Anyone Change from An Open Array Radar to a Dome?

G

Golfman25

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2009
7,673
IL
Boat Info
1998 370 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 MPI
So one of my winter projects is to update my radar. Currently an old Raymarine open array with the old green screen. Boat is 370 sundancer. Mostly a coastal lake Michigan cruiser. Thinking of the Garmin 18 inch Fantom dome. Too small, look silly? Can I save the mount? Anchor light? Anything? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
 
Golfman25 said:
So one of my winter projects is to update my radar. Currently an old Raymarine open array with the old green screen. Boat is 370 sundancer. Mostly a coastal lake Michigan cruiser. Thinking of the Garmin 18 inch Fantom dome. Too small, look silly? Can I save the mount? Anchor light? Anything? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Going from the older magnetron radar's to a newer digital one you will see a huge difference, both good and bad. Th older magnetron on's you will lose a bit of distance and less bird sittings. Now if it is a Fantom, then you will win all around period. I had a thread on upgrading as well. but from an HD to Fantom (doppler based). I will try and find that and post a link for you, a lot of great info there.

As far as your mount goes, no pic man! how can we answer that one?

EDIT: http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/garmin-radar-fantom.109968/
 
Golfman25 said:
So one of my winter projects is to update my radar. Currently an old Raymarine open array with the old green screen. Boat is 370 sundancer. Mostly a coastal lake Michigan cruiser. Thinking of the Garmin 18 inch Fantom dome. Too small, look silly? Can I save the mount? Anchor light? Anything? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I replaced a Raymarine open array with a 24" Fantom a few years ago and worried about "the look". Seems fine to me. I wasn't able to re-use the mount; went with a Scanstrut. But, my RM really didn't have a mount so YMMV. BOE sells adapter plates that may enable re-use. Also Garmin MFD's are on sale right now at BOE, you're going to need at least one.
Concur with Orlando about reviewing the previous thread on domes.
 
Which radar do you have? You might be able to use it with a new axiom. If it says digital on it you should be able to update it.

I’ve considered taking my radar off completely. Mainly because I think a dome would look funny on a 39’ boat and I rarely turn the radar on.
 
I was at FLIBSs last weekend, and I was seeing a lot of larger boats with smaller dome radars.
 
Does the open array look a little bit better? Yes. Should that affect your decision? No - focus on functionality.

The 18" might look a little bit small, so the 24" is probably better esthetically, but at the end of the day it is a safety tool so don't worry about it. I've got an old Raymarine 24" dome sitting in my closet. If you want to pop it on your arch to see how it looks, I could meet you up at Zion one afternoon and you can try it out.

@Nepenthe has a Garmin dome on his 400DB and nobody gives him flak about it, and believe me, if it was an issue they would.
 
jmauld said:
Which radar do you have? You might be able to use it with a new axiom. If it says digital on it you should be able to update it.

I’ve considered taking my radar off completely. Mainly because I think a dome would look funny on a 39’ boat and I rarely turn the radar on.
Click to expand...
You know, I've always felt that if I had an "accident", and my boat is equipped with radar (which it is), and the radar is not on at the time of the accident, that my percentage of responsibilty of the accident as deemed by the USCG would go up because I was intentionally NOT using a piece of safety equipment that I had on board. I do not know it this is in fact the way things would go, BUT I don NOT want to risk it. Boat operating: Radar ON....regardless of open or closed array.

Just my $0.02

Jaybeaux
 
Jaybeaux said:
You know, I've always felt that if I had an "accident", and my boat is equipped with radar (which it is), and the radar is not on at the time of the accident, that my percentage of responsibilty of the accident as deemed by the USCG would go up because I was intentionally NOT using a piece of safety equipment that I had on board. I do not know it this is in fact the way things would go, BUT I don NOT want to risk it. Boat operating: Radar ON....regardless of open or closed array.

Just my $0.02

Jaybeaux
Click to expand...
X 10
 
Jaybeaux said:
You know, I've always felt that if I had an "accident", and my boat is equipped with radar (which it is), and the radar is not on at the time of the accident, that my percentage of responsibilty of the accident as deemed by the USCG would go up because I was intentionally NOT using a piece of safety equipment that I had on board. I do not know it this is in fact the way things would go, BUT I don NOT want to risk it. Boat operating: Radar ON....regardless of open or closed array.

Just my $0.02

Jaybeaux
Click to expand...

That’s a good consideration. Do you have it set up to warn of an obstacle?
 
Maybe I’ll set it up to do that. Otherwise it’s just dead weight,
 
You lose exactly 3.267 style points going with a dome. That one guy from Boston might even snicker. Seriously, the only sight that really matters is what you see on the screen.
 
I have an open array and my boat neighbor has dome. We both have 390DA's and esthetically the dome looks out of place. Functionally, I'm sure little difference. I'll stay open if and when I upgrade.
Mine is always on the moment I clear the marina. Sure, I don't need to use it for normal navigation but it allows me to "see" what it's showing me in good weather and I'd have a lot more confidence in what it was showing if I get caught in nasty, soupy weather.
 
@Golfman25 In that thread I linked to, pay close attention to the screen shots that Al (@alnav) posted. He shows great distinction of targets with the MARPA on the newer settings and AIS targets. I would highly recommend Garmin as mentioned and also an AIS system either a stand alone unit like a Vesper or a VHF with AIS. Note that to Jays (@Jaybeaux) point, you will have alarms that does get your attention.

The older analog radars of RM will not work with the Axiom. Changing out your radar antenna will involve replacing your display as well.

I would look at the 24" Fantom, but the 18" does have an attractive price. Both will be leaps and bounds above the older units.
 
SKybolt said:
@Golfman25 In that thread I linked to, pay close attention to the screen shots that Al (@alnav) posted. He shows great distinction of targets with the MARPA on the newer settings and AIS targets. I would highly recommend Garmin as mentioned and also an AIS system either a stand alone unit like a Vesper or a VHF with AIS. Note that to Jays (@Jaybeaux) point, you will have alarms that does get your attention.

The older analog radars of RM will not work with the Axiom. Changing out your radar antenna will involve replacing your display as well.

I would look at the 24" Fantom, but the 18" does have an attractive price. Both will be leaps and bounds above the older units.
Click to expand...
Yeah. Already decided on the Garmin. Plus a 943xsv. I don’t need anything serious. Just something “cool” and may help in very rare circumstances of reduced visibility. Due to the dog and the admiral, I’m a very fair wether boater. :)
 
Stee6043 said:
Pfffft...we'd all own Bayliners if we didn't make decisions based on how things look. :)
Click to expand...
That's so true. I really wanted a 34' Sea Ray some 30-35 years ago and the budget didn't allow one. Ended up with a Bayliner 34 Avanti. I must say that it was a really nice boat functionally. Nothing fell apart and it never stranded me. But.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,123
Messages
1,426,625
Members
61,037
Latest member
wojozobl
Back
Top