Radar ????

B

Bobsuruncle

New Member
Oct 15, 2013
14
Mississauga, Ontario Canada
Boat Info
340 Express
Engines
Twin 454 Mercruisers
Firstly I would like to say hello as I'm new to this site and have found it really beneficial and informative!!!!!

I was wondering if someone could help me out, or point me in the right direction. I am totally new to all the electronics and I just bought a 34ft Sea Ray that came with a Lowrance HDS5. I'm pretty sure this is a chart plotter but I have no manual? I've done some searches and I'm seeing this device also functions as a fish finder but I'm not sure?

Secondly, what would I need to view bad weather or something that can give me the option of viewing other vessels in bad weather?

It sucks being a neophyte!!! LOL

Sincerely,

Bobsuruncle
 
yup, radar would help you identify objects is non-optimal visual conditions. But do a lot of research as you will need to answer what you are comfortable cruising in and what are you trying to identify. Best of luck with your research.
 
Welcome Bobsuruncle...

Being a neophyte is great because just imagine how many amazing things you're going to discover!

So... does your new boat have radar? I'm assuming not if you're asking what you need when running with restricted visibility.

Radar helps you identify targets when you can't observe them yourself. AIS (Automatic Identification System) is helpful but most vessels aren't equipped with AIS so you can't rely on it for use in restricted visibility.

Know, though, that reading radar and identifying and tracking targets on a screen takes time to master. So... the best course of action is to stay in port when visibility is restricted and definitely do not run at night.

Welcome to the hole in the water club!

- Port
 
Bob,

Welcome my fellow Lake Ontario boater. I just finished my first season with a 340 Sundancer and the entire season I really only relied on my dated radar once during a foggy crossing from Waupoos to Sodus. And even then it was sketchy but like HomePort says (and my own fault) if you don't use it on a regular basis you won't get good at it. Now the chartplotter I'm sure everyone is good at but mostly everyone boats during favorable conditions so most do not use or try and understand radar until weather gets iffy.

Some great little bars in Mississauga. I am on the sailing circuit as well and always a favorite stop to see the ballet especially near the airport.

Bobsuruncle said:
Firstly I would like to say hello as I'm new to this site and have found it really beneficial and informative!!!!!

I was wondering if someone could help me out, or point me in the right direction. I am totally new to all the electronics and I just bought a 34ft Sea Ray that came with a Lowrance HDS5. I'm pretty sure this is a chart plotter but I have no manual? I've done some searches and I'm seeing this device also functions as a fish finder but I'm not sure?

Secondly, what would I need to view bad weather or something that can give me the option of viewing other vessels in bad weather?

It sucks being a neophyte!!! LOL

Sincerely,

Bobsuruncle
Click to expand...
 
I run my radar every time I'm on the water. I use it (not just turn it on) even when the sun is bright on a beautiful day. By doing this I am comfortable with my equipment when the visibility gets sketchy or just to run home in the dark. Like someone posted above, you need to master what you are seeing on the screen and determine which targets are of concern. It takes time, my radar in the 1 mile and closer range will have birds show up albeit small, but you need to learn.
 
Hello Fellow Boaters

I'm just looking to find something that will be a good match for a beginner. What do I need to get started etc.... I've been looking around and it's really overwhelming as to what's out there. So is the cost!! LOL

There's so many different manufacturer's and models to choose from. I'm just looking for something that's practical for my 340 Express? Would it be better to buy something used???

I'm open to any suggestions?????

Hello to onthejob!!! Mississauga is a great place and there's lots to do during the boating season. Other than that were in the rinks playing hockey in the winter!!!!

Thank you for all for your great input

Sincerely,

Bob
 
Welcome aboard Bob.

Just to clarify things a bit for you....a chart plotter is connected to a GPS so it knows where you are and displays your current location on a "chart" that is held electronically within the plotter. As you cruise around, the boat usually stays centered on the chart, but that depends on your settings. A chart plotter does not know what other boats are out there with you and will not keep you from running aground or running into a dock, levee, or other structure because, while it knows they are there and shows them on the chart, it doesn't know "what" they are and doesn't know they present a danger to you. By showing you where you are on a chart, it shows you the water depth around you and if you're smart enough to keep an eye on the displayed chart, you know how deep the water is ahead of you, like you would see on any chart.

A radar display (many can now be overlayed on top of the chart plotter) doesn't know where you are, but does see things (even in the dark and in bad weather) that could present a hazard to you, like other boats, docks, levees, etc. It doesn't know what direction you're headed, but it does know that on the course you're on, what is in front of you. It does not see below the water level. You'd need a depth sounder for that.

Radars and plotters do different things but are designed to work well together.

Here's three pictures of a GPS/plotter display (called a "MFD" or multi-function display) that is shown in the blue and yellow. It is also displaying a radar image overlayed on top of it (in purple). The display shows land masses, a highway bridge's twin spans, an opening to a inlet.

P1010032.jpg

P1010026.jpg
In this last picture it shows an entrance to a bay which I can't see through the fog. The black line extending straight out from the bow of the boat is called a "lubber line" and represents the direction the boat is pointed. The red line (arrow) that extends out at an angle shows the direction the boat is actually moving (it's at an angle due to the river current coming from my stbd side) and shows the distance the boat will move in 3 minutes at the speed I'm traveling.

