is it drag wires to the speakers?

Thanks!

[JTinMO]

I just did it 2 weekends ago. Run wires for an amp is super easy. Just take the top panel off inside your compartment. It's wide open.

For speakers, running a harness around the bow to the right side, and all the way to the rear speaker took the most time. I am super anal about things so ran everything inside the factory harness chase and ties. And installing the speakers was fairly anti-climactic. Just needed to drill new holes for mounting. Couple wiring connections and you are set. I did mine in a single day (maybe 5 hours total).

You may be able to use the factory speaker connections somehow. I chose to run new wire.

[Big Block Power]

The factory wire is junk. Just not good quality of wire for speakers. It's easy just takes time and the power wires for the sub are prob already there they are just not the correct guage wire.

[Bobo87]

Anyone tried using the old factory wire to pull the new wire?

[JTinMO]

Anyone tried using the old factory wire to pull the new wire?

You can't. Cobalt uses a wire harness. So one factory speaker wire is not able to be pulled around at a time. When I ran the new speaker wire I zip tied up the factory wire connections out of the way.

[Bobo87]

Thanks for clarifying.

[Silverbullet555]

I have the 610. I'm thinking of going to the 100. Might sell mine but really they are not that expensive

Is the 100 a step up from the 610?

Just a few. There's about 4 of them on here.

Will it work with the normal wired remotes thay Cobalt used? Couldn't find reference to it as I was looking.

[AsLan7]

Is the 100 a step up from the 610?

Just a few. There's about 4 of them on here.

Will it work with the normal wired remotes thay Cobalt used? Couldn't find reference to it as I was looking.

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HeyvSBtriplenickel,

After using the new Sony head unit extensively this summer (which we purchased in September of 2017), I found that the BT pairing was finicky and the stock CPS Cobalt remotes did not always do what I asked. (The same issue Bobo87 had)
We currently have the Sony Marine version head unit purchased from Crutchfield. .....MEX-M100BT.

85670883-C111-4CC7-B5FE-5690DA2C0260.jpeg

I am now having a Rockford system installed due to those annoyances. Unfortunately the RF CAN system does not communicate properly with the older CPS remotes so they are being replaced as well. (Btw, I now have two new and two used CPS remotes available if anyone is interested. Just PM me an offer).(& an M100BT head unit!)


Keep in mind that you are asking about the NON marine head units in your discussion above. The Marine grade units are more expensive but are also built for the harsher pounding Marine environment. (I know yours is in a glove box....mines even in a Cuddy but I still think it’s worth it).

To answer your question, below is the comparison of the Sony (& another) Car Stereo head units that you are asking about as well as a second link showing the Marine head unit comparisons.



Car Stereo Head Unit Comparison:

https://www.crutchfield.com/Product/Com ... 158GS620BT



Marine Stereo Head Unit Comparison:

https://www.crutchfield.com/Product/Com ... =158M100BT

Hopefully this helps


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[Big Block Power]

I don't know if every function works on my remote but it really doesn't matter to me as long as I can turn the volume up and down. But yes it works. The 610 also has a rear USB which is nice if we want to listen to the daughters music or charge her phone from the bow. I ran it to her cup holder. I like the radio just wish it had more power for the bow speakers but I'll get a amp for the bow, tower and a sub anyways.

[Silverbullet555]

I'm not worried about marine vs auto. Our boat is trailered and none of the amps are marine units.

I think on my CPS unit with the current head unit, only the volume and source work. That's what I want anyway. Have thought about changing the remotes, but then I would have ugly holes.

I really want bluetooth capability and that it works with the remotes. The internal amp doesn't matter as all my speakers are powered off other amps.