ipod control at the helm

spikedaddy99

spikedaddy99

Well-Known Member
GOLD Sponsor
Jun 11, 2008
2,616
Prentice, Wi
Boat Info
2005 500 DB
Engines
QSM-11
I was sick of trying to run a long ipod cable to the stereo in the cabin. I added this input at the helm, ran cables to the stereo and added a Y cable to the aux input. Now I can use either one (just not both at the same time)

Cheapfix for the CMD4 for ipod control.

photo (7).JPGphoto (8).JPG

Mike
 
Sony makes a bluetooth radio to run your ipod with. it will reach up to 30 feet away. It will also control the sound with the ipod
 
Spike, I ran the same setup on my 340 a couple of years ago and thought I couldn't be happier. Recently I have been doing some research about the Bluetooth technology factor. So yesterday I went to Best Buy and purchased BT audio receiver. I checked it out in my new Tundra and it works awesome! What it does, it allows me to plug the receiver in to the 3.5mm jack and play my music wirelessly through my Iphone via BT. I did see the Sony thing that Doug is talking about BUT, that one needs 120A/C power to work. I probably would have liked that one but I wanted something wireless, real easy, and simple to use, So I just simply loaded my Iphone with the playlists that I mostly listen to and will stick with the one I bought.

What I purchased is called "Aluratek Istream Universal Bluetooth Audio Receiver" for the low low price of $29.99. And they claim it's good up to 33'.
 
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Doug, do you have to swap the radio? I don't know if Clarion CMD4 is blue tooth capable. This was a $30 solution.

Bruce, I did this a year ago and finally posted pictures. Blue tooth to the existing 3.5mm jack would have been easier. But, this keeps my iphone near me and not in the kids hands (lost in 60 seconds)

Mike
 
Mike- I plan to do the same thing you have done this week. Already bought the new 30 ft of RCA cable. The reason I'm doing this is because I've used a bluetooth "dongle" that plugs into the ipod aux input in the cabin and it just does not work well. Although BT claims 30 feet any obstruction, such as a closed cabin door causes it to cut out. Putting the phone in my pocket caused it to cut out. I also think it uses more battery power. BUT the biggest thing for me is, you can't get nearly the same level of volume with a BT connection as you can with a direct line input. I know this because I was using BT and had my system as loud as it would go. Something wasn't right because my ears weren't bleeding. ;) Plugged it back in and bam, a huge difference.
 
Bluetooth Receiver with App Remote

Sony Model number: MEX-GS600BT Check this one out it is the one my dock partner put in his boat works great. Its all DC powered. He was standing on the dock operating his stereo with ipod. When using the Ipod the system has a mode to switch to so the sound control can be used as efficiently as being plugged directly in. He was setting on my boat docked next to him controlling the sound and tunes. Nice set up not to overly priced.
 
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I also installed a BT receiver and love it. I forget the brand but there are several good ones out there. Stay away from the lower-end cheapo units. The best thig about the wireless set-up is sitting at the back of the boat with guests and still being able to change music without getting up (or putting your drink down).
 
Another option is to go "Wi Fi". This gives you ability to control your music via Wi Fi, with added advantages of having Wi Fi connection and then "sharing/linking" your music between boats. An inexpensive Wi Fi set-up would be the Apple Airport Express...URL: http://www.apple.com/wifi/. All you need is a mini-stereo plug-in to your head unit for connection and then download control App: Air Port Utility

All-in-all pretty easy and gives you added flexibility. Just a thought/alternative.
 
Al Gross said:
Another option is to go "Wi Fi". This gives you ability to control your music via Wi Fi, with added advantages of having Wi Fi connection and then "sharing/linking" your music between boats. An inexpensive Wi Fi set-up would be the Apple Airport Express...URL: http://www.apple.com/wifi/. All you need is a mini-stereo plug-in to your head unit for connection and then download control App: Air Port Utility

All-in-all pretty easy and gives you added flexibility. Just a thought/alternative.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about this. So is it just a local Wi-Fi? Not necessarily an internet capable set up but good for music? Can you use airplay to stream movies to the televisions using the USB?
 
