Radar: 3G vs Ultra High Definition

[DaveWalter]

Can anyone tell me which in their mind is better. Is there a difference between the two? Looking to buy new or good used radar system. Want to keep it under $4,000 and have something expandable not expendable. Thanks in advance, Dave W.

[Matt Johnson]

I'm having the same issue, but I want to keep it around $2000. I'm looking at the Lowrance HDS-7 with Broadband 3G radar and a Garmin 4208 with HD radar. Both around the $2000 mark.

I love to looks of the broadband, but i'm worried about more about being able to see squalls at distance than ships. The way I figure it, the distance that a ship would be traveling at 25kt towards me still gives me enough time to react. It's the fast moving weather that I would like to see.

Also, broadband's low power consumption with this package (max around 1.9 amps) could be left on offshore all the time. Garmin just shows what their max power us of around 5 amps... not sure how much would be used in reality.

I'm still do not have any idea if the Garmin's charts are any better or worse than the Navonics.

Any guidance would be great.