Choosing a radar

[Guest]

I want to fit radar this winter and cannot decide which to go for.
The JRC radomes are very neat but is a horizontal beam width of 5 or even 7 degrees really acceptable?
What about the Raytheon (Raymarine?) stable? How should I decide between an 18", 22" or 24" radome?
What are the important questions to ask at Earl's Court?
The yacht is heavy displacement 36 ft sloop rigged.
It's difficult to get a true appreciation from magazine articles; personal recommendations and experience is much better. TIA

 

[longjohnsilver]

I have just changed radars as my old Racal Decca finally gave up the ghost - this was a 3.7 kw radome model with a CRT display. I thought that it had a good picture but now have an almost new Furuno 841. This has an lcd screen which I am extremely impressed with (having previously thought that crt was the only way to go). It will pick up flying seagulls!!

The radome is 4kw and has a beamwidth of I think about 4 degrees which for my needs seems perfectly adequate. The other advantage of lcd for you will be the lower power consumption. Don't be talked into a set with lots of bells and whistles that you will almost certainly never use, all I want is a set that will see me safely home in fog and to use as a navigation tool.

You may find useful comparisons on the Westmarine site and the Boatingworld site.

 

[toad]

The bigger the scanner the better the definition,but the more chance of snaging sails,halyards etc.I have never used more than the six mile setting,in coastal waters there are to many targets to clutter the screen .The JRC controls i felt are very flimsy,i chose the Raytheon pver the Furuno on price, the two year guarantee and the fact that if it goes wrong they will come out to your boat to repair it and not having to send it back. Check the length of the cable to the scanner and the price of an extension cable if necessary. Also check the price of the mounting strut, those two items can easily add another £300 to the price.

 

[Guest]

I also have a heavy(ish) 36 boat, regardless of the type of set you fit have you considered the effect of mounting heavy kit high on the mast on your stability? Hanging 15kgs 10m above the centre of gravity is like slicing 150kgs off your keel or two crew off the rail.
You may have room to mount the scanner on the back-stay (see the pictures of the new 43' on the HR web-site) or you may use a pole on the transom. Lower mounting also reduces sea-clutter at a very modest loss of (not much used range).
I have a R80 CRT at the chart table with a LCD repeater at the wheel, which gives very good service.
If you are based in the south of England you could do a lot worse than talk to Diverse Yacht Services in Hamble, if you would like more detail e-mail me).

 

[brianhumber]

Fitted JRC 1500 last winter and what a bonus to have it this summer. Selected JRC because of magazine write ups and demos in shops. Total cost including bracket less than £1,000 and fitting was a doddle.
Mounted mine below lower crosstrees ( top of my single ladder dictated height) to be out of foresails way and reduce any extra whipp from the weight of radome.
I only use it for getting out of others way in fog so tend not to use range more than 6 miles, but even with low height can still see land from 15 miles plus so I would suggest all the top of mast mountings you see around are not needed.
Was it only 4 years ago I was trundling around Europe with only a depth sounder- how times change, good luck.

 

[gus]

I fitted a JRC 1000 a couple of seasons ago and have found it to be great. Of course it is not as good as the more expensive radars but you only get what you pay for. Nevertheless it has been ideal and providing you use it with care it is a lot better than nothing. It is surprising what it will pick up and display with the added advantage of determining just how faraway or how close things are.

 

[brians]

Can you please let me know which magazines have done write ups on JRC 1000/1500

 

[ArthurWood]

MBY did one on the JRC1000 and others about 18mo ago. I saw a 1500 review recently, but can't remember where. 1500 is reckoned to be worth the higher price.