Simple broadband radar and display

Chris Nowell

Chris Nowell

Active Member
Nov 28, 2011
1,520
Lake Okanagan, Kelowna B.C.
Boat Info
'05 622 Hardtop w Alaska Bulkhead, 270 Mercury Marine sport inflatable, pulled by a 6.0L Silverado
Engines
4.3 MPI Merc w Alpha I drive, 5 hp 4 stroke Merc aux.
It appears that all of the new broadband radar products are designed to be used with a multifunction display. Does anyone know of a small, stand alone radar that would give us some confidence in the fog or on moonless nights. In situations such as these I wouldn't be going more than hull speed so I won't be needing anything that has extreme range. I had a Furuno 1715 on a previous boat that was okay but this time I think broadband would be more suitable for our type of boating. It's just that right now I can't afford to fork out the money for the radar as well as another wad for the multi function screen. Other suggestions are welcome also, thanks.
 
Maybe you can find something used. You are looking at $2000+ to get a new low end system. No cheap radar options out there.

You could consider night vision if you just need to see right in front of you, that's not really a cheaper option though.
 
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There is only one brand of broadband radar - Simrad.. (Navico/Lowrance is from the same company)

Compared to both Garmin and Raymarine the Simrad 3G or 4G has exceptional low range performance - so you can spot even the smallest items around your boat. Both Garmin and Ray usually have a minimum distance (realistically) of 150-300' - where the Simrad will show objects as small as a 6" plastic buoy at 30' if the water is not too rough and your Radar is installed correct.

On the negative side they do not have quite the long range performance (25-30 miles top I would say) but earth curvature kind of limits the range anyway on a normal cruiser that is 16' "tall"

The Simrad's does not use a Magnetron - and won't fry your eyes or "baby-makers" with long time close-up exposure. (Some might find that not frying the baby-makers is a NEGATIVE point.. :grin: )

You can find them in bundles from $2000 and up (so MFD + 3G or 4G radar) - and if you keep an eye on THT sometimes even lower.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. OMG, what an intense subject. Research has shown that I need to do way more research. Can't say that a purchase will be happening any time soon. I like to thoroughly understand the stuff I buy so this one's going to take a while. Gone are the days of my Humminbird fish finder and 1715 radar. That Garmin package looks like good value so I'm probably going to forgo the broadband stuff in favor of the less expensive stuff. I think the touch screens would be a bit difficult to use on a small boat in anything but the calmest of seas. Onward to another learning adventure. Cheers :thumbsup:
 
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Chris,
If your going to wait awhile watch the ads WM had the Garmin package on sale a few months ago for $1299.99 with free shipping. Amazon has had a couple good deals on them also or contact BOE.
PM me I could ship it to you if needed.
 
Thanx Bob. I'll hold off 'till end of season and see what happens in the way of deals. I do like that Garmin set up, should do the job for wherever I'll be going. Cheers.
 
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Chris

While the touch screen stuff is a bit more $, if you can stretch your budget I highly recommend it. When I bought my 350 in 2012 the new Hybrid Touch screens were new and I went with the non-touch version. Big mistake. Even when bouncing around a few simple touches of the screen is a lot easier than using a nob and menu system to find what you need.

I can only speak for Raymarine, because that's what I have. Raymarine also makes an A65 which is a fully functional chart plotter screen in a small form factor.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/rayma...ith-wi-fi-and-navionics-gold-charts--14461107

This will work with an HD Raydome. I thought of buying one as a secondary display for my current system. I've seen this model on sale before around $700
 
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L
kaz911 said:
There is only one brand of broadband radar - Simrad.. (Navico/Lowrance is from the same company)

Compared to both Garmin and Raymarine the Simrad 3G or 4G has exceptional low range performance - so you can spot even the smallest items around your boat. Both Garmin and Ray usually have a minimum distance (realistically) of 150-300' - where the Simrad will show objects as small as a 6" plastic buoy at 30' if the water is not too rough and your Radar is installed correct.

On the negative side they do not have quite the long range performance (25-30 miles top I would say) but earth curvature kind of limits the range anyway on a normal cruiser that is 16' "tall"

The Simrad's does not use a Magnetron - and won't fry your eyes or "baby-makeurs" with long time close-up exposure. (Some might find that not frying the baby-makers is a NEGATIVE point.. :grin: )

You can find them in bundles from $2000 and up (so MFD + 3G or 4G radar) - and if you keep an eye on THT sometimes even lower.
Click to expand...

Are you the Kaz mentiond in the article?

MM
 
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