Marine vs. Automotive Head Unit

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  • 2001Lou
    • Apr 2006
    • 4

    • Leominster, MA

    #1

    Marine vs. Automotive Head Unit

    How important is it to install a marine grade stereo? I know they're usually better equiped to handle constant exposure to the sun and a little bit of water, but is it really necessary? If you touch a standard head unit with damp hands, will it really cause issues? I'm thinking , toss a little wax on the head unit every year to prevent sun damage and use a standard automotive unit. They're much cheaper and there are many more models to choose from. I may be way out of line. If anyone has any experience or suggestions I'd appreciate your input. Thanks,

    2001Lou
    Tags: None
  • MHayes
    Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
    • Aug 2004
    • 830

    • Roswell, GA

    #2
    RE: Marine vs. Automotive Head Unit

    The main difference is that the circuitry in the marine units are specially coated to withstand damp conditions and the automotive ones are not. That's in addition to the seals around the CD door, UV protection , etc.
    2001 Air Nautique

    Comment

    • Onthewater
      Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
      • Jul 2003
      • 695

      • Near the cheddar curtain

      #3
      RE: Marine vs. Automotive Head Unit

      Buy an automotive one and put it in a place where water won't directly contact it.
      I don\'t care.

      Comment

      • jonbassham
        • Jun 2005
        • 76


        #4
        RE: Marine vs. Automotive Head Unit

        what Onthewater said!
        \'05 210 SANTE -
        For Sale

        Texas

        Comment

        • Andrew
          Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
          • Aug 2005
          • 891

          • Tuscaloosa, AL

          #5
          RE: Marine vs. Automotive Head Unit

          i had an automotive cd player, but after i busted the windshield (which definetly didn't keep me off the water lol) i hit a large wake and water came over the dash (where the windshield shoulda been lol) anyway it fried the head unit. so i figured i would buy a marine unit next time around. i installed the marine unit, and the same thing happened again. u see where my priorities are lol (radio before windshield)

          anyway, that was toward the end of the season so i didn't worry about it. at the beginning of this season though, i went to remove the old unit and decided to give it one last try. it worked. i guess it dried out over the winter lol. anyway, as far as i can tell the "protective coating" didn't do much on my marine unit. i can't remember the brand, but it was a fairly cheap one from boaters world.

          Comment

          • 2001Lou
            • Apr 2006
            • 4

            • Leominster, MA

            #6
            Thanks. I think I'll install an automotive one and, like you said, keep it in a dryer area of the boat. Hopefully that will work out (as long as my windshield holds up). Thanks for the input.

            2001Lou

            Comment

            • Chopper
              • Jul 2004
              • 92

              • Brisbane Australia

              • 1989 Ski Nautique SN2001 1991 Ski Nautique 196 1998 Ski Nautique 196 2003 Super Air Nautique
              #7
              We're currently using a pioneer automotive CD player in our 98 ski. It would be at lease 5-6 years old now. The detachable face isstarting to play up a little now though. But we have the factory stereo pull down cover. It's even copped a small bow wave without the cover.

              Keep it dry & you should be ok, but if you're running in salt water, you might consider spending the extra $$$

              I'll replace it with a marine unit if & when it finally dies.

              Comment

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