Tyger
04-09-2008, 08:47 PM
There's quite a few threads about this topic, so I wanted to post my experience. Like many, I wanted to upgrade the factory stereo in my boat (05 Mobius LSV) without losing the factory wired remote functionality or having to buy a new remote.
Great news! I just finished installing the KDC-X592 and I connected the single black wire with a sort of twist-lock connection to the 'REMO CONT' (blue wire) coming out of the head unit. This was a separate wire from the wiring harness for everything else. This was also the experience of SethC way back in 2006 (https://forum.moomba.com/viewtopic.php?t=2853). I can change to different inputs, including iPod/USB, skip back and forth on iPod songs and mute, etc.
The factory wiring harness fit the new stereo, too, so if I had been happy with the wiring, I could have swapped out the stereo in 5 minutes. However, the wires were all cut really short and used wire nuts (not sure if this was the previous owner or factory) and I wanted to clean up the amp installation, which was horribly done (I'm sure by the previous owner) so I spent the afternoon under the glove box getting everything pretty.
Many people have reported that you have to buy a Kenwood marinized HU to get the wired remote to work, but this simply isn't true. When I was doing my research I also looked at a KDC-X492 at a local shop and it had the same blue wire (which is designed to connect to an adapter for steering wheel controls in cars). I agree with many posters that 'marization' doesn't offer any value for the features you lose at substantially more money.
Background:
My main desire was to have a jukebox in the boat with high quality sound and the ability to create custom playlists or DJ while out on the water. iPod is one of the few choices, because the iPod direct control is a pre-amp output and it has the ability to use playlists. The Zune does not have a pre-amp output unless you have the Sync technology in newer Fords. I don't own a Ford and really wouldn't want to strap it to the top of my wakeboarding boat anyway. I could not find a single HU of any brand that supported playlists on CD/DVD or USB memory. My factory HU already had the adapter to take a portable media player input (mini-DIN connector) but this is a line-level input and I wanted to be able to play the stereo loud and clear enough that the rider could easily hear.
After extensive research and suggestions, I wanted to go with another brand of HU for the quality of iPod controls (Alpine or Pioneer), but I wasn't sure if they would work with the factory wired remote and didn't want to take the chance. I finally settled on the X592 because it had better iPod controls and visibility (new in 08 - it now has a 3 line display for scrolling through iPod content).
I picked up the KDC-X592 for $156 shipped from CartronixPlus (Kenwood doesn't warranty items bought on the Internet through un-authorized dealers, but CartronixPlus offers to service it for 1 year).
The only thing I don't have is ability to create a playlist on the fly or DJ.
For my next project, I'll likely be adding the nicer Kenwood LCD remote at the driver seat (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270217820204&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=280207023916&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=its%3DS%252BI%252BSS) and moving the existing remote back to the transom.
BTW, my KDC-225MR is up for sale (works just fine). If you are interested PM me an offer.
Great news! I just finished installing the KDC-X592 and I connected the single black wire with a sort of twist-lock connection to the 'REMO CONT' (blue wire) coming out of the head unit. This was a separate wire from the wiring harness for everything else. This was also the experience of SethC way back in 2006 (https://forum.moomba.com/viewtopic.php?t=2853). I can change to different inputs, including iPod/USB, skip back and forth on iPod songs and mute, etc.
The factory wiring harness fit the new stereo, too, so if I had been happy with the wiring, I could have swapped out the stereo in 5 minutes. However, the wires were all cut really short and used wire nuts (not sure if this was the previous owner or factory) and I wanted to clean up the amp installation, which was horribly done (I'm sure by the previous owner) so I spent the afternoon under the glove box getting everything pretty.
Many people have reported that you have to buy a Kenwood marinized HU to get the wired remote to work, but this simply isn't true. When I was doing my research I also looked at a KDC-X492 at a local shop and it had the same blue wire (which is designed to connect to an adapter for steering wheel controls in cars). I agree with many posters that 'marization' doesn't offer any value for the features you lose at substantially more money.
Background:
My main desire was to have a jukebox in the boat with high quality sound and the ability to create custom playlists or DJ while out on the water. iPod is one of the few choices, because the iPod direct control is a pre-amp output and it has the ability to use playlists. The Zune does not have a pre-amp output unless you have the Sync technology in newer Fords. I don't own a Ford and really wouldn't want to strap it to the top of my wakeboarding boat anyway. I could not find a single HU of any brand that supported playlists on CD/DVD or USB memory. My factory HU already had the adapter to take a portable media player input (mini-DIN connector) but this is a line-level input and I wanted to be able to play the stereo loud and clear enough that the rider could easily hear.
After extensive research and suggestions, I wanted to go with another brand of HU for the quality of iPod controls (Alpine or Pioneer), but I wasn't sure if they would work with the factory wired remote and didn't want to take the chance. I finally settled on the X592 because it had better iPod controls and visibility (new in 08 - it now has a 3 line display for scrolling through iPod content).
I picked up the KDC-X592 for $156 shipped from CartronixPlus (Kenwood doesn't warranty items bought on the Internet through un-authorized dealers, but CartronixPlus offers to service it for 1 year).
The only thing I don't have is ability to create a playlist on the fly or DJ.
For my next project, I'll likely be adding the nicer Kenwood LCD remote at the driver seat (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270217820204&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=280207023916&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=its%3DS%252BI%252BSS) and moving the existing remote back to the transom.
BTW, my KDC-225MR is up for sale (works just fine). If you are interested PM me an offer.