Fusion is D.O.A

I control mine through my chartplotter at the helm. I dig their technology and ability to integrate easily with other equipment.
 
NorCal Boater said:
I had my Fusion on a 52' CPMY. I was using all 4 zones and I didn't want to run cable through the boat for remotes so the apps worked fine for me. And if the stereo was on and I was down the dock a bit I could adjust and make changes without being on the boat. Just saying the app worked best for my situation.
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You probably need more window area than my boat has to get that kind of range.
The Bluetooth on mine gets real sketchy outside of the cabin. It’s usually okay a bit right outside the cabin door, but beyond that it really doesn’t work well. Most of the time it won’t work from the helm.
Since my head unit is mounted behind a cabinet door over the forward part of the salon settee, it’s to be expected.
It does work flawlessly inside the cabin with that cabinet door closed though. I stream to it from my iPad all the time, and just leave the iPad sitting in the cabin.
Tried using a separate dongle I used with an older unit connected to aux and placing the dongle on a shelf in the salon, but there wasn’t enough improvement to make it worthwhile so I paid forward that Fusion dongle.
Don’t usually have the phone in my pocket when I’m on the boat anyway, so no big deal.
 
douglee25 said:
I control mine through my chartplotter at the helm. I dig their technology and ability to integrate easily with other equipment.
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I was going to do the same, but couldn’t decide what to do with the hole from the old remote so I just replaced it with another. Worked out better for me since my chartplotters are usually powered off when the boat isn’t running.
 
C2808BAC-6D66-401C-B845-D2886C93D8F9.jpeg I also have full control from the plotters, the app etc. but the fusion remote in the cockpit is always used.
On another note I removed the clarion remote and have had a hole in the wall since so I decided to install a 110v USB charging station to fill the void.
 
I have tried the app and mfd and seem to always end up using the dedicated remote. My BT works well at the helm but cuts out once in a while at the back of the cockpit.
Overall pretty decent.
 
Craig said:
I have tried the app and mfd and seem to always end up using the dedicated remote. My BT works well at the helm but cuts out once in a while at the back of the cockpit.
Overall pretty decent.
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I did not use the Bluetooth function on my Fusion. I had an older iTouch that had several playlists stored on it. I just left it in the Fusion Head Unit. The Fusion app was just used as a remote. I had something like 3 1/2 days of music on the iTouch.
 
Update: today I received a brand new Fusion 755. With a 90 day warranty
I have to say it was the easiest and best customer service I have dealt with.
 

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Yep - thanks for sharing. I'm looking at Fusion NMEA2000 head unit this Spring. This thread just reinforced that decision.
 
What do you gain with the Apollo series? My boat has the 755 so I am curious what you get with the newer technology
 
Built in wifi router to stream airplay which is more reliable than Bluetooth. Full touch screen with edge swipe to change songs etc. And partybus mode I will add a Fusion Ms sxr 400 to the salon and the two can play from the same source or stand alone. I will remove the Bose DVD/tuner as we don't watch DVDs.
 
Havana Shamrock said:
Update: spoke with fusion today and determined my head unit was purchased in Jan 2015.
So almost 4 years old and out of warranty.
However they are going to cover it under warranty and if it’s not repairable they’ll send me a new radio with a 90 day warranty. So kudos to Fusion (Garmin) I guess.
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Thank you for this update. It makes me happy to see Fusion stand behind the units, even the older ones.
 
Even though the head unit failed with great customer service I wouldn't hesitate to purchase their products and I have.
They are part of Garmin now so they've got even better backing than before.
 
Havana Shamrock said:
Built in wifi router to stream airplay which is more reliable than Bluetooth. Full touch screen with edge swipe to change songs etc. And partybus mode I will add a Fusion Ms sxr 400 to the salon and the two can play from the same source or stand alone. I will remove the Bose DVD/tuner as we don't watch DVDs.
Click to expand...

I would love to know how this works out for you. I started going down this road, but couldn’t get a hum out of my system, so I returned the 770 unit and bought a $100 head to work out the electrical issues. I think I have resolved those and looking to try this again.

I’m looking for a 2 zone/ 2 input solution. Want to be able to let kids watch movies below, while adults listen to music or TV in the cockpit. Not sure this can do that...Fusion site is pretty weak for that stuff.
 
Question: I am replacing a 2001 Clarion. There is a separate amp on boat, and I replaced the cockpit clarion speakers and sub woofer with JL. I have 2 switches allowing me to turn on and off the cockpit or cabin speakers, which I would like to keep. As far as the remote is concerned, I don’t care about losing it, since I will be able to control new stereo from my phone or ipad. With that said, what web of wires am I going to be dealing with, when replacing the Clarion? Will I need to cut the wires and splice to a Fusion harness? I am a DIY guy, so I would like to do the replacement myself.

To be clear, all I am trying to do is replace the old Clarion with a receiver that will allow me to stream amazon, iphone or android music via WiFi, rather than Bluetooth. In my opinion, Bluetooth has been the weak link on a boat. WiFi is a game changer and I want in :). If there is a less expensive fusion wifi option than the 770, that gets me the remote control app and wifi, I would buy it tomorrow.
 
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@Dani-Lu

Yes, you will have to remove the proprietary clarion connector and wire in the proprietary Fusion connector. Good news is, most head unit wire colors have been standardized for about 20 years, so its mostly color for color.
 
I was just checking out the 2 Fusion wifi models (RA770 and SRX400), $650 and $350 respectively. Looks like I can get what I need from the Fusion SRX400. I am mounting this in the cabin, so don’t care about lack of large touch screen. As long as it has wifi and the link app, I should be ok.

All input appreciated!
 
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