Chuck,

Many of the comments posted are accurate, and also are probably adding to
your confusion. First off, I've heard HD FM and wasn't impressed by the
quality. Perhaps on a high end stereo in a home environment, it may sound
better... but on a boat? Actually, for me, FM is not really an option
anyway. Where I boat I rarely get a reliable FM signal. So... I went with a
pioneer unit (non marine) that plays mp3 (and wma) CDs, has an input for an
MP3 player (I have a Zune, not an iPod), and the biggie... satellite radio
(XM). With the XM Radio, I rarely listen to the mp3 player or CDs anyway. I
know it's $12/ month but it's worth every penny for me. They carry MLB on XM
as well, so one of my favorite activities is going out on the boat and
listening to the Red Sox. Since I'm in CA, the AM Red Sox broadcast doesn't
quite make the trip...

Good luck with your decision.

--Mike

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
ups.com...
Each time I resolved to replace the stereo system on my boat this
year, it would start working properly again and the task would drop
several notches on the priority list. Saturday, it gave up the ghost-
wouldn't turn on until about 50 attempts had been mae pressing the
switch, and even then the digital display was kaput. Only about 14
years' service from that unit- I guess they just don't make them like
they used to. :-)

Speaking of not making them like they used to.........

Holy Smackaroons

Used to think I knew a few things about car stereo (my stereo mounts
in the cabin where it's pretty protected- and I don't need/won't buy
"marine" version). Looking at the specs for potential replacements, I
can see where the industry has evolved substantially in the last 14
years while my technical awareness has not. It's like learning a new
language.

Questions for the more techinally hip:

1. Anybody got "HD" FM radio? Would you rate the difference in sound
quality as indistinguishable, marginal, or substantial?

2. Anybody using "memory cards" for music storage? Actually sounds
like a better approach than hooking up an external iPod, at least at
first blush. (We've got an entire galley drawer filled with CD's,
etc....would be nice to free up that space and store the music data on
something much smaller). So:

3. What are the pros and cons of memory cards, mp3 CD's, CD changers,
separate iPod's etc? There's a real smorgasbord og choices now
available.

4. Any general advice on this subject?