Radar Suggestions.

T

tmal2

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Joined
Jan 18, 2004
RO Number
12663
Messages
92
I've got a 1989 Searay 340EC that I'm thinking about putting radar on.
I've already got a decent GPS (Garmin 545) that I'll keep using so I really don't need an integrated/Multi-function unit with a lot of bells and whistles.
Can anyone suggest a decent LCD unit with solid and reliable performance that won't break the bank but still give me everything I'll need for the 3-4 times a year when radar is a must?

Thanks in Advance.
 
http://www.boatfix.com/shop4/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1107 make a BoatFix Help ticket and ask Les what he has that is good but low cost!
 
I like the Furuno 1715--basic good 24 mile unit with 7" screen. Solid performance. The 1623 is a couple of hundred dollars less, but a smaller screen, smaller antenna (less resolution) and shorter range (which is not really an issue).
 
Bob, I doubt if he'd get anywhere near 24 miles with it mounted as low as it would be on a searay. But clarity is also a function of power. That's why I asked where he boats - frequent ocean boating justifies a larger expense for better definition.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Les Hall

do you venture outside the bay?

Click to expand...


Yes I do Les. 95% of my trips are in the bay but there are usually 1-3 trips outside every year going to Block Island, Mystic, Martha's Vineyard etc.........
 
There's some new radar technology on the horizon. I think they're trying broadband, which uses much less power and creates a better image.

You might read up on it on the Panbo blog
 
I have the 16 mile Furuno(not color) and it picks up pelicans
on the water within .125 miles away. It is way better than my
old 20 something year old Appelco unit ever was.
It also picks up PVC no wake bouys pretty well within the .125
mile range.
 
I installed a Furuno 1734c on my boat last year. It was a kit that came with a 36 mile radar. Nice setup and the guys at Furuno were great to work with when I had a question about installing and setting it up!
 
The Furuno instruction manual was super easy to understand.
I installed and ran the cable myself, then set it up just
like the manual said. Everything came out perfect.
 
I have heard rumors that the Simrad Broadband radar is now available--or at least orders are being taken.

As for 24 mile radars--you will not see items on the water beyond a line of sight horizon. But high land masses and ships will show up at considerable distances. Also the "longer range" radar has a wider antenna scanner, and thus a narrower beam angle and a better descrimination (separation of adjacent targets). The Broadband radar has excellent descrimination even with a smaller scanner, and at very short ranges.
 
I may have to look very closely at the broadband radar...my 'radar' arch is not that tall and adding a mast would add too much force on the cheap arch (plus it'd have to fold down). The broadband is a fraction of the power used in a cell phone, so IF I had to stand in the way (not very likely, but you never know) I wouldn't turn into scrambled eggs ;-)
 
I wouldn't stand in front of the radar on an aircraft carrier but a 2 kw unit is not going to cause any damage.
 
I am going to get the newer broadband radar and keep my existing 4kw/hd unit. It should be interesting to see the close in coverage is supposed to be excellent compared to high power Klystron radar units.
Bill
 
we are supposed to get some broadband units the end of this month - but about $1600 just for the dome.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Les Hall

I wouldn't stand in front of the radar on an aircraft carrier but a 2 kw unit is not going to cause any damage.

Click to expand...


Les--

I would be apprehensive of all high peak power radar emissions even those operating at a low duty cycle (low average power) found in recreational marine radars. Who knows what physiological damages can occur resulting long term health problems.

Years ago I was responsible for designing radar transmitters both as a design engineer and later as an engineering manager at a large defense company. We had strict safety rules and one of them was to never be in front of a radiating antenna regardless of the emitted power.

For those who are not aware, the peak power radiated is significantly higher than the magnetron's (or whatever type transmitting device is used) peak power because the antenna concentrates the radiated power into a narrow beam width.

I cringe when I see boats with people in front of radar antennae radiation beams. The radar antenna on my boat radiated through the helm when I purchased the boat. I refused to use the radar until I had an arch installed for everybody's on board safety.

Foggy
 
quote:
Originally posted by tmal2

Click to expand...


I just put my like brand new Furuno 1715 on ebay because I sold my boat to somebody in Germany and it had to be removed for the boat to be shipped over there. I bought if from boatfix and used it for about three months then got an offer on the boat. I love that model radar and thought about hanging on to it for the next boat. But the boats I've been looking at have radar already and I didn't care to have it sitting in my office collecting dust.

The 1715 is a really nice set up and boatfix is the best deal on a new one. Shipping was very fast. And customer service was very good.

If you want to look at a used one let me know.
 
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