Why Fusion

The Apollo is Sirius XM ready so just adding it to your account is easy. I pay $5/month and will call today to add it .

Wow that's cheap! I went the app/bluetooth route because they wanted to charge me something like $25/month to add another receiver. XM is notorious for "introductory" deals that seem too good to be true, so keep an eye on that.
 
Sirius XM pricing is all over the map from what I gather talking to different people.

I read somewhere that the AV750's poor BT range was a known issue and was improved on the AV755.
 
If you call xm and tell them to cancel your subscription they’ll come back with a lower price just insist on $5 month.
Both our cars are $10
 
Another thing to consider. I venture to say that most of us who want XM on the boat, already have it in our cars or home. If your boat stereo has Bluetooth, and you have a phone, there is no need for an XM receiver. You can buy the xm streaming add-on for less than $10 / month, and just stream from your phone using the XM app, when you are on the boat

That’s how I do it! But instead of using the iPhone I usually stream from the App on my iPad instead.
 
Wife bought the largest ITouch with BT and loaded around 9,000 songs from her iTunes library so we have all genres and decades. Also stream Amazon Sirius would just be another option.
 
** FUSION CABIN USB UPGRADE **

I was inspired by @PMC post on CSR about adding matching USB outlets to the cabin so that one could charge their phones, etc. I wanted to do something similar, but also take the opportunity to connect the phone to my Fusion AV750 while it is in the cabin. This is how I performed the swap:

1) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.36.10 PM.png - I decided I would put the USB plug in the spot where the unused Sea Ray installed phone jack previously was located (center).
2) Using the Vimar part number the @PMC provided in his posting (VM16368) I ordered 2 USB outlets for $26.00 each that matched the existing style here: https://www.imtra.com/e7daeb1d-c9a8...mar-switching-idea-devices-tv-data-detail.htm
3) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.40.02 PM.png - I carefully and easily pried off the chrome faceplate (it snaps in place) and then unscrewed the 4 phillips screws that hold it in place. The phone cord was secured into the jack with small flat screws (you need a mini-screwdriver to remove).
4) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.42.36 PM.png - It was more difficult to pry out the old phone jack insert from the plastic screw in piece. There are metal clips where it snaps into place and you really have to depress the clips so the recede to get it out. I must have struggled for 10 mins to get it loose.
5) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.46.45 PM.png - I took an existing 6' USB cord and cut the female end off (leaving the male end on the opposite end of the cord. I stripped off the outer cover and then stripped each individual wire down per the following wiring instructions: https://www.imtra.com/COLLATERAL/DOCUMENTS/ENGLISH-US/PRODUCTS/VIMAR_WIRING_INSTRUCTIONS.PDF
6) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.49.36 PM.png - The back of the Fusion has a USB outlet. Fusion sells a USB extender that will screw into the existing USB output on the back of the radio: https://www.fusionentertainment.com/marine/products/accessories/ms-cbusbfm1
7) I used the old phone wire as a guide / stringer to help get my new USB wire behind the wall. I temporarily taped the two wires together.
8) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.53.32 PM.png - I snapped the new USB plug into place and snapped it into the plastic mount piece then screwed it back into the wall.
9) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.54.52 PM.png - Here is the final product with the face plate back on the outlet.
10) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.56.05 PM.png - While the phone or iPad is now connected into my new outlet, the Fusion will display full album details including art work on the head unit.
11) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.57.47 PM.png - If I have additional iPads / iPhones connected to the Fusion via WiFi and the Fusion app I can also see album artwork and control the playback from other devices.
12) Screen Shot 2019-07-14 at 10.59.26 PM.png - My Raymarine MFD will allow me to select songs / albums / artists / playlists etc but will not display the Album artwork.

Bottom line - now I have a USB plug that matches my boats existing decor, that will charge my phone and let me use the Phone to play over the Fusion by selecting the iPod source.
 
This USB upgrade is awesome. Thanks for posting the instructions. I have one question, why did you buy 2 USB outlets? Is there another place in the boat to do the same upgrade?
 
@copb8tx - Yes - in my master stateroom there is an blank in a triple gang box where a third switch or outlet could go. I’m planning to pair the second USB I bought with a 12v to 5v transformer to make a second USB charging location.

