[Public-list] Radar - reasonable choices

[Michael Grosh]

I use radar professionally and have to say if I had a choice between radar 
and a chart plotter (I use Nobeltec-which can run on a laptop) the GPS 
linked plotter wins hands down; especially on a sailboat of the Alberg size.

Radar comes into it's own at night and during periods of restricted 
visibility, otherwise it mostly verifies what you already know (or hope). 
Closed array scanners( the antennae that looks like a flying saucer) aren't 
particularly sensitive-don't plan on it picking up a nun buoy, for example, 
at much more than 2 miles. Meanwhile it has quite an energy demand.

The plotter is useful...always. ETAs', instant set and drift input, ability 
to run outside channels with confidence (thereby avoiding a whole bunch of 
traffic that you would be using radar to calculate closest point of approach 
vectors-maybe, that is, if you can hold your own course and speed long 
enough to develop those vectors). there is also a learning curve involved 
that I am not sure a recreational boater would be willing to really develop.

I am sure there are many who disagree, and there are certainly reasons why 
radar is required on commercial vessels. My opinion is based on my being 
able to afford to be a 'fair weather sailor'-I don't sail at night, and 
being on the Chesapeake Bay, I can anchor pretty much anywhere when 
visibility shuts down. I have gotten a Rykalin GPS receiver that ports to my 
laptop (about $50.00), but so far have just played with it in my car. I 
continue to be amazed by affordable technology.

Having said all that, Furuno makes excellent radars.

MichaelGrosh
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