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I'm planning to buy a marine stereo for a friend as a gift. I'm not a boater nor do I know anything about boats so I have NO idea what to get but from what I've read here and on other sites, the Poly-Planar MRD-60 and the Clarion CMD4 are pretty good choices. A key feature is that he be able to hook up his iPod to the unit.
I've seen varying prices on these units with differences of over $100 or more. Ebay seems to have the lowest price around $285 for the PP.
Can someone tell me if eBay is the best place to buy it? Or are there any online retailers that offer it for less? Also, should I be looking at other models? I think I'm leaning towards the PP.
I can't answer about the ipod hook up... but I can tell you I started with a clarion. It was so difficult to use (and I program computers) that you needed to keep the manual at hand to use it. Totally unfriendly... sounded good but I'd never buy another. I now use the poly planer... great sound an easy to use. Definitely a good unit for salt water use. The only issue I've had.. I should say dissapointment is their speaker brackets lack quality. Had rust with a few weeks. I'll replace the brackets this season with shop made anodized aluminum. (oh!!! you have to buy a waterproof cabinet for the clarion).
I bought my Poly Planer on eBay... no issues for me to report. Great transaction.
__________________ Captain RF Mills
Location: Where the fish are, NC to FL, we travel.
Named after my children; Jonathan & Farren
Well, since I'm not getting the speakers, he's on his own. I didn't know if he wants flush mount or not, so I figured the stereo is enough for now, lol.
No history here with Poly planar.....but I just got the cmd4 installed this week. Did a bunch of research on the CMD4 and for the money and the application...open center console boat in Fl., went with it.
Bought off net from itronics (sp?)......from ebay link. 229 for the unit NEW, fast delivery. It has the connection to hook up an ipod on aux. I opted after debate to put in the sirius sat radio via portable unit and absolutely love it.....
You can get good deals off the net on the radios........Under 600 bucks for cmd4, 4 6.5" speakers and refurbed 4 channel amp. My system will not be confused with some of the high end systems mentioned on the site but for my short term application .......it matches well.
The cmd4 was reported and now confirmed easy to use such as storing preset channels common adjustments such as fade, treble bass and has a reputation for excellent quality in a wet environment. That swayed me....good luck!
1. CMD-4: Love the simple knob controls. Ipod interface is not all that friendly but workable (in terms of controlling the ipod from the head unit). Does not play mp3 cd's. Also will not be gimble mount friendly. No wireless remote option.
2. Poly planar: Also like the simple knob controls. Have to buy extra parts to hook up Ipod and/or amplifier. A bit more gimble mount friendly. Not certain if plays mp3 cd's. If you choose this one get it from one of the board vendors. Waterproof remote available
3. Aquatic Av: You did not mention this one but you should know about it as a choice. Supposedly very robust unit with stainless chassis and marinized internals. No knobs so pushbutton volume (I like knobs better). Ipod hooks up (but no interface control on the unit, just a simple "aux-in"). Will play weatherband and mp3 CD's. No extra parts to buy to hook up peripherals. The also have a DVD unit if your buddy has a big screen chartplotter that will play video. Waterproof floating remote available. Will not be very gimble mount friendly because of big face. I would say it falls between Poly planar and Clarion in this respect.
You wont go wrong with any of these units. If the Aquatic had a knob volume and true Ipod interface then it would be the hand's down winner in my book. Since this is not the case, just pick one and run with it.
The poly-planar can be configured to run almost everything through the unit........MP player, IPOD, vhf radio, remote control, etc. It is very easy to set up and operate.
The biggest problem with the Poly planar is it doesn't come with RCA's or and other outputs other than speakers. You have to buy black boxes everytime you want to add another funtion. To add MP3 or amps you need the IMR4 box, or to add remote you need the IMR 2 box. These boxes are not cheap and fill an area with wires real quick. The CM$ is a great stereo if you want built in SAT radio. If not the Aquatics is the best choice IMO. It has RCA input, 3 outputs, adds remote easily and has lots of juice.
you gotta watch what ipod interface means. I have an interface in my car and I can't use all the functions of the ipod or search easily for songs as it is a one line display. It is impossible to set up on-the-go playlists and look ahead for songs like youo can do with the ipod itdelf. Managing music is easier with the ipod in front of you. For that reason, I will always just use an aux in and mount the ipod on my dash where I can get to it quickly.
Wow, thanks to everyone for your input....now I'm more confused! I must've forgotten to mention that I don't really know too much about electronics, hehe.
But I guess I can't go wrong with any of the three....Clarion, PP or Aquatic.
I too, am torn between these two units for installation in the dash/console of my non-t-top C/C.
While the prices on e-bay are at least $100 lower than any store, the price is no object. I will not have sat. radio nor will I use an I-pod or any other mp3 unit with the stereo. No amp, no need for remote either wired or non-wired. Just the head unit in the dash and 2-maybe 4 speakers all around.
CMD4A is big. How would this unit be supported from behind?
Tireless - 4/1/2006 1:42 AM The poly-planar can be configured to run almost everything through the unit........MP player, IPOD, vhf radio, remote control, etc. It is very easy to set up and operate.
TIRELESS: Does this mean that the poly-planar unit has a digital input (1/8" phone plug, etc.) andan on-board D-to-A (digital-to-analog) converterthatallows it to play MP3 files from a remotely connected MP3 player?
This question is absolutely 'key' to me because Iown a 40GBhard-drive based (iRiver)MP3 player that holdsa whopping 5,000 songs, and I'd like to mount it (detachably) at the helmand quik-connect it to a poly-planar CD player on a daily basis? Can I hope to do that? Thanks!
Tireless - 4/1/2006 1:42 AM The poly-planar can be configured to run almost everything through the unit........MP player, IPOD, vhf radio, remote control, etc. It is very easy to set up and operate.
TIRELESS: Does this mean that the poly-planar unit has a digital input (1/8" phone plug, etc.) and*an on-board D-to-A (digital-to-analog) converter*that*allows it to play MP3 files from a remotely connected MP3 player?
This question is absolutely 'key' to me because I*own a 40GB*hard-drive based (iRiver)*MP3 player that holds*a whopping 5,000 songs, and I'd like to mount it (detachably) at the helm*and quik-connect it to a poly-planar CD player on a daily basis? Can I hope to do that? Thanks!
I haven't connected a portable MP3 to my unit but the literature says it can be used if you add the IMR4 module. The device looks like this......
Since I first posted in this thread my MDR60 has all but crapped out. The vhf still runs through it but the cd and radio is dead. With that said, I have broken almost every piece of electronics on my boat so this unit's failure is par for the course.
Duct Tape - 2/23/2007 11:50 AM You can use a 1/8" to rca adapter to input your ipod or any other audio device. these are analog inputs, if your mp3 player has a headphone jack on it, it can be plugged into the polyplanar.
My handheld MP3 player does have a headphone jack and Icommonly play it through a home stereo system using that same 1/8" jack to a mixer, then to an amp, etc., but my poly-planar unit on the boat is flush-mounted in the head area, and I can't get ready access to the backside of it to see just what it offers in the way of inputs/outputs.
However, if I'm reading this previous post correctly, a 1/8"-female phone plug to RCA-male adapter is available that will allow me to connect to an RCA-female input on the rear of the poly-planar? If so, that'd be great!
Poly-Planar MRD-60 or Clarion CMD4...help 
A key feature is that he be able to hook up his iPod to the unit.
I must've forgotten to mention that I don't really know too much about electronics, hehe. 
