MerVeille Radar Reflector

[forrestmichael]

Hi, just wondered if anyone has used one of these, they seem a great low power consumption radar option for a small yacht?

Do they omit a location as well as receive?

Thanks

Mike

 

[Skyva_2]

Thats a new one for me, their website is here:

http://www.splashelec.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/25/products_id/31

it apears to be a detector, not a reflector, and with some limited capability to indicate the bearing of the origin of the radar signal.

 

[Tranona]

Depends on what you are looking for. This product picks up other boats' radar signals that is a "Detector".

A "Reflector" is designed to enhance the image of your yacht on other boats radar screens - although their effectiveness is variable.

If you want a device that will tell you of the presence of other objects, including ships and other boats as well as land masses then you need a radar. Alternatively if you want a device that picks up signals from other vessels, mainly commercial ships then consider an AIS receiver, sometimes known as AIS "Radar". These are relatively new, cheap and have been reviewed in the magazines regularly.

 

[theforeman]

my french is not of the best but the " french commercial info " page seems to suggest the antenna picks up band x and band s signals. if that is correct and the price is £270 this instrument appears to outperform the
" sea me " on both counts.

 

[forrestmichael]

it appears a seperate reflector would be required but i still think this is a great piece of kit, Nick Jaffe of www.bigoceans.com has one and says it's proved very useful on his website.

I particularly like the simplicity, very 80's and low power consumption, plus it can be flush mounted etc. I'm not connected to the company btw.

Just wondered if anyone could spot any problems with it?

Thanks

Mike

 

[dnickj]

How can it outperform when it does not do the same job ???

 

[Twister_Ken]

The Sea Me detects a radar signal and then transmits a blip on the same frequency so that you appear on their radar screen. The Merveille does not to do this, but merely lets you know there's a radar out there somewhere. Frankly, you could guess that in the waters that most of us sail in.

It might be a good thing to have blue water sailing, but would be overpowered in much coastal cruising.

 

[theforeman]

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif - it would appear that my understanding of the " sea me " is even less than my command of french /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Marsupial]

The detector will give you a very rough idea of the direction of another radar, BUT IT WONT tell the other radar where you are. - which is what the seame does. The seame buzzes when a radar signal is received, mine buzzes continuiously - the buzzer is usually switched off, this MerVeile device would only be useful along way off shore where there were very few signals to track.