If you haven't read about the latest upcoming radar technology here are a couple of links to a youtube video put out by Navico describing their Broadband radar and to Panbo - a marine electronics writer for several popular boat publications. This beats out any new HD radar on the market for a fraction of the costs and with only an 18" radome!!! "Broadband Radar transmits at 1/2000th the power of typical pulse radars (emitting 10 times less energy than an average cell phone)" Here are a couple of comparison images from the Navico website (four or so manufactures will be using this tech.). Here is the Navico/youtube link. http://www.broadbandradar.com/technology.html http://www.broadbandradar.com/screens.html Just the video - larger image. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOWmWvojp98 Link to Panbo blog post. http://www.panbo.com/archives/2008/12/broadband_radar_more_details.html http://www.panbo.com/archives/2008/11/navico_broadband_radar_a_really_big_deal.html
From what I have read it is not available for sale as of yet. However, it should be soon as the various companies have the info on their websites. I still think this is one of the more meaningful marine electronic announcements in 2008. Just think of all those European flybridge boats with the head height arches can now use that radar.
Unrelated, but I cannot sleep without sending a HUGE note of thanks to Navico for their help. A Lowrance unit with a broken screen was returned to Navico without knowing waypoints & MOBs were not saved on the memory card (unit was given to me for me to handle with Navico). Years of data would have been lost if it weren't for the help of one great guy there (may I mention him by name?). After being told by Customer Service yesterday that nothing could be done & the unit was on its way to Mexico for breakdown/parts salvage, this man heeded my pleas (yes, PLEAD your urgencies and don't take no for an answer), located the unit, got the data and e-mailed that to me in one day. We are all so very grateful.
Just yesterday I had a computer repair guy ask "Do you want to save your files and programs?" DUH! (No just throw away the last 1 1/2 years of my life. ) All techs were not created equal. Sounds like Navico found a good one. Send an e-mail to the pres. so they know to appreciate him.
Sounds Great How long do I have to wait for one that will work with my Raymarine E120? My radar is so old it's growing nose hair. RL70...
I'd guess they want to put it out within a build contract (like 300 Sea Rays) before putting it on shelves where they'll sell a piece here and a piece there. Considering boat sales figures I'd get a trimmer for those hairs.
Yeah, gotcha. Had the RL70 repaired a couple of years ago so I'm good for another 5 years anyway right? Ha Ha. The black and white screen looks like some early nintendo product but it works. We had 700 hours on it when it went in for rebuild and now it works at least as good as new. The local "channel markers" sort of glorified lobster floats, south of Chatham MA showed up perfectly.
Black & white? Aren't you the latest and greatest. Some of the commercial boats I run still have the green screen Furunos from the day of the flood. You know what though? They get me where I need to go.
Highlander, Your Raymarine E120 running software 4.29 will do wonders if you upgrade to any of the Raymarine new pathfinder radars. and the performance of the HD and SHD units are serious performers.
Went to the boat show and looked at E-120 screens with radar overlay as well as pure radar on black backround. The overlay on chart was not real snappy. I could easily miss a target with the colors so similar. The black background was very good though. As I understand it- in order to get a stand alone radar, I will have to add another E series display in addition to the new radar unit. That is if they need to talk to each other. I don't like the idea of using one display for everything. Is there any restriction on mixing in a smaller unit? E-100?
