Marine Electronics Forum - GXM 51 and Stereo Questions

I have a GXM 51 garmin satellite weather receiver being installed on my Tiara 3100 open cruiser. I have an outdated (it has a cassette player... kinda outdated) stereo in the cabin. The GXM is interfacing to a Garmin 7212, so I know that I can change the XM stations from the display. My question is this: I am going to update the stereo and the speakers.

1. Do I need an amp with this setup?

2. Will a stereo with XM compatibility connect to the GXM in parallel? ie. can I use both the HU of the stereo AND the display to change channels/volume/etc.?

3. What would YOU recommend?

As always, thanks in advance!

I haven't activated the music service on my XM (Wx only), but just using the preview the volume is very low. The research I did an inline amp was recommended.

I have heard that. Is that because the NMEA goes to the chart plotter? If the signal went through the head unit, would that make a difference? The Fusion MS-IP700 has NMEA-2000 compatibility and 70Wx4 channels. That leads me to believe that you could run the GXM through the HU via the NMEA-2000 before it goes to the chart plotter and that would allow the HU to drive the volume and avoid an inline amp.

Otherwise, an inline amp is like a JL Audio M400 amplifier, right?

No an iniline amp splices in the RCA cables boosting the signal to a head unit or amp...

A slight clarification, you want an inline "pre-amp" to boost the XM line level signal, not an amplifier that goes to speaker level outputs. You will still run this via RCAs to a stereo head unit Aux Input. Then use either the Stereo Amplification or External Amplifiers to power the speakers. This antenna is not the same as an XM antenna for a stereo, that is different. Consider this an aux. music source. JL audio makes a nice inline preamp to boost the sound level of the Garmin XM unit.

Here's what you're looking at ....... I have a combo Garmin 740 connected to a GXM 51 (XM weather/music) and a Simrad NSS8 connected to a WM2 (Sirius weather/music). I also have a Simrad Sonic Hub (made by Fusion for Simrad/Lowrance). I can connect either the XM or Sirius RCA connectors to the SH and listen to either providers music. I do not have to have an inline amp for the 740 the volume is just fine.

GXM 51 connections and smart antenna

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Garmin%20740%20and%20SH%20GX2100%20Install/1-2.jpg?t=1276447739

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Garmin%20740%20and%20SH%20GX2100%20Install/3-2.jpg?t=1276447476

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Garmin%20740%20and%20SH%20GX2100%20Install/2-2.jpg?t=1276447772


You connect the RCA connectors to the aux in or Sat in connectors and the N2k connector into you N2k backbone. Your chartplotter controls what station you listen to plus a volume control and your head unit/stereo plays the music and adds volume.

Here's my Sonic Hub .....

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Two%20of%20a%20Kind%20Electronics%20Box%20Redesign/12-1-1-1.jpg?t=1332173704

Wow, thanks for the photos and the info. So the NMEA 2000 really is used to simply talk to the chartplotter. The Fusion HU (IP-700) has NMEA compatability, but it looks as though simply plugging the stereo RCA cables in will allow for volume changes via the HU. I'll look into that in-line by JL Audio. Thanks a ton!

BWP - Can you elaborate a little more on your sonic hub? Looks like something I may want to go with on my boat.

I upgraded my stereo and speakers, but have been wanting to add another channel (two speakers for helm) and possibly an amp for the existing two channels (6X9's).

The Sonic Hub is a good solid performer, it was easy to install plus use. Here are some pictures of my install. I have connected to my Simrad NSS8 plus I installed a Fusion remote so my wife can control it without having to use the NSS8. The NSS8 to SH functionalities and displays are easy to understand and use.

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Two%20of%20a%20Kind%20Electronics%20Box%20Redesign/6-9.jpg?t=1338149327

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Two%20of%20a%20Kind%20Electronics%20Box%20Redesign/5-10.jpg?t=1338149322

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Two%20of%20a%20Kind%20Electronics%20Box%20Redesign/2-10-1.jpg?t=1330350114

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Two%20of%20a%20Kind%20Electronics%20Box%20Redesign/11-2.jpg?t=1331402394


MS WR600 remote .....

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/Two%20of%20a%20Kind%20Electronics%20Box%20Redesign/2-9.jpg?t=1329788702

Hope this isn't a dumb ?... Is it specific to Simrad? My system is all Garmin.

It's made by Fusion for Simrad/Lowrance. It would be better for you to go with a fusion radio/head unit ...... RD200 or the IP600/700. Much simpler. The only reason I can connect by GXM51 is that I have boith a Garmin 740 and Simrad NSS8 at my helm.

Just upgraded my head unit to a Clarion CMD7 when the new electronics went it not to long ago...

I do appreciate you posting and elaborating on the SH.

Glad to help ...... your Clarion will get err done for sure!

Have installed many garmin wx/ clarion systems
The input needs to be boosted

Have installed many garmin wx/ clarion systems
The input needs to be boosted

Any recommendations on what to use (wattage) and brand?

It is a line level pre-amp, not a stereo speaker amplifier, therefore it is not rated by wattage, but instead rated by voltage increase in the line level input. I have not tried this brand yet, but it should work. You can look for any other line level pre-amp.
http://www.jlaudio.com/cl-rlc-car-audio-system-expansion-98117

Thanks for the info, Capt. Salty. BTW, did you guys get any water on your property from Debbie?

We had water right up to the top of the seawall on Sunday and just starting to come over with the wind/wave action. Luckily, my property is well above sea level and well above my seawall so no water, thank god.

My buddy in Mad Beach didn't fare so well, he had water come in to his house. :(

Yeah, it was way too close a call. The water was over our dock and right at the sea wall. I actually had to push the emergency override on the lift and take it up another foot as the waves were hitting the bottom of the lift. I think a big storm would mean Trouble...with a capital T.