Fusion MS-IP600 Questions

Sheppy

Sheppy

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 Jan 2011
Messages
437
Location
Devon
Visit site
I’m close to investing in a Fusion MS-IP600 but have some questions and hope some of you can help. I don’t yet own an iPod but feel this setup is worth the investment. I would like to simply drop all my music on the iPod and essentially just leave it in the stereo on a fairly permanent basis. However, Does anyone know the answers to the following:
Is the iPod charged when docked inside the unit?
Do you have to turn the iPod on and off or is this done when you turn the stereo on and off?
I understand that these iPods have internal hard drives, are these likely to get damaged when hitting the waves?
 
We have just fitted a 2 zone version of the Fusion Ipod system

Ipod can just be left in place, it is charged all the time its on.
It's turned on automatically with the Fusion system from either control point.

Haven't sailed with it in rough conditions but i am not expecting a problem.

Only regret is not fitting a 3 zone system.

We got a good price at LIBS from TCS chandlery.

how this helps
 
Sheppy said:
I’m close to investing in a Fusion MS-IP600 but have some questions and hope some of you can help. I don’t yet own an iPod but feel this setup is worth the investment. I would like to simply drop all my music on the iPod and essentially just leave it in the stereo on a fairly permanent basis. However, Does anyone know the answers to the following:
Is the iPod charged when docked inside the unit?
Do you have to turn the iPod on and off or is this done when you turn the stereo on and off?
I understand that these iPods have internal hard drives, are these likely to get damaged when hitting the waves?
Click to expand...

Yes; no you don't have to, it's done for you; not in my experience.

Great bit of kit; I'd get one, if I didn't already have the 500 (predecessor).

Cheers
Jimmy
 
I have the 600 and agree all the above

Only thing I'd add is that I have ended up never putting the iPod into the fusion and instead have plugged the iPod into the Fusion's Aux-in, via a waterproof 3.5mm jack on the boat's dashboard. (Yeah, i knopw the sound quality is worse out of the top of an iPod than the bottom). Reasons are that (1) if you put the iPod inside the fusion you have to faff with plastic sleeves (a large bag of which is supplied) to make the iPod fit, urgh, and (2) the iPod's own user interface is waaaay nicer than the Fusion's, eg if you are on songs beginning A on the fusion you have to twiddle the knob to hell and back if you want Z on a well-stocked iPod, whereas with the iPod Touch's own user interface you go straight to Z

Reference hard drives and damage, I've never had a prob but remember several iPod models use silicon memory (like camera chip) with no moving parts and those are unbreakable. Only the bigger fancier iPods use a motorised hard drive. All types will fit in the Fusion, once you've slid the correct pesky sleeve onto it
 
Last edited:
jfm said:
I have the 600 and agree all the above

Only thing I'd add is that I have ended up never putting the iPod into the fusion and instead have plugged the iPod into the Fusion's Aux-in, via a waterproof 3.5mm jack on the boat's dashboard. (Yeah, i knopw the sound quality is worse out of the top of an iPod than the bottom). Reasons are that (1) if you put the iPod inside the fusion you have to faff with plastic sleeves (a large bag of which is supplied) to make the iPod fit, urgh, and (2) the iPod's own user interface is waaaay nicer than the Fusion's, eg if you are on songs beginning A on the fusion you have to twiddle the knob to hell and back if you want Z on a well-stocked iPod, whereas with the iPod Touch's own user interface you go straight to Z

Reference hard drives and damage, I've never had a prob but remember several iPod models use silicon memory (like camera chip) with no moving parts and those are unbreakable. Only the bigger fancier iPods use a motorised hard drive. All types will fit in the Fusion, once you've slid the correct pesky sleeve onto it
Click to expand...

It's not too pesky tho if you have an ipod that is solely for the boat; and only occasionally goes back home to have new material loaded (this is the way I do it). If you're plugging and unplugging your own (or guests) ipods then yep, completely agreed, wandering lead is best.

PS on my 500 when you are searching by artist, song, album etc, you're given a two-level search, so you scroll through the alphabet a-z to find the first letter of your artist, then click, then scroll through all the artists beginning with say E, and then you can quickly scroll until you get to Extreme Noise Terror...

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Last edited:
Thank you everyone for your responses, you've helped me make the decision to go for it. I'm not an avid music fan but do like the idea of having my stuff available without messy CD's etc. I’m not particularly keen about getting and iPod either but having an interface that works correctly with the device is quite important. Thanks for the tip on the solid state memory, I’ll try to get one of those. I’ll only have two speakers attached at first, and add two more in the cuddy at some point. I also like the option for the remote unit too.
Thanks again – I may even order it today!!!!
 
There are alternatives to the Fusion kit. On Rafiki, the head unit is fitted in the saloon, so I have just fitted a JVC head unit, with a remote control that I can use from the cockpit. This means the head unit does not need to be waterproof, and the iPod plugs in with a USB, giving power etc.

We can swap Pods very easily as desired.

Pods are fantastic devices for storing and managing music, and other audio sources. However, they can be susseptible to moisture ingress. If you try to return an Apple device (Pod/Phone) the first thing the "helpful" Apple people do is look down the 3.5 m socket at a small piece of tape, which is moisture sensitive. It is supposed to be white. They will always claim it is pink, showing moisture ingress. I had to be very assertive when they made this claim with SWMBO's Touch, which was clearly white. I went through 4 different layers at the Apple shop.

Herbert 1 = Red
Herbert 2 = Pink
Uber Herbert = Slightly pink
Manager Herbert = OK sir, we'll change it.

Several other custeomers in the queue did not get the same result.

