night sailing
- Thread starter Franklin
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I Have, Franklin
I used an expensive third generation optics when I was on a ten day offshore sail several years ago. They were very handy several times. First, to check for unlit boats off an island. Second, to track a destroyer who was securing a restricted area. Third, to identify some radar targets well offshore. Fourth, to determine the course of a cruse ship which was close by. I was very impressed, but I think the unit retailed at about $3K. I also purchased a first generation Russian set which is armored and waterproof for my own boat. It cost about $300. It has nowhere near the range or illumination of the third generation unit. However, it has helped out at times to identify nav lights, bouys and offshore vessels. The one thing it did do was to divert us from a tug towing a barge out of the shipping channel that was difficult to ID on the radar. It probably paid for itself then, but just barely as to all of the other stuff. I would definitely consider one of the third generation units for serious cruising, assuming the cost has one down in the last few years (a lot). The first generation unit... well, it is cheap and it might help you out sometime. Just don't expect much. Rick D.
I used an expensive third generation optics when I was on a ten day offshore sail several years ago. They were very handy several times. First, to check for unlit boats off an island. Second, to track a destroyer who was securing a restricted area. Third, to identify some radar targets well offshore. Fourth, to determine the course of a cruse ship which was close by. I was very impressed, but I think the unit retailed at about $3K. I also purchased a first generation Russian set which is armored and waterproof for my own boat. It cost about $300. It has nowhere near the range or illumination of the third generation unit. However, it has helped out at times to identify nav lights, bouys and offshore vessels. The one thing it did do was to divert us from a tug towing a barge out of the shipping channel that was difficult to ID on the radar. It probably paid for itself then, but just barely as to all of the other stuff. I would definitely consider one of the third generation units for serious cruising, assuming the cost has one down in the last few years (a lot). The first generation unit... well, it is cheap and it might help you out sometime. Just don't expect much. Rick D.
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