What the heck is this?

[MaddMax2u]

I've sen this on a number of sailbots. Can someone please educate me and tell me about this mast mounted thing! THANKS!! Hopefully the pic uploaded.

[JoeRobertJr]

Active radar reflector

[CaptTom]

Radar reflector.

[LakeSuperior]

Looks more like an Ecomax which is an array of trihedral corner reflectors.

[MaddMax2u]

Thanks for the informative replies. Somehow I thought it was something "more"! LOL

[skipperpete]

Firdell blipper. I just binned one after it started to show cracking and signs of age.

[barnakiel]

not sure this is active


looks like a passive one to me


barnakiel

[psk125]

Are we sure it's not more, like Madmax was hoping? It looks like it could be one of those styrofoam floats attached to the mast to keep the boat from turtling when it capsizes.

[sinnerman]

Flux capacitor

[Mjames]

As many have said it’s an active radar reflector. It is powered so is far more effective than the passive ones that look like a long tube. I’m told the actives ones really shine brightly on your radar screen. I’ve seen quite a few bright ones but never got close enough to the source boat the look for the device itself.

[paul2884]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

not sure this is active


looks like a passive one to me


barnakiel

yes passive, active ones are much smaller.

[SoonerSailor]

Sure looks like a Firdell Blipper, which is a passive radar reflector. A higher res picture may help.

What active transponder also looks like that?

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by skipperpete

Firdell blipper. I just binned one after it started to show cracking and signs of age.

Wipe down with epoxy and paint with white urethane one very thin coat.

They work cracked as long as not full of water

[sailingharry]

Blipper. Have one on my current boat, had one on my last boat. Premium product (although out of business). Meets legal requirements to have one (race rules, country rules, etc). However, field testing indicates that this is not an overly good one -- but it doesn't matter because none of them are of more than marginal value.


Keep it there, it doesn't hurt. But don't expect it to actually DO anything.


One of many reviews here (I've read many similar ones over the years):
https://www.ussailing.org/wp-content...ctor-tests.pdf
In their conclusions, they opine that reflectors should be used, but are of marginal value. They also are disappointed in the Blipper.

[Adelie]

An active radar reflector looks like a short, really thick radio antenna. This is not that.
https://www.landfallnavigation.com/e...RoCDPUQAvD_BwE

It looks like a Firdell Blipper or an EchoMax.
The photo does not have enough resolution to distinguish.