magna 6882
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2020
- Messages
- 720
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Intrepid
- Vessel Make
- North Pacific/ NP-45 Hull 10
I have read that open units provide a tighter signal.What are your thoughts regarding open or closed.
Most people neither need or ever become proficient enough to need more than a 4kw dome.
That said....if you use the boat a lot, the radar isn't going to cost 25% of the boats worth, the boat is big enough to handle it, and you actually learn to use it....then the sky is the limit in terms of what you buy.
But in my experience, 95% of rec boaters (without pro experience) never need much more than a basic 4kw dome or a broadband equivalent.
I have been able to pick up large flocks of feeding sea birds on my open array antenna where I couldn't on my old dome antenna. It's definitely an advantage when looking for fish.For the life of me I just could not think of a use-case where I needed the additional range and definition of a larger antenna.
I have been able to pick up large flocks of feeding sea birds on my open array antenna where I couldn't on my old dome antenna. It's definitely an advantage when looking for fish.
The new broadband radar is better than older radars and even with range the performance is better than in the past. I will just give you a copy and paste:
Solid-state, broadband radar sends a continuous transmission wave with linearly increasing frequency (hence the term broadband). The wave retains its frequency as it travels out and reflects back from any objects. Meanwhile, the transmitter continues to output an increasing frequency. The difference between the currently transmitted and received frequencies, coupled with the known rate of frequency increase, is the basis for precisely calculating a “time of flight” and target distance. Since FMCW constantly builds up radar return energy (vs. a single “main bang” pulse), this system provides target detection superior to pulse radars while transmitting at far lower energy levels.
Simrad broadband 4g radome mounted at the helm of a boat
Simrad Broadband 4G[emoji769] Radar
Solid-state radar offers the following advantages over traditional pulse radar:
Lowest RF transmission for safe, flexible installation: solid-state radar transmits at a very low power level. For example, Navico’s Broadband 4G Radar emits less radiation than an average cell phone, so the radome is safe to mount in locations never before possible. In addition, the lowest DC power draw of any X-band marine radar (1.45 amps) makes this system well suited for sailboats and other vessels with limited power. Even the most powerful solid-state open array radars, the Garmin Fantom[emoji769], transmit at 40 watts, compared with 4,000 watts for a small traditional pulse radar.
Improved short-range target discrimination: solid-state radar provides better target resolution, even at an amazingly close 1/32 nm range. Docks, channel markers, moored vessels and other critical targets are displayed with clarity and separation, for added confidence in close quarters. Solid-state, broadband technology also eliminates the “main bang” of a pulse radar—the obscured “dead zone” immediately around the vessel—which interferes with close target detection.
No warm-up time: no more waiting 2-3 minutes for a magnetron to warm up. When darkness falls or the fog rolls in, you are always ready. Ideal for sailboats wishing to save power or boats at anchor not wishing to run the radar continuously.
Maximum range that’s comparable to conventional pulse radar: Although broadband radar used to be inferior to the old-school high-powered technology outside the three-mile range or so, they’re closing the gap. Navico has mitigated this problem with their 3G radar, doubling the transmitting power of the original BR-24, and increasing the range by 30 percent, to 24 nautical miles. Their Broadband 4G[emoji769] radar narrows the gap even more, with a maximum range of 36 nautical miles. It also uses unique “beam sharpening” to further boost its effective range. Simrad’s Halo[emoji769]-6 open array is now listed as a 72 nautical mile radar.
I have to say being a ATP airline type rate pilot would hardly ever leave without my it working my issue with most is that I have no tilt control which just drives me up the wall.
Well the one good thing about an open array:
IT LOOKS SO COOL!!!!