I'm looking at purchasing a radar for my 34 hunter. There are a lot of used radars for around $600 and up. but I fund the JRC 1000 MKII new from a dealer for only $819 Anybody have any experience with this brand & model. I'd like someone's input before I buy. Thanks for your help. George
- Status
Furuno
Also look at the furuno 1623. It has a 2.2 kw radome so range is better. The furuno also has a watchman feature which can be programmed to do a 1 min sweep every 10 mins of the pre selected guard zone. Saves a lot of battery power. The furuno is good quality in my experience. You can get them for about $1100 and there is an offer for $100 back if you purchase before end march.
Also look at the furuno 1623. It has a 2.2 kw radome so range is better. The furuno also has a watchman feature which can be programmed to do a 1 min sweep every 10 mins of the pre selected guard zone. Saves a lot of battery power. The furuno is good quality in my experience. You can get them for about $1100 and there is an offer for $100 back if you purchase before end march.
Does it also come with a display?
Or do you have to buy it separatly? If that $819 is a new unit price, that is a very good price. Make sure the monitor is included.
Or do you have to buy it separatly? If that $819 is a new unit price, that is a very good price. Make sure the monitor is included.
Radar
My boat came with a JRC 1000. I've only had the boat since mid last summer, and i didn't really get around to using the radar much so i can't give you a report. I can tell you that stapled to the inside cover of the manual is the origanal sales reciept. It is dated 4/22/99 and lists the item as radar-1000 lcd. I assume that wouldn't include the dome, but cost 799.00 back then. it is a grey only screen. Dave
My boat came with a JRC 1000. I've only had the boat since mid last summer, and i didn't really get around to using the radar much so i can't give you a report. I can tell you that stapled to the inside cover of the manual is the origanal sales reciept. It is dated 4/22/99 and lists the item as radar-1000 lcd. I assume that wouldn't include the dome, but cost 799.00 back then. it is a grey only screen. Dave
sorry
Sorry I was just looking through the manual and noticed that the scanner and all mounting hardware was included in the "package contains" section of the book. Dave
Sorry I was just looking through the manual and noticed that the scanner and all mounting hardware was included in the "package contains" section of the book. Dave
JRC. 1500 MK2
I just purchased a JRC.1500MK2 for 1200. canadian from "the binnacle"at a boat show, everything is incl.except the mounting bracket, the scanner unit is a 2kw. it has a 16 mi. range it has a target tracking,safety zone allarm it can be interfased to my Garmin 182c and many other features.
I just purchased a JRC.1500MK2 for 1200. canadian from "the binnacle"at a boat show, everything is incl.except the mounting bracket, the scanner unit is a 2kw. it has a 16 mi. range it has a target tracking,safety zone allarm it can be interfased to my Garmin 182c and many other features.
JRC
I believe they used to make the radars for Raymarine, so they are not really a dark horse. Can't tell you about that specific model.
I believe they used to make the radars for Raymarine, so they are not really a dark horse. Can't tell you about that specific model.
JRC display in daylight?
Looking for a cheap alt radar - can someone comment on how readable the display is in bright sun?
Looking for a cheap alt radar - can someone comment on how readable the display is in bright sun?
I have one!
