Radar is a go

[Linesider82]

Good choice! Im doing the same with the Fantom. The beam is 12.5 degrees up and down. So for every horizontal foot you need 2&5/8" of height, use the bottom of the unit at the center of the dome as your reference point and you'll be good. The install manual is on the garmin website.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[wdmso]

Originally Posted by Linesider82

Good choice! Im doing the same with the Fantom. The beam is 12.5 degrees up and down. So for every horizontal foot you need 2&5/8" of height, use the bottom of the unit at the center of the dome as your reference point and you'll be good. The install manual is on the garmin website.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Thanks for the info, I won’t be the one doing the install, i want it done right..

Went with the fantom for the Doppler I like how it marks targets green or red depending on their movements
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Linesider82]

Originally Posted by wdmso

Thanks for the info, I won’t be the one doing the install, i want it done right..

Went with the fantom for the Doppler I like how it marks targets green or red depending on their movements
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I will be doing my own install, and you got my thinking about it. I looked a little further into where the radar reads from. "The beam origin" per the Garmin owner's manual for the Fantom18 dome reads from center of the unit at centerline, which is about a 4&3/4" high at centerline.

I drew up my boat & the console I have; to test 3 things. 1st where the radar can see its full potential, 2nd where the radar's R.F. waves might impact someone in the boat for extended periods of time (i.e. standing at the stern and fishing). and lastly where would the radar hit the water.

tested flush: RADAR-FLUSH-TEST1.pdf
tested at 3" mount height: RADAR-ON-3INCH-MOUNT-TEST.pdf

I'm going to contact Garmin to confirm that the readings occur at center of the dome's height, but I'll will do a mount height shorter than 3" because I have some tall people I fish with, it also shows me that an angled mount makes a lot of sense especially for any power boats where the bow will rise under power. The only other thing I would consider and factor in is the slope of the deck and/or top at rest, vs. at lowest speed plane.

[wdmso]

Originally Posted by Linesider82

I will be doing my own install, and you got my thinking about it. I looked a little further into where the radar reads from. "The beam origin" per the Garmin owner's manual for the Fantom18 dome reads from center of the unit at centerline, which is about a 4&3/4" high at centerline.

I drew up my boat & the console I have; to test 3 things. 1st where the radar can see its full potential, 2nd where the radar's R.F. waves might impact someone in the boat for extended periods of time (i.e. standing at the stern and fishing). and lastly where would the radar hit the water.

tested flush: Attachment 67586
tested at 3" mount height: Attachment 67587

I'm going to contact Garmin to confirm that the readings occur at center of the dome's height, but I'll will do a mount height shorter than 3" because I have some tall people I fish with, it also shows me that an angled mount makes a lot of sense especially for any power boats where the bow will rise under power. The only other thing I would consider and factor in is the slope of the deck and/or top at rest, vs. at lowest speed plane.

I did read a Hard top could possibly cause problems? I have a soft top

seeing I have never had radar i'll need to run it all the time in every trim and sea condition to be Sure it is seeing what I am seeing before I see it

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by Linesider82

I will be doing my own install, and you got my thinking about it. I looked a little further into where the radar reads from. "The beam origin" per the Garmin owner's manual for the Fantom18 dome reads from center of the unit at centerline, which is about a 4&3/4" high at centerline.

I drew up my boat & the console I have; to test 3 things. 1st where the radar can see its full potential, 2nd where the radar's R.F. waves might impact someone in the boat for extended periods of time (i.e. standing at the stern and fishing). and lastly where would the radar hit the water.

tested flush: Attachment 67586
tested at 3" mount height: Attachment 67587

I'm going to contact Garmin to confirm that the readings occur at center of the dome's height, but I'll will do a mount height shorter than 3" because I have some tall people I fish with, it also shows me that an angled mount makes a lot of sense especially for any power boats where the bow will rise under power. The only other thing I would consider and factor in is the slope of the deck and/or top at rest, vs. at lowest speed plane.

Awesome work.....
I’m planning an 18” dome come spring... last winter I had a couple alum plates welded into the soft top t top at the same
local you show yours..
I’m not sure I’ll be concerned about the beam towards the aft....

Will you use bushings at each bolt to raise the unit?

Great info LS,,, thanks

Hurry Wayne, only 3 months left.... :-)