Pandora Radio your Ipad and a Zooka

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Will-C

New member
I'm not selling anything here, but we have a couple of Ipads and we use a older Verizon Sierra USB type modem plugged into a Cradlepoint 350 wireless router that can support for up to 16 users. It allows my wife and I to do separate things each of us having separate internet access. That gives us pretty dependable internet access which you will need to enjoy Pandora radio. We use the same setup powered by 400 watt inverter in both the car and the truck when we travel with a six way surge strip plugged into the inverter. Aside from powering the modem the extra outlets work for powering camera battery chargers,Ipad chargers and cell phone chargers. I use the same power strip to power my cpap machine. It's nice because with shore power or not nothing changes. We did the free Pandora radio app and then we bought a wireless blue tooth enabled speaker it's called a Zooka. Pandora allows you to set up stations and the stations keep your music in the same genre so you don't go from a nice Nora Jones and then change right into Lead Zepplin. Since the Zooka speaker has a battery that can be charged with a USB cable it's wireless and because of the blue tooth connection from the Ipad. You can move it around in the cabin or out in the cockpit. It's made by Carbon Audio and they cost about 90 dollars. We are happy with it. It's sort of cylindrical and about 12" long and 2" around.Just a thought, if you into heavy bass boom box music this is not for you. It's very clear and has volume control right on it. You can switch songs by thumbs down on your Ipad or add and change stations from your Ipad. It's sunny and in the 70's here in the Florida Keys nice backround music with little no commericals is nice.
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This was one subject which came up at "dinner in the keys" last night, and thanks to Dave and his wife for suggestions about this.
 
Keep in mind, if you have a small data plan, Pandora will use data at a rate around 1MB per minute (data use will vary). 2 hours of Pandora a day will use about 3.5gb in a month.
 
I've found it easiest to use my Mac to set up and manage Pandora, as compared to my clumsy pecking on the iPad (which I am fat fingering now). We use a mini RCA cable to couple it to the Bose. Pandora is great!
 
We are lucky as we still have an unlimited Verizon data plan. We use Pandora in the truck with the same setup so your not changing stations every twenty five miles. I don't mind local radio but after a while it's Pandora time. But as Jim says keep mindful of data use if you are on a limited plan. Its always something. :cry There are a number of these speaker type set ups as I know Bose has one and there are plenty of others. Zooka was the only one we were familar with and we liked the size for easy storage.
D.D.
 
One of the best speaker systems for the size (not cheap) is the Jawbone--there are at least two sizes. We have the small size, and a lot of "sound" out of a small package. They charge off a USB connection and last a number of hours on a charge, or can go directly to a USB connector in the car or 12 volt circuit.
 
thataway":tzthek8a said:
One of the best speaker systems for the size (not cheap) is the Jawbone--there are at least two sizes. We have the small size, and a lot of "sound" out of a small package. They charge off a USB connection and last a number of hours on a charge, or can go directly to a USB connector in the car or 12 volt circuit.
Click to expand...

We've got the "big" one and love it. It conked once tho,but fortunately, was still under warranty. A real PITA to get replaced though. Almost as hard as Canon Binoculars! :cry

Charlie
 
We chose Bose unit because of 8 hr battery life,and great sound quality.we. Just use our phone and pandora,or I tunes. We are on battery pwr when we leave the dock,so battery life is key. :idea :hug2
 
I'll add another recommendation for the Jawbone Jambox. I have the big Jambox and really like it. The battery life is great. Excellent sound quality from a tiny portable speaker. But one of the main reasons I like it is that it's an excellent speakerphone. I will sometimes work from the boat and take conference calls on it. It cancels out a lot of the echo that you'd normally be sending to the other people.

I used to use Pandora until I discovered MOG. It's another music streaming service similar to Spotify / Pandora. It has one of the most extensive music collections that I've seen, but the prime advantage is that every song is streamed at 320kpbs (CD quality). The upgraded Pandora service is 192kpbs at best, less for mobile access. On a little portable boat speaker you won't notice much difference, but if you're an audiophile and use it on a home theater system, it's night and day compared to Pandora. They have mobile apps for iOS / Android. One of the best features is that you can download their songs (in their own proprietary format, no limit) so you can listen when you don't have internet / cell service. The majority of people have not heard of MOG so I thought I'd mention it to the audiophiles in the group.
 
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