Ari Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 My boat has a radio/CD fitted which is a very cheap unbranded one although it does have the huge benefit of being remote control (essential as is fitted in the cabin and you need to adjust the volume from the cockpit). The problem I have is I love to listen to music whilst blasting down the coast, but if it's a bit choppy then every time I hit a big wave the CD jumps and it's a few seconds before it finds itself. I've noticed recently that you can get USB stereos. Presumably this means I could load music onto a USB stick and as it's solid state that would eridicate this problem? The other issue is that as speed it's just not powerful enough. The speakers are behind you in the cockpit and the sound just gets swept away at 30 knots (fast cruising speed). So what I need is a cheap stereo with USB (assuming, as per query above, that would help), remote control and that is fairly powerful. Quality is not too important as long as it works well as you're never going to hear every nuance of high fidelity anyway. Any thoughts on possible makes, how much, and best places to buy? I've looked in Halfrauds but they didn't seem to have a great choice with USB (in fact I don't think they had any when I looked). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markpaq Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Hi Ari, Have you considered an iPod? You could get one of those iTrip thingy's and then tune your existing stereo into it, that would sort out the jumping about. You may even want to think about upgrading your onboard unit to one with a bit more oomph or even one that accepts iPod input. As usual the options are there, it all depends on how much you want to spend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 never heard of this make, but the manufacturer name has to be seen if only for a laugh linky seems powerful enough and does what you're asking for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timps Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 Kenwood do a nice range Link to shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] never heard of this make, but the manufacturer name has to be seen if only for a laugh linky seems powerful enough and does what you're asking for [/ QUOTE ] Hey now that Mutant ( ) looks spot on actually! Like you say, it ticks all the boxes and it's cheap. Cheapo quality no doubt, but so is the original one so nothing lost there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Kenwood do a nice range Link to shop [/ QUOTE ] Those Kenwoods are really good for around £100, but non seem to have remote control (which is essential as can't reach stereo from the helm). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Hi Ari, Have you considered an iPod? You could get one of those iTrip thingy's and then tune your existing stereo into it, that would sort out the jumping about. You may even want to think about upgrading your onboard unit to one with a bit more oomph or even one that accepts iPod input. As usual the options are there, it all depends on how much you want to spend. [/ QUOTE ] Good idea but too complex and costly. Just need a stereo that works, is loud, plays USB (or other solid state storage) and has remote control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 Captain Mutant it is then surely you can't go wrong for 70 quid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timps Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 The Kenwood KDC-W5534U - CD/MP3/USB TUNER has the option of a remote at £119 but then it costs another £24.99 for the optional remote. so it starts looking a quite a bit more expensive than the £70 of the Mutant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 There's something terribly classy about having a Mutant stereo too, I think it will lend an air of sophistication. There's no rush, boat doesn't go back afloat till March so might keep a weather eye out in the Jan sales in the meantime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 If you want to hear your music whilst on the water most of the major speaker manufacturers have a Marine series - Sony, JBL, Alpine, Bose, Infinity etc. A couple of links, here and here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] There's something terribly classy about having a Mutant stereo too, I think it will lend an air of sophistication. [/ QUOTE ] I agree - such a reputation just oozes class bazza has rightly pointed out the dedicated marine ranges - JL Audio would get my vote for a proper install Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 There's no need really, the stereo lives "indoors" in the cabin. The original fit one is still working fine, it's just a bit crap and the CD jumps when you're going fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknick Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 What about this one from Lidl from next Thursday 30th. Comes with free 3 year manufacturer's warranty for £49.99 http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20061130.p.MP3_Car_Stereo_With_Remote_Control.ar8 MP3 Car Stereo With Remote Control * With USB port, card reader and recording function * 4 colour LCD display and backlight * Jog dial volume control * Line out (2 x front and 2 x rear) * Max. power output: 4 x 20W * Dimming function * Mute function * Anti-skip protection * USB 1.1 and 2.0 * Card reader: MMC and SD memory cards * Plays CD± R/RW, MP3, WMA, OGG and WAV * MP3 functions: * - Search by file, title or initial letter * - Displays index, file, song, album and artist * Radio functions: * - 4 Band Preset Equalizer * - Records from radio to USB stick or SD/MMC memory card * - 36 station memory * - Automatic PLL tuning * Supplied with remote control with battery and set of removal keys * Size of front panel (cm): 18.9 x 18.5 x 5.7 * USB stick and memory card not included * Free 3 year manufacturer's warranty * Price per item 49.99* Only available while stocks last Add to shopping list Print preview Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timps Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] What about this one from Lidl from next Thursday 30th. Comes with free 3 year manufacturer's warranty for £49.99 [/ QUOTE ] Just had a look at the Lidl one & it is identical in looks in every respect (apart from name) to the mutant so same radio £20 cheaper. But unfortunately the Silver Crest brand does not have the same kudos as the Mutant brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Wow, that's cheap enough!!! Just need to try and find someone to go into Lidl's for me...! Agree it lacks the kudos of Mutant as a brand name, but think I could live with that for the saving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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