Thoughts on radar?

[DARice]

Now that I have a perfect place to mount radar, it's a question of "when" not "if".

While the latest and greatest is tempting (low power digital radar), a lower budget is also appealing.

System setup:  I currently run a Garmin EchoMap 9" that meets all of my needs very well...but not my future needs when I add radar.

Same or separate screen as primary navigation?
I've been thinking that running radar on a separate display would have advantages, particularly now that I have lots of available dash real estate (or overhead). I'm sure that those who have radar have opinions--bring 'em on! My max screen size will be 9".

Of course if going to a single system with radar, I'd have to replace my 9" EchoMap. I do have ALL of the Garmin map upgrades which would transfer and am familiar with their systems. Of course, Simrad has great offerings, too.

Alternatively, I could continue to use the EchoMap for general navigation, AIS, and ff, and get a separate display for radar. If going that route, I gravitate toward finding something like a GPSMap 742xsv as the radar display and back up navigation system. I've seen lightly used systems at prices, radomes too, that make going with an older Furuno combo system unappealing (yes, still close to 2X the money of an older Furuno system, but less than 1/2 the price of a new mfd + radome.)

Looking forward to your opinions; I still need to let my wife recover a bit from my pilot house build...unless that magic opportunity crosses my bow.

Dave

[longfield1]

As I'm finishing up my pilot house I know I'm going to mount some sort of display up top. I don't know how many times I'm rigging up bait and have to ask my wife to please move a little bit so i can see depth/location/and any fish. Usually its depth/location as bottom fishing for us is always fighting the swell, current, and wind to stay in the area we want to. I would want 1 Garmin (the one i currently have echomap 94sv) tucked up top to display depth contour location, Then have the other one thats radar capable set up for Chirp/downscan/sidescan when fishing/trolling. But when underway in limited visibility have radar overlay on the map in the console.

[fishmeister]

Try this on for size!!!

[fishmeister]

My pic is a General Electric AN/TPS-59 radar.  Repairing this was my MOS in the Marine Corps.  Yes, that is two people on a maintenance platform elevator that runs up the back side of the array.

The range on this is awesome.  Just not sure how to mount it on a pilot house.

[Hunter]

Love my Garmin Fantom 18 HD Radar: Actually shows travel direction and identifies threat level by color. Could not be any simpler.
Instead of just showing location of a target (vessel)as a"Mark" on every rotation cycle, it shows a ghost trail that clearly identifies the direction that the threat is traveling. Also, it automatically assesses your direction of travel and the targets direction of travel and paints the target green if is not considered a threat and red if it is considered a threat. Also, the radar will overlay on any screen so doesn't require a separate display. 

[JDB]

I've got separate radar from sonar/GPS display.  It works fine, but I seldom use the radar, but when I do it's because I need it (better to have and not need...).  Convenience of an integrated system would be nice, but my fun budget just got really small so it'll be years until I can entertain the thought of the upgrade.

[Hydroman]

Now that I have a perfect place to mount radar, it's a question of "when" not "if".

While the latest and greatest is tempting (low power digital radar), a lower budget is also appealing.

System setup:  I currently run a Garmin EchoMap 9" that meets all of my needs very well...but not my future needs when I add radar.

Same or separate screen as primary navigation?
I've been thinking that running radar on a separate display would have advantages, particularly now that I have lots of available dash real estate (or overhead). I'm sure that those who have radar have opinions--bring 'em on! My max screen size will be 9".

Of course if going to a single system with radar, I'd have to replace my 9" EchoMap. I do have ALL of the Garmin map upgrades which would transfer and am familiar with their systems. Of course, Simrad has great offerings, too.

Alternatively, I could continue to use the EchoMap for general navigation, AIS, and ff, and get a separate display for radar. If going that route, I gravitate toward finding something like a GPSMap 742xsv as the radar display and back up navigation system. I've seen lightly used systems at prices, radomes too, that make going with an older Furuno combo system unappealing (yes, still close to 2X the money of an older Furuno system, but less than 1/2 the price of a new mfd + radome.)

Looking forward to your opinions; I still need to let my wife recover a bit from my pilot house build...unless that magic opportunity crosses my bow.

Dave

My previous 2 boat had radar, one with stand-alone mfd * radome, the other an intergrade unit. My preference was the 2 separate unit. My preference may have been different if the MFD had been larger on the intergraded unit.

I do not have a radar unit on my new boat and not sure I can justify the cost. The 2 seasons that I have owned my new boat I have only fished the Columbia and the few times that I have encountered fog I have felt comfortable.  The GPS/chartploter and AIS has provided needed info that I have never felt that I was ever in danger.

If I was operating in the ocean I would probably feel different.   

[Kimbrey]

I'm a fan of separate screens especially for radar if you have the ability to have two screens.  But....the below picture is a shot of some of the screens, not all that I had on the bridge of the last boat I skippered before retiring so it's kind of ingrained.

