Radar units.

[redcrest]

I can not find much discussion on the different Radar units C-Dory owners are using. Can someone direct me to the area or form if it has already been discussed.

[Captains Cat]

Did you look in the ELECTRONICS FORUM?

Three hundred and sixty two different threads.

Charlie

[Will-C]

Redcrest,
Most use either Raymarine with a multifunction display or Furuno's 1715 standalone unit linked to a chartplotter with a nema 0183 protocol as many want an to see an radar overlay on a chartplotter. Some don't like all their eggs in one basket. Others want redunancy in case one unit breaks. I myself an waiting to see how the new broadband radar plays out. Lowrance/Northstar Simerad all offer it. It is instant on uses a lot less power and does not emit as much potentially unhealthy emmisions from the radar dome. Others use JRC which does a good job and is a little cheaper to purchase. Garmin is thought to be the easiest to use chart plotter and they offer multifunction units in a variety of sizes and configurations which offer radar as an option. I have a 4208 with the sonar and am going to add a Garmin fuel management option. Rumor had it the Raymarine was in some sort of finiancial trouble but I can't confirm that. Furuno is the undisputed best and the most expensive. Garmins radar was generally not well thought of but the new HD versions are supposed to be better. I myself want to wait and see what shakes out. My current needs don't call for it, but trips to the Northwest in the future certainly will. Some thought might be given to purchasing fom someone that can help or guide you with the install not just the drop dead best price. I hope this helps. good luck.
D.D.

[matt_unique]

I noticed this is your first post, welcome to C-Brat's. What model C-Dory do you have?

The available interior space may influence the unit you choose. I recall anecdotally that we are using pretty much everything between us including Furuno, Raymarine, Garmin, Northstar, Lowrance, etc.

[redcrest]

I am in the process of putting together a 22 foot crusier, I will be retiring in early May of 2010 and plan on having purchased one by then.

[Sarge]

My advice is simple...get radar!

I happen to have a Garmin 4208 with a Garmin radar and I'm very happy with it. My previous boat had a Raymarine radar and I was quite happy with it.

Fog can sneak up on you and having radar is very comforting. It's not foolproof and you need to use it enough to have confidence in it, but I can't see boating without it anymore.

Best of luck in figuring out how you want to set up your boat. Personally, I think planning is half the fun!

[jlastofka]

I have the new Garmin HD radar with my 15" Garmin chartlotter and I like the combination a lot. It also includes a fishfinder sonar that's nice. I have paper charts and a handheld GPS for backup so I don't think worrying about "all the eggs in one basket" is a problem. Having all the major stuff in one box saves a lot of clutter in a small boat.

Having handheld radio and GPS backups powered separate from the boat is good practice I think.

This is my first radar experience so I can't compare, but it's easy to use and I've run it in good weather to learn what stuff looks like. I've also used it in fog a couple times and it sure is nice to have an idea of what's out there instead of running blind.

[thataway]

I would wait until the boat is delivered until you put in Radar. There are rapid changes in electronics--especially Radar. Broad band has some real advantages, as Dave Deem noted. So Far Navico is the only one with it on the market. From what I have seen it is very impressive at short ranges (up to 3 miles) where you run radar 90% of the time.

Where you boat and how you boat will determine if you use Radar. I have used Radar for over 30 years, and perfer a separate display. I have the Furuno 1715, with a 7" monochrome dispay. Yes, all eggs in one basket is not a good idea. I have two chart plotters, two separate Depth finders (one a fish finder) and one radar. (I also have paper charts and a hand held GPS).

Read Panbo.com--this is Bell Ellison's (was electronic's editor for Motor Boating). Also read the electronics section of "the Hull Truth"--it can get a bit confusing, but there are some very good people there.

I suspect that other manufactuers will have broad band radar by next spring, and that AIS will be much more "Plug and Play"--and perhaps a little cheaper. AIS is another tool, if you are running in fog or at night.

[Westfield 11]

You might want to look at the new broadband type units. They claim higher resolution, lower power draw and much lower radiation hazard.

[seabeagle]

I'm using a Garmin 5208 system. Very happy here. Got a few pics in my album of the setup.