Tri lens radar reflector

[blxm]

Last year I lost my tri lens reflector. I would. Like to replace with the same unit as the mounts are already on the mast. However I can't seem to find a supplier on Google. Before I start making calls does anyone know if these have these units gone out of production?

 

[pvb]

Discontinued, I think. But SVB seem to have a few left - https://www.svb24.com/en/mini-tri-lens-radar-reflector.html

 

[Tranona]

Not surprised it is discontinued as it is pretty useless and got a poor rating in the Qinitec review a few years ago.

 

[Topcat47]

Quite the reverse, it was the better of those tested.

 

[Tranona]

Quite the reverse, it was the better of those tested.

Apologies, then. Memory lapse!

 

[VicS]

Not surprised it is discontinued as it is pretty useless and got a poor rating in the Qinitec review a few years ago.

5 Conclusions
The following is concluded;
· The Sea-Me is a good example of an active reflector (RTE) exceeding the
requirements of the current and future ISO 8729 at heel/elevation angles of up
to 15˚, it is also very small and light. Drawbacks are that it requires power to
operate (which on a yacht is at a premium), it will only operate at X-Band and
will offer no performance at S-Band.
· The POLARef shows excellence is possible but at a price, technically it just fails
meet current ISO8729 [1] or its replacement [2]. The main drawbacks are it is
very costly at £2000 and its quite heavy at around 5kg. It is currently used as a
radar measurement standard although it could possibly be re-engineering for
commercial production which could reduce the price.
· The Large Tri-Lens performs well especially at larger angles of heel and
elevation, it just falls short of ISO8729 [1] having a peak RCS of 8.5m2
but
otherwise performs well. It is the heaviest reflector supplied for test at 5.5kg
and costs around £300.
· The Echomax 230 narrowly failed to meet ISO8729 during this testing, but
showed good peak and average RCS performance. The reflector is reasonably
priced at £130 and weighs 2.4kg; the main drawback was a RCS drop-off above
an elevation angle of 10˚.
· The Firdell Blipper 210-7 narrowly failed to meet ISO8729 during this testing,
but showed good peak and average RCS performance. The Blipper is priced at
£130 and weighs 1.8kg; the main drawback was a RCS drop-off above an
elevation angle of 10˚.
· The Standard Tri Lens does not meet ISO8729 as the peak RCS was too low at
4m2
. However its consistent RCS response outperformed most of the other
reflectors when heeled over beyond 10˚; it is reasonably priced at £130 and
weighs 2.5kg.
· The Plastimo 16” octahedral is inexpensive at £16 and lightweight at 0.65kg
but failed to meet ISO8729 in either tested position. It had reasonable peak and
average performance averaging around 2m2
but had wide nulls which kept its
stated performance level down. Other drawbacks are that its mounting
arrangement is by suspension only (often in an unfavourable position) and
could be subject to damage.
· The Davis Echomaster failed to get close to ISO8729 during this testing. Its peak
RCS is too low at 7.5m2
and its average performance is only 1.75m2
. This
reflector is priced at £60 and is lightweight; it can be mounted on a rod as well
as by suspension (in the correct catch-rain position).
· The 4” tube reflector performed very poorly.
· It is concluded that either the active Sea-Me, POLARef and the Standard or
Large Tri-Lens radar reflectors are the best reflectors at heel and elevation
angles of over 10˚.​

 

[blxm]

Discontinued, I think. But SVB seem to have a few left - https://www.svb24.com/en/mini-tri-lens-radar-reflector.html

Thanks. I did see that one but it's the mini version. Didn't get as good results in the review. Also the price in euros is a bit extreme!
Looks like an alternative will be the answer.

 

[MikeCC]

They have stopped mainstream production of the Tri-Lens range. There was an outfit in the Netherlands offering them but at around twice the previous price.

 

[multihullsailor6]

Help needed! - I have the standard tri-lens fixed to the top of my mast and due to welding work there it has to come off. It sits in the provided holder and turns but does not want to come off. What is the trick? - I do not want to break it seeing that they are discontinued. Thanks for any tip.

 

[MikeCC]

IIRC it should just unscrew from the threaded hole in the separate base if that's the bit you've used, unless that's turning as well. Or the whole thing is spinning on bar, which I think goes through the middle.

 

[snowbird30ds]

The bar through the middle can rotate, it is threaded both ends with a cap on the unused end, I've had to take a pair of grips to the top of mine as it's mounted in the threaded base, normally I just unscrew the whole thing.

 

[BelleSerene]

Not surprised it is discontinued as it is pretty useless and got a poor rating in the Qinitec review a few years ago.

Er... no. http://www.ussailing.org/wp-content...ore/SAS Studies/2007 Radar Reflector Test.pdf

I bought one following that report. Disappointed to see they’re no longer being sold.

 

[PabloPicasso]

If fitted according to the instructions it will have been permanently thread locked on. The nut is plastic so could be warmed or cut off.

 

[sarabande]

Am I being very unimaginative, or isn't a luneberg lens ideally suited to 3D printing ?


Anyon efancy making a few for forum sale ?

 

[sarabande]

Drat ! Beaten to it

http://lunewave.com/products/

 

[multihullsailor6]

So we managed to get the radar reflector off without damage, most probably the thread was glued and held very well. Thanks for the advice.