Choosing a radar

[wallypog]

I am planning to install an entry level radar and would like your opinion on which model to select. JRC 1000,
Furuno 1622 or others. Thanks in advance - wallypog

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[Piers]

Try calling Dave Wellcome of Raytheon. He's an engineer and a mine of information, having helped many people from this forum. 02392 693 611 extension 1614

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
http://www.dupre.co.uk

 

[beneteau_305_553]

I got the Furuno 1622 from cactus navigation.
It's, in my view, excellent.
It has a 2.2 kW transmitter and I especially like the guardwatch alarm and watchman low power features. Also the resolution and clarity of the display is good.




<hr width=100% size=1>Richard

 

[andyorr]

Did you fit this yourself? If so, was a straightforward job? If not how much did the labour cost? Oh, and how much was the unit?
My wife is very keen to have one! (But, so am I if I'm honest - so many scary fog stories from the Raz de Seine!)

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[Talbot]

if money is a serious concern then the JRC 1000 is a good no frills purchase. It also has the smallest/lightest scanner. The downside is that bearing accuracy is less than one with a larger scanner. The new Raytheon 2kw seems to be a nice tool. If you travel to the states at all, then the purchase of a JRC 1000 really becomes a major saving (abt £500 at the moment).

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[Guest]

I also installed the Furuno 1622 and after a season I can report that it is an excellent product. The packaging and manual are superb and installation which I did myself is easy. I had a small query about the cabling which I had to cut and reconnect below deck (some of it screened) and the technical assistance from Furuno Aberdeen was very good and to the point. I used a Scanstrut radar bracket.

Apart from radar I also use the display as a depth sounder and GPS cockpit repeater(it can take two NMEA imputs despite what the salesman said: again technical support was very helpful with this)

I think that if you install yourself the warranty is reduced from 2 years to one year but a professional installation would have cost an additional 400 pounds. Some dealers are willing to offer a commissioning service which is cheaper.

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[Chris_Robb]

I went for the Ratheon -now RayMarine - SL72. Much better display than the JRC, and I thought the extra was worth it. That was 3 years ago.

Dead easy to fit - especially if you are not mast mounting, using a predestal on the stern.

I would also say, don't worry about mounting the radar high, in order to get the range. In reality it is the 6 mile range and below you will use in real anger.

Best thing I have every fitted - and used in anger many times,

Chris

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[beneteau_305_553]

I mounted mine on a 2 " dia post at the stern.

Installing the post took the longest time. Installing the set was very simple:
- connect the cable to the radome. (terminal strip - approx 8 wires.)
- Take the cable to the display and plug it in.
- connect 12 v supply to the display and turn it on.

I mounted my display unit at the nav table but left the cable long so I can take the display into the cockpit if required.

I think I would mast mount the radome it if I did it again . The radome is so light. Furuno can supply the mast brackets.

I am thinking of connecting it to the gps nema so you get a position of waypoints shown as lollypops on the screen. plus all the nav data. etc. but I am also thinking of connecting the autohelm (st1000) and a laptop and gps or a chart plotter to the nema aswell ! any advice?



<hr width=100% size=1>Richard

 

[sailorman]

i am up-grading my 2 year old raytheon RL70Plus Colour radar / plotter
its now 4 sale

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[wallypog]

Thanks to all of you for your very helpfull input. This is the best boat forum on the net. Nothing like it here in Canada or the USA

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