The radar picture gets kind of small when in split screen mode on a 9" screen.

Furuno is very hard to beat but I think most brands are good now-a-days.  Without doing a bunch of research I think Furuno has a wireless unit that you can use on a tablet.  Might be worth a look see.

[calcoast]

It depends on how often you use it and what you use it for. I have a Simrad 4G radar attached to a 12 inch evo3. I think the 4G radar would be considered on the inexpensive side now. It is great for safety/navigating.

I use it to navigate in the dark and fog mostly. When it is clear it is not used. In the fog situation the screen is split radar/chart. Sometimes i split the screen three ways and the radar screen is still usable. You should check out a MFD in demo mode and see if the screen size is usable for you.

If you are looking for anything other than navigation help from your radar, you will need someone elses input.

[DARice]

Great feedback! I did get excited about the Furuno First Watch radar that displays on a tablet when it came out. There are many who cite poor performance, including large close targets that aren't displayed. Then again, that's the Internet.

I work hard to avoid fog, including not launching, but it has found me a few times anyway. In light fog, with plenty of visibility for 'responsible' boaters, having radar would be a big benefit, too—at least out of Garibaldi during salmon season it seems there often a few guys in sleds that go full tilt whether they can see or not.

Based on how radar operates it seems that the newer radar systems have big benefits when it comes to smaller, faster, closer targets, in addition to sipping power. Very happy if those conclusions are wrong and more reflective of marketing.

Dave

[DARice]

I agree with Hydroman that operating on the Columbia I'm comfortable without radar. I do find AIS extremely helpful on the river, and it displays the most dangerous targets long before they reach line-of-sight. Those container ships move with surprising speed and take up a lot of the river.

Dave

[croaker stroker]

There are too many crazies in my area with big fast boats who do not care much about the safety of others. I wish all boats over a certain length/horsepower were required to have AIS transmitters. (Not just commercial ships)

I replaced my Furuno 1623 with a new HALO radar.

Although the Furuno was an awesome Radar, I just wanted only one display on the dash.

I did make the Furuno raydome removable, but the HALO is not.

I absolutely cannot justify the expense. Just another toy that can be a lifesaver if ever needed. 

If you are concerned about cost, I would go with the Furuno. (Although there is a slight radiation safety issue)

[christianbrat]

im glad AIS isnt required so I don't have stalkers stealing my fishing spots

[croaker stroker]

im glad AIS isnt required so I don't have stalkers stealing my fishing spots

sharing is caring 

[disposable]

I think it really depends on how, and how often, you use the radar. Personally, I need a few times per year at most, and I don't need to read braille, just notice if that cliff/container ship is getting closer. Old furuno for me. Newer is better, but 1-3000$ is a lot of gas money.

And personally I like separate screen, but I have some real estate to spare with the house.  I chose to put the radar overhead, near center, so my passenger can also keep an eye on it if necessary.

[GoodDays]

On my work boat we run a system that can be layered over the Nav screen and show radar on top of the chart or it can be run stand alone on a seperate screen.  Really depends what we are doing and what other tools we have up on the secondary screen , (Flir etc) 

Takes a bit of getting used to on the overlay screen but it is super nice in poor vis. 

GoodDays Greg

[croaker stroker]

Good point greg! I should have mentioned that. The HALO overlays on my SIMRAD Navionics map. 

I intended to share some screenshots but between viruses, grandkids birthdays, and weather, I have not had the boat out in a while.

[DARice]

Try this on for size!!!

Finally! A radar system proportional to my pilot house!!!

[croaker stroker]

Try this on for size!!!

Finally! A radar system proportional to my pilot house!!!

That thing will make your gonads vibrate!

[DARice]

Try this on for size!!!

Finally! A radar system proportional to my pilot house!!!

That thing will make your gonads vibrate!

Is that a bad thing?

Dave

[croaker stroker]

Try this on for size!!!

Finally! A radar system proportional to my pilot house!!!

That thing will make your gonads vibrate!

Is that a bad thing?

Dave

Not at my age.

[Kimbrey]

Speaking of large sized radar's.  I don't think our boats would support it or supply enough electricity to turn it on.  Late winter & early spring we'd fish South of it for P-cod.  This is on Shemya Island which is in the last group of Islands in the Aleutian chain.  We called this radar the Darth Vader building.  Weird to see sitting out on that rock of an Island.

[Hunter]

Speaking of large sized radar's.  I don't think our boats would support it or supply enough electricity to turn it on.  Late winter & early spring we'd fish South of it for P-cod.  This is on Shemya Island which is in the last group of Islands in the Aleutian chain.  We called this radar the Darth Vader building.  Weird to see sitting out on that rock of an Island.

Being in the PAC NW......sure nice to know it's there........ And I've heard that there are folks from AK who apparently are of the opinion that " I can see Russia from my house"..