I’ll post instructions once I complete the upgrade. Here’s a pic of the transformer I bought for $7.99 on Amazon:

E212EEB6-123D-4184-A941-F5EF2726B37F.png
 
** FUSION CABIN USB UPGRADE **

I was inspired by @PMC post on CSR about adding matching USB outlets to the cabin so that one could charge their phones, etc. I wanted to do something similar, but also take the opportunity to connect the phone to my Fusion AV750 while it is in the cabin. This is how I performed the swap:

1) View attachment 72456 - I decided I would put the USB plug in the spot where the unused Sea Ray installed phone jack previously was located (center).
2) Using the Vimar part number the @PMC provided in his posting (VM16368) I ordered 2 USB outlets for $26.00 each that matched the existing style here: https://www.imtra.com/e7daeb1d-c9a8...mar-switching-idea-devices-tv-data-detail.htm
3) View attachment 72457 - I carefully and easily pried off the chrome faceplate (it snaps in place) and then unscrewed the 4 phillips screws that hold it in place. The phone cord was secured into the jack with small flat screws (you need a mini-screwdriver to remove).
4) View attachment 72458 - It was more difficult to pry out the old phone jack insert from the plastic screw in piece. There are metal clips where it snaps into place and you really have to depress the clips so the recede to get it out. I must have struggled for 10 mins to get it loose.
5) View attachment 72459 - I took an existing 6' USB cord and cut the female end off (leaving the male end on the opposite end of the cord. I stripped off the outer cover and then stripped each individual wire down per the following wiring instructions: https://www.imtra.com/COLLATERAL/DOCUMENTS/ENGLISH-US/PRODUCTS/VIMAR_WIRING_INSTRUCTIONS.PDF
6) View attachment 72460 - The back of the Fusion has a USB outlet. Fusion sells a USB extender that will screw into the existing USB output on the back of the radio: https://www.fusionentertainment.com/marine/products/accessories/ms-cbusbfm1
7) I used the old phone wire as a guide / stringer to help get my new USB wire behind the wall. I temporarily taped the two wires together.
8) View attachment 72461 - I snapped the new USB plug into place and snapped it into the plastic mount piece then screwed it back into the wall.
9) View attachment 72462 - Here is the final product with the face plate back on the outlet.
10) View attachment 72463 - While the phone or iPad is now connected into my new outlet, the Fusion will display full album details including art work on the head unit.
11) View attachment 72464 - If I have additional iPads / iPhones connected to the Fusion via WiFi and the Fusion app I can also see album artwork and control the playback from other devices.
12) View attachment 72465 - My Raymarine MFD will allow me to select songs / albums / artists / playlists etc but will not display the Album artwork.

Bottom line - now I have a USB plug that matches my boats existing decor, that will charge my phone and let me use the Phone to play over the Fusion by selecting the iPod source.

Well done. I did the same with Fusion, etc. Located HDMI's in Master, aft, and salon. makes sense! 15.jpg
 
13.jpg 16.jpg 17.jpg 3688163.jpg
Why HDMI?.... are you feeding the TV from another device ?

Yes, sometimes. We use HDMI's to stream from pads/phones using an Apple lightning adapter. The outlets are hooked to all TV's and sometimes when we can't get a proper satellite feed or local feed to TV's, we access our DTV recorder at home via cellular to play recorded shows and to stream live events that we can't pick up on KVH 3/Glomex's (due to building interference) or the resident DTV receiver through the KVH in the boat.
3688163.jpg
 
Last edited:
View attachment 72516 View attachment 72517 View attachment 72518 View attachment 72514

Yes, sometimes. We use HDMI's to stream from pads/phones using an Apple lightning adapter. The outlets are hooked to all TV's and sometimes when we can't get a proper satellite feed or local feed to TV's, we access our DTV recorder at home via cellular to play recorded shows and to stream live events that we can't pick up on KVH 3/Glomex's (due to building interference) or the resident DTV receiver through the KVH in the boat.
View attachment 72514

@Buyajet - the outlet / faceplate that is inside your master bed cabinet - did you alter something that was there before - or install the whole outlet, etc brand new? I don't recall seeing any outlets in the back of my master bed cabinets.
 
