Apple Watch & Fusion/Connext Volume Control

[anmut]

Read on for the most 1st world problem you've seen today...

I bought an Apple Watch to be able to control volume and songs while surfing and wakeboarding. The watch works great for switching songs and getting to playlists, however I am unable to use the "crown" to adjust volume when connected to the Fusion/Connext system. This is on a 2020 212S.

If my watch is connected to my truck bluetooth system, I can control volume fine. But when connected to the boat's Connect/Fusion radio, it won't allow for volume control from the watch.

I've done my diligence in looking up settings for both the watch and my phone to no avail, everything seems set correctly. As proof, any other bluetooth speaker or vehicle allows for volume adjustment from the watch.

Anyone else experience this issue? Am I missing a setting??

 

[biffdotorg]

The most common thing for folks to do is actually connect their phone to the head unit. As that was where the music source is. From there, the watch will adjust the volume of the phone, which in turn changes the volume of the head unit.

Things are integrated so much, many forget what they are actually controlling and come to find, the watch is controlling the phone. Now with fusion products, you can just allow your phone to bluetooth connect and let the head unit stream your source of choice on your phone. Or you can run the fusion link app on IOS and Android. At that time, you may not have control of the fusion link app with your apple watch. So try it without running fusion and with to be sure.

Otherwise, the only watch app is Fusion link lite for Garmin watches. Let us know if that is what you are actually running.

 

[AboveTheBest]

Mine will control the volume when paired to my phone, which is paired to the boat, as suggested above.

The problem is that I don’t have enough range with the watch to adjust volume, etc from very far away from the boat, let alone at the end of a 75’ ski rope.

 

[Julian]

Mine will control the volume when paired to my phone, which is paired to the boat, as suggested above.

The problem is that I don’t have enough range with the watch to adjust volume, etc from very far away from the boat, let alone at the end of a 75’ ski rope.

Yeah - bluetooth range is really 30 feet max.....so not going to work when skiing, but surfing should work.

 

[anmut]

Mine will control the volume when paired to my phone, which is paired to the boat, as suggested above.

The problem is that I don’t have enough range with the watch to adjust volume, etc from very far away from the boat, let alone at the end of a 75’ ski rope.

Now that's interesting - what music apps are you using?

 

[AboveTheBest]

Now that's interesting - what music apps are you using?

I just use the Music app and play downloaded songs off my phone.

My boat is a 2015, which I think was the first year for Connext. Maybe that’s the difference.

 

[anmut]

I just use the Music app and play downloaded songs off my phone.

My boat is a 2015, which I think was the first year for Connext. Maybe that’s the difference.

Possibly - yeah and see now that there's an app for the Garmin watch. The hell... Nautique partnered with the same losers.

 

[bigwaves]

Read on for the most 1st world problem you've seen today...

I bought an Apple Watch to be able to control volume and songs while surfing and wakeboarding. The watch works great for switching songs and getting to playlists, however I am unable to use the "crown" to adjust volume when connected to the Fusion/Connext system. This is on a 2020 212S.

If my watch is connected to my truck bluetooth system, I can control volume fine. But when connected to the boat's Connect/Fusion radio, it won't allow for volume control from the watch.

I've done my diligence in looking up settings for both the watch and my phone to no avail, everything seems set correctly. As proof, any other bluetooth speaker or vehicle allows for volume adjustment from the watch.

Anyone else experience this issue? Am I missing a setting??

anmut - don’t minimize your problem. I appreciate you putting on a brave face. This is a truly devastating situation you’re dealing with. Keep up the good fight.

 

[BigAbe75]

Read on for the most 1st world problem you've seen today...

I bought an Apple Watch to be able to control volume and songs while surfing and wakeboarding. The watch works great for switching songs and getting to playlists, however I am unable to use the "crown" to adjust volume when connected to the Fusion/Connext system. This is on a 2020 212S.

If my watch is connected to my truck bluetooth system, I can control volume fine. But when connected to the boat's Connect/Fusion radio, it won't allow for volume control from the watch.

I've done my diligence in looking up settings for both the watch and my phone to no avail, everything seems set correctly. As proof, any other bluetooth speaker or vehicle allows for volume adjustment from the watch.

Anyone else experience this issue? Am I missing a setting??

