Can bluetooth work with Linc 2.0?

[mpc]

I have a 2013 Sport 200V with a Clarion stereo with cable only for phone/iPod. Does anyone know what this stereo can be replaced with so I may get Bluetooth connectivity. Will it be able to work with the Linc 2.0 system? Thanks

[jonsquatch]

Easiest method is to add a bluetooth module to the aux input on your existing stereo. There isn't an easy direct replacement that does everything you want.

I friend of mine uses a rechargeable bluetooth module like this one in both his truck and the boat.

http://www.amazon.com/GOgroove-BlueG...etooth+adapter

We used his in my boat a few times and it worked great, I just wanted another option for controlling the volume than diving into the link every time or finding the phone. I added the Wet Sounds bluetooth volume control, and it lets me easily change the volume and track or pause the song if I need to hear something right away. The only thing I wish was better is the speed of the volume changing it takes about twice as long as I wish it did. Its the knob in the storage area next to the video input jack.

https://wetsounds.com/pages/products/WW-VC-BT.html



If you are thinking about adding an EQ to make full system control easier and have 400 bucks you want to part with you could pre-order the WS420BT but then you would be one of the guinea pigs since its brand new.

https://wetsounds.com/pages/products/WS-420BT.html

[mpc]

Easiest method is to add a bluetooth module to the aux input on your existing stereo. There isn't an easy direct replacement that does everything you want.

I friend of mine uses a rechargeable bluetooth module like this one in both his truck and the boat.

http://www.amazon.com/GOgroove-BlueG...etooth+adapter

We used his in my boat a few times and it worked great, I just wanted another option for controlling the volume than diving into the link every time or finding the phone. I added the Wet Sounds bluetooth volume control, and it lets me easily change the volume and track or pause the song if I need to hear something right away. The only thing I wish was better is the speed of the volume changing it takes about twice as long as I wish it did. Its the knob in the storage area next to the video input jack.

https://wetsounds.com/pages/products/WW-VC-BT.html

[ATTACH=CONFIG]27684[/ATTACH]

If you are thinking about adding an EQ to make full system control easier and have 400 bucks you want to part with you could pre-order the WS420BT but then you would be one of the guinea pigs since its brand new.

https://wetsounds.com/pages/products/WS-420BT.html

Thank you for your valuable feedback - I really appreciated it. After looking at the three options the WS-420BT looks interesting.

The one thing missing is the compatibility with the Linc 2.0. I like the automatic volume adjustment when accelerating or slowing down. Also controlling the volume etc from the helm is convenient as I do not have to look for or ask the person with the source to adjust it. Thank you!

[nyryan2001]

Thank you for your valuable feedback - I really appreciated it. After looking at the three options the WS-420BT looks interesting.

The one thing missing is the compatibility with the Linc 2.0. I like the automatic volume adjustment when accelerating or slowing down. Also controlling the volume etc from the helm is convenient as I do not have to look for or ask the person with the source to adjust it. Thank you!

you can add the 420, and maintain your auto volume that you link provides.

I keep my Link volume set at 30, and auto volume at 4, and then adjust the volume to set with my ZLD/420.

[jonsquatch]

you can add the 420, and maintain your auto volume that you link provides.

I keep my Link volume set at 30, and auto volume at 4, and then adjust the volume to set with my ZLD/420.

That only works if you add the signal before the stock stereo using the aux input. If you use bluetooth in the WS-420BT then you effectively remove the stock head unit from the signal path.

Auto volume is a great feature that would be better if it had a more aggressive setting. On the highest setting it does not bring the volume down enough to communicate with the rider so I augment it with my volume control. The way I use it the link volume is set to 32 at 23mph and I use the BT VC to turn the volume down the rest of the way or pause the song. The mute option in the link never worked for me since it unmutes itself at exactly the time I am circling the rider if there is any current or wind.

[MLA]

Most blue tooth receivers, such as the Wet sounds BTVC, only needs an AUX input. it can be in the form of a 3.5MM or stereo RCA. Your current Clarion has this. When in the AUX mode, the input from the BT will be just like you are connected via the cable, as far as the Linc is concerned.

[mpc]

Most blue tooth receivers, such as the Wet sounds BTVC, only needs an AUX input. it can be in the form of a 3.5MM or stereo RCA. Your current Clarion has this. When in the AUX mode, the input from the BT will be just like you are connected via the cable, as far as the Linc is concerned.

So I am just providing a different source (WS-420BT) through the stock clarion by the AUX input so Linc should not be affected - Thank You!

[MLA]

So I am just providing a different source (WS-420BT) through the stock clarion by the AUX input so Linc should not be affected - Thank You!

Yes, but you would be using the WS-BTVC blue tooth volume control. The WS-420BT is the complete marine equalizer zone volume control and now with BT built in and due to be released this spring. The WS-420, whether its the SQ or the BT model, would go in the signal line after the Clarion head-unit and before the amps.

[mpc]

Yes, but you would be using the WS-BTVC blue tooth volume control. The WS-420BT is the complete marine equalizer zone volume control and now with BT built in and due to be released this spring. The WS-420, whether its the SQ or the BT model, would go in the signal line after the Clarion head-unit and before the amps.

Thank you for clearing this up for me.

[xrichard]

Here's another option that will likely outperform any of the BT options wrt sound quality:

http://www.amazon.com/AirEnabler-Ada...ds=air+enabler

I have one on my home system and it works well. The sound quality and range are both noticeably better than the BT adapter I was previously using. BT is highly compressed and it can be obvious depending on your stereo and environment. I don't know if the difference would be a big deal in a boat. As an aside, another advantage for home use: it also acts as an access point to extend your router's wireless range.

I tested it on a friend's boat and it worked well. The biggest downside is it draws my iPhone 5's battery down at the rate of +/- 20% per hour....so my phone is dead after about 4.5-5 hours and I'd have to plug it in to continue using it. Plugging it in defeats the whole point of connecting via wireless. For me, that's not a big deal as we're rarely on the water more than 4 hours at a time.