Do I want a Fusion?

RollerCoastr

RollerCoastr

Well-Known Member
Nov 15, 2007
3,884
Cedar Point, OH / Miami, FL / MacRay Harbor, MI
Boat Info
1997 400DA
340HP 7.4 Mercruiser Bluewaters
Garmin 741, 742, 8212, 24HD, Intellian I2
Engines
1999 280BR
Twin 250HP Merc 350 Alpha Ones
I have a single-DIN Clarion automotive receiver in the salon with a wired marine remote at the helm. The original amp powers the interior speakers. An aftermarket amp powers the cockpit speakers and sub. The receiver is starting to act up and lacks bluetooth.

I like the idea of multiple zones. I have toggle switches on the amps, so I can select in/out/all, but there's no fader for the stateroom speakers. I also like the idea of interfacing with the Garmin MFD, but I'm not sure how or if I'd use that.

If I stay with Clarion, I can save money by keeping the Sirius receiver and remote, and buying another automotive-grade head unit (since it's inside anyway).

I'd also have to saw a larger opening in the wood panel to accommodate the Fusion.

Any advice?
 
I am a fan of fusion just bought my second one for this boat. If you want to use sirius,and bluetooth you need an adaptor if just bluetooth then you plug the BT dongle( sold seperate) into the sirius port on the radio. I love the iPhone/iPad app and positive docking of an I device I hate seeing wires dangle. The 200i remote is awesome and NMEA2000 compatible if you need to see wind,temp,speed etc. 4 zones available and you can name them. Paired to an amp and you have a great crystal clear set up. It's the reason my boat sold in 1 day the guy was blown away after hearing it.i ran my salon tv through it so I could download a movie from iTunes and play it on the tv with sound from the speakers. Has vhf( monitor only) just agreat radio I highly recommend it.
 
There is a high probability that your current wired remote and SAT receiver will not work with any current Clarion head-units. I know that for a fact with their current marine head-units, remotes and SAT receivers. Things changed around 2012, so nothing before works with nothing new.

I like the fusion for its zones as well, but it might be worth checking out Kicker's new marine source unit due to drop this spring.

http://www.cpsdistributorsinc.com/KICKER MEDIA CENTER.htm
 
Thanks for the info guys! My Clarion remote has never been fully compatible with the head-unit - the display shows - - - - in nearly every mode. This makes the decision to ditch it much easier.
 
I am just about done with my fusion audio upgrade. 3 zones for now, expandable to 4, and very few folks seem to complain about fusion. The nmea 2000 integration seems very cool. Can't wait to give that a spin!
 
Just read that fusion was bought by Garmin so you know the quality is there
something to think about
 
Interested in your discussion - need to replace my system very soon. What model Fusion are you looking at?
 
RollerCoastr said:
I have a single-DIN Clarion automotive receiver in the salon with a wired marine remote at the helm. The original amp powers the interior speakers. An aftermarket amp powers the cockpit speakers and sub. The receiver is starting to act up and lacks bluetooth.

I like the idea of multiple zones. I have toggle switches on the amps, so I can select in/out/all, but there's no fader for the stateroom speakers. I also like the idea of interfacing with the Garmin MFD, but I'm not sure how or if I'd use that.

If I stay with Clarion, I can save money by keeping the Sirius receiver and remote, and buying another automotive-grade head unit (since it's inside anyway).

I'd also have to saw a larger opening in the wood panel to accommodate the Fusion.

Any advice?
Click to expand...

I was doing some checking myself (I want to change the factory Clarion) and noticed that Clarion has replacement stereos with all the bells and whistles now (Bluetooth and Ipod capabilities my priority)....you can get these on Ebay or Amazon for under $300....I'm leaning this way because its a plug and play scenario plus I an use the existing mounting.

Anything that Wylie or Hifirush suggests is golden in my past experience.
 
Havana Shamrock said:
Just read that fusion was bought by Garmin so you know the quality is there
something to think about
Click to expand...

Interesting. I started seeing Garmin-branded Fusion stereos a year or two ago, so I knew there was a partnership of some kind.

tmc209 said:
Interested in your discussion - need to replace my system very soon. What model Fusion are you looking at?
Click to expand...

I'm a gadget guy, so I'm drawn to the MS-IP700i with 2 wired remotes - one at the helm and another in the cockpit. Reality may different. I may end up with an RA205 and a remote only at the helm.

My Garmin 5212 isn't on the list of compatible MFD's. I assume that means that the 5212 can't interact with the Fusion system, but can still provide NMEA2k data to it...? That would be fine. Friends of mine control their Sirius receiver with their 7212, but that seemed awkward to me.

I've seen pics of the head units that look like they fit a single-DIN installation after all. It's not a big deal, but is that true?

Going with Fusion would also allow me to move the Clarion and remote to the 280. I could buy some time with the head unit by getting a new marine cover for it, and put the remote facing the aft bench. The 280 has been a theft target, but if someone steals the Clarion, the joke will be on them. :)
 
The remotes in each zone are nice, but we find that using an iPad or iPhone to control the Fusion is much easier. You don't have to leave your seat and Bloody Mary to adjust anything.
 
The Fusion rocks. I installed the i700 last year and love it.

Paul
 
KnotEasy said:
Pass on Kicker, go with the Fusion.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on your experience with this Kicker source unit? Other than getting a quick demo of a working prototype last year at the CES, I have not had a chance to demo the final production unit. It was released last summer as an OEM unit for 2015 boats, but the only one I know of thats picked it up, is Sanger. Its due to be released as an aftermarket unit this spring. I will definitely have one, as my son wants it in his jeep. Having known the designer for about 9 years, and him being a boater himself, its got some cool features IMO. Knowing its been a 2+ year project in the works and my experience with Kicker, im confident it will be a solid product, but just may not be for everyone.
 
I have an IP700 with an amp and subwoofer. I did not want the wired remotes and I use my iPad for my main remote and a couple of android phones for remotes as well. I have an old iTouch with several new playlists living permanently in the Fusion. I am really going to miss it when I sell the boat.
 
Looking at upgrading to a fusion from my clarion. Is it a hard install? I really want to upgrade my whole system, amp, speakers, install sub.
 
Answer - yes.

I had had a Clarion CMD6. Swapped out to the Fusion and love it! The added features come with complications though...

Paul
 
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