We have decided to purchase a Radar. I have narrowed it down to: JRC 1500 or the Raymarine SL72 system. The price diffrence is over $500. My primary use would be FOG and tracking of local weather. Any advice would be great. I am looking to mount on a poll not the mast....But how hard is it to pull the cable from a roller furling mast back to the cockpit. What type of connecter would need to be put in place if I did do a mast install? We do unstep the mast every winter.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
John Visser
Radar on the mast - cable
I can only speak with authority on the Raymarine unit. I mounted the 2kW radome on the mast. The cable comes as a single piece with connectors at boh ends. Raymarine doesn't supply, sell, or recommend specific connectors to be used for splitting the cable, but they do recommend some practices in this area. I cut the cable and splice it at the mast step with a terminal strip. This year I'm changing to automotive-style nylon housed connectors. I recall that there are 12 signal wires, and 2 power. There may be more power conductors with larger domes. jv
I can only speak with authority on the Raymarine unit. I mounted the 2kW radome on the mast. The cable comes as a single piece with connectors at boh ends. Raymarine doesn't supply, sell, or recommend specific connectors to be used for splitting the cable, but they do recommend some practices in this area. I cut the cable and splice it at the mast step with a terminal strip. This year I'm changing to automotive-style nylon housed connectors. I recall that there are 12 signal wires, and 2 power. There may be more power conductors with larger domes. jv
C
Chris
Mast mounted radar
I installed a mast mounted Raytheon SL72 last spring with the control unit led back to the cockpit. Primary reason was cost savings over backstay mount. It went fine, but I wouldn't recommed it. First, I discovered in order to mount 15-20 ft up mast I needed additional cable and junction box totaling $350. Yard recommended junction box be installed in bilge rather than on cabin top so that if connection problems occur, the stick doesn't need to be pulled. Good advice. However, that means that each time the mast is stepped, the cable needs to be fished through the base of the compression post which is time consuming and very difficult. Also, the extra cable run can mean heavier wire, lower voltage
I installed a mast mounted Raytheon SL72 last spring with the control unit led back to the cockpit. Primary reason was cost savings over backstay mount. It went fine, but I wouldn't recommed it. First, I discovered in order to mount 15-20 ft up mast I needed additional cable and junction box totaling $350. Yard recommended junction box be installed in bilge rather than on cabin top so that if connection problems occur, the stick doesn't need to be pulled. Good advice. However, that means that each time the mast is stepped, the cable needs to be fished through the base of the compression post which is time consuming and very difficult. Also, the extra cable run can mean heavier wire, lower voltage
L
Les Blackwell
I put mine on a pole.
Just a year ago, I put my radar ona pole on the stern. It was easy to run all the wires to the arch where I put the display and the power wire to the navigation locker. Yes, there is extra cost for the pole (I got the top of the line Edison because it had a base that allowed me to drop the pole so I could work on the radar if need be.). I like my installation.
Just a year ago, I put my radar ona pole on the stern. It was easy to run all the wires to the arch where I put the display and the power wire to the navigation locker. Yes, there is extra cost for the pole (I got the top of the line Edison because it had a base that allowed me to drop the pole so I could work on the radar if need be.). I like my installation.
D
Don
Doing the same
I've decided on the Raymarine SL-72, which is on sale at BoatUS right now for $1424. This will be my first radar unit and I think the basic model is appropriate for my use on the Chesapeake. One of the sail mags did a comparison of units last fall and, as I recall, Raymarine came out on top over all others both more/less expensive.(JRC, Simrad, etc.) I want to go with the backstay mount for convience but am having a hard time swallowing the $500 cost of on. That's why I have not hit "check-out" on the BoatUS web page yet. Good luck.
I've decided on the Raymarine SL-72, which is on sale at BoatUS right now for $1424. This will be my first radar unit and I think the basic model is appropriate for my use on the Chesapeake. One of the sail mags did a comparison of units last fall and, as I recall, Raymarine came out on top over all others both more/less expensive.(JRC, Simrad, etc.) I want to go with the backstay mount for convience but am having a hard time swallowing the $500 cost of on. That's why I have not hit "check-out" on the BoatUS web page yet. Good luck.
C
Chuck Reed
JRC is is the best buy
In last months Practical sailor they rated JRC1500 the best buy for $999.00. Also stated Raytheons RL70 was the best do to its interchangeable scanners and screens. But then it is a whole lot more $$$$.
In last months Practical sailor they rated JRC1500 the best buy for $999.00. Also stated Raytheons RL70 was the best do to its interchangeable scanners and screens. But then it is a whole lot more $$$$.
L
Les Murray
Before you buy, check out the new Furuno stuff
I just did what you're doing. I bought a new Furuno 1722C color radar/chartplotter combo. This is cheaper than the Raymarine and IMHO more adaptable. It uses Navnet, which is basic computer networking gear. Any hub and cable will do. I am going to put the radar dome up the mast. I would prefer a backstay mount, but the cost is prohibitive at this point. LOL, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
I just did what you're doing. I bought a new Furuno 1722C color radar/chartplotter combo. This is cheaper than the Raymarine and IMHO more adaptable. It uses Navnet, which is basic computer networking gear. Any hub and cable will do. I am going to put the radar dome up the mast. I would prefer a backstay mount, but the cost is prohibitive at this point. LOL, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
- Status
- Not open for further replies.