How to Compare Marine RADAR
Marine RADAR systems offer casual and professional boaters an increasing array of technology to help them avoid dangers on the water. RADAR permits the captain to see other boats, land or hazards in poor visibility or darkness. Marine RADAR systems are priced in a wide range based on performance of the RADAR unit and an assortment of options that link the unit to other devices such as GPS, chart plotters or marine radios.
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Instructions
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Measure your boat for the size of the radome that best fits the available space. Typical transmitter diameters for small to mid-size boats are 18 or 24 inches. The radome consists of the transmitter, receiver and antenna as an integrated unit. It should be mounted as high as possible on the boat and not in line with any occupied parts of the vessel because the transmitter releases radiation.
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Identify how much transmitter power your boat and cruising area require. Higher power transmitters provide a greater viewing range, but also can create radar clutter due to the greater signal reflection that occurs. Lower power reduces range somewhat, but may be suitable for coastal or bay cruising where distances to land are shorter. Two to four kilowatts are typical peak power outputs for coastal vessels. Higher power does not mean unlimited detection distance, since the curvature of the earth limits all radar units to line-of-sight on the water.
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Narrow your choices according to whether a wide or narrow beam transmitter fits your needs. Many packaged units have a fixed beam, but higher priced units offer variations in beam width. The effect of beam width is analogous to a flashlight; a wide beam provides better viewing for short distances, but a narrow beam provides better viewing for objects at a greater distance.
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Compare the radar units based on the desired radome, peak power and transmitter beam requirements for your boat size and intended cruising area. Include in your review any need to connect to other devices such as a chart plotter, radio or GPS receiver. These criteria will reduce your choices to a few units that have the best price or features. Marine electronics dealers or web sites have detailed comparisons based on the features you have chosen.
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References
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