Zorba said:
I'm curious about this. So is it just a local Wi-Fi? Not necessarily an internet capable set up but good for music? Can you use airplay to stream movies to the televisions using the USB?
Click to expand...

Zorba--
Yes, it is basically a local Wi-Fi. Good for music and associated airplay between boats if they also have same system. Not 100% sure on streaming video--likely need AppleTV, AirPlay, and 4G/3G IPAD together for this to work.

FYI, I have used IPAD connected straight via USB to TV before and it works beautifully as long as you have a good 3G signal. I don't use that option any longer as I now have KVH/DirectTV reception.

Hope this helps?
 
I currently connect my iphone to my CMD4 through the Aux in using the 30pin connector that also charges it. Would like to not be tied to the cable all the time.

Saw the Fusion Radio thread and the BT100 Bluetooth dongle looks like it might be an option.

Wondering if anyone has any updates for bluetooth connections?
 
I can highly recommend the miccus Bluetooth receiver plugged into your aux-in line... as well as the Miccus bluetooth transmitter. You only need the receiver if the devices you want to send music from have bluetooth transimitters (like your ipad/iphone etc). I wanted to transmit the audio from my non-Bluetooth TV and laptop through the stereo for tv/movie viewing. The Miccus transmitter works great. I did not have any bluetooth lag from the tv audio either as you often hear about when using both of these (think old overdubbed japanease karate movie effect where the mouth moves and doesnt match the audio).
 
Is there a Bluetooth receiver that will plug into the USB on my M309 that will give me full control and display on the head and remotes song information?

Sorry if this has been answered,

MM
 
MonacoMike said:
Is there a Bluetooth receiver that will plug into the USB on my M309 that will give me full control and display on the head and remotes song information?

Sorry if this has been answered,

MM
Click to expand...

Not sure about a bluetooth-to-usb adapter, but the miccus would work if you transmitted from your phone/device to the miccus receiver which can plug into the Covered Front Panel 3.5mm Stereo Mini-Jack on your M309.
 
MonacoMike said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but a 3.5 connection will not allow display and other controls as a USB would?

MM
Click to expand...

Correct. That just provides the audio signal into your head unit.

The difference in this scenario would be that you would have your ipod or whatever device with you in your hand at the helm/cockpit/bridge etc, transmitting to the receiver wherever your head unit is located. You wouldnt physically interact with the BT receiver plugged into your 3/5mm jack after its connected. All changes to playslist and content would happen on your phone/device itself.
 
I have felt there was a sound quality difference when the 30 pin/USB was connected to the M309 compared to the 3.5mm jack. Thoughts?

MM
 
MonacoMike said:
I have felt there was a sound quality difference when the 30 pin/USB was connected to the M309 compared to the 3.5mm jack. Thoughts?

MM
Click to expand...


I experienced more of that with my FM transmitter than I do with these Miccus devices. I have read other people complaining about some other bluetooth receivers but these were pretty well rated by most users on Amazon. I don't personally have any complaints. It solved my issue and still has better than average sound quality... As good as my iphone transmitting to the bluetooth factory head unit in my Acura. There may be a little less volume or clarity than XM/CD, but it certainly meet my needs without having to replace the stereo and remotes, and has not gotten any of the interference my FM transmitter did. If I needed to replace my current Clarion head unit for another reason, I would probably go more of a hard wired or advanced route, I just dont have the need yet. For under $60, the price and experiement were worth it.

I can see it maybe being an issue on a larger boat with longer distances between the bridge / cockpit / staterooms to the receiving head unit maybe.... But on my boat, I never run out of signal. My head unit is in the mid berth approximately under the helm and I can still connect from the bow and out to the swim platform.

(Side note, when someone was watching a movie on my ipad in the car while I drove, there was a video/audio delay connected to the car stereo that I did not see when doing the same in the boat... either miccus TX from the TV to miccus RX, or iPad to Miccus RX.)


James
 
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