barryg
Active Member
Has anyone any experience of the C.A.R.D radar detector
please.
please.
radar detector
- Thread starter barryg
- Start date
npf1
Well-Known Member
Yes, the makers are bunch of ******s when it comes to repairs. They wanted more to repair my unit than they were selling them new for on eBay! And then had the gaul to ask me for a large amount of $ just for providing the repair quote.
I can't actually comment on the effectiveness of the unit as it never worked, however what casued it to screw up was not the manufacturers fault.
Seem to recall the was a thread on here discussing them a quite while back.
I can't actually comment on the effectiveness of the unit as it never worked, however what casued it to screw up was not the manufacturers fault.
Seem to recall the was a thread on here discussing them a quite while back.
Georgio
Well-Known Member
CARD systems seems like a good idea to me if sailing single or short handed but havn't seen anyone in the UK that sells them. I'm also considering the NASA AIS unit but this only works on the big ships (and only if they have it switched on).
tugboat
Well-Known Member
There is one fitted on my boat. I've only done a 300 mile delivery trip and it worked OK (apart from the fact that the previous owner had fitted the aerial back to front so the bearings were 180° out!). It's a small unit that doesn't take up much space at the chart table and I'm glad to have it. However if it 'goes on the fritz', given the comments above, I possibly wouldn't replace it.
Gazza
Well-Known Member
Not the CARD, although I've spoken to people who like them. I've got a Watchman detector - same idea, but without the LED display of the CARD.
Came in useful on a singlehanded Transatlantic circuit, but beware of ships, for reasons best known to themselves, trundling along without their radar on
Came in useful on a singlehanded Transatlantic circuit, but beware of ships, for reasons best known to themselves, trundling along without their radar on
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
I had a C.A.R.D on board all the way round the world. It did exactly what it said on the box and I had no maintenance issues with it.. It's reception range was a little variable but generally picked up ships radar when they were over two miles way and sometimes a lot more..
The big problem with the system is that not all merchant ships run their radar all the time... I assumed they did but stacks of small(ish) coasters and freighters do not and I believe some larger ships from poorer countries require the OOW to ask the Captains permission to switch the radar on as it is such an expensive bit of gear.... Once out of UK waters I suspect 80% of merchant shipping runs its radar all of the time... so that leaves quite a few who are not going to make the CARD react..
Michael
PS I did always switch it on at night as there is nothing to loose by running it and now and then it would pick up a ship before I did..
The big problem with the system is that not all merchant ships run their radar all the time... I assumed they did but stacks of small(ish) coasters and freighters do not and I believe some larger ships from poorer countries require the OOW to ask the Captains permission to switch the radar on as it is such an expensive bit of gear.... Once out of UK waters I suspect 80% of merchant shipping runs its radar all of the time... so that leaves quite a few who are not going to make the CARD react..
Michael
PS I did always switch it on at night as there is nothing to loose by running it and now and then it would pick up a ship before I did..
