New Stereo

Hunter

New Member
Oct 21, 2017
27
Boat Info
2006 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer
2004 Sea Ray 240 Sundancer
2019 Sea Ray SPX 210
2017 Sea Ray SPX 190
Engines
5.7 Mercruiser with Bravo III Outdrive
Mercury 150
Hello,

I’ve been trying to find a new stereo for my 2004 240 Sundancer. It currently has a Clarion XMD3 head unit with a m301rc (oval) remote. I was hoping to find something a bit higher quality and have Bluetooth. The problem I’m having is finding something that will either be compatible with the current remote, or fit in place of that remote. Has anyone else tried this before? Is it possible?

Another thing I want to do is find a place for the antenna. Currently it’s just bundled up behind the radio, what is the best thing to do with it to get a better signal?

Thanks,
Hunter Moore
 
If the remote is not set into a molded panel, then the current round Clarion remote should just about cover the oval remote's footprint. The rectangle Fusion remote should also.

Depending on your needs, there are some compact heads that could cover the existing remote's footprint. Kicker, Clarion and Wet Sounds offer them. Tuner, BT, USB.

Are you wanting a traditional mast like on a car?
 
Unfortunately, the remote is molded into the dash, but the piece it’s molded into is small and easy to remove with just three screws. Maybe I could replace the entire trim piece?

I’m not really sure what I want for the antenna. Whatever it takes to make it work...
 

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You can probably just add a Bluetooth receiver to the aux-in for the time being and give you time to plan a major upgrade. While there are many things that are better than the Clarion you can at least stream your music. Then maybe move to upgrading the speakers.

-Kevin
 
You can probably just add a Bluetooth receiver to the aux-in for the time being and give you time to plan a major upgrade. While there are many things that are better than the Clarion you can at least stream your music. Then maybe move to upgrading the speakers.

-Kevin

Yes-I’ve done that already, it just gets annoying to have to turn it on down in the cabin everytime that the boat starts again. But for the time being, that’s what it will have to be.
 
Yes-I’ve done that already, it just gets annoying to have to turn it on down in the cabin everytime that the boat starts again. But for the time being, that’s what it will have to be.

Doesn't the stereo remote have a power button along with one on the "peanut" controller? If you are turning it off at the breaker panel then I understand - but that will affect any head unit you would wire up to it.

-Kevin
 
I can turn on the stereo at the remote, but the Bluetooth receiver that plugs into the aux is battery powered, so it neeeds to be turned on every time and it has to be charged after 12ish hours of use. I tried to find a way to plug it into the charger continuously so it doesn’t have to be turned off, but there aren’t any viable outlets nearby.
 
I can turn on the stereo at the remote, but the Bluetooth receiver that plugs into the aux is battery powered, so it neeeds to be turned on every time and it has to be charged after 12ish hours of use. I tried to find a way to plug it into the charger continuously so it doesn’t have to be turned off, but there aren’t any viable outlets nearby.

The fusion BT-100 is a pretty inexpensive basic Bluetooth option that you would hard wire to 12v. So long as there is power you will not have to worry about it. I have it wired to the 12v radio breaker so no worries about batteries other than the main house batteries.

-Kevin
 
The fusion BT-100 is a pretty inexpensive basic Bluetooth option that you would hard wire to 12v. So long as there is power you will not have to worry about it. I have it wired to the 12v radio breaker so no worries about batteries other than the main house batteries.

-Kevin

That’s a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll definitely be setting that up soon.
 
That’s a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll definitely be setting that up soon.

On my 340SDA I can stream from anywhere on the boat and even from the dock to maybe one boat on each side. Of course the further you get the more it breaks up. When I do upgrade it will be for better multi-zone/multi-input support.

-Kevin
 
Unfortunately, the remote is molded into the dash.

I'm running a JL system with a MM100s head unit. Pretty much does everything.
http://www.jlaudio.com/header/News/Press+Releases/JL+Audio+Introduces+MediaMaster,+A+Full-Featured+Marine+Audio+Source+Unit/5897349

I had a hardwired remote installed on the swim platform, thinking that would save me the hassle of going to the helm to make any changes/adjustments to my tunes while I was sitting back there. Looks great - now I never use it.

I had this installed which made any hard mounted "remote" a dinosaur. I can make music changes from anywhere on my boat, anywhere on my dock, and when I'm rafting around the boat from a considerable distance. I've dropped it in the water on more than one occasion, and fortunately it floats and is waterproof. There's a lanyard used, so it's always with me.
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/jl-audio-7861.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing Shopping | Primary&utm_content=GSAPI 5b71fac1de65d&msclkid=c2eb19dd13651276595c459e4d7d1d6f&utm_term=4580840322992909
 
Last edited:
Hello,

I’ve been trying to find a new stereo for my 2004 240 Sundancer. It currently has a Clarion XMD3 head unit with a m301rc (oval) remote. I was hoping to find something a bit higher quality and have Bluetooth. The problem I’m having is finding something that will either be compatible with the current remote, or fit in place of that remote. Has anyone else tried this before? Is it possible?

Another thing I want to do is find a place for the antenna. Currently it’s just bundled up behind the radio, what is the best thing to do with it to get a better signal?

Thanks,
Hunter Moore
Go with a Fusion Unit And it also will connect with your Cell Phone Just insert it in!
Works for me!
 
Hello,

I’ve been trying to find a new stereo for my 2004 240 Sundancer. It currently has a Clarion XMD3 head unit with a m301rc (oval) remote. I was hoping to find something a bit higher quality and have Bluetooth. The problem I’m having is finding something that will either be compatible with the current remote, or fit in place of that remote. Has anyone else tried this before? Is it possible?

Another thing I want to do is find a place for the antenna. Currently it’s just bundled up behind the radio, what is the best thing to do with it to get a better signal?

Thanks,
Hunter Moore

After all my stuff was stolen I stayed with Clarion M505, new amp and the upgraded Clarion speakers. I believe that the speakers made the most difference in sound quality. I'm sure all new equipment helped, but the sound quality at low & high volume(my favorite) really is improved and my 2 fixed mounted remote controls still work.
 

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