The Wetsounds WS-420 Bluetooth system blows everything else away and it's only $75. Clarion is junk for the money.
Hold on now, the WS-420 and Bluetooth are 2 totally separate pieces. The WS-420 is the EQ/Preamp that retails for $300. The Bluetooth is $75, but is ONLY an input to an amp or preamp.
OP asked for a head unit. If hes considering he mounting an actual car stereo in the dash the clarion unit would look cleaner and be much easier to install.
If he just goes amp + bluetooth or amp + 3.5mm jack he will come out cheaper and probably more power as well.
As far as bluetooth options go the wetsounds unit is concerned I'd have to agree it looks great for the price.
I clarified that price above. And the Clarion CMS1 is not all that great. You still need a Clarion specific ipod cable, so straight out of the box, you've got a radio. Install isn't that easy either. I did this one for a customer 3 years ago. Had to cut the hell out of the bezel, jam it in, and pray it stayed. It's been perfect, but for the money there's better options out there. Don't forget that not only do you have to mount the controller, but there's a pretty big base unit that still needs to be mounted.
Yes he did, but many people don't realize they don't need a "head unit" or a "tuner". They are a complete waste of space unless you like listening to commercials. Head units and tuners are quickly becoming a thing of the past for powersports and boating applications and I'd hate to see a fellow enthusiast waste their money. Your "head unit" is really your phone or other media player.
I completely agree on the radio part. On most of my installs I use a WS-420, BT input, then the Hydro-Tech amps from Wet Sounds. With the WS-420, you've got 2 inputs, so you can use the Bluetooth for one, then an aux port for the second one. A switch on the pre-amp lets you toggle between the 2, so you're not limited to 1 device with Bluetooth.
I have done head units and wired remotes in the past in these rigs. I've tucked a Clarion M309 or 502 in the glovebox, with a wired display remote on the dash bezel. The Clarion MW1 fits perfect into the LTD dash bezel without any cutting.