CMD5 Replacement

[jaceaser]

What's a good replacement for the Clarion CMD5? I would love Bluetooth.

[chpthril]

Im 99% sure that the CMD5 has the old 6-pin remotes and cables. So even sticking with Clarion, you would also be upgrading a transom and helm remote if equipped. For this reason, I suggest a universal blue tooth receiver Such as the Wet Sounds BTVC or one of the other model used by JL/Metra/Cerwin Vega. The Wet Sounds offers volume and track skip, where as the others are a set it and forget it receiver. These units will easily interface with the CMD5's rear red AUX inputs.

[jaceaser]

Yes you are correct the aux input is two cables. Is the Wet Sounds BTVC compatible with it, if so, it seems like a pretty easy install?

[Truekaotik]

Yes it's compatable and the best option to be honest...

[jaceaser]

Thanks, I just went back there to look where are the AUX inputs? I've found the manual, but it doesn't have a diagram of the back of the unit.

[chpthril]

Yes you are correct the aux input is two cables. Is the Wet Sounds BTVC compatible with it, if so, it seems like a pretty easy install?

Yes, you just need a 3.5MM male x RCA stereo cable for the wet sounds BTVC

Thanks, I just went back there to look where are the AUX inputs? I've found the manual, but it doesn't have a diagram of the back of the unit.

They are likely taped up in the main harness and hard to see, but they are there. They have red leads (not plugs but the wires).

[duffymahoney]

I have a cmd8 I would sell cheap, never used. No bluetooth though, but control of the iphone is nice. I prefer to plug my iphone in so that it's always charged.

[rhoadsdj]

+1 for adding a bluetooth adapter to the CMD5. I just added the Cerwin Vega unit chpthril referenced - it works flawlessly and took about 5 minutes to install.

[Chumes29]

I added a similar unit recently. The issue I have had is it will not power my amps running through the AUX on the CMD5, so my sub and tower speakers are not being utilized, only the speakers in the boat. Not sure what to do about that issue.