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From: Richard Bradshaw (no email)
Date: Sun Apr 16 2006 - 12:51:36 EDT
Next month we are getting our next boat. One of the things that we
are going to install is radar. Back in the day, radar was a stand
alone instrument. Displays were becoming water resistant but were
largely kept below.
We walked into a boat store the other day and started to talk to a
sales guy and found that these days it's not just a radar anymore.
Today it seems to be an all in one unit that consists of GPS, chart
plotter, radar, depth, speed and maybe a group of other things.
Wouldn't be too surprised to have it make coffee during the late
night/early morning watches.
We're not wanting to add all the electronics in the world. (The boat
isn't equipped with much except for an older VHF.) I had thought
about adding radar and a couple hand held GPS's, HF communication and
a new/newer VHF, and a small capacity water maker (We're getting a
little creaker as we get a bit older and it would be nice to not have
to haul water when it doesn't rain. Also funny how 10 years ago so
much electronics wouldn't have been considered due to cost and
reliability/repair but now is considered due to getting a bit
older.). We'll be using paper charts and don't like the "all in one"
electronics that when one part goes out, the entire unit is "shot."
What has been your experience with these new radar units? Do they
stand up to use for ages or do they break down after a couple good
watches? Any manufacturer recommendations? Repairs outside of the
U.S.? The rep we talked to was hot on the Garmin. Back in the day,
Garmin was just a so-so GPS manufacturer and Magellan was the leader
in the field. Now...
Could use some advice on what is what these days.
Thanks.
Rick
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