( 3 reviews )
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Posted: 10-07-2008
The Clarion CMD5 Marine Receiver was an installed upgrade to my new pontoon boat (read expensive). It is advertised as satellite radio/IPOD/MP3 etc. ready. It is NOT. In order to connect my IPOD I had to purchase an expensive ($90 from Clarion, cheaper on Amazon) cable interface in order to use. It's similar if you're wanting to use the other "ready" functions (save AM/FM and CD player), you'll need to buy an interface cable. I've had $50 stereos with a better tuner than this one. In addition to the installed antenna 'cable', I tried two additional antennas before being able to receive, with static, the major local FM stations only 20 miles away. Since I have a fairly large boat, often times you need to "crank up the volume". Using both store purchased and burned CD's, the unit will overload and 'kick out' with the volume at 30 in just a couple minutes (and I'm 57 years old!). I suspect this may be from excessive heat generation since you cannot leave the faceplate cover open while in use. This didn't happen with the IPOD, but volume is basically limited there depending on how things were recorded. I have not been able to test the watertight capability of the unit. It comes with a wireless remote, but must be used line-of-sight and is not waterproof so serves no useful function. A wired remote is available but, guess what, you'll need to pay extra plus buy the interface cable. I do like the large rubber covered volume knob - it makes for easy manipulation while your hands are wet and the water is rough.
