Radar & useful features

Divemaster1

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Jan 2002
Messages
4,456
Location
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Visit site
To follow up on the thread on useful passage making aids, I thought I should ask & share some information.

Personally, I find myself using the radar more often, than not and it is more or less automatic that I switch on the unit to have the extra set of electronic eyes on what is around me. Despite my radar display unit being a chart plotter, I find myself running with a PC as the plotter and the radar/plotter as a pure radar most of the time.

The most useful feature I have found is the ability to run with split screen and dual ranges on the radar (close + overview, with ranges pre-set for low and cruising speed) ... gain etc., can be set individually for the two ranges on my set, which is a Koden with a 4ft, 4KW open array scanner. When in "dual" mode, we can run the scanner on high speed (48 RPM as opposed to 24 RPM as "normal"), to ensure rapid image refresh when operating at cruising speed.

Here's a picture taken of the dual mode when leisurely cruising Eastwards along a quiet Loch Ness a week ago..., but interested in hearing what features you find most useful on your own setup... ATA, Chart overlay AIS integration etc.?
 
Dont think i can do that on my E120 Raymarine screens - I like it !!

I like to use the tracking feature when not sure which way someone is heading and have used target zones when on a long passage.
 
I don't like the range rings feature on, always have it off to keep the screen as clear as possible and use the VRM if needing to know distances off etc. Also prefer to leave plotter and radar as separate screens as you do, not a fan of overlay, too messy.
 
Top