Best Radar for Fishing

[solanderi]

Does anyone have any learned opinions or websites that might help flush out the best performing radar for bird detection.

I have a Nav Net 2 and would like to add a radar. Furuno offers numerous models with varying beam angles, antenae size, power etc. In general, more power, bigger array and small smaller beam angle means better...if you subscribe to the laws of physics. But a local dealer ( a marine electronics business that I trust and has been in Miami doing this forever) is telling me that in his experience he has seen the best results from a 4ft array, 6 KW.

My choice would be a 6 ft array at 25kw. I don't know where to turn for any objective data except the Furuno spec sheets and this forum. Thank you for any help,

Greg

 

[Trojan]

Call Furuno. They will gladly help.
BILL

 

[Boatsb]

6 foot array is definitely better than a 4 but 10-12KW is all you need for birds. 4 is OK but 10 is better.

 

[thoward]

A 6' 6kw is what is the recomended minimum by Furuno. Bigger is not always better. You can only reach so far out due to the curve of the earth. I think the 6kw is a 72 mile so it will be plenty unless you are going to put it 30' in the air, in that case you can go larger.

 

[solanderi]

Thank you for the replies. The application is the hardtop of a 45C, I'm guessing 15 - 18 ft high. I wonder if a mast or spacer or some kind of gizmo is needed that corrects for the boat's attitude when underway compared to at idle.

 

[Trojan]

You need something to adjust the elevation. At run and idle speed the angle of radiation will change. On some boats it can be the difference between detecting something or not. Most people don't mount the scanner directly to top. They are raised 6 to 10 inches or so off the top. It makes for easier mounting.

BILL

 

[Mike36c]

Thank you for the replies. The application is the hardtop of a 45C, I'm guessing 15 - 18 ft high. I wonder if a mast or spacer or some kind of gizmo is needed that corrects for the boat's attitude when underway compared to at idle.

You can purchase a wedge which will compensate for running angle. As for antenna size the larger one (6' array) has a more narrow beamwidth allowing better target disrcimination and will be more effective seeing birds. 12KW is plenty of power.

 

[BUSTER]

Having some exoerience working on various radar systems, Power is not the determining factor in seeing small objects on radar. The high the frequency the better the target resolution. It appears when one reads radar specs that higher power gives better resolution. If one reads the specifications closely you will notice the higher power units often work at higher frequencies, resulting in better resolution. I have a 4kw 48 mile open array unit and I can see all the birds I want to see out to an easy 10 miles or so.

I agree, a manually and properly adjusted 4kw, open array is easily capable of spotting birds.I got a good deal on a 72 mile R80 a couple of years back and actually got the oppurtunity to test it beyond the horizon.On an honest 8 to 10 foot day leaving Grand Bahama....I could see the high rises on Palm Beach.lol!

 

[Boatsb]

I have a 10 K with the 72' antenna. The antenna size makes a difference. I also have a new in the box 4 K with a 48" antenna that would also do a nice job but it is for a Raymarine C or E series.

people did a good job of explaining the frequencies and the power but remember the antenna is a major part of the system. It will be the part in the systems that defines the beam width and the receive sensitivity.

FYI most open arrays ( 4 KW and up ) are 72 mile capable but at the 18 feet above the water mine is mounted at it can't quite make the whole 72 miles. To be honest I don't remember how far I was able to get but it was over 50 miles.