hey all,

I'm considering going to a radar unit on the boat this year. So far I have heard good things about furuno, sitex and garmin. The garmin has a deal going on it now but I'm hesitant because I've also heard negative things about them. I have no preference right now as to models. Probably the 7.5 inch screen. Just wanted to know what you guys thought. I don't knwo how I'd get through the winter if it weren't for working/creating newproblems on my boat.

cptmike,

in pea soup fog, nothing makes you feel safer than the radar.

The boats I go out on with radar have the Raytheon C70 the other has Furano Navnet. I don't consider either better.

The only thing I use them for is looking for a blip in a 1 1/2 mi range, and when one pops up figuring out it's direction and do the needful to avoid it.

IMHO go for the one with the best price and if the unit is compatible with electronics you've already got, even better.

I went with the Furuno navnet early last year and been more than happy. Would've should've regret - get the color screen - don't cheap-out like I did!

I have the furuno system on my 21. I love the radar wish it was color. More important than color is kw. Get the 4kw if you can afford it over the 2kw. You'll be able to pick up lobster pots and birds off shore. The 2kw wont. I fish east of chatham fog city and have total faith in the furuno.

My JRC came with the boat and seems to be OK. Not as good as the one at work though.

Another vote for Furuno, and get 4k, 2k is entry level.
Raymarine make an awesome radar also, but they don't have a stand alone unit!

Any of you guys get down to the Commercial Workboat show in New Orleans? I went and checked out the Samyung electronics and Im changing all of my electronics over to Navis/Samyung. and just put up a JRC 1000 in the classified Cheap. if your looking for a small lcd RADAR.

Now this is the way to go! It networks with all the other Smyung gear and I can even watch the Red Sox on the screen when the fishing is slow.


Capt Walt


http://www.samyungenc.com/eng/product/images/navigation/SMR-3600_img.jpg

And it just so happens that you're peddling this stuff all over the place. :spam::spam::spam::spam::spam::smash:Old habits hard to break?:smash:

Capt. Mike-

Went through this last year too, here's what I did. I have an open center console with a fiberglass hardtop. I bought the Furuno 1715, 2kw, LCD radar. I considered that the boat was open, would most likely get spray on the display almost every trip and learned that the LCD can be totally sealed to prevent salt and moisture from penetrating the display unit. The tube display (CRT) cannot be sealed as the LCD display is, at least, this is what was explained to me.

I am not overly concerned about locating birds with the radar, I am mostly concerned about collision avoidance and the 2kw does a good job with that.

I guess the bottom line is look at the application and choose the best set up from there.

Good luck, isn't spending money on the boat fun!

I am mostly concerned about collision avoidance and the 2kw does a good job with that.

Well said.

If you've got the $$ get the best of everything, but when push comes to shove, avoiding bumperboats is the most important thing, entry level or not.

thanks a lot for your help guys

I now have my Hard Top ordered and it will be here April, so I guess I am in the market for radar also.

Will it ever stop??

I guess I will look at the Furuno as I just bought the Furuno 620 fish finder? Whats this tuff going for these days?? I really don't need the best for what I do.

Went to the boat show and looked over the Radar again, as I am putting it on this year. I liked the Raymarine, but also considered Garmin. I have had many different Garmins over the years from the GPS 12 Handeld, GPSMap 172C, with Fish Finder and the Garmin Nuvi.

I was all set in my mind to get the Garmin 3210C, but the Garmin rep showed me the new G2 vision stuff on the Garmin 4x00 and 5x00 series, and the fish eye view was awesome.

So today went down and crawled into the boat to measure the dash for a Garmin 4208C with Fishfinder and Radar.

Man I can't wait for April 1st to get the boat in the water.:spin:

I have run the Furuno 1622 & 1623 and now a Simrad unit. When you navigate through fog you will more than likely have the unit set at 1/4 mile to 3 mile range. I also found these units to be dead on accurate up to about 8 miles. For this you do not need a 4 kw unit the cheaper units such as the Furuno units do a great job. Now if you are running offshore and need the range and power to find birds, or spot where the fleet may be fishing the higher end models may be your ticket

i have an older sitex and it works great. i would go with a furuno. but i have seen the raymarine integrated with the chartplotter and is awesome.

I have the Furuno 1623 and can pick out loster traps, boats, rocks just about anything on the surface. The installation and setup of the unit can make up for what some say are the shortcomings in power and screen size. It navigated Robertsons Hole and The canal at least twice in visibility of less than 1/4 mile. Picked up groups opf boats working 5 miles away and even picked up birds at 1 mile in fog. You can not be too familiar as to what the gain and MTI/Sea Clutter adjustment do and how they affect each other.

Get the best your wallet can afford but don't be afraid to go with the smaller units. Practice with them and set them up in good weather it will payoff well into the foggy times. Money doesn't always by effectveness user proficiency always does.