The JRC 1000 is a basic radar, but with a lot of fairly advanced features; helpful if you use them (most of us don't). I live in the California Delta (where radar is WAY OVERKILL!), but I also sail for 1-2 weeks/year on the NorCal coast (where radar is a BIG HELP!). So I don't use it very frequently, but when I have, I've been both im-pressed and de-pressed. I guess it's best to say that the performance (or maybe my interpretation of it) has been eratic. Don't know whether that's the fault of the unit, the conditions, the target, my interpretation of what I'm seeing, or other factors. The first experience I remember was a delivery to SF Bay from Stockton (80 miles inland), in clear weather, when I turned the unit on and it didn't see a steel/concrete 80ft high bridge 2 miles away, on any range setting! Then a trip In perfect clarity, where it didn't see another sailboat, with it's radar reflector up, 1/4 mile away. Then a trip to Bodega Bay, where we left the harbor at 0500 before dawn, in pea-soup, and every navaid was right there, in line, just like I was looking at it in clear weather! Wouldn't have wanted to make that transit without it! OK, OK, OK. The 1st two experiences were when the unit was brand new (to me). The third was after I had some time to get used to it, feel out it's idiosyncracies, and understand how to interpret what it was telling me, which is a definite learning curve. Oh, and over the winter 2 years ago, my storage unit (where I had the thing stored) was broken into, and the Bas***ds stole the display (I guess it looks like a TV set!), but left the scanner and my radar mast! JRC was very helpful in replacing just a part of the unit, and the price was reasonable (don't recall the exact amount, maybe $500??). And it's very easy to install, setup and practically tunes itself on the initial setup. If I had it to do over again, based on the bargain-basement cost of the 1000, and the help JRC has given with parts, I'd definitely buy it again, based on a need for occasional use, but be prepared for a little learning curve, and some frustration getting on top of the curve.
The JRC 1000 is a basic radar, but with a lot of fairly advanced features; helpful if you use them (most of us don't). I live in the California Delta (where radar is WAY OVERKILL!), but I also sail for 1-2 weeks/year on the NorCal coast (where radar is a BIG HELP!). So I don't use it very frequently, but when I have, I've been both im-pressed and de-pressed. I guess it's best to say that the performance (or maybe my interpretation of it) has been eratic. Don't know whether that's the fault of the unit, the conditions, the target, my interpretation of what I'm seeing, or other factors. The first experience I remember was a delivery to SF Bay from Stockton (80 miles inland), in clear weather, when I turned the unit on and it didn't see a steel/concrete 80ft high bridge 2 miles away, on any range setting! Then a trip In perfect clarity, where it didn't see another sailboat, with it's radar reflector up, 1/4 mile away. Then a trip to Bodega Bay, where we left the harbor at 0500 before dawn, in pea-soup, and every navaid was right there, in line, just like I was looking at it in clear weather! Wouldn't have wanted to make that transit without it! OK, OK, OK. The 1st two experiences were when the unit was brand new (to me). The third was after I had some time to get used to it, feel out it's idiosyncracies, and understand how to interpret what it was telling me, which is a definite learning curve. Oh, and over the winter 2 years ago, my storage unit (where I had the thing stored) was broken into, and the Bas***ds stole the display (I guess it looks like a TV set!), but left the scanner and my radar mast! JRC was very helpful in replacing just a part of the unit, and the price was reasonable (don't recall the exact amount, maybe $500??). And it's very easy to install, setup and practically tunes itself on the initial setup. If I had it to do over again, based on the bargain-basement cost of the 1000, and the help JRC has given with parts, I'd definitely buy it again, based on a need for occasional use, but be prepared for a little learning curve, and some frustration getting on top of the curve.
Peter or Roland, what did you
get for a mast mount for it. I looked but it seems JRC doesn't have anything for the mast mount???? What, where & how much would be very helpful Thanks for all your help!!!!! George
get for a mast mount for it. I looked but it seems JRC doesn't have anything for the mast mount???? What, where & how much would be very helpful Thanks for all your help!!!!! George
JRC 1000 &1500
I subscribe to an excellent (better than North American) boating mag, called the Practical Boating (link at the bottom). It did a review of several "budget" radar units, the JRC 1500 scored very well & the 1000 not as good. However I'd say you're better off with the 1000 than no radar at all. JRC is a funny company when it comes to "recreational boaters" radar; its almost a hobby for the company. The reason you aren't familiar with JRC is that they don't advertise so you are left with the impression they are some "fly by night" operation; they are not. There is a company called "Huffy" which supplied bikes to retailers with the retailers name on it, so all Sears bikes were Huffies. JRC is similar to Huffy, most manufactures use some of JRC's equipment. In actual fact, JRC is the largest radar company for the "big boys." Apparently JRC invented the tube that radar and microwave ovens use; it is also the oldest of all the radar companies. Below is a link to a JRC site. You'll notice that JRC is "(a) Group consists of 37 subsidiaries and 4 affiliated companies, to fulfil (their) synergy of related companies." Service seems to be excellent from JRC from my readings from all the forums I haunt. People seem to be happy with their JRC. http://www.jrc.co.jp/eng/company/index.html The very best "deal" is the JRC 1800 which has been discontinued, due to parts problems. The 1800 is a coloured radar and chart plotter unit. People seem to be very happy with their 1800's. I purchased one of these but it isn't installed as I upgrade the battery system in my Catalina 27. Don't sweat the fact that one radar unit can see for "X" miles and another one can see twice as far. Most use their radar set much closer. Mast units are available for the JRC systems; their are "universal" mount units available.
