Boss Marine Audio

Tim M · 04 March 2007, 16:06

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...3804&rd=1&rd=1

What do people think of this kit? Does anyone have one? Im currently trying to find a nice little system for my boat. I don't want to spend a fortune, but I don't want something that isnt going to work.....

RIB BOI · 04 March 2007, 19:26

I'm in the middel of a refit of the rib and am puting one of thows in to the boat have got it looks a nice bit of kit if you ask me.

RIBBOI

Biggles · 04 March 2007, 20:22

Looks a very good buy.

Just don't expect to hear much music when your hammering the boat and you won't be disapointed. Unless you stick an amp on it and some big speakers that is.

Tim M · 04 March 2007, 21:19

They also do one with 4x80watt speakers. Presumably that would be better....

Biggles · 04 March 2007, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

They also do one with 4x80watt speakers. Presumably that would be better....

I think you need 200 watts per speaker to be realistic. That needs an amp.

Tim M · 04 March 2007, 21:56

Oh well. Just bought the one i linked to above. Will be interesting to see what its like

Tim M · 31 March 2007, 21:43

Update: finally fitted the kit above today. Very pleased with the sound quality and indeed the overall feel of the gear. Something it doesnt say in the ebay ad is that is has phono inputs on the back for an MP3 player or whatever. So yes, highly recommend this stuff!

martini · 31 March 2007, 23:30

Was there an IP rating for water resistance on the box? Couldn't see one in the listing, would be interesting to know.

Tim M · 01 April 2007, 07:49

No but it does say fully waterproof and the guarantee does seem to back this up. Hopefully they will stand by this should the need arise....

Lasermatrix · 02 April 2007, 12:10

I've had one fitted to my boat for over 9 months now, very pleased with it, the only thing I will say, if it's got the detachable front controls, make sure you cover the back metal plate with something, mine has gone a tad rusty over the period and I need to give it a good clean, saying that, it still works absolutely fine.

Tim M · 04 April 2007, 13:14

Another update. Used it at sea the other day and the cd player is pretty much useless other than motoring around the marina. Doesnt like a choppy sea at all. However the radio works well even at speed. I intend to buy a cheap solid state mp3 to link up to it as this should work well. It is also possible to link the vhf up to the back of the unit if you wanted to put it through the speakers.

ian mcconnell · 05 April 2007, 14:37

I will second Tim M's comment, the CD only likes slow trowling, but i have got mine attached to the ipod, crank up the volume and it still manages to drown the outboard at full chat.

The only problem seems to be from first start up. Some of the stereo buttons fail to work until the unit heats up enoth, to i guess dry it out!! I use the remote control provided to navigate the stereo, which works fine.

Tim M · 05 April 2007, 14:51

Ian, do you know how to change the FM radio settings; I understand this (like many fm radios) can either be set up to American or European modes??

I understand that America doesn't use all the frequencies available, so when searching the radio will skip quite a few out. At the moment I can't get a number of radio stations including radio 1. I assume this is why. Any idea how to get it into European mode? Its not in the instructions....

ian mcconnell · 05 April 2007, 17:30

ah interesting, i have problems getting radio1 in the solent, im left with cheesy local stations, however when i used it on the thames last sunday radio 1 was crystal clear.. it does seem to skip almost every decent station on the south coast,

either it might be worth investing in a better aerial rather than the one supplied, or there is a switch on the back which will give all frequencies.

probley the aerial

Biggles · 05 April 2007, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Ian, do you know how to change the FM radio settings; I understand this (like many fm radios) can either be set up to American or European modes??

I understand that America doesn't use all the frequencies available, so when searching the radio will skip quite a few out. At the moment I can't get a number of radio stations including radio 1. I assume this is why. Any idea how to get it into European mode? Its not in the instructions....

Tim,

On my radio it was a sliding switch on the body of the set. No access once fitted. Although my radio is a different make to yours it might have the same body.

Nick.

JABS · 05 April 2007, 23:34

The difference between US FM radios and European is twofold:
The channel seperation is 0.2megahertz in the US and .05 in Europe and the premphasis is different.

I know it is a bit late to suggest this, but maybe a better system is to fit speakers and an amplifier only. Provided the amplifier has a 'low level' input you can connect an Ipod or similar or even a personal FM radio.

Some chandlers carry a waterproof input jack which could be fitted on the console. The amplifier would be hidden away inside a dry area.

Biggles · 05 April 2007, 23:41

Tim,

Just for info I'm running a Marine CD/Radio with the simple dipole antenna ( A Piece of wire inside the consol) and it gets all the Solent FM stations fine. And my local ones in Hampshire when I'm cleaning the boat. Haven't tried Radio 1 as I don't listen to it.

Also CD works fine in all but the roughest seas.

But being realistic I think if you want to listen to your favourite tunes and blast around in a RIB you need MP3 input with an amp and wakeboard speakers. For me thats this years project.

If anyone has fitted wakeboard speakers I would be interested in looking at the wiring connections.

regards Nick.

Tim M · 06 April 2007, 12:41

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check the back of the unit for a switch. I too only have one of those little wire ariels.

As for volume, at the moment it's fine. I have two speakers mounted on the back of the console just below the level of the steering wheel so it's perfectly clear. I think I'll have to go down the MP3 player route.

Tim M · 07 May 2007, 22:36

For the benefit of Ian and indeed anyone else with one of these Boss Marine sound systems, I have finally worked out how to change the radio to European mode. Whilst in radio mode press and hold band, and either < or > to toggle between European and us mode. Yay finally I will have radio one instead of just Ocean fm

Tim M · 30 May 2007, 19:17

Probably the last update on this: the head unit blew up the other day. Smoke and everything! Don't buy one of these if you want a waterproof cd player that works in a boat (which is a bit odd since that what it says it does on the side of the boat

)