@Buyajet - the outlet / faceplate that is inside your master bed cabinet - did you alter something that was there before - or install the whole outlet, etc brand new? I don't recall seeing any outlets in the back of my master bed cabinets.
I had it installed and found the trim that matches the boat. The installation was custom. I’m fortunate to have expert electronic support.
 
I have a few newb questions for the Fusion experts...

Currently I have the OEM Clarion (CMD4?) with XM radio and antenna. Is this XM an external module? If so, will it work with an XM ready Fusion? If not, how about the arch mounted antenna?

If I get a Fusion with N2K, will I be able to control it with my Ray Marine C80?

I'm looking at the MS-RA70NSX or the MS-RA670
 
I have a few newb questions for the Fusion experts...

Currently I have the OEM Clarion (CMD4?) with XM radio and antenna. Is this XM an external module? If so, will it work with an XM ready Fusion? If not, how about the arch mounted antenna?

If I get a Fusion with N2K, will I be able to control it with my Ray Marine C80?

I'm looking at the MS-RA70NSX or the MS-RA670

The CMD4 does not have a satellite tuner. If you're getting XM now with it, you have an external satellite tuner on the boat. Chances are, if it's not too old, you can get an adapter from it to your new head unit. You'll have to get in there and see what the connection to the satellite tuner is.

The RA70N is a great choice (no, I'm not biased). I just installed one in my 400DB. I did the exact thing you're doing, but I pulled out an ancient XMD1. I haven't connected a sat tuner yet (undecided if I want to, but it's there if I do). And I got the "N" so I have the NMEA2000 interface so that when I start upgrading my helm electronics I can control the head unit from the helm via the MFD. Unfortunately, I don't think the C80 has either an N2K interface (it might have a NMEA0183, but that's NOT the same) nor the software built in to control audio. Like me, you'll have to update your MFD if you want that functionality. But keep the C80 there and use it as a radar-only display or backup plotter. Upgrading to an RA70N now is still worth it, because you get Bluetooth connectivity. And you can get wireless remotes. Put one of those at the helm while you're saving up to replace that C80!
 
Currently I have the OEM Clarion (CMD4?) with XM radio and antenna. Is this XM an external module?
Yes and it uses a clarion specific cable and protocol. So you need a new receiver (depending on new stereo receiver) and then purge the current ID and then activate the new ID.
 
Jim, my two cents on the Fusion head units. I had a MS-RA70N for about two years and really liked it. I just upgraded to the Apollo 770 and love it. I think that others have chimed in on this, but if you have an XM subscription you can stream from their app to your head unit and don't need to buy the XM module. As for the C80, I don't think it is NMEA2K compatible. Make sure to get an ARX70 remote or two. For $50 they give you an easy to get to volume control and you can change tracks/stations. They are water resistant (swim platform) and wireless (easy to install). Best- Dan
 
I have to say I love my Fusion. I stream all my XM music or other methods of music and it works really well. I opted not to buy the additional remote because my MFD’s can control the music just as easily as my phone. It’s better than I thought it would be.
 
I have to say I love my Fusion. I stream all my XM music or other methods of music and it works really well. I opted not to buy the additional remote because my MFD’s can control the music just as easily as my phone. It’s better than I thought it would be.

This is true. When I ultimately do update my MFD, my helm remote will be redundant. But not useless, by any means. Consider this scenario: you have a full house, everyone is grooving to tunes as you come into port. But then you start the approach to the slip... now is not the time to fumble through screens or try and guess who's phone is streaming to mute it. Nope. You reach down and hit "Pause" and there's silence. And you and the first mate can communicate while docking. Once safely in the slip, you hit "Play" and the party resumes... No shouting (at least no more than usual, LOL) and no "I can't hear you!".

I used to have streaming on my XM. Right now, I have a really cheap XM package on one car and a sample package on the other. So no streaming. For the boat, I'll have to look at see if the cost of adding streaming to my package is less than the cost of an XM receiver and a partial year subscription (I can only boat at most 8 months). Might be cheaper to simply add streaming...
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,946
Messages
1,422,759
Members
60,929
Latest member
Henchman
Back
Top