Lowrance 3g Radar

[Fishjager]

I have a Lowrance HDS 8 on my boat, so I thought why not get the radar to go with it.  I was thinking of the Lowrance G3 radar.  Does anybody here have any feedback on the unit?  This being said my Furuno 1623 is up for sale.  Thanks

[DSCS]

I have the first generation Lowrance HD radar, not the G3. It has worked flawlessly for me. None of the HD units are "bird spotters", but for short to mid range collision avoidance you cna't go wrong with the G3. My dome is 7' off the waterline so nothing would give me long range detection anyway.

I don't have to mess with tuning much. Ther are two preset modes.. harbor and open water. I might turn gain up in heavy fog or tweak rain clutter but really it's usually turn it on and use it.

I got a heading sensor to feed into the network. The radar overlay on the charts is really nice. Would highly recommend getting the heading sensor.

Alan

[Threeweight]

Boat US had a good article last year explaining some of the changing technology in sonar and radar.

Traditional Pulsed Energy vs. Sweeping Frequencies (geekery alert!)

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/articles/radar.asp

[Ski2sea]

The 4g has a $150 rebate available at this time.  4g 36 mile range vs 3g 24 mile range.
However, the best improvement seems to be in target separation.  The 4g is shipped with the R110 interface box which will let you connect to your NMEA 2000 network.  This will come in real handy in if you decide you want to add a heading sensor that will provide you with the chart overlay and MARPA.  If you only want the overlay, Lowrance just announced a new combined external GPS antenna with a sensor that will provide for the overlay and at a price well below the other heading sensors out there.

The following link has a summary  http://www.panbo.com/archives/2011/12/simrad_broadband_radar_4g_hands-on_1.html

ski2sea

[Fishjager]

Honestly, I do not see myself in that big of water in a 17 ft SeaChaser!! :applause: :applause:

[Chuck Jones]

Hells bells F/jager:  I don't see myself more than line of sight from offshore unless I'm on  a 200 foot  cruise boat, 50 foot beam,  promanade deck that serves tea and crumpets whilst relining on a deck chair during afternoon tea...I'm told they keep four quarts of chicken blood at the onshore emergency room in case I get hurt!!!  I LOVE fresh water.... 

Seriously, I do take my hat off to you guys who go 30 or more miles offshore in your boats to chase the wiley Tuna!  I volunteer to grill the steaks after you fillet them.

[Threeweight]

On a clear day, I can make out a few mountains in the Oregon Coast Range from 30 miles offshore  :biggrin: