Question About My Clarion CD Player

Swab

New Member
Jan 15, 2008
23
Acworth, GA
Boat Info
2001 SD190
Engines
4.3l Merc
I have a 2001 sundeck w/ the factory installed Clarion CD player. I can't remember the model off hand (I'm sure it's the same as the others of that time) and I'm wondering if it plays MP3's and/or has an input for an MP3 player. Does anyone have a clue?

Thanks
 
a 2001 would likely have an XMD1 or XMD2. Neither have inputs for aux in. The XMD1 does have a hack that has been cover in this link using the CD connection port. The XMD3 does have aux in jacks on the back of the radio. The model is written on the face of the radio. Check it out and report back.

You could pick up an XMD3 or CDM4 on ebay for under $100. All 4 of the models mentioned above use the same wiring harness. Just unplug harness, unscrew radio, screw in new radio, plug in harness. If you have a remote control they will not work.

Another option is get the Harman Kardon Drive + Play. You can use the built in wireless transmitter or you can get a hard wired version. I picked a brand new one up on ebay for $21 including the ship. These are not made for the marine environment but for $21 I figured they were disposable. Teekster shows of his Drive + Play in this link.
 
You could pick up an XMD3 or CDM4 on ebay for under $100. All 4 of the models mentioned above use the same wiring harness. Just unplug harness, unscrew radio, screw in new radio, plug in harness. If you have a remote control they will not work.

Another option is get the Harman Kardon Drive + Play. You can use the built in wireless transmitter or you can get a hard wired version. I picked a brand new one up on ebay for $21 including the ship. These are not made for the marine environment but for $21 I figured they were disposable. Teekster shows of his Drive + Play in this link.

Watch out the faceplate on the CMD4 is smaller and the cutout in lower than the XMD1 / 2 and XMD3. ( Clarion has a retro fitt adaptor CM-ADAP-R)
The XMD3 dimensions are the same as the XMD1 /2.

The older remotes from the XMD1 / 2 works fine with the XMD3 or CMD4 units.

But the newer lcd remotes (CMRC1) doesn't work with the older XMD 1 / 2 units.

Problem with the XMD3 is that the aux input volume is a litlle bit too low, and the aux output from the Ipods also...

Peter.
 
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Peter,
I changed my XMD2 to XMD3 and then to CDM4 and the harness worked for all three. I had a M202RC remote with display on on the XMD2 and the display did not work with the XMD3 or the CDM4 and the pause button did not work for the CD either. The XMD3 requries the M301RC remote with display and the CDM4 requires the CMRC1 with display. The CMRC1 is quite a bit larger and didn't fit in my dash so I gave up the display and went with the smaller CMRC2 without a display.

Believe me I tried to make the remotes work and they just wouldn't.

I didn't have a problem with the difference in the faceplate size. They both have the same DIN size so it should only be a problem if the hole was cut wrong in the first place. The only real difference is that the XMDs are a little wider and taller in the center, the location of the screws is relatively the same. I have no gaps showing but it is located in the glovebox.
 
Swab,

If you don't want to replace your entire radio look into the Audiovox FM100a iPod adaptor. This works on FM modulation technology, but instead of being wireless, it plugs into the radio antenna. You set the radio to a specific frequency (89 something) and then you can use the existing helm remote for volume. Not a perfect solution, but it works until you are ready to do a complete stereo upgrade.

Henry
 
From Clarion site: http://www.teamclarion.com/sharedwe...C19BBA13CDB69E1F88257217005C7243?OpenDocument

I know that the display doesn't work on the M201 LCD types (M201RC) but you can use most functions and can operate it.
The more older remotes (M101 types) also didn't had displays and works fine with the newer types.
As you can see the working types in this Clarion excel sheet: http://www.teamclarion.com/sharedwe...49cd88256b510079709d/$FILE/Marine_Remotes.xls

Here a photo that shows that the screws are not exact in the same location, that the harness should be fine is correct
219228.jpg


I don't try to be a smart boy but this is what I saw on the Clarion sites and after some research :huh:....

Just tried to help.

Peter
 
If a remote didn't work to full funcitonality it would absolutely bother me.

boy being on a different surface really makes a difference. You got to wonder why they would design the dash around the radio. Where is that located on the boat?
 
If a remote didn't work to full funcitonality it would absolutely bother me.

I know, but if you got a older non display type it's good to know that they work on the newer models.
That was my point, I am the same I only like it perfect.
But some don't, and then it's nice info...

boy being on a different surface really makes a difference. You got to wonder why they would design the dash around the radio. Where is that located on the boat?

This is not my boat, I picked it up from the Internet.

Peter
 
Peter,
If I'm not mistaken the mute didn't work or on/off (possibly both) didn't work which was an absolute must for me. I sold the remote on ebay to help offset for almost as much as I paid for a used XMD3 w/remote. Then I got a CMD4 cheaper than XMD3 w/remote and sold the XMD3, my old XMD2 and the original remote and ended making money on my radio purchase. .......That was until the lightning fried my radio!

I can't use the new remote with display because it won't fit in the small recessed hole they put in the dash so I am using the non display remote because it does fit in that hole. I do use the ipod and now the Harman Kardon Drive + Play interface but I do like to know what the volume level is set to.

On the aux in volume level. There is an Aux In sensitivity setting you need to enter into the radio for low/med/high. I never had a problem with the volume. I also prefer to get my audio connection from the bottom of the ipod as it is a line out connection.
 
Nothing is perfect but no holes to drill and nothing mounted on the dashand fits in your pocket --wonderful
 
Don't know. I think not once it's synched. I have the ipod in the storage locker with the head unit and never take it down.
 
Hello

I'm a new member of this site.

I would just like to ask a question.

I have a 2005 270 Sundeck with a factory fitted Clarion Stereo upgrade CD Player with a Clarion APX480M power amp which keeps blowing fuses, I can not locate the power amp on the boat.

Does anyone know where Searay fits the power amp on this particular model?
 
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I found mine after hours of looking. If you take the speaker out that is mounted by the drivers right leg you will see the amp. I believe if you take all the panels off behind the dash you can actually get at it.
 

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