So I just purchased the JRC 1800CP colour radar and chart plotter and am having some trouble deciding where to mount the dome. In reading other forums about radar, some feel the mast is the best place for the dome, others feel a lower mounting would be better. Mounting the dome on the mast will allow me to "see" further and some feel this is a good thing, especially concerning smaller radar arms and reduced power of the set, versus the longer range of the bigger radar sets with their increased power consumption. I have heard estimates of up to 10% further than radar would see if mounted lower in the boat. However, the counter argument is that a lower setting, less height of the radar dome, will improve close up "vision" of objects in the water. One chap claimed his higher mast mounting, left him "vision-less" of anything reflecting radar at 1/4 of a mile or less. He felt that for him, seeing something up close would be more important to him than seeing something much further away. I would be interested on reading comments on this subject, and rather quickly as I have ordered the mast mount and am feeling unsettled about the whole thing. If I go to a pole mounted version, mounted off the stern end above the transom, I would have a total of about 12 feet in height for the radar. Also I have heard that radar might do people some damage at ranges of 3 feet or closer, which is what put me off the pole mounted version. And lastly, how do you mount the screen so that you can see it in the cockpit. Directly mounting it anything in the cockpit doesn't resonate with me for security reasons. Some have suggested a folding arm that can be extended so that I can see it in the companionway. JRC says this unit is suppose to have a benefit of another mounting; I'm not sure if this means mounting a second screen or mounting the radar so that it can be moved from the cabin to the cockpit and back; any thoughts?