I subscribe to an excellent (better than North American) boating mag, called the Practical Boating (link at the bottom). It did a review of several "budget" radar units, the JRC 1500 scored very well & the 1000 not as good. However I'd say you're better off with the 1000 than no radar at all. JRC is a funny company when it comes to "recreational boaters" radar; its almost a hobby for the company. The reason you aren't familiar with JRC is that they don't advertise so you are left with the impression they are some "fly by night" operation; they are not. There is a company called "Huffy" which supplied bikes to retailers with the retailers name on it, so all Sears bikes were Huffies. JRC is similar to Huffy, most manufactures use some of JRC's equipment. In actual fact, JRC is the largest radar company for the "big boys." Apparently JRC invented the tube that radar and microwave ovens use; it is also the oldest of all the radar companies. Below is a link to a JRC site. You'll notice that JRC is "(a) Group consists of 37 subsidiaries and 4 affiliated companies, to fulfil (their) synergy of related companies." Service seems to be excellent from JRC from my readings from all the forums I haunt. People seem to be happy with their JRC. http://www.jrc.co.jp/eng/company/index.html The very best "deal" is the JRC 1800 which has been discontinued, due to parts problems. The 1800 is a coloured radar and chart plotter unit. People seem to be very happy with their 1800's. I purchased one of these but it isn't installed as I upgrade the battery system in my Catalina 27. Don't sweat the fact that one radar unit can see for "X" miles and another one can see twice as far. Most use their radar set much closer. Mast units are available for the JRC systems; their are "universal" mount units available.
JRC OK
In my previous life I worked for a defense contractor with extensive radar experience. Prior to my purchase I asked 2 radar engineers to review the specs from all of the available small boat radars with similar range. Off the clock of course. Their comment was that performance differences existed depending which unit I chose but that they did not believe the differences would be discernable. I echo the comments that JRC probably manufactures many of the components in the other brands.
In my previous life I worked for a defense contractor with extensive radar experience. Prior to my purchase I asked 2 radar engineers to review the specs from all of the available small boat radars with similar range. Off the clock of course. Their comment was that performance differences existed depending which unit I chose but that they did not believe the differences would be discernable. I echo the comments that JRC probably manufactures many of the components in the other brands.
Cheaper
If you are still interested in the JRC 1000 and want one cheaper go to MuchMarine.com. There are selling them for 699.99 plus freight.
If you are still interested in the JRC 1000 and want one cheaper go to MuchMarine.com. There are selling them for 699.99 plus freight.
Fred, What did you put
on the top of your radar dome to keep the birds off it. It looks "pointy". Also, did you make your davits (arch) or where did you get them. Thanks again. George
on the top of your radar dome to keep the birds off it. It looks "pointy". Also, did you make your davits (arch) or where did you get them. Thanks again. George
Fred, also I was wondering if your
radar had a shadow created by your mast when looking forward???? Thanks again
radar had a shadow created by your mast when looking forward???? Thanks again
Just Researched the JRC 1000 MKII
JRC 1000 MKII: I just finished up with my research & came to the JRC as well. First, let me warn you about the price, I found four online outfits that listed prices in the 800's. All four don't carry the item any more (& they don't tell you intil you order!). Now,with that said the JRC mark 2 improved the daylight viewablilty, as I think one prior comment about that was from a mark 1 unit. If you only need your unit for collision avoidance & increased range isn't a big deal, go with the 1000. The smaller dome may be weaker, but it's lighter. So less weight aloft. It also uses less amps. The wider beam looses some definition, but for colission avoidance, it makes the small targets bigger (not necessarily bad). But if you want more range and definition, consider the JRC 1500. I talked to the rep at our local boat show & he said the software/hardware hasn't changed in many years, because it works so well & the user interface is so intuitive. As for the mount? Check out link to the mount I bought for mine (no problems ordering it). Haven't installed it yet, but is supposed to fit smaller domes. Suppose we'll need to be asking for mounting advice soon, eh? Good luck!
