Which Radar Reflector?

WilsonB

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Hi

I am about to buy a radar reflector, but find the various claims confusing.
I think I have come down to either the Echomax 230 or the medium size
Tri-Lens. I found a comparative trial in PBO from a few years ago but
neither were included. From that comparison it looked as if a traditional
octagonal reflector was as good as any of the proprietary ones, even if a
bit big and ugly.

Does anybody here have views on which is the better (or indeed if there is
something else which is better but not 4 times the price), if possible
supported by some data!

Many Thanks

Wilson
 

Talbot

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Echomax is the most effective reflector at the moment, followed by the firdell blipper. Most of the others are inferior to the old fashioned watercatcher style octo whatsit reflector.
 

jfm

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I think radar reflectors are over rated at least on say 40 or 50foot+ boats, which make much bigger targets than some kitchen roll sized piece of junk. On our boat I'm quite sure the flybridge dash electronics, s/s rails, radar scanner box (made of cast aluminium) fridge, icemaker and hob, all collectively will show up better on a radar than some poxy reflector. And that's before considering the engines, passerelle, gunwhale band, etc downstairs. And flybridge boats with flybridges cantilevered over the aft cockpit are built on spaceframes made from aluminium box section, bolted together, something like 3x2inch section, all hidden behind the GRP.

So, pretty good radar targets.

But the ugliness of radar refletors is easy to deal with. Just mount it INSIDE a GRP locker on the flybridge, or INSIDE the hollow radar arch. There is no reason at all for a radar reflector to be mounted outside on view
 

David_J

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SOLAS V made radar reflectors mandatory on boats over 15m and requires them to be fitted "where practicable" on craft under 15m. I guess you are ok under 15m until something goes wrong then they throw the book at you!
 

jfm

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Oh yes, all agreed. The rules say have one, and that's why we do. All I'm saying is (a) they're a bit useless on a larger boat and (b) mount them out of sight. I'm not saying dont fit one, if the rules say you have to! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

whisper

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Welcome to the fold.
I think there's been a more recent group test than that - not sure which mag. The "Seame" ?? active reflector came out much better than the passive ones but is a lot more expensive. Otherwise, Echomax it is.
It also appears that much of the data is of arguable reliability.
 

PlanB

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Can you fit an Echomax to a radar arch or are they mainly for yotties? Is the Sea-Me any better than a Tri-Lens, or just a lot more expensive?
 

tcm

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seame should potentially be loads better - but is different. It receives a radar signal and then amplifies it before resending, rather than just reflecting. It also shows whenever you get pinged by another radar, so you know if other ships are around with an alarm.

I was sort-of attracted to this for long offshore triop, except that you'll be a big radar image way out of the shipping lanes which may cause some puzzlement.

I would say that unless planning long bluewater trips you may not get much use from sea-me, and none at all if mostly v coastal, but it's just an opinion. I want to be visible but don't need/want to look like an oil tanker on other people's radar. An ordinary reflector should be enough, and some tests done a whil ago showed good results from a crumpled bundle of bacofoil...
 
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