This is why we keep ours in the saloon, away from the outdoors.
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
PS on my 500 when you are searching by artist, song, album etc, you're given a two-level search, so you scroll through the alphabet a-z to find the first letter of your artist, then click, then scroll through all the artists beginning with say E, and then you can quickly scroll until you get to Extreme Noise Terror...
Click to expand...
Ah thanks. I suspect mine does that too but I haven't checked. I hardly use the thing tbh. Good to hear your music choice - with so much metal/grindcore onboard you'll be the very bright blob on everyone's radar :)
 
I shove my iPhone into the Fusion on the RIB as soon as I launch, the plastic sleeves aren't a problem and a good solution to the varying sizes of iPods, it all works perfectly and the phone is held in securely to cope with the roughest conditions - My only grips is when the phone rings it doesn't ring through the speakers.
 
Sheppy, can you give us an update - did you get the Fusion MS-IP600G? Is it OK? I have an ipod touch 4th gen and have just bought the Fusion but can't make my ipod fit securely inside the unit. Any ideas if it is suitable and if so what combination of sleeves to use. (The UK contact number on the rear of the user manual relates to a re-hab clinic!).
 
Andy61 said:
Sheppy, can you give us an update - did you get the Fusion MS-IP600G? Is it OK? I have an ipod touch 4th gen and have just bought the Fusion but can't make my ipod fit securely inside the unit. Any ideas if it is suitable and if so what combination of sleeves to use. (The UK contact number on the rear of the user manual relates to a re-hab clinic!).
Click to expand...

You might need to buy a newer ipod. The manual suggests that ipod classic support starts with the 6th gen (ie 2007 onwards).

...

I just noticed you said ipod touch, not classic, sorry - oddly, the manual I'm reading suggests only first and second generation support for that device.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Last edited:
I can't help thinking it is a waste buying the Fusion I600 with the iPhone dock.
It's only compatible with iPhone 4S and backwards. Until they bring out one where you can plug the iPhone5 in I would consider just getting the USB version.
 
Hi Andy,
Yes I did get one but I've since sold the boat so have limited info on the setup. I certainly didn't have any problems making my ipod fit though, it came with a few different sleeves that seem to work just fine. I bought a pre-owned ipod nano, not sure of the gen but it was mono unit. I didn't want to put a brand new unit in there. I think Jimmy might be right, it's probably worth buying another ipod that you know fits - they're all listed on the Fusion website and in the distructions. I was quite pleased with it and will buy another but haven't got space at the moment on my instrumentation panel - very poor design.
John
 
Talulah said:
I can't help thinking it is a waste buying the Fusion I600 with the iPhone dock.
It's only compatible with iPhone 4S and backwards. Until they bring out one where you can plug the iPhone5 in I would consider just getting the USB version.
Click to expand...

I have the 700 with the bluetooth adaptor, very good bit of kit and lets me keep my iPhone with me and control volume and tracks from the phone and so on....the 600 may well need flash upgrades every time apple decide not to play nicely...
 
One thing I find really annoying on the 700 is the printing on the front of "Sirius Ready".
It's like having the stickers on the front of TV sets which would give the basic info about screen size, so many watts, HD Ready etc. Except with the 700 it's not removable.
It wouldn't be so bad if Sirius was available in the UK but it's not. So what is "Serius Ready" for? For me to go to the States.
I understand the reason they have this printed on the front is because of a licencing issue.
I think I would have stuck to my guns if I were them and not agreed to that particular licence term.
 
Talulah said:
One thing I find really annoying on the 700 is the printing on the front of "Sirius Ready"..
Click to expand...

I'm feeling very unobservant here. I've never noticed that Sirius thing, even though I have 4x 700! Also, the penny hadn't dropped with me that you can Bluetooth the iPhone 5 - thanks NigelP. You learn something everyday. I'll have a play around when on the boat this weekend
 
jfm said:
I'm feeling very unobservant here. I've never noticed that Sirius thing, even though I have 4x 700! Also, the penny hadn't dropped with me that you can Bluetooth the iPhone 5 - thanks NigelP. You learn something everyday. I'll have a play around when on the boat this weekend
Click to expand...

you will need the ms bt 200
http://www.force4.co.uk/10823/Fusio...rrer=froogle&gclid=CIeQ2vSwvroCFVMdtAod5DcApA

funnily enough it plugs into the sirius port in the rear of the unit :)

There is a less expensive version, BT100, but you will lose out on screen info and have less control from the phone. (looking at your ship you can probably run to the additional cost!)
You will probably have to install a flash upgrade on the head unit, Fusion will send you the file to pop onto a USB stick, (again, this goes into the rear of the head unit). After that it is extremely easy to link and very nice to use...
 
Bluetooth is really handy. Whenever I turn on my player (Alpine) it automatically picks up my iPad and I can just go from there.

Audio quality may not be just the same (I'm still testing this) but the usability makes up for this (possible) shortcoming on everyday radio listening.
 
Nigelpickin said:
you will need the ms bt 200
http://www.force4.co.uk/10823/Fusio...rrer=froogle&gclid=CIeQ2vSwvroCFVMdtAod5DcApA

funnily enough it plugs into the sirius port in the rear of the unit :)

There is a less expensive version, BT100, but you will lose out on screen info and have less control from the phone. (looking at your ship you can probably run to the additional cost!)
You will probably have to install a flash upgrade on the head unit, Fusion will send you the file to pop onto a USB stick, (again, this goes into the rear of the head unit). After that it is extremely easy to link and very nice to use...
Click to expand...
Ah, thanks very much for all that info. That's on my winter jobs list then :-). I have email address of a good tech guy at Fusion in NZ so when I've checked what software version I currently have I'll email him and ask for the file
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top