No, you are correct. As far as I know, it can’t be done on our Fusion units.

Phone volume control does not control the boat volume, as it does in most vehicles / head units. You have to use the fusion app, and even that is wonky as it seems designed for fine tuning and not basic volume up/down.

If you get it figured out, I’d love to know how!!

 

[biffdotorg]

Possibly - yeah and see now that there's an app for the Garmin watch. The hell... Nautique partnered with the same losers.

Nautique and Yamaha partnered with a stereo MFG. The stereo MFG partnered with Garmin for a watch app. They didn't need to partner with Apple Watch as the Fusion app was there for the IOS device and the Watch can control the IOS device. Theoretically it's the best of both worlds.

For the same reason my Sierra Denali connects to Carplay and Android auto as it touches most the bases. And my Polaris General with Ride Command connects with any IOS or android device for music and satellite map overlays, it just covers the most bases. But it also lets me stream XM radio through the phone, thus giving me apple watch control. Cuz every redneck needs to control yeet yeet music while drinking beer in the woods. HA.

 

[BigAbe75]

Mine will control the volume when paired to my phone, which is paired to the boat, as suggested above.

The problem is that I don’t have enough range with the watch to adjust volume, etc from very far away from the boat, let alone at the end of a 75’ ski rope.

You’re running the Polk head unit not the fusion though, right?

 

[biffdotorg]

No, you are correct. As far as I know, it can’t be done on our Fusion units.

Phone volume control does not control the boat volume, as it does in most vehicles / head units. You have to use the fusion app, and even that is wonky as it seems designed for fine tuning and not basic volume up/down.

If you get it figured out, I’d love to know how!!

I may have to go test this, as you have my curiosity up. I just installed a fusion head unit last year. And I liked the app, but hardly ever use it, as I have dash and swimdeck controls. The kids use the app more. But I'm 90% sure if I am connected via bluetooth, app not loaded, and I hit my volume controls on the phone, the volume will change like any other bluetooth connection.

Video at 11

 

[BigAbe75]

I may have to go test this, as you have my curiosity up. I just installed a fusion head unit last year. And I liked the app, but hardly ever use it, as I have dash and swimdeck controls. The kids use the app more. But I'm 90% sure if I am connected via bluetooth, app not loaded, and I hit my volume controls on the phone, the volume will change like any other bluetooth connection.

Video at 11

It’s super frustrating. I play all my content through my phone via Bluetooth. But, have to turn the knob to adjust volume. I think if I turn my phone volume all the way down to mute, it may respect that... but no change from one bar to full.

If it works in yours, I’ll be curious to see whether the models align, or if we have a stripped firmware by default in the boat that limits some functions.

Similariy, I purchased one of those gps speed control volume apps. So it would turn the music down when you stop. It won’t do anything either, since it is just controlling phone volume which the boat doesn’t care about. Lol

 

[BigAbe75]

@jacoviii You know our model boat stereos inside and out. Have you come across this?

 

[fabian]

Have the fusion head unit on a 2020 ar240. Not being able to control the volume via the phone when on bluetooth has been buggin me for a while, glad someone made a thread for it. You can still use the fusion app on ios to control the volume, but its not as convenient as using the dedicated hardware volume buttons on the phone. Its a first world problem for sure, but if anyone knows a work around it would be greatly appreciated

 

[adrianp89]

Same issue on my 252. My 210 was fine with the Polk, but volume doesnt do anything on the phone or watch.

 

[AboveTheBest]

You’re running the Polk head unit not the fusion though, right?

The control unit on the stern is Polk, so you’re probably right.

 

[anmut]

anmut - don’t minimize your problem. I appreciate you putting on a brave face. This is a truly devastating situation you’re dealing with. Keep up the good fight.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I've asked my wife Karen to write as many nasty emails as possible - with a little bit of luck we should have Apple and Yamaha cancelled by this weekend.

 

[anmut]

You’re running the Polk head unit not the fusion though, right?

Fusion head unit. Came with Polk speakers, but I replaced those immediately.

 

[anmut]

The control unit on the stern is Polk, so you’re probably right.

Here's what's installed on my boat (from memory):

Fusion MS-RA70NSX

Marine digital media receiver with SiriusXM and NMEA 2000 compatibility (does not play CDs)

www.crutchfield.com