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| The Fusion holds your iPod safely inside. |
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Feel the Noize: Fusion’s MS-IP500
The latest and greatest in marine stereos? The ability to accept your iPod. But most units do so via a patch cable, which means your iPod is then exposed to the marine environment. Not good, especially if you plan to cruise to the canyons through three foot seas in an open boat. That’s why Fusion’s MS-IP500 includes a full-blown docking station as opposed to a plug-in port. The advantage here is that you plug your iPod into the stereo itself (the faceplate swings down, exposing the port, then folds back up and in place, securing the iPod inside). Once the unit is sealed it’s waterproof to IP65 standards, and control of the iPod moves to the stereo, which replicates the same menu and functions as your iPod has.
There stereo itself is a potent four-channel unit, putting out 70-watts per channel. It includes base/treble/balance control, four-zone configuration, and sub-woofer level control, is back-lighted, Sirius-ready, and comes in black or white. And this is no marinized car stereo, it’s designed from the chassis-up for the saltwater environment. That’s a lot more unusual than you might suspect; in fact, the vast majority of “marine” stereos are really auto stereos with some added moisture protection. I’ve tested dozens of marine stereos and in my experience, these “marinized” units rarely last more than two seasons. With the Fusion, however, you won’t have to worry about replacing it before your playlist goes obsolete. Plus, when I played with one I found it easy and intuitive to use, and loud enough to rock the boat—literally.
Price: $450
The Highs: Butt-kicking sound quality in your boat, from your iPod. The iPod and stereo both will survive the marine environment.
The Lows: Though the list of compatible iPods is long (Touch, Classic, Gen 2, 3, 5, and 6, and Nano,) it isn’t 100-percent.
Who Wants It: Boaters who like music, and are sick and tired of replacing “marine” stereos every other season.
Contact: www.fusionelectronics.com
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