RADAR

[cameocrew]

Just got back from a 3 week cruise down the 'costa' from Aguadulce to Ceuta
Everything fine and dandy until Heading North back across The Straits of Gib.
when a bank of Sea mist enveloped Cameo and crew(weather forecast- wind E.3-5 vis-good)
Just before the world disappeared to our forestay 8+ large merchantmen were
visible within our area all doing a good lick . Getting quickly into self preservation mode-lifejackets- fog horn-engine running etc etc it struck me how small my radar reflector looked and perhaps a radar would look better.
Now Im in the market for one . I guess I want something with a 0-5mileish range,
easy to install and use, servicable, and preferrable cream in colour (to match
my uppers paintwork) and will pass on 'Easy-Jet ' as 'Hand luggage' !!
I would be v.grateful for your guidance.
Regards Tom

 

[Sammy]

I have the JRC 1000 and find it more than adequate for general collision avoidance, very small and light and not too hungry on power consumption.
Definition is oviously not as good as a larger scanner but it does the job.

www.BoatsThames.com

 

[JeremyF]

Even the small JRC 1000 comes in a big box. It will have to go in the hold of an aircraft, I'd think

<font color=red>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=red>

 

[mdrifter]

We fitted Raytheon SL72 with 2kw scanner on arch at stern. It's been wonderful on the few occasions when in dense fog or on night passages. More expensive than JRC but said to be more sensitive. MES Ltd had a good prices when last I looked.

Why don't Radar Transponders come down in price and we'd all fit them in order to be "seen" better?

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: JRC 1000

I second that.
The 'Target enhancement' feature makes small blips much more visible.
Although they do come in a big box, it is only the box that is big!
The heavy item is the cable.

 

[vyv_cox]

reflector v transponder

If you believe the Echomax information, which I think I do as it appears to be professionally and independently compiled, their passive radar reflector gives a stronger return than a transponder. I was considering fitting a transponder, despite its very high price, but now I shall be buying an Echomax. If you contact them they will supply a CD containing all the graphs generated when these devices were tested - very interesting. There is a website at http://www.echomax.co.uk/ and some more info at http://www.landfallnavigation.com/echomax.html

 

[cameocrew]

Thanks for the info. gents. 'Marineforce ' have quoted me £645 to supply theJRC
which is a lot less out of my 'Toys-for-the boy' fund than I expected.
( They dont do it in 'Cameo cream' but I guess Ill have to live with that!!)
Regards Tom.

 

[jimi]

Be careful ... when I got my radar fitted the out the box price was about 60% of the total cost. You need to consider if you need an extension cable, where you're fitting the display (IMHO it must be visible to the helm) etc..

Jim

 

[mdrifter]

Re: reflector v transponder

Thanks for the tip - following pbo's articles re radar reflectors I don't think I'm alone in wondering whether fitting any sort of reflector will improve my boat's radar image! If it becomes a compulsory fitment perhaps we'll all fit mobris which appear the most common on French yachts! I'd thought a possible advantage of a transponder was that an audible warning was given upon detection of a radar sweep - no passive reflector will do that - of course if no radar watch/alarm is set on the craft about to run you down what will it matter whether active or passive or mobri was fitted?

 

[jimi]

Re: reflector v transponder

Have'nt read a recent article but I can assure you that based on personal observation a radar reflector does make a big difference! After seeing on a screen boats with & without, I personally would not cross the channel without a radar reflector up.

Jim

 

[Twister_Ken]

Wassa mobri? nm

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