Whether you’re outfitting a new boat or refitting an existing vessel, selecting the right electronics can make your head spin because of the dizzying variety of brands and models, each touted as the one to buy. We’re here to help you narrow down the choices.
Every year at Marine Electronics Journal, we ask manufacturers to name the one model or series of electronics that they consider their best based on factors such as innovation, popularity or utility, or maybe it has proved itself over time. There are 20 product categories in all, from AIS to wireless devices. We call the results the Best & Brightest Boating Electronics.
For the next several weeks The Mic will report on the winners. Last week we rolled out the second and final round of the best electronic charts. This time, we’ll tell you about several innovative radars.
The FR10 and FR12 radar displays feature 10.4-inch and 12.1-inch color LCDs with key panels for simple operation and are designed for use with Furuno X-Class or NXT radars. Choose from compact domes or large open arrays in both solid-state or magnetron configurations that offer excellent performance and target resolution. Features such as Fast Target Tracking, RezBoost Beam Sharpening, and Target Analyzer are available. The FR10 and FR12 also provide a new feature called Risk Visualizer, which allows navigators to see areas with a high risk of collision. Risk Visualizer shows potential collision areas based on the current position and movement of all surrounding vessels, providing a color-coded overview of the situation around your boat, contributing to continuous improvement of safety at sea.
Get out to sea with the scanning power of the GMR 2536 xHD3 open-array radar. Combining high-definition imaging with our latest platform technology, this 6-foot robust 25kW magnetron radar offers new levels of confidence, clarity and performance for mariners cruising or fishing offshore. Scan averaging, a first for Garmin magnetron radar, results in reduced sea clutter and interference on the display. Plus, other advanced features include true echo trails, auto bird gain, improved target-size processing and more. Delivering crisp, high-resolution picture quality and a 96 nautical mile detection range, the GMR 2536 xHD3 easily connects to your compatible Garmin chartplotter/MFD. A dual-range feature allows simultaneous split-screen views of close and distant radar targets. For added peace of mind, a 100-knot wind rating brings commercial-grade weather performance to recreational boaters.
The Simrad HALO 3000 features higher power pulse compression and improved detection ranges. Simrad Yachting’s most powerful open-array radar with 130 watts of power, the HALO 3000 provides visibility out to 96 nautical miles. That power is combined with world-class beam sharpening for enhanced target separation. Other technical upgrades include award-winning modes, situational awareness enhancements and ZoneTrack merged into Simrad’s decades of expertise and experience in radar. Additionally, the HALO 3000 features the new Bird+ Mode, which activates the radar to solely focus on maximizing 130 watts of power on targeting and identifying flocks of birds at ranges of up to 8 nautical miles. Day or night, rain or fog, the HALO 3000 is a powerful extra set of eyes to help boaters stay aware of approaching vessels, weather and obstacles.
Pathfinder is designed for CAT 2 and CAT 3 SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) vessels. Compliant with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards IEC 62288 and IEC 62388, this radar stands out for its reduced maintenance, enhanced longevity, and ease of operation. Delivering exceptional clarity and an intuitive user interface, Pathfinder is driven by a fan-less, six-foot, low-profile, open-array antenna. It offers superior target separation and increased long-range resolution using CHIRP pulse compression and beam-sharpening technology. The solid-state transmitter provides performance exceeding a 12kW magnetron, and the system meets and exceeds all IMO performance requirements for target detection. At half the weight of comparable commercial radar arrays, the Pathfinder system is easy to install and has a small-diameter cable, simplifying runs and reducing installation time by days.
