What's best plug and play radio? 2010 Ultra
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 353
From: Tyler Tx
Any of them are plug and play and all keep hand controls with an adaptor. Don’t limit yourself to Harley specific head units, there is better bang for the buck out there from Sony, kenwood, alpine.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
Tagged in......looking to do the same to my 09 Ultra. 4 speakers, stereo and an amp. I see J&M has rebuilt oem radios with bluetooth added. I'm not looking for anything to make my hearing worse....lol....just clearer music at highway speeds. Not wanting to add speakers, just use the fairing and rear speaker holes. K.I.S.S. is my motto. I've been reading here there are other options for less money.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,756
Likes: 934
From: Southern Virginia
The new Rockford Fosgate head unit has much better specs and options than either the Jensen or Aquatic AV. Just plain cleaner sound and definitely plug and play.
I understand great sound can be had cheaper by using a Sony, Kenwood, or other known brand head unit but NONE of them are truly water resistant. The "marine" head units they offer just have conformal coatings on the circuit boards and UV protection on the face to resist sun and salt air. Let them sit in the parking lot during a good rain and they are toast.
If I had to replace my stock head unit with something else the Rockford would be my first choice. The specs are right up there with the other makes of standard single din head units, water ain't a problem, and no steering wheel control module is necessary.
I understand great sound can be had cheaper by using a Sony, Kenwood, or other known brand head unit but NONE of them are truly water resistant. The "marine" head units they offer just have conformal coatings on the circuit boards and UV protection on the face to resist sun and salt air. Let them sit in the parking lot during a good rain and they are toast.
If I had to replace my stock head unit with something else the Rockford would be my first choice. The specs are right up there with the other makes of standard single din head units, water ain't a problem, and no steering wheel control module is necessary.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 353
From: Tyler Tx
Ive ran the same head unit for 4 years now, Sony MEX70BT or something. The module is the size of a pack of filter less camels from back in the day and that radio has been wet more times than a pair of panties at a John Mayer concert.
Not saying it cant be damaged by water, anything electrical can, but its not like youre laying it in a puddle. Its in a dash. My bike gets ridden, Ive soaked GZs, Beymas, Faitals, rockfords, infinity, mmats, and on and on. Hell Ive played the front stage through rain storms on the highway.
Buy what youre comfortable with, if Sony/KW/alpine dont blow your skirt up, chunk cash at the Rockford. But plenty of people have gotten those plenty wet and kept right on truckin.
Not saying it cant be damaged by water, anything electrical can, but its not like youre laying it in a puddle. Its in a dash. My bike gets ridden, Ive soaked GZs, Beymas, Faitals, rockfords, infinity, mmats, and on and on. Hell Ive played the front stage through rain storms on the highway.
Buy what youre comfortable with, if Sony/KW/alpine dont blow your skirt up, chunk cash at the Rockford. But plenty of people have gotten those plenty wet and kept right on truckin.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Winnipeg
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,756
Likes: 934
From: Southern Virginia
The new Rockford Fosgate head unit has much better specs and options than either the Jensen or Aquatic AV. Just plain cleaner sound and definitely plug and play.
I understand great sound can be had cheaper by using a Sony, Kenwood, or other known brand head unit but NONE of them are truly water resistant. The "marine" head units they offer just have conformal coatings on the circuit boards and UV protection on the face to resist sun and salt air. Let them sit in the parking lot during a good rain and they are toast.
If I had to replace my stock head unit with something else the Rockford would be my first choice. The specs are right up there with the other makes of standard single din head units, water ain't a problem, and no steering wheel control module is necessary.
I understand great sound can be had cheaper by using a Sony, Kenwood, or other known brand head unit but NONE of them are truly water resistant. The "marine" head units they offer just have conformal coatings on the circuit boards and UV protection on the face to resist sun and salt air. Let them sit in the parking lot during a good rain and they are toast.
If I had to replace my stock head unit with something else the Rockford would be my first choice. The specs are right up there with the other makes of standard single din head units, water ain't a problem, and no steering wheel control module is necessary.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,756
Likes: 934
From: Southern Virginia
No cutting of wires should be necessary. I've added three amps, a DSP and eight speakers and didn't have to cut a single wire to do it. We basically just run new wires when we upgrade speakers and run power and ground to the battery. For some of the newer Rushmore bikes if folks want to use the wiring in the speaker pods many companies make adapter plugs that you can get so you don't have to cut into the factory wiring.
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