inexpensive radar choices

RichH · Nov 28, 2012

With many folks 'upgrading' to digital radar ... the older Furuno 1623 2kw w/ LCD display often shows up (sometime 'unused') on ebay, etc. at very 'decent' prices as 'used'.

Snotter · Nov 28, 2012

You'll get better angle resolution with a 24" radar antenna than with an 18" radar antenna. On my boat, with a 2kw radar with the dome ~10' high, the radar is fairly useless for more than a couple of miles. I would rather get a used 4kw 24" radar than a new 2kw 18" radar. Pick your MFD and then buy a radar that is compatible. I wouldn't recommend buying a radar that required a stand-alone scope.

DougM · Nov 28, 2012

My two cents worth....A 24 inch radome, although admittedly better than a smaller one, would look out of place on a 30 footer. If it was mast mounted, it might cause the jib to hang up while tacking. the smaller dome might be a better option mounted much higher than ten feet up .

Snotter · Nov 28, 2012

The angle resolution won't change with height. It would be of benefit to ask to see, if possible, some of the radars in operation around your marina.

capta · Nov 28, 2012

I really like the way Garmin products can be networked together. I added their radar to my existing chartplotter and it can overlay the chart, be displayed alone or have both, side by side. With the network system you could add XM weather/music, depth, speed, wind direction/speed etc. as you ventured farther afield and your needs changed, or your pocketbook.
Though the boat had a great Furuno radar, and Furuno makes excellent equipment, the screen is below at the chart table, quite useless for navigating from the cockpit.
I also wouldn't worry too much about more than a few miles range (I'd think any mount would give 8 to 12 miles), but that's way more than you'll use, mostly. You have GPS for position, so the radar is for close in work, like entering a harbor through the breakwater, staying in a buoyed channel or passing through a mooring field, etc.
Hopefully you won't ever encounter some idiot running full speed through a dense fog that would require you to see him beyond a few miles off to safely avoid a collision.

Gunni · Nov 28, 2012

I have the first generation multifrequency (broadband) radar from Simrad that is related to that Lowrance model. I love it. In addition to the features you list, like low power consumption and low radiation energy, these things come on instantly. So you can switch it on and in a few sweeps you have a complete radar image. They are also extremely easy to tune, in most cases the auto settings work fine. An overlay on your electronic charts makes them very easy to interpret. With little sea clutter it is possible to see trap floats.

Rick D · Nov 28, 2012

My Thoughts

I have had three Furunos, including currently the one you mention. I love the user interface with the Furuno. It relies on dedicated keys rather than soft keys and it is really rugged. The resolution is fine even up close if you manually tune down the sensitivity. I have my NEMA output to it so I have position, heading, speed and waypoint info available. In standby, it uses little power. In fact, in heavy fog conditions, you are usually motoring in SoCal, so power isn't much of a concern. If there is enough wind to sail, you probably don't need to be transmitting all the time (yea, I know all about the rules, ie, if you have it, you must use it).
Having said all that, I would be very tempted to get a broadband radar (real digital) next time. Eight miles is all you really need to track even big targets and target discrimination close in is important, or at least desirable. it would also be nice to have NEMA connectivity.

chuckwayne · Nov 28, 2012

Re: Thanks for the comments

Navico owns lowrance, and has standardized across their lines so components, features, and quality for Lowrance shares a lot with Simrad. We put an HDS-10 witht he gen 3 radar on a powerboat last year and it's great. I've got a Simrad nx-45 witht he BR-24 radar and it's fantastic. in fog, you usually use short range anyway, and we can clearly see right up to the boat, even lobster pots. I'd recommend the simrad or lowrance without hesitation. The new lowrance touchscreeens are excellent, a newer genreation of the simrad NSS series. Simrad is positioned as a larger boat system, lowrance is targeted at fisherman, but they have common features and with adapters you can intermix components

FastOlson · Nov 28, 2012

The Furuno 1715 is a great radar. Bright and Sharp display and visible from a distance, even.
We have one, and are about to change up to a combined plotter and radar.

This upgrade will require a new radar antenna, so sometime this winter our present Furuno will be for sale.

Drop me a line back channel if interested.
Located in PDX.

Regards,
Loren

sandpiper10471 · Nov 29, 2012

Anybody have experience with Sitex? Apparently that one will interface with my Standard Horizon chartplotter.

Maine Sail · Nov 29, 2012

The Lowrance is a very good value but don't overlook the Garmin GMR 18HD radome (can be had for $950.00 or so) and the Garmin 740s which can be found for as little as $1000.00 right now. This is still a chartplotter/HD radar combo for under 2k.. That network can also be expanded upon too.

Keep in mind when comparing the Furuno to the Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad, Lowrance etc. that all those other systems are more than just a stand alone radar, they are also chartplotters that can do radar overlay, split screens, depth and a myriad of other useful features all with one screen to watch vs. two.

Jackdaw · Nov 30, 2012

We have Lowrance 3G on Kestrel, with both 5 (helm) and 8 (nav) HDS gen 2 displays. We love it. As noted Lowrance, Simrad, and (to a lesser degree) B&G gear all one company, and pretty much interchangeable. Over half of our install says Simrad.

Do not underestimate the huge gains in SA (Situational Awareness) when using RADAR overlay on top of charting. Even if you don't do it now, make sure you can go there. Normally involves adding a rate compass to the network to do the correct overlay angle.

At the helm, tracking another boat. black circle means non-intercept. If on potential collision it would have gone to a red triangle.

Gunni · Nov 30, 2012

Jackdaw's Lowrance chart display, charting, and radar overlay look, very, very similar to the Simrad MFD/radar system capability.

Jared1048 · Nov 30, 2012

Dont count out JRC! I have the 1500 that came with the boat circa 1985 and its been working great. I see them on ebay and craigslist every so often for about $1,000. Its got a great screen thats easy to use and there customer service was top notch.

sandpiper10471 · Nov 30, 2012

I second the JRC as a stand alone.

Jackdaw · Dec 4, 2012

Richard,

My experience with any type of RADAR is that the quality of the return has more to do with the cross section size. On small fiberglass boats this can often come only from the engine block. And in waves, that can be occluded.

With the 3G we typically get returns from small navaids several miles out.

Where I sail my concerns are not with small fiberglass boats. I'm more concerned with larger steel hulled ferries, commercial fisherman, and bulk ore carriers that cross my path in the dark. This guy? We got 'em.