Radar recommendation

[C_Breeze]

Hi All, I'm slowly getting the pieces together to build a nav system. I'm looking at radars now. My current preference is a Navico 4g. Features I like are the range(36nm) and ability to pick-up weather cells.

It appears that this line is being closed out in favor of the Halo line. Concerns are the loss of 4g factory support and the fact that I don't have any experience with any of this. Throw in things like cable length, interface box and setup with opencpn, I have some work to do. I do plan to use to use an RPI4 to run everything.

So, if anyone can help me get my bearings, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Bill O]

Originally was going to go w/the Navico 4g for the pi setup in our nav. station. After reading about the halo 20+ it can do everything the 4g can and more (better rain definition). Not certain all the support/bugs have been worked out on ocpn, so its still on my wish list.

[C_Breeze]

Thanks for the info. I know what you mean. Not locked in on a solution either. I'm just hoping to find something that will provide a "few" years of reliable service.

I hope that whatever drops from the bingo ball mixer is the winning answer!

mike

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by C_Breeze

Hi All, I'm slowly getting the pieces together to build a nav system. I'm looking at radars now. My current preference is a Navico 4g. Features I like are the range(36nm) and ability to pick-up weather cells.

It appears that this line is being closed out in favor of the Halo line. Concerns are the loss of 4g factory support and the fact that I don't have any experience with any of this. Throw in things like cable length, interface box and setup with opencpn, I have some work to do. I do plan to use to use an RPI4 to run everything.

So, if anyone can help me get my bearings, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

One thing you should consider, unless the dome is mounted really high, in practice you will not get a 36 mile range except for rain or to high hills or mountains on land 30 miles away. Boats, small islands and such will not show.

[Tehani]

I do not think it is necessary for radar to have such a large range, I find the selection more interesting according to its power consumption and resolution.
You have two options with the radar:
1) - Buy only the radome and use O. In this case make sure there is a plugin available and tested for that model. That can be laborious if you use other networks with the same PC or RPI.
2) - Buy the radome and the MFD from the manufacturer. In this case, check the MFD documentation to see if it sends ARPA / MARPA sentences, either by NMEA0183 or NMEA2000. So you can see the targets in O and in other mobile apps.

[C_Breeze]

Originally Posted by skipmac

One thing you should consider, unless the dome is mounted really high, in practice you will not get a 36 mile range except for rain or to high hills or mountains on land 30 miles away. Boats, small islands and such will not show.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/mar...dar-comparison Updated 3/30/2020

"mounted really high" The PS article mounts the review units 20' above the w/l. Doable on my mizzen mounted on the roof of the wheelhouse. I agree with range limits in real use vs a marketing spiel. For my purposes, a far enough range to warn of approaching weather, in time to pull the watches, batten the hatches and brace for impact. Followed by close in range to avoid collisions in the fog, dark, etc.

Right now, $-wise, a B&G 4g is priced between the halo 20 & 24. All things equal, maybe the deciding factors will be based on cost v benefit basis. While I'm trying to keep costs down, if needs dictate a more expensive unit, so be it. And hopefully I can hold out for the next boat show. In January!

Thanks for your input.

[C_Breeze]

Originally Posted by Tehani

I do not think it is necessary for radar to have such a large range, I find the selection more interesting according to its power consumption and resolution.
You have two options with the radar:
1) - Buy only the radome and use O. In this case make sure there is a plugin available and tested for that model. That can be laborious if you use other networks with the same PC or RPI.
2) - Buy the radome and the MFD from the manufacturer. In this case, check the MFD documentation to see if it sends ARPA / MARPA sentences, either by NMEA0183 or NMEA2000. So you can see the targets in O and in other mobile apps.

I agree with your 1st statement. Option 1 is preferred. I am trying to accomplish this with my research.

Option 2 adds significantly to cost with the mfd. I want to stay open source and generic as much as possible. Thanks for your help!