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From: Len den Besten (no email)
Date: Mon Apr 17 2006 - 03:33:15 EDT
Richard,
I am thinking about a new radar for just one reason: the new standby
function aka the sleep function in the modern radars. This function
enables the radar to stay standby and consume very little energy
and -in programmable periods of time- to awaken, makes a few sweeps.
When nothing is seen it goes back in standby mode. When it does
detect an object it will sound an alarm. I'm connecting this alarm
to my horn via a relais.
When you plan offshore cruising in remote areas this is a very, very
helpful function that adds a lot to safety not to mention peace of
mind. In my view one should never rely on just being seen but one
should do anything possible to see the other in time (on opposite
courses with a freigther thats doing 25 kts, the time to get out of
the way safely is a matter of say 20 minutes, depending on your
radar range).
I also have AIS and I will also purchase an active radarreflector
(that sounds an alarm when it is hit by a radarbeam) but this sleep
function is imo the best way to avoid/be warned in time about
collision-courses. You can't rely solely on AIS or the other ships
radar cause there are fishingboats out there without radar, no
lights at night and no helmsman on the bridge.
Fair winds,
Len.
S/v Present
--- In , Richard Bradshaw
<rbradsh2 at dot dot dot > wrote:
>
> 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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