Stereo for my boat

[Capt Matt]

Been looking at a  Satellite radio's for my boat and am having a hard time picking one.
I do not want a CD player or a separate amp
I only want two speakers, with the sat radio/ AM/FM radio
The less of the radio that is exposed the better as I really have no where on the console to mount a regular unit and all the waterproof units do not seem to fit in a weatherproof case.
Does anyone have any experience with black box set ups? This seems like the way to go as you only need a wired remote on the console.
It just seems like there is so many pieces and options involved to put a system together
-Reciever/deck satellite ready
-xm Satellite box
-speakers
-remote
-Satellite antenna
Am I missing anything?
Was hoping to get the xm weather package with it to hook it into my garmin chartplotter gps too.

Any insight, recomendations or better yet a single package I can buy to get it all in one shot
Help
All I want is a little music when I'm throwing my cast net in the morning
Capt Matt

[fitz73222]

Hi Matt,

Try Crutchfield. I've been buying stereo's from them for 20 years. Best customer service, best price, best,best! You will love dealing with them. Just google them. I highly recommend them.

[Blue Agave]

Capt Matt,

Do you have an iPod?  If so, I'd go with a Fusion. One can dock their iPod in the fusion stereo and operate the iPod from the fusion controls or from the fusion remote. No need for monthly satellite fees.

[Capt Matt]

I do have a I-pod but it does not have enough music on it yet.
I have been debating if I give up the old nextel phone (love the beep beep to talk to my Capt buddies while out on the water in private) and get a I-phone. I bought my wife a I-Phone about 6 months ago and its amazing.
If I get a subscription for xm sirrus on the I-phone can I just plug the phone into the stereo.? Maybe even plug it in the truck stereo too.
This seems like it would be cheaper than buying the  Sirrus Mariner package, satallite antenna, satallite box etc? Plus the I-phone has the weather radar on it anyway. This would also give me a little more sound for my buck
Capt Matt
PS. Electronically incompetent here

[Blue Agave]

You would have to check with fusion to see if they make a cradle for the iPhone. The half dozen or so fusions I have installed all came with an assortment of cradles to fit different iPod devices. I would imagine with the popularity of the iPhone they must. I'm also an iphone user and love it, but from my experience you should get a separate iPod because if not you would always be removing your iPhone from the fusion to look at the radar or make and receive phone calls.  I currently do not have a fusion in my boat, but when my current stereo takes a crap I'll go with a fusion.  And to answer your question, yes it can be connect to the truck stereo as well. Also you can upload all your CDs to your iTunes account and put them on your iPod at no cost.

[Capt Matt]

If I run this antenna do I need to buy another one for the VHF/AM FM part of the radio?
http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Fusion+S ... undle.html
Capt Matt

[Capt Matt]

This is the Fusion I'm leaning towards
http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Fusion+M ... ckage.html

[Blue Agave]

If I run this antenna do I need to buy another one for the VHF/AM FM part of the radio?
http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Fusion+S ... undle.html
Capt Matt

Yes. This antenna is strictly for satellite radio. You will need a separate antenna for AM/FM radio. Two options, one a separate antenna or two a spliter that works off of your VHF antenna. A separate antenna is probably the cheaper route but the VHF/stereo spliter will save you from mounting another antenna.

[wessnapp]

I wrote a review of the Fusion:  http://classicaquasport.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7115

I have the small fusion with the separate iPod dock and LOVE IT!!  The iPod dock comes with several cradles to handle each size of iPod and iPhone.  They also have an XM satellite add-on which I believe you are looking for.  Nice thing is everything is totally splash proof and that includes a direct hose spray down at end of day.  

The best part of Fusion is their customer service - TOP NOTCH!!  And as a guy who always seems to be complaining about companies lately and my terrible luck, you can take this praise to the bank.   When the iPhone 4s came out with the new OS-5, they didn't take but 25 minutes to send everyone a patch to ensure the technology worked seamlessly.

[wessnapp]

If I run this antenna do I need to buy another one for the VHF/AM FM part of the radio?
http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Fusion+S ... undle.html
Capt Matt

Yes. This antenna is strictly for satellite radio. You will need a separate antenna for AM/FM radio. Two options, one a separate antenna or two a spliter that works off of your VHF antenna. A separate antenna is probably the cheaper route but the VHF/stereo spliter will save you from mounting another antenna.

For AM/FM, I use the $19.99 radio antenna from West Marine and get every station easily.

[Capt Matt]

Think I'm going with the splitter and a vhf antenna. Any thoughts on the VHF antenna, remember it will be mounted up on my tower so it does not need to be tall, just looking for a clean mount probably on the upper console.
Thanks guys
Capt Matt

[Blue Agave]

VHF antenna thread;

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7612

[gata119]

Wessnap,  I'm looking at a buying a Fusion.  I've been looking at the IP600, which is the stereo with the Ipod integrated in the stereo itself.  I believe these go for around $300.  Is there any reason, other than your setup being cheaper, that you went the route that you did?  Do you have your stereo and Ipod dock sitting next to each other on the console or something else?  Just curious!

[love2fish]

Another option: Depending on whether you stay in the bay and along the beach (close to shore)- you can always connect your smartphone to your reciever through the headphone/USB/Sim card dock and use Pandora. I use that for the most part. Obviously this doesnt work when your off-shore, but I think it's a pretty good option when cruising around the bay.

[GoneFission]

Get an inexpensive radio/cd player with an aux input on the front panel - less than $100.  Then get something like this and you can use it on your boat or wherever you go:

http://shop.siriusxm.com/xm/ctl10600/cp ... h_home_kit  

Note you can also download/save music on these devices, so if you hear something you like, just click and save it.