to marine or not to marine?

[Ryanlewis2010]

Hi im currently looking to install a radio in my boat is it a hundred percent necessary to use a marine grade radio?

Ryan

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

Can you keep the standard radio dry? If so, then you won't need a marine radio.

 

[Bondo]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

Ayuh,.... So long as ya keep it Dry, the radio will never know it's in a boat....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: to marine or not to marine?

music radio or VHF?

it depends on how often you want to replace it, and whether you rely on it for safety. For music radios, a cheap battery powered box from a yard sale is great for a season and replaceable for $10--I can go through a lot of them before I get to the $150 marine radio.

I suspect all VHF's are marine quality to some extent.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

The word "Marine" means the radio was treated to become environment-resistant. However, I have had "Marine" radios which simply had a piece of thin plastic film over the circuit board, to keep some moisture off of it. It didn't work very well, and I paid quite a few $$ more than an auto radio. I have had non-marine radios where the entire circuit board was green from corrosion, and it worked real well for many years after that.

Caveat emptor

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: to marine or not to marine?

agreed. "submersible" or if not, "water tight" is the standard.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

You own a boat...wrap your arms around the term "marine"...

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

You own a boat...wrap your arms around the term "marine"...

i like that but im not thinking because of price but out of quality and the plan was to put the radio in my glove compartment then just unplug it and take it out when i get home (my area is not the safest and all my security cameras wont help prevent theft from the boat just give me a look at a guy in a hoodie lol. thanks for all the input


Ryan

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

car stereo will work fine in a boat--but yeah-try to "hide it" fr security and to keep dry.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

will do definately

 

[H20Rat]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

the only reason I suggest people going to marine radios is that you can get nice wired remotes with displays for marine units. not a big deal if the radio is within reach of the captain, but is a VERY nice feature if the radio is over on the passenger side, like it usually is.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: to marine or not to marine?

Ayuh,.... So long as ya keep it Dry, the radio will never know it's in a boat....

not so around salt water. but removing the whole unit each time will help

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

But im a small lake boater haha so salt is no problem

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: to marine or not to marine?

But im a small lake boater haha so salt is no problem

haha it's only less of a problem

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

oh blah lol well ive determined since all the car radios around here are poo for more then 150+ im gonna order a marine radio with enclosed casing when i order my fish finder of amazon.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

If you use an ipod or iphone as your music source, I highly recommend one of the Sony models with Tune-Dock. The ipod/ipone goes into the stereo like a cassette. I had one in my car and it was awesome. At the time I thought it would be ideal for a boat because of the addition protection it would offer the music player plus not having to deal with a cable and finding a place to sit it. They now have a marine version available as well.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

sweet will look into that

 

[tboltmike]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

I bought a $90 Kenwood car stereo with a replacement warranty. That has been 5+ years in saltwater environ and left trailered outside with a boat cover. Have not had to invoke the warranty yet. It is hanging under the console. However, wish I had spent a few more $$ and got the remote model as it is hard to tune under the dash being out of line of sight.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

If you use an ipod or iphone as your music source, I highly recommend one of the Sony models with Tune-Dock. The ipod/ipone goes into the stereo like a cassette. I had one in my car and it was awesome. At the time I thought it would be ideal for a boat because of the addition protection it would offer the music player plus not having to deal with a cable and finding a place to sit it. They now have a marine version available as well.

Fusion makes a model with a similar feature as well:
http://www.fusionelectronics.com/marine/products/true-marine/MS-IP600

 

[ezmobee]

Re: to marine or not to marine?

Fusion makes a model with a similar feature as well:
http://www.fusionelectronics.com/marine/products/true-marine/MS-IP600

I don't know anything about that brand but I sure like the design of that model! Cool link.