RADAR recommendation

S

SCORPIO

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Got caught by a poor forecast and ran into a dense fog yesterday, although I had two chartplotters, I aborted our fishing plans since I had no idea what was in front of me besides what was charted. I've thought about RADAR for some time and this may be a good time. The admiral now sees that its not just another toy but a useful tool for unplanned circumstances.

Can anybody recommend any particular brands/styles? I have an '89 Sea Ray 300 DA with the factory arch. We boat in the Delaware Bay and coastal waters. We use the boat for cruising and fishing when its not our weekend house lol. I think an enclosed radome would be better for us than an open array. What do I need for power cabeling to supply the unit? Is this a DIY type of job? I will need a mount to elevate the dome so I'm not microwaving my head while standing to run the boat. How does one determine the amount of wedge needed to compensate for running angle? Or perhaps better stated, how do you measure your running angle to get the right wedge? Do you set up for the angle when fully on plane or what?

Thanks

BTW I have a Garmin 3206 chartplotter if that is of any consideration.
 
What size boat are you running and how far offshore do you normally fish?
 
30' Sea Ray and we are normally in the Delawere Bay. Don't venture too far into the ocean as the admiral doesn't like to be too far out. It had been foggy early in the AM but cleared. We went out about 11:45 and ran smack into fog so thick you could hardly see two boat lengths. The forecast was for early morning patchy fog, but it persisted in some areas most of the day. I don't intentionally head out on bad days but we all know that stuff happens. Took me off guard yesterday.

I was thinking that a 24 mile unit would be more than adequate for our use, perhaps even an 18. I know just enough about Radar now to be dangerous so thats why I'm seeking advice from people with experience.
 
I installed a new Lowrance HDS-8 and the broadband radar. I've been playing with the radar the last few trips and was pretty impressed with it so far. We've used it out at night several times and it gave me a piece of mind knowing what's out there. It picks up some pretty small objects like markers and dinks. I can actually see my wake behind me go out like a V from my stern which I thought was cool.

Granted I've never used radar before, but from what I can tell this is pretty easy to use and appears to be very accurate.

MJK
 
I'm a complete newbie to boating, so take my comments accordingly.

We have a 48" open array Raymarine unit on our new to us Formula. We spend most of our time on the Hudson. I can tell you that I rarely set it for a greater distance than 1.5 mi and then only to 3 mi. I want to see the boats and buoys ahead of me and anything further is so far out to not be an immediate factor. I think your right in getting a smaller unit. No need for something bigger for river running. Also, I'm pretty impressed with the ads for the new high-def radar. I'd surely spring for some of the new tech stuff.

Having said all that, I've read other threads here and on other forums where Furano is frequently recommended.

-Ben
 
"Can anybody recommend any particular brands/styles?"

You have a Garmin plotter so I would use a Garmin radar. Look at their broadband unit.

"I think an enclosed radome would be better for us than an open array. What do I need for power cabeling to supply the unit?"

A dome unit should be fine. The cabling comes with it.

"Is this a DIY type of job?"

Depends on your skill level. But in most cases it is.

"I will need a mount to elevate the dome so I'm not microwaving my head while standing to run the boat."

Prefferably. But not mandatory.

"How does one determine the amount of wedge needed to compensate for running angle? Or perhaps better stated, how do you measure your running angle to get the right wedge? Do you set up for the angle when fully on plane or what?"

Go out in calm open water where you can see the horizon of the water out a side window. Take a piece of tape and put it on the window in line with the edge of the horizon line. Then get your boat up on plane and put another piece of tape on the same window on the new horizon line. Measure the angle between the two to give you your on plane running angle. Once you set the wedge, unless you have a very high angle, you should be good to go for most any speed.
 
With regard to the wedge - realize that in Fog and other conditions of limited vis, where RADAR is likely to be critical, you will most likely NOT be on plane (or shouldn't be anyway).

I have a GARMIN 24 mile unit connected up to the Garmin 3010 Chartplotter - sweet unit. But it will not pick up small fiberglass boats - a problem for those of us who boat in recreational boating areas. You also have to realize that no unit will pick up debris in the water or other small obstructions.

Plotting with raw RADAR images is an artform in and of itself on top of normal navigation skills -the overlay on the chartplotter simplifies things a bit.

Good luck and enjoy your purchase.
 
I just installed the Garmin 18" HD radar with a 3210 plotter. My experience is different from Rums as it has no problem picking out 18' fiberglass boats boats over a mile away.

Can't see my wake though.

Dave
 
quote:
Originally posted by RumDiet

With regard to the wedge - realize that in Fog and other conditions of limited vis, where RADAR is likely to be critical, you will most likely NOT be on plane (or shouldn't be anyway).

I have a GARMIN 24 mile unit connected up to the Garmin 3010 Chartplotter - sweet unit. But it will not pick up small fiberglass boats - a problem for those of us who boat in recreational boating areas. You also have to realize that no unit will pick up debris in the water or other small obstructions.

Plotting with raw RADAR images is an artform in and of itself on top of normal navigation skills -the overlay on the chartplotter simplifies things a bit.

Good luck and enjoy your purchase.

Click to expand...


Do you use it in auto gain or manual gain? What about the clutter settings?

