How Does Marine Radar Work?

Marine radar systems work by emitting radio waves and then detecting the reflected waves from nearby objects. The radar’s antenna sends out radio waves in a circular pattern, which bounce back when they encounter an object. The time it takes for the wave to travel back to the radar system is used to calculate the distance to the object, while the direction of the reflected wave determines its bearing. This information is then displayed on a screen, allowing mariners to track the position of nearby vessels, land masses, and other obstacles.

How to Read Marine Radar?

Reading a marine radar display can be intimidating for beginners, but it is essential to understand the basics. The radar screen typically shows a circular area, with your boat at the center. The range rings indicate distances from your vessel, and the orientation of the display corresponds to the heading of your boat. Objects appear as blips or echoes on the screen, and their position relative to your boat can be determined by their distance and bearing. Moving objects such as other vessels will leave a trail, which can help you assess their speed and direction. Additionally, marine radar systems often include features such as target tracking, alarms for collision avoidance, and overlays for charts and GPS data to improve situational awareness.

What are the top uses of Marine Radar?

Some of the top features and uses of marine radar systems include: Collision Avoidance, Navigation, Weather Monitoring, Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA), Guard Zone Alarms, Overlays and Integration, Target Tracking, Dual Range Display, Sector Blanking,

Should I buy cheap marine radars?

While marine radar systems can be pricey, there are affordable options available for those on a budget. To find a cheap marine radar, consider looking for discounts, sales, or used equipment from reliable sources. Additionally, choose a system that meets your specific needs without unnecessary features, as this can help to reduce costs.

What type of Marine Radar should be used for boats?

There are various marine radar systems available for boats, ranging from small recreational vessels to large commercial ships. When choosing a marine radar for your boat, it is essential to consider factors such as the range, antenna size, and display type. Smaller boats generally require a lower range and a compact antenna, while larger vessels may need more powerful radar systems with greater range and larger antennas.

How far can marine radar see?

The range of marine radar systems depends on several factors, including the system’s power, antenna size, and atmospheric conditions. In general, marine radar systems can see objects at distances between 0.5 nautical miles (nm) and 96 nm or more. Small recreational boats typically use marine radar systems with a range of around 16 to 24 nm, while larger commercial vessels and ships may have radar systems with a range of up to 96 nm or more. However, it is important to note that the actual detection range of a radar system may be affected by factors such as the height of the radar antenna, the size and composition of the target object, and weather conditions like precipitation or atmospheric ducting.

Furuno 1815 4kW Transmitter, 36 NM Radar System with 8.4" Color LCD display and 19" Radome | Poco Marine

Name: Furuno 1815 4kW Transmitter, 36 NM Radar System with 8.4" Color LCD display and 19" Radome | Poco Marine | Vancouver
SKU: FUR1815
Price: 3195.00 CAD
Availability: InStock

Description

The Furuno 1815 is a standalone Radar package that features an 8.4” color LCD screen and stylish, low-profile 4kW radome antenna. It is designed for a wide variety of vessels, including pleasure craft, workboats and small fishing boats that require an easy-to-use, true color Radar at an affordable price point. The unit allows you to select from several adjustable display colors to ensure that it can be viewed in a variety of conditions. The gimbal mount allows the display to swivel when desktop mounted, allowing the user to adjust the display angle for optimal viewing comfort. Overhead mounts are available for added flexibility or you can flush mount it with a simple 5” hole saw.

Automatic gain reduction ensures a sharp picture

The automatic gain reduction on the 1815 makes use of algorithms that have been refined over many decades of Furuno experience and innovation. This means the 1815 is second to none in clutter rejection. With no input from the user, this Radar will automatically eliminate unnecessary echoes and present a clear display image with every sweep of its antenna. This ensures that you will be able to acquire other vessels, buoys and objects on the sea surface in good weather, or when sudden fog and storms make the visibility poor. Other display modes include Off Center, allowing own ship’s position to be shifted to a pre-registered point on screen, and Zoom, which will expand and display a selected target up to 2x in a zoom window.

Fast Target Tracking and other new Furuno features

Furuno’s Fast Target Tracking (TT) function allows the user to manually or automatically track up to 10 targets. After selecting a target, it takes only seconds for a speed and course vector to be displayed, making quick work of determining the safety of approaching or moving targets. When using Furuno’s proprietary True Trail mode, moving objects will show a gradation of target trails in their wake, making it possible to gauge the movement of targets at-a-glance. When connected to a Furuno AIS, up to 100 targets can be tracked and displayed on the screen, allowing the operator to instantly gather important information about other AIS-equipped vessels nearby.

The 1815 also utilizes Furuno’s True View mode to make reading the display more intuitive. For example, when your vessel is turning, the echoes stay consistent on the display, so you can constantly see the targets on the screen, without waiting for them to update after the turn. This mode proves to be especially useful when you are turning to avoid hazardous targets.

Other Features: