Who likes their radar? - Page 2

Rockter · #11 10-02-2012

I bought a JRC 1000 about 14 years ago, after running into fog on the approach to Inverness.
It is not a bad unit, but the alignment instructions are just awful - ambiguous and desperately difficult to adjust.
I mounted it on a pole, aft. I did not want a mast mount as the connector was too large to re-enter th boat at the mast foot.
For one reason only - the awful instruction manual - I won't buy a JRC again.

boatpoker · #12 10-02-2012

With radar power is King. After trying a 5kw unit you will never be satisfied with anything less. I prefer the older CRT units but they do take a lot of practice and better yet some training to get the most out of them. The better, older CRT units have all the major controls (FTC, STC, range, tune & gain) right up front on buttons or dials while the newer units have the essential controls buried under layers of menus. Of course if you just leave it on automatic all the time I guess it dosn't matter. Georgian College in Ontario used to have an 11 day radar course some years ago.

Minnewaska · #13 10-02-2012

If you're going to cruise, especially in our neck of the woods, radar is a must. You can choose the conditions you leave in, but not what you return in.

chef2sail · #14 10-02-2012

Ditto on the color palette. Pole mount requires a 10 ft above the deck pole digital is cleaner than the old analog. The newer units really ake cre of most of the clutter without a lot of unnecessary knob adjustments. I didn't find the menus for manual adjustments any more complicated than the ipad I am using now.

Dave

St Anna · #15 10-03-2012

I only turn the radar on in order to see if it is working .we don't get many foggy nights and the gps plotter tell you where you are.
If you are in a location where fog is prominent then radar maybe of use.

doug1957 · #16 10-03-2012

I have a Simrad 4G with the NSS8 Chartplotter. Power draw is very low, and the radar for sighting objects is very good. Minuses are not so good at detecting storms (though I have not tested that myself) and an add-on fluxgate compass is needed if you want radar/chart overlay.

ereiss · #17 10-03-2012

+1 for Simrad broadband radar. I find it useful even on clear days so that 1) I am experienced in interpreting it when it isn't so nice and 2) it sometimes give me an early alert to something I may have missed visually.

Easy to self install and low power consumption.

CapnBones · #18 10-06-2012

Update. Went to the boat show in Annapolis today and played with all the radar units. I really loved the simrad NSS7. So with boat show pricing it looks like I will be getting that and the 3g dome. I am surprised at the minimal power draw and it was soooo easy to use. It was really how easy it was to use that got me and a very nice display. I am putting the compass on my list so I can do overlay, that will be a nice add in the future.

jump5999 · #19 10-06-2012

I like my Furuno 16 mile at night and in the fog, not that I like fog. Doesn't draw much juice but what it does consume, when in use, is worth it.

hellosailor · #20 10-08-2012

Bones, you should tell your buddy he's a cheap SOB and a fair-weather friend if he's not willing to GIVE you a radar to keep you safe.

More stuff is nice but remember, when more stuff starts more breaking it costs more money again to keep fixing it. That cheap SOB ought to buy you the radar AND stock your bar, really. And if he really cares about you, he'll get you a set of G3 or G4 nightvision goggles as well, so you can really see what's going on at night.