For the audio experts or anyone else in the know...

Are each manufacture's cables that tie a stereo remote to the head unit proprietary to that manufacture or are they pretty much the same type of hookup...say like an RCA style cable? For example, let's say I have a JBL system in the boat right now with 2 remotes - one on the dash and one at the transom. If I were to swap out the head unit for say a Kenwood stereo, could the existing remote cables be used for new Kenwood remote units? The reason I ask is it would be damn near impossible to run new remote cables due to the boat's layout and position of the current head unit. TIA!

The cables are only compatible with the manufacturer of the head unit and remote. Older ones might not even be compatible with newer models.

Yeah, I figured that was the case. Thought about it more over the weekend and they probably connect with a harness that has more or less wires depending on what functionality the remote contains. Thanks.

some remote cable's are almost imposible to rerun we have in those cases cut and soldered the new ends on and use good release style shrink wrap (anchor) to seal up some depth finder transducers also of coarse the amount of conductors in the cable must allow this

Alpine now has wireless remotes w/ displays. Not sure how long the battery will keep them powered tho. I plan on using these for my upgrade.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...ry=MAR_SYS_SOL