I recently decided to go for radar and settled on the 2KW scanner from Raytheon versus the 4KW model. It was partly $$$ and partly because of the fact that boating on the Great Lakes doesn't involve navigating in tight waters (at least where I live). I mainly got it for safety in case I get stuck in fog. I would assume that I should be able to accurately see targets in fog at .5 - 5 miles with this unit. Some of the scuttlebutt I've been reading says that the smaller units are not that effective so I'm having second thoughts. What are your experiences? Also, I chose a mast mount and located just above the spreader (M383). Any lower would have blocked the deck light.
Radar - 2KW or 4KW?
- Thread starter actigner
- Start date
Hi Alan,
I went with the 2KW unit and have found it to work quite well. I pick up bouys and small boats from a safe distance and ships and storms from several miles. I have my antenna mounted on a Questus mount located on the backstay with an additional 33" added to the mounting pole. We use this unit in the intercoastal and for bay and offshore and I am very pleased with the performance. I would thing you should have no problem reaching the accuracy you desire. I did go with the Chartplotter/Radar configuration and it is super as I have split screen or full screen availability at both my chart station and helm.
David Green
M-383
I went with the 2KW unit and have found it to work quite well. I pick up bouys and small boats from a safe distance and ships and storms from several miles. I have my antenna mounted on a Questus mount located on the backstay with an additional 33" added to the mounting pole. We use this unit in the intercoastal and for bay and offshore and I am very pleased with the performance. I would thing you should have no problem reaching the accuracy you desire. I did go with the Chartplotter/Radar configuration and it is super as I have split screen or full screen availability at both my chart station and helm.
David Green
M-383
dickkilroy
Richard Kilroy
Alan: We have a JRC 1000 1.5 kw unit on Vixen and it wors just fine. As you probably know Japan Radio made the LCD units for Raytheon up till a few years ago. The send/recieve unit is mounted above the fordeck light, but the installation was close because we are also a temporary cutter. Screen is on a swing board so it can be viewed from the cockpit or below. Last weekend we had pea soup fog and it worked great. I would use the unit regularly in clear weather to learn objects on the screen.
Dick
Dick
Hi Alan:
I have the Furuno 1622 2KW which I purchased this year. We cruised the North Channel and Mackinaw Island for 3 weeks this summer and it worked great. We used it in clear weather, fog and at night and it did a great job. It is mounted on a Questus leveling mount on my backstay. You should use it as much as possible to get familiar with reading different things IE: frieghters, small watercraft, bouys etc. Have fun!
Larry
I have the Furuno 1622 2KW which I purchased this year. We cruised the North Channel and Mackinaw Island for 3 weeks this summer and it worked great. We used it in clear weather, fog and at night and it did a great job. It is mounted on a Questus leveling mount on my backstay. You should use it as much as possible to get familiar with reading different things IE: frieghters, small watercraft, bouys etc. Have fun!
Larry
Dick Kilroy,
Great point for training during the daytime. I think that the technology bringing us radar/plot overlays is great stuff, and will add to the daytime learning. Great electronics these days. It is interesting and maybe could be called benevolent - to sailors and producers as well - as at least one has a policy of no-depreciation on this equipment. Anxious to get my new xHD into operation as northern New England waters have a fair number of foggy days.
Great point for training during the daytime. I think that the technology bringing us radar/plot overlays is great stuff, and will add to the daytime learning. Great electronics these days. It is interesting and maybe could be called benevolent - to sailors and producers as well - as at least one has a policy of no-depreciation on this equipment. Anxious to get my new xHD into operation as northern New England waters have a fair number of foggy days.