Anyone Change from An Open Array Radar to a Dome?

[mrsrobinson]

OK. So here is a secondary question. Best way to install to make it easy to take down an put up. They had to take the old one down to transit to the storage facility. As this will likely be a yearly requirement, I am looking for an easy (but sturdy) setup to make the short transport.

I am thinking of just using a wedge (no mount) which would be sealed with 4200 to the arch, and then using some type of rubber seal on the bolts to keep the water out. Would inspect and possibly replace yearly.

See the video I just posted above. Easy, straight forward job IMHO. Very happy with the SEAVIEW products: https://www.seaviewglobal.com/

 

[Skybolt]

OK. So here is a secondary question. Best way to install to make it easy to take down an put up. They had to take the old one down to transit to the storage facility. As this will likely be a yearly requirement, I am looking for an easy (but sturdy) setup to make the short transport.

I am thinking of just using a wedge (no mount) which would be sealed with 4200 to the arch, and then using some type of rubber seal on the bolts to keep the water out. Would inspect and possibly replace yearly.

They sell mounts that have a hinged base and fold backwards. That would include the light staff as well.

Pretty hefty price for only the hinge. It can be found much cheaper but here is the hinged mount: https://www.seaviewglobal.com/collections/modular-mounts/products/hinge-adapter

 

[Stee6043]

I figured you were looking at the xHD2. It's generally thought of as a good unit. It just is a very different technology than a modern pulse-compression digital radar like the Fantom series.

If I could make a somewhat crude comparison, it's like looking at an iPhone 14 then noticing you could get a bigger screen iPhone 8 XL for a little more. Sure it has a bigger screen if that's your main objective, but there's a bunch of stuff under the hood of that iPhone 14 that offers meaningfully more functions - even with a smaller screen.

The doppler shift function alone is worth staying with a Fantom dome vs. an xHD2 open array. It will color code the returns to visually indicated if the target is stationary, moving away, or moving toward you. On a number of occasions this function has helped me sort out what targets were doing and prioritize what I need to watch for. Think about a sailboat in marginal lighting that you can't visually determine if it's heading toward or away from you. The doppler shift tells you this so you can better decide on which side to pass.

This is great info. Thank you for sharing. A question if you don't mind - the xHD2 has a feature that (allegedly) will show a "tail" on up to 10 targets that should/would allow you to gauge heading and speed. Though not as slick as the colored returns you've mentioned on the Fantom would it not serve a similar purpose as it relates to collision avoidance?

 

[ttmott]

This is great info. Thank you for sharing. A question if you don't mind - the xHD2 has a feature that (allegedly) will show a "tail" on up to 10 targets that should/would allow you to gauge heading and speed. Though not as slick as the colored returns you've mentioned on the Fantom would it not serve a similar purpose as it relates to collision avoidance?

The xHD2 which I had on my 400DA was a great system and super accurate. The trails were established based upon multiple scans (antenna revolutions) of the target thus revealing a relative differential in position and speed. I thought it was a novelty that provided little useful information. Any time at all using that radar without the trails one can determine direction and speed of the targets for the purpose of risk to the boat. I liked it. My Fantom on this boat just takes the determination of direction and speed to another level of information availability. Does it provide anything better? Yes - the Doppler effect pulsing doesn't require multiple sweeps of the antenna to determine direction and speed and that in itself is worth it. For me, however, extrapolating detail and showing it on the screen rather than a big "blob" which may be multiple objects is more important than most all else. But that's me. Get the system you need for your style of boating.
But I'll say this the more information being displayed demands a larger display to see and understand it.

 

[Creekwood]

That Canadian youtuber Boogaboo, is back on line and bought a 370DA last year and replaced the Raymarine set with a Garmin radar and MFD. His videos might be worth a look. Personally, I would have gone with a larger MFD.

 

[dtfeld]

I have the Raymarine equivalent Quantum 2, and for a cruising boat, the digital radar is the way to go IMHO. The biggest benefit is the doppler function which has alerted me to many boats/jet skis before I visually can identify them. I was enlightening to learn just how many and how large our blind spots are on these boats. The other huge benefit is the short range performance where you can see very small objects at a fairly long range. Think a small 10"-12" buoy sticking 18" out of the water at a 1/2 mile clear as day, or right off the bow of your boat. You could almost be 0 vis and dock your boat.

As far as target separation, we were having a discussion as to weather these radars can pick up kayaks, and I ran a test. Attached are a couple pictures of the Quantum 2 picking up a boat and a lady on a SUP board at about a hundred yards. This technology is impressive.

 

[b_arrington]

I have the Raymarine equivalent Quantum 2, and for a cruising boat, the digital radar is the way to go IMHO. The biggest benefit is the doppler function which has alerted me to many boats/jet skis before I visually can identify them. I was enlightening to learn just how many and how large our blind spots are on these boats. The other huge benefit is the short range performance where you can see very small objects at a fairly long range. Think a small 10"-12" buoy sticking 18" out of the water at a 1/2 mile clear as day, or right off the bow of your boat. You could almost be 0 vis and dock your boat.

As far as target separation, we were having a discussion as to weather these radars can pick up kayaks, and I ran a test. Attached are a couple pictures of the Quantum 2 picking up a boat and a lady on a SUP board at about a hundred yards. This technology is impressive.

View attachment 136522 View attachment 136523

Yep, this.

 

[dtfeld]

They do have open array units that incorporate the digital capabilities and you do get the benefits of the longer array, at a pretty hefty $ premium. There's no denying a longer antenna gets you getter separation, but I'm not sure its worth the price for a cruiser. If fishing and looking for a bird mode, then you need to look at units that will get you that function.

Range will be almost identical as the range of a marine radar is limited by the height of the scanner and the height of the object being scanned, but generally speaking these units installed on a Sea ray will get you about 5-10 miles depending on what's on the other end.

If I were doing it today, I would opt for the 24" over the 18" or 4' Open Array. It gets you a lot of capability/improved safety at a reasonable price.

 

[NorCalRobert]

I converted from an open array and went with the 24 inch Radome mainly due to the 18 looking too small