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  • Wetsounds MC1 in dash mount

    cowwboy

    By cowwboy

      • Year: 2002 Brand: Malibu Model / Trim: VLX Cost: $500-$999 DIY or Professional Install: I installed it Sound Project Components: Upgraded Head Unit, Other
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    As many of the older bu owners I was not very fond of the hidden head unit under your arm rest. 
    I saw where someone on Wakeworld years ago took the gauge bezel from the next generation bu and put in a double din in the dash. So I got the same gauge bezel and kept it till I found a new head unit I like. 
    Few years down the road and they finally release the MC-1. 

     Here is a pic of the old vs new gauge panel. 
    29791335_10156258134153245_6115303000914742166_n.jpg.ca9750d0d25d0308fea07b07a151e108.jpg

     

    Here is the gauge shroud? that I got years back off ebay installed in my dash.

    20180312_165331.jpg.64191ac8b0e4bc56c2b2065dc8e24a61.thumb.jpg.b19bc357fa8d18bb466b7ce150383998.jpg
     

    My local malibu dealer hooked me up with the gauge bezel that fir in it and had the two outer gauges so I could use it as a template. 
    I then used a router table to make the gauge bezel out of HDPE. 

    20180329_205032.jpg.f4a91c9e203176bb9ba263e991c9d5fa.thumb.jpg.8fdc667b26d6b1251b2496304cb7fc7a.jpg
    20180329_205407.jpg.a7b0524425bced184b6d3d2a70421d50.thumb.jpg.a3841a4897e1c9912566ee4775cfc36a.jpg
    20180402_210524.jpg.6609f39f053d8174f2ffe142ca65a880.thumb.jpg.f280f6ae38c8ff6685f8593ce5b774ff.jpg

    20180402_213130.jpg.388cf6ecaeedb62b90956513a7e9795c.thumb.jpg.b5813129ba575cb8b6813c76cb64ae46.jpg
    20180403_170846.jpg.a7d5f3f2e494330b0578d689f064ceec.thumb.jpg.9723b90cc107c42132f556b26dfd5efd.jpg
     

    The MC-1 has an Aux in, Aux out, and the USB input and I couldn't find a off the shelf mount that had it all built in. 
    So I downloaded  the cad software from https://www.frontpanelexpress.com/ and had them make a panel to fit the panel mount headphone jacks and usb I got from amazon. 
    FYI Front panel express is amazing to work with. Their software broke down the costs of the machining so I could see where little rounding of corners and edges doubled the project price.  Or the text of my boats name cost almost nothing. 

    20180524_211911.jpg.d29ef074cea89868558e74e6a5ff711d.thumb.jpg.a9fe478a2aa27c8a884f7edbdee22924.jpg

    I still need to change the input panels screws to black so they blend better. 
    But it will be awesome being able to receive audio via an A-link and then transmit to another A-link for big cove tie ups. 

    The only downside to this mounting location and the screen is that the viewing angle isn't to great. So if you are sitting with the flip up bolster down you can see fine but when the bolster is up it gets kind of hard to see all of the graphics. 
    But I could shave the mount so it has a slight bit of a upward til to the screen.  
    Also I may wrap the panel mount in vinyl or get one machined out of aluminum. But we will see, the plain black HDPE is growing on me. 
     

     

    29790660_10156256806478245_8394383384817064806_n.jpg

    • Thanks 1
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    Rugger

    Rugger 709

    Posted

    Thanks for posting this.   Really like it.   Want that MC1 but gonna have to wait... I spent this summer's money I think.  lol  But it sure would be nice.   

     

    Rugger

    Rugger 709

    Posted

    @cowwboy have you had enough time with the MC1 yet to recommend?     Strongly considering.   Think I'd have the pass from wife too.... my stock original deck is glitchy, and she said straight up we aren't planning boating trips without a stereo.  lol.   Hardest part about the MC1 is where to put in on our generation of boats...   yours is a cool option but I'm trying to consider a few places

    cowwboy

    cowwboy 98

    Posted

    The only downside I have is the direct sunlight viewing wash out. But other then that I love it. 
    It could use to have better sound processing abilities (EQ / time delay). But that would only increase costs and most people don't need or want that kind of control. 
    I have been talking to a buddy with a V-ride and I really want to try to modify his dash to do the same. I thought of trying to find a quad gauge like the one my boat uses to get rid of the three little gauges then build a fiberglass pod to get his speed control multi line box to the side or swap his boat to perfect pass and ditch the stock speedo for it. 
    But he is not quite as adventurous as me, 

    Rugger

    Rugger 709

    Posted

    @cowwboy did you run the black box on the helm side, or in passenger compartment near the amps?  If the later, did the  8' WS cable reach?  (I know they sell an extension).     I might just keep mine on helm side where 420 is now...  I can't imagine losing signal quality right?

    cowwboy

    cowwboy 98

    Posted

    I put mine in the observer compartment. It is mounted on the walkway wall and I have a little slack. But if it was on the hull side I would have had to get the extension. 
    I have fought ballast pump / blower noise issues in the past so figured if I can put the signal source that much closer I would.

    Doesn't help that my sub tends to beat things to death on the drivers side. It used to knock the chip loose on my old  perfect pass. 

    • Thanks 1
    Rugger

    Rugger 709

    Posted

    Ok I’ll be running mc1.  Look forward to it. Most likely installed down lower since my dash is different (well it’s same as your new one but I want to keep lcd).  Thanks for your input

    • Like 1
    wellis77

    wellis77 18

    Posted

    Hey cowboy, I know this is an old thread but I just noticed your dash. Do you happen to have the part number for that insert still? I think I saw something similar on Great Lakes skipper and would love to do the same. 

    cowwboy

    cowwboy 98

    Posted

    I don't have the part #. I got mine from great lakes skipper. If I remember correctly they made 2 sizes. So if it's close to the dimensions of your dash get it.

    The parts are only going to get harder to get as these boats get older. 

    wellis77

    wellis77 18

    Posted

    Thanks. I think I found the one I need on GLS. I need to look into this but I had an idea about using a tablet for music and since I'm going to build a surf controller, the app can also be used to control the surf system.

     

    • Like 1
    cowwboy

    cowwboy 98

    Posted

    On 11/10/2021 at 9:27 AM, wellis77 said:

    Thanks. I think I found the one I need on GLS. I need to look into this but I had an idea about using a tablet for music and since I'm going to build a surf controller, the app can also be used to control the surf system.

     

    I can't wait to see the results.  Are you going to do a industrial mount tablet or a docking station for a off the shelf model?  

    wellis77

    wellis77 18

    Posted

    I may have found another solution to use that doesn't force me to become a programmer. I'm doing some checking with these guys to see how extensive it could go. This system, connected to OBDII and CANBUS, does data-logging and gauges, it offers switching functionality, and I'm connecting with them to see if any sort of audio function could be built in as well. With this platform, seems like it could integrate pretty easily with surf controllers and the owner seems pretty willing to work with customers on customization.

    https://www.theonegauge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-Logo-Gauge-Black-270x270.png

     

    cowwboy

    cowwboy 98

    Posted

    If they can get their device to talk nmea2k that could also help with integration. 

    wellis77

    wellis77 18

    Posted

    That would help for sure. So much cool stuff out there that can modernize our older boats. I love it, I just wish I didn't have to learn a new language to make it work. lol



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