Radar

[cbphotog]

I have a Dufour 40 and I'm looking for a radar unit. Anyone have an opinion on what unit give you the "best bang" for your buck?

Thanks

[Zanshin]

What other equipment do you have? If you already have a Raymarine chartplotter, then it might make sense to get a Raymarine radar to make integrating it into your system easier.

[PorFin]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

What other equipment do you have? If you already have a Raymarine chartplotter, then it might make sense to get a Raymarine radar to make integrating it into your system easier.

+1. Integration of the overall system can make a huge difference in the total outlay of money for the project.

[AlanGSYS]

Yes, integrating with an existing screen may be less costly, but if you ask the pilots among us, I'll bet they will tell you that redundancy is best, and a stand alone unit has its merits. But this defies the marketing efforts of the electronics producers.

New hi def radar is pretty cool with great resolution, low radiation output, short warm up time and low power consumption.

[olson34]

Originally Posted by AlanGSYS

Yes, integrating with an existing screen may be less costly, but if you ask the pilots among us, I'll bet they will tell you that redundancy is best, and a stand alone unit has its merits. But this defies the marketing efforts of the electronics producers.
New hi def radar is pretty cool with great resolution, low radiation output, short warm up time and low power consumption.

If you choose not to listen to the siren call of (high $$) networked electronics...
in our little YC there are mainly all Raymarine domes and Furuno gear. I would guess that Furuno is actually ahead by a few domes, for those keeping score.
I would like someday to have a fancy network system, but I do like the having the charting and radar separate. Of course my elderly opinion probably does not count since I still carry paper charts on board as well!

Local marine electronics dealer sez they will gladly sell me whatever I really insist on wanting... but if pressed they still believe that the "digital" radar needs to be available and in use for a while longer. (Sort of like the old adage to never buy version 1.0 of anything.)


I have done multiple deliveries with Furuno radar, mainly the 1623 and 1715 (for the record, I own a 1715) and one trip this fall with a slightly older Furuno small CRT radar. Their displays are "razor sharp" in fog and dark... and on one of the trips this year we had total blind navigation into a tight entry surrounded by rocks. It was truly an "instrument landing." (Neah Bay, WA, for those with a chart app on their computer.)

We were using a color plotter beside the Furuno and the combo was wonderful! One digitally tells you where the buoys and stuff should be... and the other tells you what's really out there.

What the Hay -- Rest assured, you can and will justify whatever system/gear you buy. After all, we all do that!


Fair winds to you, and NO fog!

LB

[jrd22]

If by "best bang for the buck" you mean cheap then any of the bottom of the line models are reportedly pretty good. For my money I don't think Furuno can be beat (I have two of the 4KW, one on each boat). I'm old school and still prefer the CRT units although the display takes up an enormous amount of room, and there really isn't much comparison between the 2.0/2.2 KW and the 4KW models. The resolution on a 4 KW allows you to distinguish two boats very close together, or a tug and a close coupled barge instead of just seeing a large blob on a 2KW. I think Mainesail installed a Garmin HD and he was pretty impressed with it, I haven't used one yet, but I would still be reluctant to go with anything other than Furuno for radar. When you can't see anything past your nose you realize just how dependent you are on your radar, it's a good feeling to know you have the best available.

[LinekinBayCD]

Originally Posted by AlanGSYS

Yes, integrating with an existing screen may be less costly, but if you ask the pilots among us, I'll bet they will tell you that redundancy is best, and a stand alone unit has its merits. But this defies the marketing efforts of the electronics producers.

New hi def radar is pretty cool with great resolution, low radiation output, short warm up time and low power consumption.

IMHO integration of the radar with a chartplotter overlay improves the usefulness of both the radar and the chartplotter. It provides instant confirmation of the accuracy of where the chartplotter is putting your position with what the radar actually sees. The usefulness extends to times when radar is not actually needed as in perfect clear daytime conditions. Redundancy can be accomplished with having a second or third handheld or portable chartplotter onboard.

[rikhall]

We got a Furuno 1623. Love it!

Rik