Any reason to have a head unit

[Emeralddrive]

Hi folks. I’m embarking on my audio modifications for my 2012 AR190. My question concerns the head unit (a single din in this model). I can’t imagine any scenario where we will listen to the radio, cd, audio from a USB stick. 99% of our listening will be via streaming or offline stored audio streamed via Bluetooth.

Is there any reason to have a regular head unit come up or can I get away with using something like this Fusion Bluetooth transmitter, attached directly to my amplifier?

Fusion Bluetooth Dongle for Fusion Head Units https://a.co/d/8tlq4HQ

I’ve seen mention of people doing this on the forums , but I’m asking whether there is anything I will be missing out on by not having a head unit?

I think one of the concerns is likely to be an EQ and I wonder if I should just consider getting a hardware version?

 

[BrandonG]

Are you saying the head unit you have does not have bluetooth so you're going to just add the dongle to allow for streaming? Or you're trying to run just a stand alone bluetooth connection straight to the amp?

You can get bluetooth headunit alot cheaper than that dongle and be able to adjust the EQ ect. Im thinking it would be a major hassle to try running everything just through a cell phone

 

[adrianp89]

No not really - all control will be in your phone.

 

[jocolo21]

This is what i use, and a transom remote

 

[dscable]

Hi folks. I’m embarking on my audio modifications for my 2012 AR190. My question concerns the head unit (a single din in this model). I can’t imagine any scenario where we will listen to the radio, cd, audio from a USB stick. 99% of our listening will be via streaming or offline stored audio streamed via Bluetooth.

Is there any reason to have a regular head unit come up or can I get away with using something like this Fusion Bluetooth transmitter, attached directly to my amplifier?

Fusion Bluetooth Dongle for Fusion Head Units https://a.co/d/8tlq4HQ

I’ve seen mention of people doing this on the forums , but I’m asking whether there is anything I will be missing out on by not having a head unit?

I think one of the concerns is likely to be an EQ and I wonder if I should just consider getting a hardware version?

I put this head unit in my '13 AR190

https://a.co/d/bv0iQxW

and put this remote at the helm since that year has the head unit in the passenger side glove box

https://a.co/d/39GT2Se

Once your cell is connected, the remote gives you everything you need (volume/skip etc.)
The head unit is handy if you have a split system (tower speakers vs. cockpit speakers) and for EQ

Solid setup that I would do again!!

 

[Emeralddrive]

I put this head unit in my '13 AR190

https://a.co/d/bv0iQxW

and put this remote at the helm since that year has the head unit in the passenger side glove box

https://a.co/d/39GT2Se

Once your cell is connected, the remote gives you everything you need (volume/skip etc.)
The head unit is handy if you have a split system (tower speakers vs. cockpit speakers) and for EQ

Thanks. I was trying to decide if I should go Bluetooth only or not.This approach seems ideal though.

 

[BlkGS]

It's nice to be able to do volume on the HU and not phone, as phone vune typically f's with the EQ. Speaking of EQ, you want the radio for its EQ, as you can only have a global EQ on the phone, and what works for the boat won't sound right in your car, or on headphones, etc. As others have said, transom.remotes as well. I'm not aware of anything like that for a phone, amdnwith a Hu and remote you can leave your phone up front where Innis dry and shaded, and use the remote for most functions.