radar

[Stillraining]

Nah...The Navy was just experimenting on you with their cloaking system...

[sailaway21]

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

One day out sailing in beautiful weather, I had a chance to notice something unusual with the radar overlay on my Garmin 3210 plotter using the 4 kw Garmin radome.

I had the plotter on at the time, and while sailing a Navy sub passed by us about 1/2 mile away as it was leaving San Diego. I decided to see what the sub target would look like on radar, so I started up the radar. The target was big, and you could really see it moving across the plotter screen. Then I decided to put the radar on overlay, and I could barely see any sign that the sub was even there! I switched back to radar only, and there it was again as big as ever. Switched back to overlay, and could hardly see a target.

I emailed Garmin support about this, and they couldn't give me any reason for this happening. I keep the software updated, so I know it's not a case of updating. I've never noticed that situation before, as I've assumed that everything I saw on overlay was what was out there...at least it appeared that way on some night runs we've made. One idea that Garmin offered to me, was that the plotter screen might be to light to see the target (which is yellow). They think the reason I see the target in the radar only mode, is because the back ground is black...that could be. I have not tried to darken the plotter screen yet to test that idea, but I will next chance I get.

Looks like another reason to dislike radar overlays on the plotter.

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Nah...The Navy was just experimenting on you with their cloaking system...

They sure cloaked good on overlay...

I'll have to check on this, but I think the radar overlay color for targets can be changed...I'm pretty sure they can be changed in radar only mode.

[Cruisingdad]

Just a plug, but I have had no issues with Raymarine or Raytheon radar units. They have been bullet proof for me. I am also not aware of us (400 Catalina group) having any issues, or the other boats that install them.

I would have no issue buying them again. I also would consider Garmin. I like Garmin, though like BF, I don't care for the touch screen. Personal preference.

- CD

[xort]

Caled West Marine Advisor this morning. He didn't know what the upgrade policy from Garmin would be for the new charts.
So I called Garmin. Sat on hold for over a half an hour this morning. Finally got a tech, they do have the pricing strategy formulated now.

Most of the plotters I have been looking at come with the entire US preloaded. The Garmin guy said you pay them $200 for an SD card with updates. After loading updates you send the card back and they credit you $120. Net cost for a complete update is $80. That I can handle!

Some of the Garmin units include the Bahamas Explorer charts and some apparently do not. Explorer chart card is over $200.

I am suprised at how difficult it is to find some of this info.

As I understand it, Garmin does not support the older G charts they installed on all their earlier chartplotters. From what I can tell, no upgrade strategy means you can never refresh your charts with latest data. That is a big strike against Garmin. Will they pull that with their new Bluechart G2?

[camaraderie]

Xort...Raymarine left me in the lurch when they shifted from CMap to Navionics...Now I lose ALL my charts if I do an upgrade. It is the same with all these companies and charting...a moving target and no guarantees.

[Valiente]

You guys are making a case for a stand-alone radar, which I'm leaning towards anyway. I think a radar with chart overlay is primarily useful on night or otherwise "instrument" approaches to uncluttered waypoints, like, for instance, a reef that might be out of position on the chart. An overlay might confirm this by replicating the reef shape in front of or behind the charted hazard. In a well-charted area, however, the close correspondence between plot screen and radar image could be confusing indeed. Side by side (or two screens, or radar with running fix on a paper chart) seems better to my mind than the overlay method.

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by xort

As I understand it, Garmin does not support the older G charts they installed on all their earlier chartplotters. From what I can tell, no upgrade strategy means you can never refresh your charts with latest data. That is a big strike against Garmin. Will they pull that with their new Bluechart G2?

This a little off the subject of radar, but I feel the need to give you more information about updating the charts on Garmins.

It's true that the older G charts are not updateable anymore, and the G2 charts are. My 3210 plotter came preloaded with all the charts, and the last chart update notice I received from Garmin was $200.00 like you pointed out. I looked over the charts that were updated from their list, and in my case there were no charts in the update that applied to the area I sail, or plan to sail, so I am not updating. When future updates include the areas I'm interested in, then I'll spend the money and update.

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by Valiente

You guys are making a case for a stand-alone radar, which I'm leaning towards anyway. I think a radar with chart overlay is primarily useful on night or otherwise "instrument" approaches to uncluttered waypoints, like, for instance, a reef that might be out of position on the chart. An overlay might confirm this by replicating the reef shape in front of or behind the charted hazard. In a well-charted area, however, the close correspondence between plot screen and radar image could be confusing indeed. Side by side (or two screens, or radar with running fix on a paper chart) seems better to my mind than the overlay method.

I certainly am not in that camp. I am an advocate of overlay, or the ability to do it.

- CD

[bestfriend]

I am starting to like the idea of radar at the helm and chartplotter below.