JRC 1000 MKII: I just finished up with my research & came to the JRC as well. First, let me warn you about the price, I found four online outfits that listed prices in the 800's. All four don't carry the item any more (& they don't tell you intil you order!). Now,with that said the JRC mark 2 improved the daylight viewablilty, as I think one prior comment about that was from a mark 1 unit. If you only need your unit for collision avoidance & increased range isn't a big deal, go with the 1000. The smaller dome may be weaker, but it's lighter. So less weight aloft. It also uses less amps. The wider beam looses some definition, but for colission avoidance, it makes the small targets bigger (not necessarily bad). But if you want more range and definition, consider the JRC 1500. I talked to the rep at our local boat show & he said the software/hardware hasn't changed in many years, because it works so well & the user interface is so intuitive. As for the mount? Check out link to the mount I bought for mine (no problems ordering it). Haven't installed it yet, but is supposed to fit smaller domes. Suppose we'll need to be asking for mounting advice soon, eh? Good luck!
Well JRC did not invent
The magnetron. The tube that is in radar and Microwave ovens. The just found a new application for it. Like most Jap. companys. If you open a radar dome from Rayethon you will find it's JRC. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
The magnetron. The tube that is in radar and Microwave ovens. The just found a new application for it. Like most Jap. companys. If you open a radar dome from Rayethon you will find it's JRC. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
Mine's on a tower/mast
George, my JRC is on a SS mast that is mounted on the top of my lazarette area. Also use the mast for a crane for getting the dinghy OB off and on the sternrail, as a mount for a remote cell phone antenna, and for a cockpit light. I got my JRC (used) and the radar mast as a package deal for $800. And Don's question about how readable the display is in daylight reminds me that the contrast on the 1000 could be more - sometimes it IS hard to read.
George, my JRC is on a SS mast that is mounted on the top of my lazarette area. Also use the mast for a crane for getting the dinghy OB off and on the sternrail, as a mount for a remote cell phone antenna, and for a cockpit light. I got my JRC (used) and the radar mast as a package deal for $800. And Don's question about how readable the display is in daylight reminds me that the contrast on the 1000 could be more - sometimes it IS hard to read.
Have not mounted mine yet
I purchased a JRC 1000 Mk11 a couple of months ago for $1150 CDN at West Marine in Sydney BC. Still have it in my closet with no plan to install for a couple of years. Glad to hear I didn't buy a dud. I Like the dome mount that Donalex has built. I was not going to mast mount the dome because of past experience on other boats and sails hanging on them during course change. Has anyone out there built a home made mount to go on the backstay. If so can you post a picture please. Need some instructions and a materials list too. Thx ken
I purchased a JRC 1000 Mk11 a couple of months ago for $1150 CDN at West Marine in Sydney BC. Still have it in my closet with no plan to install for a couple of years. Glad to hear I didn't buy a dud. I Like the dome mount that Donalex has built. I was not going to mast mount the dome because of past experience on other boats and sails hanging on them during course change. Has anyone out there built a home made mount to go on the backstay. If so can you post a picture please. Need some instructions and a materials list too. Thx ken
Incase your wondering who did
In 1921 American Albert Hull inented the magnetron and right after Dr. Percey Spencer who worked for Raytheon at the time invented the microwave oven using Hull's invention. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
In 1921 American Albert Hull inented the magnetron and right after Dr. Percey Spencer who worked for Raytheon at the time invented the microwave oven using Hull's invention. Fair Winds Cap'n Dave
- Status