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Hey guys, have a Sony head unit question that you all may be able to help solve for me(or spend some of my money).

We just bought a 2011 262 and there is no option to plug into a USB port for phone playback and/or charging. All our model has is an RCA jack in the front. This caught me by surprise as the 2011 Four Winns we traded in on it had two and I took it for granted that the Cobalts technology would be consistent.

Do I need to change out the head unit to achieve this? I have two remotes (at the helm and stern) that I do not want to lose the functionality of.

Would love to get the group's thoughts as I am sure someone has run into this.

Thanks in advance!

RCA jack or a 3.5mm headphone jack? RCA jacks would come in stereo pairs and they would most likely be hidden on the back of the head unit. If it's the normal headphone jack aux input you can buy a cable to connect your phone or even wire in a Bluetooth adapter.

The other option is a decent head unit with Apple Carplay/Android auto can be had for $300 or less.

MnLakeBum wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 5:04 pm RCA jack or a 3.5mm headphone jack? RCA jacks would come in stereo pairs and they would most likely be hidden on the back of the head unit. If it's the normal headphone jack aux input you can buy a cable to connect your phone or even wire in a Bluetooth adapter.

The other option is a decent head unit with Apple Carplay/Android auto can be had for $300 or less.

Sorry, its a headphone jack. The other concern is whether or not the remotes will function with a newer, upgraded Sony unit.

Often yes, but telling us the model number of the current Sony head unit will help quite a bit,

John

I have the Sony bt610. I like it it has a USB out the back of the unit that I run to the bow seats for the kids. I use the USB on the frt for me. But I never got it to play music through it. I use BT. I like the unit. Others have the mex-mb100bt series big power but less USB ports. And other outputs I didn't like so I stuck with mine. Yes my remotes still work. Bonus

My boat stereo was the same 2011 242. I wired in one of these into the Aux input and it works flawlessly. Anything I can play on my iPhone works great.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13691126/ ... BT-RX.html

However, this won't spend al whole lot of your hard earned cash so it may be a letdown. $40.00 won't likely make a dent in that roll of pocket change you carry.

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:11 pm I have the Sony bt610. I like it it has a USB out the back of the unit that I run to the bow seats for the kids. I use the USB on the frt for me. But I never got it to play music through it. I use BT. I like the unit. Others have the mex-mb100bt series big power but less USB ports. And other outputs I didn't like so I stuck with mine. Yes my remotes still work. Bonus

It doesn't play USB because you are android... Ours is the same way. We use an old iPhone via USB and it plays and charges. BT music only works for the andoid phone for us. Don't ask me to explain... I gots nuttin!

NautiGirl wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:34 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:11 pm I have the Sony bt610. I like it it has a USB out the back of the unit that I run to the bow seats for the kids. I use the USB on the frt for me. But I never got it to play music through it. I use BT. I like the unit. Others have the mex-mb100bt series big power but less USB ports. And other outputs I didn't like so I stuck with mine. Yes my remotes still work. Bonus

It doesn't play USB because you are android... Ours is the same way. We use an old iPhone via USB and it plays and charges. BT music only works for the andoid phone for us. Don't ask me to explain... I gots nuttin!

Thanks. That's messed up. But that I Really care much but still.

NautiGirl wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:34 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:11 pm I have the Sony bt610. I like it it has a USB out the back of the unit that I run to the bow seats for the kids. I use the USB on the frt for me. But I never got it to play music through it. I use BT. I like the unit. Others have the mex-mb100bt series big power but less USB ports. And other outputs I didn't like so I stuck with mine. Yes my remotes still work. Bonus

It doesn't play USB because you are android... Ours is the same way. We use an old iPhone via USB and it plays and charges. BT music only works for the andoid phone for us. Don't ask me to explain... I gots nuttin!

What is the percentage of Cobalt owners that run Android?? I’ll guess 75% plus are running iPhones. Weird that a head unit today would run CarPlay and not Android.

MnLakeBum wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:52 pm

NautiGirl wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:34 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:11 pm I have the Sony bt610. I like it it has a USB out the back of the unit that I run to the bow seats for the kids. I use the USB on the frt for me. But I never got it to play music through it. I use BT. I like the unit. Others have the mex-mb100bt series big power but less USB ports. And other outputs I didn't like so I stuck with mine. Yes my remotes still work. Bonus

It doesn't play USB because you are android... Ours is the same way. We use an old iPhone via USB and it plays and charges. BT music only works for the andoid phone for us. Don't ask me to explain... I gots nuttin!

What is the percentage of Cobalt owners that run Android?? I’ll guess 75% plus are running iPhones. Weird that a head unit today would run CarPlay and not Android.

This is a Sony thing not Cobalt.

Look for an mpow on amazon. Great blue tooth adapter on an amazon. I use it currently on my Sony. If you have Sony hardwired remotes like me (pic below) they are not comparable with new head units. I don’t know if just the screen won’t work but bottoms will, but that is why I didn’t upgrade. I want to go to a fusion head unit and two Bluetooth remotes. The issue I have is a 3.25 inch hole in my dash and transom to deal with. In the pic you see my ignition panel. I am going to buy a 2016 version of the panel with the cubby for $65 from cobalt for that hole. On my transom, I am going to put an acces cover over it.

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:11 pm I have the Sony bt610. I like it it has a USB out the back of the unit that I run to the bow seats for the kids. I use the USB on the frt for me. But I never got it to play music through it. I use BT. I like the unit. Others have the mex-mb100bt series big power but less USB ports. And other outputs I didn't like so I stuck with mine. Yes my remotes still work. Bonus

Big Block, this is great, thanks. It sounds like many have issues with the displays not working on the remotes when upgrading their head units, only some of the buttons (ex: volume) end up working. Do yours have full functionality? Assuming that your remotes are hardwired, as I don't think it was an option to not have them this way.

Thanks again!

BBP has a different style

Yea I think most of the buttons work. Really volume is the important one. Source works but you can't see the head unit in my boat so you never know where your on. I think the seek buttons work to change stations. But again I use BT and I heart radio most of the time. Yes it's hardwired.

I had a Sony head unit with a 3.5 jack in the front that I could plug my Android into and it worked fine for Pandora, but I couldn't close the glove box door.

I was always worried someone would slam the door and snap the plug off, so I switched it out to a Sony marine MEX-M100BT and it works great for bluetooth.

I had the older style remotes hardwired in, but the prior owner replaced them with these.
So, depending on your setup, your options are:
1. Add Drillers gadget or something similar so you can gain BT capability, or
2. Switch your head unit that is compatible with your remotes, or
3. Install a Fusion head unit and remotes, but you may have to put in some sort of backing plate. Or get a new panel like AJ.

I have a greater chance at flying a helicopter successfully than I do trying to wire something. So my vote is you take it to a stereo shop.

Get a baddass head unit with matching remotes, six new speakers, at least 2 tower speakers (if not 4) at least one sub (if not 2) 3 new amps to power everything, and new wiring throughput because Cobalt installs puny wiring.

There. You are welcome.