Because if set up right, you most assuredly can pick up small boats. In fact on very calm days I've seen crab floats on my screens.
 
quote:
Originally posted by RumDiet

With regard to the wedge - realize that in Fog and other conditions of limited vis, where RADAR is likely to be critical, you will most likely NOT be on plane (or shouldn't be anyway).

I have a GARMIN 24 mile unit connected up to the Garmin 3010 Chartplotter - sweet unit. But it will not pick up small fiberglass boats - a problem for those of us who boat in recreational boating areas. You also have to realize that no unit will pick up debris in the water or other small obstructions.

Plotting with raw RADAR images is an artform in and of itself on top of normal navigation skills -the overlay on the chartplotter simplifies things a bit.

Good luck and enjoy your purchase.

Click to expand...


You have a setting issue, because mine (Furuno) will not only pick up small boats, it will pick up lobster pots.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

"Can anybody recommend any particular brands/styles?"

You have a Garmin plotter so I would use a Garmin radar. Look at their broadband unit.

"I think an enclosed radome would be better for us than an open array. What do I need for power cabeling to supply the unit?"

A dome unit should be fine. The cabling comes with it.

"Is this a DIY type of job?"

Depends on your skill level. But in most cases it is.

"I will need a mount to elevate the dome so I'm not microwaving my head while standing to run the boat."

Prefferably. But not mandatory.

"How does one determine the amount of wedge needed to compensate for running angle? Or perhaps better stated, how do you measure your running angle to get the right wedge? Do you set up for the angle when fully on plane or what?"

Go out in calm open water where you can see the horizon of the water out a side window. Take a piece of tape and put it on the window in line with the edge of the horizon line. Then get your boat up on plane and put another piece of tape on the same window on the new horizon line. Measure the angle between the two to give you your on plane running angle. Once you set the wedge, unless you have a very high angle, you should be good to go for most any speed.


Click to expand...


Fantastic solution. One question, not to de-rail - how do you do this on a CC?
 
Great info, this is what I was looking for. Great idea Capt. Bill, wouldn't have thought of that, and its so simple. I'm starting to like Garmin hi def. and a bigger plotter. There is a guy a few slips away in another marina that has one, next time I see him, I'll ask him about his. Any suggestions for where to get best pricing, going to check Boatfix first of course.
 
Capt Bill - I use the auto gain setting - But have adjusted settings - can't pick up the small stuff. But its not a high def unit.
 
quote:
Originally posted by In the know

quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

"Can anybody recommend any particular brands/styles?"

You have a Garmin plotter so I would use a Garmin radar. Look at their broadband unit.

"I think an enclosed radome would be better for us than an open array. What do I need for power cabeling to supply the unit?"

A dome unit should be fine. The cabling comes with it.

"Is this a DIY type of job?"

Depends on your skill level. But in most cases it is.

"I will need a mount to elevate the dome so I'm not microwaving my head while standing to run the boat."

Prefferably. But not mandatory.

"How does one determine the amount of wedge needed to compensate for running angle? Or perhaps better stated, how do you measure your running angle to get the right wedge? Do you set up for the angle when fully on plane or what?"

Go out in calm open water where you can see the horizon of the water out a side window. Take a piece of tape and put it on the window in line with the edge of the horizon line. Then get your boat up on plane and put another piece of tape on the same window on the new horizon line. Measure the angle between the two to give you your on plane running angle. Once you set the wedge, unless you have a very high angle, you should be good to go for most any speed.


Click to expand...


Fantastic solution. One question, not to de-rail - how do you do this on a CC?

Click to expand...


Get some one to hold a window up? :-)

Just kidding. I'm not sure. Perhaps use one of those digital levels that you can zero out and set it on the deck?

Should get you in the ballpark.
 
I found a slight down angle on my Garmin 24HD & 18HD increased seeing the close in stuff.
I agree you shouldn't be running on plane in limited visibility.
I needed more antenna room so I am currently using the GMR18HD on a pair of Garmin 4210 & 4212's.
I agree with Captain Bill's suggestions.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by RumDiet

Capt Bill - I use the auto gain setting - But have adjusted settings - can't pick up the small stuff. But its not a high def unit.

Click to expand...


Without playing with you set I can't say. But even on older units you should be able to tune them to pick up pretty weak targets.

I find most people try to set the gain to low to keep down or eliminate altogether the clutter on the screen. You have to have some clutter on the screen or you've tuned out weak returns.

Auto gain is in most cases a bad compromise I feel. It's better to play with your set and learn how to properly tune it for different conditions.

As Billy III mentions, if you can't see small stuff close in, check the angle of your antenna.
 
Whatever type radar you get, find one of the "captains schools" and get a radar operators certificate. You don't need the certificate but the training is invaluable. A radar can kill you.
 
I've been to RADAR school . . Bill III may be right - I might have to adjust the angle - Unit is only in its 6th Season - although that is a lifetime in electronics I suppose!
 
I can tell you this don't use auto gain with the Garmin. You can but you will need to see some clutter to pick out birds flying low, crab pots and small vessels like kayaks. I saw a huge improvement in close up when the wedge was installed. I have seen people use starboard squares with long bolts or washers to determine the best down angle for the radar. You will lose some distance with down tilting the radar's acquisition angle but I don't care what is 5 miles out as much as what is in my immediate area or what I call the danger zone.
Bill
 
I'll try the gain first - tilting the unit seems like a winter/spring project - Thanks!
 
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