I have a killer system in my '00 Nautique, but I still have the original Clarion CD deck running it all. It skips like crazy on any burned CDs. What is the best MP3 player w/ remote that will fit the original space? I don't want to have to take the whole boat apart...

I'm wanting to add an MP3 player to my new boat as well. I saw a review of an MP3 player that was basically a hard drive and a wireless connection. The player would connect to a standard car stereo and came with a remote to control song selection. The cool thing about the device was how you got the songs to and from the car. The device used the wireless link to establish a connection with your home network when the car/boat was in the garage. Music and playlists would be set up on your main computer and sent to MP3 player in car/boat. <BR> <BR>Sure do wish I was paying better attention and remembered a name. But I'm looking for a good player too. If all else fails the I-Pod looks like a slick way to go.

Whit, I bought an iPod and an FM modulator that connects to the headphone jack. I can then just "broadcast" from the iPod on FM and use the boat stereo tuner. It works really well and I use the remote for the iPod to control the music selection. Very nice, but not cheap. <BR>

I am running the Sony CDX-M850MP along with the CDX-757MX 10 disk MP3 changer. The deck does a fair job on playback, but the changer has a 12 second buffer so it never and I mean never skips. 10 disks with over 150 songs each means you never have to carry extra cds with you.

I spent my first full day on the water with my new Sony CDX-MP40. I couldn't be happier. The water was very rough. I had (maybe) three skips all day. Not bad. Great remote, and not too expensive...

Just use an old laptop with a big hard drive. I have a Nomad Jukebox but rarely use it because I like the dj software available for computers waaay better. Connect it with a transmitter like the Gruv X (<a href="http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10334637" target="_blank">http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10334637</a>) or if you want your friends in the immediate proximity to enjoy your mp3s as well use a low power FM transmitter(<a href="http://www.hobbytron.net/R-FM25.html" target="_blank">http://www.hobbytron.net/R-FM25.html</a>).

BT - Do you have a Nautique? I would like to find the MP3 player with the longest buffer, and still fits in the factory slot. I'm not a stereo genius, and I would prefer to have as little headache on installation as possible...

No to throw off the subject, but Kent if you have a Clarion XMD-1, you may want to try slowing down the record speed of burned CD-R's. I had the same problem with my factory Clarion head unit when I burned them at 40X. Someone (thanks Barry) suggested slowing the recording speed down to like half of the speed. I changed it to 16X and they work great. You may want to try that........even though having a mp3 player would be great as well. <BR> <BR>Good luck.

Store up to 165hrs of music without skiping. Put it in a nice marine cover in the factory hole.<a href="http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?CATEGORY=CD&amp;MD=MEX-1HD" target="_blank">http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?CATEGORY=CD&amp;MD=MEX-1HD</a>

Kent, <BR> <BR>The Sony CDX-MP40 is a standard single DIN unit. I believe the Clarion units are single DIN with an oversized face. Unless your Nautique is unusual, the MP40 should fit fine...

Step up a model or two and get the Sony MP70. It has the G shock cd player and absolutely will not skip a cd, no matter how rough it is. You can do MP3, CD, and XM on the unit. You can get them on eBay for $250.

Nice! Thanks for all of the ideas! <BR> <BR>

Early this year I spent much time looking for MP3 capable head units. My criteria included: 1)display clearly visible in bright sunlight, 2) MP3, 3) good anti skip. <BR>A friend was successful with a Sony MDX MP70. The display was an awsome LCD with diferent colors and contrast control. MP3, and Sony G shock anti skip. (Most displays are LED and get washed out in bright sun) <BR>None of the other head units available at the time (of quality, i.e. Alpine, Kenwood) could match all 3. <BR>I picked up the '03 version, MP80 (same as MP70 but has black faceplate)and installed in my '00 Centurion Elite V-drive factory location. <BR>This unit has worked flawlessly once I changed the install angle to within the Sony spec. of <30 degrees. Original mount angle is about 45 and yes it matters. <BR>Some would consider using a changer, these units definetly offer the best in anti skip. If I were to go this route I don't think I would need MP3 capability but would still be nice. Going the changer route affords you the luxury of getting a lower end head unit.

Aren't there are more differences on the MP70 And MP80 than the face plate. I think the MP80 has 4volt preouts and the MP70 is XM ready.

Yes, the MP80 is a 4V preout, so if you have some nice amps you are using, go with the MP80. You can still use XM on the MP80 eventhough it doesn't say it will work.