I have a 28 Donzi and my factory installed Sony marine stereo is crapping out. It is unresponsive to some button commands and somewhat responsive to others. First off, is there any easy fix?

Assuming there isn't... Do you suggest just putting another Sony in? It's in my cabin (dry) and it crapped out in only a couple of seasons so I'm not so happy about another one... I am happy that it would be basically plug and play.

While I'm swapping it I would also like to add a 3rd remote. The ones I have now are CPS units. Are these still compatible with the new Sony stereos? Can I add a 3rd Sony remote to this setup?

I can't find any detail on this anywhere.

Don't get another marine unit. Get a good auto unit and you'll get better stuff for less money. I like Alpine myself.

I have the same problem as you... I dont think these sonys are sealed units. Ive been looking at alpine as well. They make a really decent marine unit but its ~$400 just for the receiver!

This is when you make a trip to Best Buy. The only time I go to them is when I want to buy their warranties. I have had very good luck with the no questions asked replacement. Buy whatever head unit you want and pay the $20 for their warranty and don't worry about it. If your unit gets wet (lmao!). Just take it back to the nearest Best Buy, have them give you the new one and go.

BTW...the brighter the display the better.

again... my unit is in the cabin and I have remotes to control it.

I don't know of car stereos that have the remote option, are there any?

I also think CPS remotes are Sony specific. I have one in the bow area, one on the dash, and I'd like to add a 3rd to the swim platform area while we are at the sandbar.

The Alpine Marine units are worth the money. Expensive, but worth it. You can't go wrong.

I wondered about the same... The sony remote on the dash panel is held on by tiny machiene screws, then the wire runs through a center hole. I think im going to pull the trigger on the marine alpine receiver, but then that leaves the remote, another $200, then eventually the 7" alpine speakers, and maybe over the course of winter, the alpine amp and subwoofer. $$$

take the faceplate off your current stereo, and use a Qtip soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean the contacts on the radio and on the faceplate, you can also use a fine sandpaper to scuff it up a bit. This will not completely solve the problem, but it will allow you to use it for now.

As far as remotes go, Sony stereos use the unilink data connector for the external remote displays, and an 1/8 connector for actual remote control. As long as the new sony stereo you buy is steering wheel control capable, it will work. should have a blue female 1/8" jack on the back. I would say stick with sony, otherwise you'll have to replace and rewire quite a bit. Plus sony has not changed their general wiring harness for the stereo in at least a decade if not more(some exceptions of course), so you should be able to just plug in the new unit and go.

Here is a pic of a current sony stereo. Gt660up you can see the blue plug I'm refering to. As long as your remotes don't have a display, you could use any Sony stereo from the Gt260 on up the product range, just match it to your needs, as far as features and pre-amp output channels(how many amps and how they are wired)

Clean contacts are always a good thing.
However I found that adding/removing batteries and using
the boat's main power switch sometimes "f's up" the stereo's
memory settings. The "buttons" then don't work properly. You
must follow the instructions for hitting the reset button. My
stereo acted just like yours until I "reset it". It's fine now.
No other stereo that I have had in a car or boat needed this
operation done.