Click on any of
the pictures below to see a larger version.
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This 50 foot cruiser has two separate factory audio systems
with one on the bridge and one in the cabin.
We added an LCD flatscreen, XM Satellite Radio, DVD, a video
distribution network, cabin & cockpit source sharing and
an infrared control system. These upgrades expand access to
all audio/video sources, greatly improve the ease of using
the systems and make the entertainment systems generally more
enjoyable.
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| THE EXTERIOR AND BRIDGE SYSTEM |
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Just above the original AM/FM/cassette/CD changer controller,
we added a dual-amp-balancer. One extreme favors the bow deck
speakers on a dedicated amplifier while the opposite fade accentuates
the bridge and aft deck speakers. |
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| Out on the bow deck, we installed a pair of waterproof
Boston Acoustics Voyager speakers with bow rail clamps. Quick-disconnect
waterproof deck plugs allow easy removal and reinstallation.
Sunbathers or stargazers can set up the dual-amp-balancer and
tone controls for the bow speakers in advance before going out
on the deck. |
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Once out on the bow deck a hardwired waterproof remote provides
convenient control over volume, sources, tracks or stations.
Just bring along the ice bucket and everything is at your fingertips
so you can relax awhile. |
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On the bridge console a second remote control makes access
easy for the captain and anyone else in the nearby seating
group.
A special filtered infrared target with flashing confirmation
and resistance to natural sunlight allows remote control of
interior sources, but is especially useful for changing XM
Satellite Radio stations or favorite XM presets.
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The newly added rocker switch at the center of the helm switch
panel turns the changer input on the bridge’s source
unit into an auxiliary input for XM Satellite Radio. Thus
one satellite radio tuner and controller can be independently
used or simultaneously shared by both the interior and exterior
systems.
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The third wired remote control provides access from the aft
deck seating area, swim deck or slip without climbing the
stairs to the bridge.
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| THE INTERIOR AND SALON SYSTEM |
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| Out came the standard tube TV. We replaced it
with an LCD flatscreen. In fabricating a mount for the LCD,
we wanted the TV to be viewable from the entire salon but also
from the elevated galley dinette. So to do this, we built in
several adjustments. First, the lower TV tray slides in and
out of the cabinet. Second, the TV base swivels several degrees
toward the galley. And third, we built-in several degrees of
upward tilt to compensate for the low original position. Designed
into the fixture is a center tensioning bolt that keeps resistance
on the swivel mount so that the intended TV direction isn’t
altered by the chop or swells on rough water. |
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Within the cabinet above, a door conceals the interior AM/FM/cassette
and both the interior and exterior system CD changers.
We upgraded the source unit to a more contemporary model
with features conducive to multimedia. One particularly useful
feature on the new unit is the infrared remote control.
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At the bottom of the upper cabinet, we fabricated a flushed-in
laminate mounting panel for the new XM radio controller and
a slot-load DVD player.
The DVD player also plays MP3 CD music software.
The XM Radio controller offers multiple memory presets for
your favorite satellite stations. The XM Satellite Radio receiver
output is shared by both of the salon and bridge source units
and can be controlled from either location.
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| To the left (port) side of the radar arch, an
XM marine antenna is installed on a nylon ratcheting mount and
uses a watertight gland for the cable penetration. |
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So that all source units can be controlled even when they
are concealed behind a closed cabinet door, we installed an
infrared target behind the speaker vent.
An infrared flood emitter repeats and distributes all remote
control commands to those components concealed within the
cabinet. Just kick back on the couch with a few remote controls
and you’ve got total command over TV, DVD, a surround
sound system with subwoofer and more. No getting up and no
opening of cabinet doors.
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| Within the stateroom, we installed another infrared
target in the light switch panel just under the TV. The stateroom
is equipped with upgrade speakers and a ten-step speaker attenuation
control which is run off the salon system. Anything that can
be controlled in the salon can be controlled in the stateroom.
The DVD player is distributed to every TV on the boat. |
| The approach to this boat was to integrate all
of the lifestyle improvements in a factory-like and conservative
manner. |
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| Earmark Car Audio
©2004 Earmark Car Audio. All Rights Reserved.
Design & Programming by Ad
Cetera Inc.
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