Sony = buyers remorse

[Rukowh]

I had decided to replace my 1999 clarion head unit with the new clarion that doesn't have a cd player. It has a black box that mounts under the dash a face pack the operates like a dash remote. Just radio and iPod is all I wanted. I had decided to order online but stopped at a local sound shop and fell for a Sony instead. Its the one with no cd and it actually houses your iPod or iPhone inside. I bought two wired remotes. One small to fit in the 2" hole occupied by my old clarion remote and a larger one with a display to mount at the swim platform. Hooked it up and everything worked great. Cut the hole above the transom, mounted the rear remote and buttoned up all the wiring and still good. At some point the head unit realized there were two remotes and went haywire. If I unplug one or the other it goes back to normal. I called Sony support and every time I tried to explain my problem the guy would ask "why would you want two remotes in your car". Frustrating! Looks sweet though. I'm resourceful enough to figure something out, just wish sony was. Next time clarion.

[mzimme]

Sorry to hear. Next time skip Clarion and Sony both, and just buy a Kenwood or Alpine

[MLA]

That Sony head-unit will handle 2 remotes with no problem, Ive done it a number of times. Which two remotes did you get? Just to asking, but you did plug up both the large data cables with round ends using the supplied splitter as well as the small cables with the male and female 3.5MM ends?

[Rukowh]

I bought one x11 which is the 2" one with no display to replace my stock clarion in the dash and one x60 which is 3-1/4" one with display to go at the swim deck. I plugedthe bus cable from the x60 display to the head unit and put a "y" connector for the smaller multi plug to connect the function buttons for both remotes. In this configuration on both remotes the forward/reverse arrow buttons operate the volume up and down and all other buttons either change modes on the head unit instesd of thier labeled operation or do nothing at all. My question for Sony support was " do both remotes need to be the same, is there another solution, or will it not work at all. Their answer was "why do you want two remotes in your car?" followed by the very practical solution of unplugging the front one if I want to use the back one and vise versa. I was eventually told that it would not work. My next step is to pick up another x60 remote with display and see if it will work along with another identical unit.

[MLA]

Well, I can honestly say that I have not tried to run the two different remotes on a Sony as of yet. I will be ordering one and plugging it up here to see what happens as I am real curious about this now.

[EarmarkMarine]

Never had a legit issue with dual Sony remote controls. Use the 'Y' adapter at the source unit rather than at one of the remotes. Some of the 3.5mm male/female jacks are not capatable. Some have an outer locking provision that have to be trimmed away for a solid connection. You can always heatshrink the connections together. In any case, make a really critical inspection of all interconnects.

David
Earmark Marine

[Rukowh]

The y is at the head unit and it's only in the 3.5 mm line because the x11 remote doesn't have a display. It does have a power line that is for illumination that connects to the dash. I'm away from home for a few days so I'm gonna check it out more when I get back.

[Rukowh]

Finally got it figured out. Both remotes work now. There was a casting imperfection in the female end extension cord supplied with the x11 remote that was keeping it from plugging in all the way. Cleaned it out and everything works great. The frustrating thing is that I can find people on several forums that say that the remotes will work together, but Sony support has no clue. Looks good and works though. On to the next project.

[cptskier15]

Got a pic of your rear mounted unit?

[Rukowh]

I'll take one when it stops raining