An on-deck audio system needs to withstand rain, spray and spilled drinks, and provide flexibility in installation at helm stations crowded with other electronics. Jensen’s JMS7010 claims to do all that. To see if it lives up to these claims, we installed the JMS7010 aboard a center console and rocked the water for a season of blue-water boating and fishing.
It’s rated water-resistant to the stringent IPX6 standard. In laymen’s terms, that means it can take a blast from a hose but is just one level shy of the “submersible” IPX7 rating. So far it’s been rained on and blasted with salt spray from running in quartering seas with wind abeam and has shown no ill effects. One look at the heavy gasket sealing the CD input tells a lot. A slip-on cover is also provided for belt-and-suspenders protection.
Features and flexibility? The 200-watt JMS7010 plays AM/FM/CD/MP3/iPhone and iPad tunes right out of the box, plus it delivers a weather band. Full iPod controls are built in. The display is large and proved visible in all light conditions. The controls are intuitive to use. One downside: The JMS7010 fits a standard cutout, but its face is larger than many receivers, so it may not be the ideal retrofit model. A range of accessories allows customizing an install. Shopping? Check out Clarion’s CMD7 ($400). Jensen’s JMS7010 retails for $300 at jensenmarinedirect.com.
