Marine stereo that will run Pandora?

[Phlorida]

Now that it is cooling off in FL I am ready to tackle the new sound system on the boat. I've already acquired a JL Audio 6 channel amp, 2 JL Audio 7.7 speakers, a JL Audio 10" sub and an Audio Control Overdrive pre-amp. Now it is time to pick a head unit.

I want to be able to run Pandora on my iPhone4. I know that I can do that using the AUX input on just about any head unit. I would strongly prefer to use the iPhone connector rather than the AUX out and a 12v charger. Is anyone doing this or know of a head unit that will play applications running on the iPhone as opposed to the iPod functionality on the iPhone?

I actually did this on a previous boat using a Kenwood KMR-440U and an iPhone 3GS but it was kind of convoluted and I didn't like much of anything else about this unit. I had to start the system in iPod mode and then start Pandora and reboot the phone. It worked but.....

For the form factor and the other features my preferred head unit was the Fusion Ra200g but Fusion tech support says that the unit won't recognize the application and that I would need to use the AUX input. I will likely still go this direction if I don't find a better solution.

 

[tgphilly]

I just installed a Kenwood head unit that has Pandora support built right in. Unit has a USB connector on the front, you plug it into your iPhone and then the head unit manages all the Pandora stuff. Great unit, very nice looking, got it at Best Buy for $149.

 

[Turtlesboat]

Same here. Kenwood marine unit. Plug and go. You can even change pandora stations from the unit. We also like to watch Netflix in the cockpit with our iPad and blast it over the stereo. I can't recall the model, maybe 350u? Bought it about 3 weeks ago.

 

[spfortjohn]

Find one that has Bluetooth. I put one in my daughters car and it works great. No wires

 

[Phlorida]

It took ten months to get a response and I get three! :smt001

I actually finished this project last October and I am really happy with the results. I ended up with a Sony head unit and wired remote that has a USB input on the back. I also installed a JL Audio M500/3 connected to two 7" JL Audio speakers and a 10" JL Audio subwoofer. The only struggle was that I had to manufacture an extension cable for the remote out of Ethernet cable.

The streaming works perfectly. I typically use Pandora in the boat but today we ran the KFOG Acoustic Sunrise which is always cool.

If I was doing the project again today I would go with a Fusion IP700. According to tech support at Fusion, streaming has worked since IOS v5.0 came out. I am going to add two more speakers when the weather cools off.