Did some quick research (google) and it looks like that unit is so old that there is nothing that will work as an upgrade.

I believe your only option is to go with something new and use your phone as the remote.

Fusion has some really nice options but that's me.

 

Thats the thing. I just dont want to be messing with wires if I dont have to. Hence why am looking for a direct plug'n'play replacement that will still work with the current remote at the helm.

 

Don't blame you and thanks to @bahamabreisus you won't have to.

 

We went with the Clarion M508, easy swap.

 

Did you have the XDM1? And does the M508 work with the original remote?

 

I have the stock audio system with the CD changer that am looking to change. my
My goal and ONLY goal is to achieve Bluetooth functionality as the FM transmitter I am using is not 100% clear at times.

I read on here the Clarion XMD1 doesn’t have Bluetooth and also doesn’t have Aux inputs to add a Bluetooth Dongle. But when I pulled the unit out I saw two RCA plugs which had me wondering if this was for some “Aux In” of some sort. If so, a bluetooth dongle should work. No?
Can anyone please verify for me if I am correct.

If not, which unit can I upgrade to that will simply be plug and play to allow Bluetooth functionality and still work with the remote at the helm.
That’s what I need.
Thanks

View attachment 141347
View attachment 141348

Helped a friend install a Clarion M608, clarionmarine.com, in his 48DA last summer. As I recall, it was plug and play with two notable exceptions. It didn't have a port for the old CD changer and the remote cable connection had different pin configuration. So didn't hook those up but the bluetooth was fine. The cutout hole was unchanged. He was not planning to update the remote. The old remotes are not reverse compatible. Clarion charged the pin configuration several years ago.

 

I believe I read somewhere you can get a 6pin to 8pin converter to get the remote to work.
https://www.amazon.ca/cart/smart-wagon?newItems=fa86d45e-2524-4b34-99d3-b1b6a2bf4fa0,1

 

A newer but still somewhat old…the CMD4 is 100% compatible with the XMD1 wiring and remote and has Aux input. I got one off of eBay for like $75 and added JBL Bluetooth dongle and done. Stream from phone and does all we need it to do.

Bennett

 

Would settle for this if I can source one for cheap.

 

I went the route of adding a fusion bt 100 and connected to the rca jacks like you’re showing. I don’t know for sure if those are aux but they were in my radio. The bt adapter works great and I can walk up and down the dock streaming my phone’s Sirius.

 

This might be the solution to my quest. Can you please tell me more about this. So you got the Fusion BT 100 bluetooth dongle and connected it to the two RCA jacks and it works well? What do you set it to on the stereo given there is no Aux and Does it allow bluetooth connection and play via phone device?

 

I’m a ‘98 and I bought M505 with adapters I’m using my built in hard wired remotes with Bluetooth and wireless remotes…

 

I have the same Clarion setup on my 04. I pulled the unit out and connected a 6ft aux cable that is long enough to run up to the cupholder on the port side. I plug that into my aux port on my phone and I've got instant Bluetooth. I have the Sirius app and listen every time we go out. I set the function on the radio to Aux. Sounds great too!

 

Thanks.

So from what I gather so far, The CMD4 is a direct plug'n'play replacement for the XDM1 and its remote with the added benefit of a aux feature which it comes with. To get bluetooth capability with the CMD4, one would still need a bluetooth dongle which is about $90-$100. Having searched, I found The CMD4 is scarce.


So, here begs the question; is there another "newer" model unit with in-built bluetooth capability that would still be plug'n'play and work with the xdm1 remote at the helm?

 

XMD1 = no AUX-in. Those RCA with the gray leads are pre-amp out.
XMD-3 = has AUX-in. However, these XMD units are from the early 2K's.
CMD-4 and CMD-5 used the 6-pin wired remote cable. The CMD series came out about 04/05. The adaptor will not allow full function of all remote models if you upgrade to an 8-pin media unit and leave the existing remotes.
CMD-6 uses the 8 pin but still no integrated BT until the M606 came. Only lasted a year or so before replaced by the M608.

Best advice, upgrade to the M608 and new remotes and cables for the best user-friendly system. A fusion unit and wired remotes are another option, but still requires new cables.

Clarion has some new rectangle compact units that might fit in the spot of a helm remote. This would require wiring in a new power harness and running RCA cables if there is an amp(s) somewhere. These unit also support wired remotes with and without a display.

 

Thank you very much for All useful advice. Am sure many in future will appreciate this. However, am still a little confused on which will serve my purpose with ease.

To be honest, I am only concerned about bluetooth. I do not wish to splice, run or reroute anything. So I don't really care if the unit is dated or old. As long as it has bluetooth capability and works with the remote at the helm, am fine with it.

 

My biggest concern is running the wire to the helm for the remote. So, am thinking, if I get this cable connector that allows newer Clarion head units to be connected to the older remote: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00M5DRJ90/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A2GZGXV41817IW&psc=1

then I can use a newer stereo like the CMV1, CMD6, CMD8, M303, M309 or CMS1.


Make sense?

 

... Make sense?

Re-read @Wylie_Tunes post. I get your not getting the answer you want, but that's because it doesn't exist. Sorry.

 

OK, lets say you go with a used model thats retired because its compatible with the 6 pin remotes and the xmd's plug and has an AUX-In, because you dont want to do any wiring. Just an FYI, any external bluetooth receiver dongle, has a power harness that has to be properly wired in.

 

I replaced mine with the Clarion M508. It is BT but has 8 pin connector.
Very easy, the head unit replaces the old. The difference is the new head unit has 8 pin vs old has 6 pin. I did not want to change the wired remote as it would have required a larger hole and the existing one worked fine. I bought this on eBay and it works fine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2931869999...Lef-jY5wRMe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=SMS

 

Valuable info;
https://www.discountcarstereo.com/pdf/clarion_marine_remote_application.pdf

 

I have the stock audio system with the CD changer that am looking to change. my
My goal and ONLY goal is to achieve Bluetooth functionality as the FM transmitter I am using is not 100% clear at times.

I read on here the Clarion XMD1 doesn’t have Bluetooth and also doesn’t have Aux inputs to add a Bluetooth Dongle. But when I pulled the unit out I saw two RCA plugs which had me wondering if this was for some “Aux In” of some sort. If so, a bluetooth dongle should work. No?
Can anyone please verify for me if I am correct.

If not, which unit can I upgrade to that will simply be plug and play to allow Bluetooth functionality and still work with the remote at the helm.
That’s what I need.
Thanks

View attachment 141347
View attachment 141348

Replaced mine with the M608. Plug and play. Only need an adapter cable for the remote.

 

Thanks. Question for you; I see you dont have the 280 sundancer. Curios if you had the XDM1 previously and with the new system,Does the display, mute and other functions work properly on the old remote ?