Viking Tri Lens Radar Reflector

[canuck]

I am thinking of installing this radar reflector on the mast of my Hunter 39 but I am concerned that it may not be rugged enough to withstand the tacking of the foresail over a period of time. Has any one had any experience with this product. Comments or suggestions.

Thanks

 

[Stu Jackson]

If you put it up high enough, even a genoa wouldn't hit it, 'cuz the headsail get narrower as it goes up.

Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[kappykaplan]

I agree with Stu. I moved my radar reflector from the lower spreader (PO installation) to the upper spreader. Absolutely no problems.

 

[chuckwayne]

I'm not sure about the Viking brand, but we've had the medium size tri-lens mounted on our mast just under the radome for years with no issues

 

[Prime Time]

Testing

I had a Davis Echomaster on my backstay about 15 feet above our heads on my old Mirage 27. I spoke with people with radar and they said I gave a tremendous echo return on their radar. Its cheap, light and the way I would go if I needed a new one. Maybe install 2. (see the report attached)

My current boat came with a Blipper. In the ocean, returning from Bermuda this summer, I was talking on the VHF at night with a freighter that I saw on my AIS at a range of 20 miles. We were on a collision course. He was able to see me well on radar at 12-15 miles. The conditions were fairly calm and we were under power.

Here is a test that I saw about the different detectors. The viking was recommended as coming out well in the tests. I think real world conditions are very different from the lab testing.