Is a marine head unit a must?

[td95sport]

Does anyone use a car head unit instead of a marine one? Any advantages or disadvantages? Besides the obvious!

[Chexi]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

The previous owner of my boat used a car Pioneer unit. It was less than a year old when it failed due to corrosion. Being under a year, and having a fully transferable warranty, I took it in to get fixed. The authorized repair center dude looked at it for 1 second and said, "this has been in a boat." Even though it was behind a shield, vital components had corroded. I would strongly recommend a marine head unit. Every really seems to love the new Alpine, and it's not very expensive if bought online. Unfortunately, I bought my Clarion 475 just before the Alpine came out, but it works fine, just has a few less features.

[td95sport]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

Great info thanks.

[SuperSquirt]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

i used an Alpine and Kenwood car receiver for 10 years without any problems....i had it in a flip door enclosure that even got sprayed by a jet ski and luckily it still worked. Although, i always garaged my boat and never had it near salt water or rain.....it shouldn't be a problem if you are on a fresh water lake

[td95sport]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

We always stay in freash water and dry it out before putting it in the garage. The wettest it gets is when I wash down the inside during spring cleaning.

[skiking]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

I have used a non marine Alpine in my boat for around 7 years. No issues. It was behind the standard Nautique slide roll cover.

I just pulled it from my boat since I was given a new one as a gift that works more fluid with my IPOD. If your just looking for a CD head unit and want to save some money let me know. It was/is a pretty high end Alpine unit. I was planning on putting it on ebay. PM me if your interested and I can give you the details on the unit. I have the original box and all.

[Chexi]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

Maybe the moral here is to not get a Pioneer. I have no idea how abused the pioneer was in my boat before I got it. When I picked up the boat it worked. When I brought it home, it would go in and out and the CD-slot drive would neither take or eject a disc. I suppose it could have been damaged in the road trip. I did see the inside at the repair center and it did look corroded to me. Oh well... unless you already have the non-marine head unit or buy SuperSquirt's, I'd say just go with the new alpine marine unit.

[skiking]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

Don't feel bad Chexi. I had a Pioneer Premier in my previous boat and the remote lead went out. When I took it apart I discovered it was due to corrosion. Not saying Pioneer is bad, just had one fail on me too.

[td95sport]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

I may stick with the marine version to prevent any problems. Thanks for the input!

[TravisFling]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

Marine rated is there for a reason, but that being said I've had an Eclipse CD3000 in my boat for 3 years or so and it works fine. I just had it lying around and thought I'd jam it in there for the time being, but it hasn't messed up so I'm leaving it until it does.

[SuperSquirt]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

I think the only difference in the 9886 and 9886M version is that the marine version comes with a clear plastic sheet that you are supposed to mount on top of the unit to repel water that falls onto it. The face plate is a little tougher as it is salt/fog certified. But that is the only differences i can tell.

[td95sport]

RE: Is a marine head unit a must?

Where is the cheapest place to buy the 9886M? I read a post where someone paid $220 for one.