So WHICH radar?

[rogerbum]

So - lets suppose we are all convinced that we need a radar AND that we need enough of a system to safely avoid others/navaids in fog but don't really need a networked system and chart plotter overlay. What should we go with?

From my quick searches it looks like there are a few low end (approx $1000) possibilities (all prices roughly the lowest price from a Froogle search - figure about $100-200 more for a post mounting, "degrees" is horizontal beam width).

Furuno 1623 - 6" Mono LCD, 15" Radome, 16 n.m., 2.2 kW,6.2 degrees, $1100

Furuno 1715 - 7" Mono LCD, 18" Radome, 24 n.m. 2.2 kW 5.2 degrees, $1450

JRC 1000 MKII - 6.5" Mono LCD, 12" Radome, 16nm, 1.5kW, 7 degrees, $850

JRC 1500 MKII - 6.5" Mono LCD, 18" Radome, 16nm, 2kW, 5.2 degrees,
$900

So:
1) What else should be on this low end list?
2) Who has experience with any of the above and can comment on the ease of use, features etc.?

Roger on the SeaDNA

[gotjm3]

We got the Raymarine C80 with 2 KW radar. THe ability to overlay the radar onto a chart is wonderful. It's also a great way to check the accuracy of your chart software. THe 2 KW unit has met our needs so far, in fact it has done better than I anticipated. If you are still looking for the whole shooting match (radar, chartplotter, depthsounder) it's great. Good luck!

[Sneaks]

OK Roger, I'll stick my neck out. I don't have direct experience with any of them, but, like Charlie and Sawdust, I've got plenty of radar experience and I've got a Furuno 1622, which is essentially the same as the 1623.

In the radar world, size matters and so does power. Size as in antenna size and power as in peak power radiated. Take the 1623 and the JRC 1500, which are pretty close cousins in price. The 1623 has a horizontal beam width of 6.2 degrees, the 1500's bigger (in width) antenna gets you 5.2 degrees. A little better discrimination between close targets. The 1500 has a wider vertical beamwidth (30 degrees vs 1623's 25) so it's a little better for stuck up C-Dorys cruising with their nose in the air. On the other hand, the 1623 rotates 10 RPM faster than the 1500, so in rough water it will likely light up the target a tad better than the JRC.

Power is about the same, so all things being equal, IMHO the same type of people who can tell the difference between 20 year old Scotch and 30 year old Scotch are the only ones who will really notice the difference.

Aesthetically, the baby JRC 1000 dome on a 4" or lower mast would likely look best on a C-22, followed by the Furuno 1623. On a C-25, the Furuno 1715 or the JRC 1500 wouldn't look "too big."

Bottom line? Strictly used as a safety radar, with maximum range requirement expectations of 1 mile or less AND only used occasionally by relatively inexperienced users, buy whatever you want. They will all fill the bill equally well, and that includes navigational use.

User friendly? The newer offerings are amazingly easy to use compared to the stuff in the past. JRC support is in Seattle and they are very open to shortening cables. They'll even send you email DIY directions to shorten them down to 3.5 meter length. Furuno is less than forthcoming in that department, but their Furuno authorized warranty repair centers will do it with Furuno's blessing. Fortunately I boat where we have one of those facilities.

My opinion, as always, is worth precisely what you paid for it.

Don

[flagold]

I agree with the C-80 observations except: go with the C-70 and hang it from the electronics rack, the C70 is perfect for this setup and you can stand or sit and run the boat with no loss out the windows (still your primary collision avoidance system). RayMarine sells a C70 kit for small boats that includes it, the radome, the harness, the hardware, and the gps antenna. Yes, you can have it all and stay within the budget described above. If you want RayMarine depth, at some point you can plug that into the same C-70 and have that as well (excellent), but that was not the question asked. I already had an excellent sounder and GPS in the Matrix 97 and that is my 2nd nav system.

As for the previous discussion on needing radar, here is what Capt. Rick Rhodes has to say about the Hernando Beach channel in "Cruising Guide To Florida's Big Bend" (in part): "You only want the challenge of negotiating a Hernando Beach channel once a day. Channel aids go all the way up to "R110." That's a heck of a lot of navigation aids, but you'll be thankful each one is located where it is." I've lived in HB practically all my life (he got how it started from a bad source) and have come in at night on occasion, but recently came in with the CD using radar for the first time -- what a difference -- I could see the channel, see the markers, and it was a snap. Well worthwhile to have that radome up there!

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

[SeaSpray]

I was at the local West Marine in Pittsberg, Ca and they had an open box JVC radar complete for something around $500. If you were interested you might be able to call about it and then get the local store to get it for you. Sounded like a deal but I have radar.
Steve