The reason the purple radar display is offset a little from the yellow land mass is that the boat is moving forward. The distance the radar is offset is due to the sweep (turning) of the radar antenna and the boat's forward movement while the antenna is "looking" in a direction other than forward. (does that make sense?)
 

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Bob
Here's your manual...
LOWRANCE

It looks like your unit is a MFD and is capable of displaying images from a radome/antenna/array. a 5" display is smallish but the HD5S is NMEA 2000 compatible so it's pretty sophisticated. You could probably add a radome for a couple of boat dollars and be all set.

Take a look at the manual and familiarize yourself with the capabilities. May seem overwhelming but people here can help.
 
Welcome Bob

Yes on radar if you plan on operating in fog, bad weather or at night. Your fishfinder will also have a depth sounders to tell you how deep the water is. kinda important. See others have provided you with your manual....Good luck
 
Honestly if you don't plan on crossing Lake Ontario or running at night, I'd lower the priority of the expenditure of a radar dome and maybe start with a nicer plotter, GPS and/or MFD this coming year then add on later. I mean if weather strikes on LO you are normally never more than 10-20 miles from a safe port to retreat to. I'm not a fan of running on plane at night because of obstacles in LO you will never see with or w/o radar.

I'm also going to upgrade my radar, GPS and plotter but delaying it for a year. I plan on sticking with Raymarine only because all my instruments, VHF, Auto helm, etc are connected through SeaTalk, which I'll have to upgrade to SeaTalk-ng as well. More boat dollars.

Bobsuruncle said:
Hello Fellow Boaters

I'm just looking to find something that will be a good match for a beginner. What do I need to get started etc.... I've been looking around and it's really overwhelming as to what's out there. So is the cost!! LOL

There's so many different manufacturer's and models to choose from. I'm just looking for something that's practical for my 340 Express? Would it be better to buy something used???

I'm open to any suggestions?????

Bob
Click to expand...
 
Hello again!

Can't thank you all enough for this insight and material. The manual will really help out with this Lowrance.
Like I said, "it's all new to me? I need radar for dummies!!!
Thank you all very much for your help with this subject.

Bob
 
Wow!!! This was a VERY informative post.....Thanks!

I've been looking for a class on my C-80 and its functionalities. Sitting in front of the unit with the manual and pushing buttons can only teach one but so much.

Really appreciate the assist.
 
Gofirstclass said:
Welcome aboard Bob.

Just to clarify things a bit for you....a chart plotter is connected to a GPS so it knows where you are and displays your current location on a "chart" that is held electronically within the plotter. As you cruise around, the boat usually stays centered on the chart, but that depends on your settings. A chart plotter does not know what other boats are out there with you and will not keep you from running aground or running into a dock, levee, or other structure because, while it knows they are there and shows them on the chart, it doesn't know "what" they are and doesn't know they present a danger to you. By showing you where you are on a chart, it shows you the water depth around you and if you're smart enough to keep an eye on the displayed chart, you know how deep the water is ahead of you, like you would see on any chart.

A radar display (many can now be overlayed on top of the chart plotter) doesn't know where you are, but does see things (even in the dark and in bad weather) that could present a hazard to you, like other boats, docks, levees, etc. It doesn't know what direction you're headed, but it does know that on the course you're on, what is in front of you. It does not see below the water level. You'd need a depth sounder for that.

Radars and plotters do different things but are designed to work well together.

Here's three pictures of a GPS/plotter display (called a "MFD" or multi-function display) that is shown in the blue and yellow. It is also displaying a radar image overlayed on top of it (in purple). The display shows land masses, a highway bridge's twin spans, an opening to a inlet.

View attachment 33210

View attachment 33211
In this last picture it shows an entrance to a bay which I can't see through the fog. The black line extending straight out from the bow of the boat is called a "lubber line" and represents the direction the boat is pointed. The red line (arrow) that extends out at an angle shows the direction the boat is actually moving (it's at an angle due to the river current coming from my stbd side) and shows the distance the boat will move in 3 minutes at the speed I'm traveling.

The reason the purple radar display is offset a little from the yellow land mass is that the boat is moving forward. The distance the radar is offset is due to the sweep (turning) of the radar antenna and the boat's forward movement while the antenna is "looking" in a direction other than forward. (does that make sense?)
Click to expand...

Wow!!! This was a VERY informative post.....Thanks!

I've been looking for a class on my C-80 and its functionalities. Sitting in front of the unit with the manual and pushing buttons can only teach one but so much.

Really appreciate the assist.
 
Reg, I found the only way to learn what any electronics unit is capable of is to take the boat out, have the manual in your grubby little paw, and play with the buttons. I just had a new radar and GPS/Plotter put in my boat and I've only had one chance to use it, and hadn't received the manual yet. My new one is a Raymarine and, since nobody makes a full manual for their electronics yet (they give you a "Getting Started" booklet) I bought an aftermarket manual for $17 and it's great. I'm going to try to get out this weekend with the manual and do some playing around with it.
 
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