Information on Radar Units

jmce1587

jmce1587

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Mar 20, 2011
624
Hunter 31_83-87 New Orleans
I will be taking my mast down in the near term to change out standing rigging and am contemplating installation of a radar unit. I am looking at Garmin units but don't have any single preference narrowed down. before jumping into this can others shed information on what I would need or should be looking in the way of mast installation, preferences on units on the market, power issues, display units, etc.

All feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jerry
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
You could look at the Furuno wireless radar. It's only $1k, and enormously easier to install, as there is no dedicated head unit.
Fantastic Bluetooth to IOS concept, with ability to xmit to 2 iPhone/iPad recipients running the app. IE: helm and nav station, or even portable.

Unfortunately, they limited compatibility to IOS, which was a very bad idea. No integration to existing marine systems (even Furuno), or overlay capability. Unless someone knows of a workaround. With today's wifi capable systems, a more diverse communications protocol would have been valuable.
 
J

JohnShannon

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Jan 4, 2010
1,037
Farr 30 San Francisco
New tech is "broadband" radar and gives really good close in resolution and uses much less power than conventional radar forgot who makes it but you can Bing it.
 
chuckwayne

chuckwayne

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Mar 20, 2004
1,753
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
It's made by Navico - B&G, Simrad, Lowrance and it's fantastic. We've had one since originally introduced and I've installed several other systems for friends. Very low power use, fantastic resolution and close in detail. Their MFDs are really good, too. B&G is sailboat focused, with special features for sailors; Simrad is more focused on the powerboat market, and Lowrance is entry level and fishermen. However, any of their brands would work fine, it's just the special features. They have a wide range of price and size points, NMEA 2000 networking, can interface with IPADs and phones. Best of all, they pay attention to upgradeability - they don't obsolete whole systems when they introduce new elements. My BR-24 radome (6 years old, and 4 generations) will work with the newest MFDs from all three lines
 
Gunni

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
You really should be shopping radar on power requirement vs. capability. The new tech multi-frequency radars use very little power and that translates to you having it on when you really need it without worrying about your DC supply. I have the Navico system, but understand Raymarine and Garmin are rolling similar systems out.
 
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Richard19068

Richard19068

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Jun 11, 2004
1,918
Oday 31 Redondo Beach
chuckwayne said:
It's made by Navico - B&G, Simrad, Lowrance and it's fantastic. We've had one since originally introduced and I've installed several other systems for friends. Very low power use, fantastic resolution and close in detail. Their MFDs are really good, too. B&G is sailboat focused, with special features for sailors; Simrad is more focused on the powerboat market, and Lowrance is entry level and fishermen. However, any of their brands would work fine, it's just the special features. They have a wide range of price and size points, NMEA 2000 networking, can interface with IPADs and phones. Best of all, they pay attention to upgradeability - they don't obsolete whole systems when they introduce new elements. My BR-24 radome (6 years old, and 4 generations) will work with the newest MFDs from all three lines
Click to expand
I'll second the Broadband. I went with Lowrance because I got a great deal a few years ago when they went from 3G to 4G but am very happy with what I got. The brand differences are mainly in the MFD options ( and the Lowrance comes with a shorter cable).
 
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