Clarion XD1

Mauler34Rod

Well-Known Member
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Aug 26, 2020
810
Chicago Lake Michigan
Boat Info
2001 380 Sundancer, Raymarine Electronics
2022 Highfield CL310 Dinghy with 20 HP Suzuki
Engines
454 MPII Mercruiser w/ V Drives
I recently upgraded to the Clarion M508 head. The original XD1 head unit is still operable. If anyone is interested in the head unit, you can have it free, just pay the shipping. I also have the cable to connect to the CD changer.
 
How "pain free" was this switch? I, too, have the Clarion XMD1 and want to upgrade because there's no way to connect an iPod or iPhone to this older unit.

I'm interested in replacing with the M508 and would like to do it myself.

Can I use the existing wiring/connectors in the boat with the new unit?

How well does the new Clarion work with your iPod/iPhone/Bluetooth device?
 
Howdy, great to upgrade but just know that there’s a way to connect. I have a Bluetooth adapter on it and use an iphone for Spotify and so forth. It’s been like that for about 8 years. Photo attached.
 

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Howdy, great to upgrade but just know that there’s a way to connect. I have a Bluetooth adapter on it and use an iphone for Spotify and so forth. It’s been like that for about 8 years. Photo attached.

Thanks for your response. I had a 2006 Dancer which had an XMD3 and I took it out and connected an adapter to the rear and was able to use my iPod. But now on my 2002 Dancer I have an XMD1. I took it out (which wasn't easy, there's practically no length to the cables in back) and there's no Aux input.

I see you have a XMD1 in your photo. Can you tell me how you adapted it?
 
So what I did was install a Tranzit Blu HF behind the clarion. It connects to the iphone via Bluetooth and transmits the sound on whatever frequency you want it to. The clarion radio picks it up and that’s how I listen to whatever is on the iphone. It works great.
 
I'll look into this. Thanks.
 
Also being Bluetooth, the phone can be anywhere in the cabin, or even upstairs by the steps.
 
I recently upgraded to the Clarion M508 head. The original XD1 head unit is still operable. If anyone is interested in the head unit, you can have it free, just pay the shipping. I also have the cable to connect to the CD changer.

I'd still like to know how easy a switch this XMD1 to M508 was, Mauler34Rod.

Thanks.
 
I'd still like to know how easy a switch this XMD1 to M508 was, Mauler34Rod.

Thanks.

I will give this question a try. I leave it to you to determine is the hole size is correct as I do not know the models. I had an old Clarion cassette player and separate 6 CD changer. I got my manual for the clarion and the new Fusion laid out and connected one wire at a time to the same on the new unit. (The wires may be different colors which is why you need the manuals.)

Cruisers uses plug connectors so I stayed with that and was able to test the system before actually mounting the unit. There were several wires not needed as I removed the CD unit and the old had a hot wire to keep memory that the new does not use. Just go slow, one wire at a time and it is easy. I also recommend the plug connections as you then can unplug it all to install and quickly plug back in.

One last suggestion, I keep a package of six colors of half inch electric tape on board to make marking things for quick reconnecting easy. It helped to mark the RCA cables to know just where to connect.
 
So no wires needed replacing and such? Also did you still use the remote at the helm?
 
So no wires needed replacing and such? Also did you still use the remote at the helm?
If this was for me, I had no wires to replace and the Fusion app is now my remote. For $50 more you can get a head unit to connect to your Garmin display, but since I am already controlling the music from my phone why not just control the whole thing from my phone? The app can control more than the head unit itself can. Remotes are obsolete today…
 
I'm also curious as to the role of the remote on the dashboard in the cockpit when you replace an XMD1 unit with something else (Clarion M508, Fusion) does it still function?
 
I'm also curious as to the role of the remote on the dashboard in the cockpit when you replace an XMD1 unit with something else (Clarion M508, Fusion) does it still function?

Fusion is not compatible for sure. The Clarion might work with adapter..,
 
When you replace the head unit, the XMD1 remote on the dash will be obsolete. It is not compatible with anything any newer. I replaced the XMD1 with a CMD4 with aux, a JB Bluetooth adapter, and a comparable remote I picked up on eBay. The remote cable was compatible from the head unit to the remote as well as the wiring/plugs for the head unit all matched up. This is a temporary fix as I had so much other work to do. Have left it for now and it works great for us.

Bennett
 
One of the big things I struggled to get over was not having remotes for the boat head unit. After having everything on my phone now, I wouldn’t spend a dime to have a remote unit anymore. Everyone I know, including me is now streaming our music to the head unit via Bluetooth, so having full control of the head unit from the app on my phone is awesome. The app controls volume, equalizer, the volume in two different zones and other features. It does way more than a marine remote anyway.

When I am in the water I have my phone in a waterproof holder on a lanyard around my neck.
 
So do you have the Bluetooth receiver down below or need something up by the helm as well? The phone has no problems connecting from up above?
 
One of the big things I struggled to get over was not having remotes for the boat head unit. After having everything on my phone now, I wouldn’t spend a dime to have a remote unit anymore. Everyone I know, including me is now streaming our music to the head unit via Bluetooth, so having full control of the head unit from the app on my phone is awesome. The app controls volume, equalizer, the volume in two different zones and other features. It does way more than a marine remote anyway.

When I am in the water I have my phone in a waterproof holder on a lanyard around my neck.

Well....
When your kids connect to the head unit and make the volume lets say a touch higher than necessary, having a remote at hand works out well...
Ask me how i know :eek:
 
Well....
When your kids connect to the head unit and make the volume lets say a touch higher than necessary, having a remote at hand works out well...
Ask me how i know :eek:

Now that is funny right there. It also made think of another reason I like the Bluetooth, it is harder for the Admiral to turn down…. LOL
 

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