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Old 02-20-2019, 03:00 PM   #1
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Radar Recommendation?

Shopping for a replacement for the ancient Raytheon unit on Serena. Not looking for anything too whiz-bang (read complex and expensive), just something for traffic monitoring and coastwise navigation.

Considering the Furuno 1815; any feedback on this unit or other recommendations?

Thanks -
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Old 02-20-2019, 04:20 PM   #2
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Probably hard to get a bad one. Especially when only wanting the basics. My only beef with the Garmin is lack of knobs. I don’t like the touch pad.
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Old 02-20-2019, 04:27 PM   #3
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Furuno has always been my first choice for small boat radars.
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Old 02-20-2019, 04:34 PM   #4
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Quote:
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Furuno has always been my first choice for small boat radars.
I just installed a Furuno DRS4D-NXT radar on my boat, and am absolutely amazed at the clarity and features. The doppler tracking feature is far better than the Quantum 2 and Garmin ones I've tested.
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Old 02-20-2019, 06:34 PM   #5
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Take a look at Si-Tex, I have a Si-Tex with 12” Standard Horizon mfd.
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Old 02-20-2019, 07:05 PM   #6
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Joe, I installed a Furuno 1815 about a year ago to replace a very old Furuno radar. I really liked the old cathode ray green display but it finally quite on me and it was no longer supported by Furuno.
The 1815 display is great, I like the target trail feature. Still working my way thru all the features but it’s typical Furuno quality.
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Old 02-20-2019, 07:12 PM   #7
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I'd also vote for the Furuno DRS-NXT. Really amazing features at an attractive price. I have the previous DRS generation now but will be upgrading soon.
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Old 02-20-2019, 07:19 PM   #8
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Thumbs up on the 1815
Also just replaced an aging cathode-ray furuno radar.
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Old 02-20-2019, 07:33 PM   #9
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I have Furuno vx2 and I like it, but I think any of the major brands will give you a capable radar. Raymarine hasn't been mentioned but there are lots of these on small boats.
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Old 02-20-2019, 07:49 PM   #10
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I have Furuno vx2 and I like it, but I think any of the major brands will give you a capable radar. Raymarine hasn't been mentioned but there are lots of these on small boats.
I have an aging RX10 on my sailboat that's a CRT and still works fine.
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Old 02-20-2019, 07:55 PM   #11
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We hung a Raymarine Quantum on our last boat, which was the newest radar I have owned (currently have 2011-vintage Furuno). The Quantum worked really well, and the integration of the entire Raymarine system was easy to use. I would buy again if looking for an integrated solution.

The Furuno 1815 looks like a great stand-alone set. With a good scanner mounting location, it will probably offer more performance than most if us would ever need. We will be adding a stand-alone to IRENE before we depart for distant shores, and the 1815 would work well. I would not hesitate to look at the JRC and Si-Tex units too.

I don’t recall reading anything about lousy radar sets from any manufacturer. I think your personal preference in appearance and features, matched with your budget, is the answer. Hard to go wrong with a Furuno considering their reputation, customer support, and parts availability.
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Old 02-20-2019, 08:25 PM   #12
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I just installed a Simrad 4G radar, which was about $1950 and use a PC running OpenCPN as the plotter. It works really nicely in that it has a fast update speed, does MARPA target tracking, integrates AIS from my radio, the charts are downloaded for free and I can use it on a laptop for trip planning. A nice feature of the Smrad 4G is supporting dual ranges -- it acts like two separate radars.

I ran the cable from the radar to a Wi-Fi router, so I can actually get the data on my main plotters (wired) and on a tablet (wireless).

Of course, how much one spends on the computer used as the plotter is a big variable. Mine was expensive because the waterproof outdoor visible touch screen wasn't cheap. An old laptop, if capable enough, is free and useful.
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Old 02-20-2019, 08:26 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevemitchell View Post
I just installed a Furuno DRS4D-NXT radar on my boat, and am absolutely amazed at the clarity and features. The doppler tracking feature is far better than the Quantum 2 and Garmin ones I've tested.
I installed the same Furuno Doppler unit on our boat and couldn’t be happier. Target clarity and ease of use are amazing. I thought the Doppler target discrimination feature might be a gimmick and was prepared to be disappointed, but it really works! It helps ID targets that are moving in our direction well before I can tell what they’re doing — even using binocs.
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Old 02-20-2019, 10:15 PM   #14
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My only beef with the Garmin is lack of knobs. .
I agree! My plotter has Hybrid Touch as well as knobs and I really prefer the knobs. When bouncing around in a seaway, grabbing and twisting a knob
is much easier than trying to pinch or expand by touch.

Yes, grabbing knobs are my preference.
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Old 02-21-2019, 03:31 PM   #15
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Going with the Furuno 1815. Thanks to all for the inputs.
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Old 07-19-2019, 07:00 PM   #16
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Any updates on your 1815?

I am getting closer and I have found a spot in the pilothouse for it...

Thanks!
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Old 07-19-2019, 07:12 PM   #17
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For me what really sets Furuno apart from the rest is their fantastic customer service and tech support well beyond the warranty, extending into several generations of models. Really exceptional in general, not just compared to other marine electronics.
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Old 07-19-2019, 07:26 PM   #18
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For me what really sets Furuno apart from the rest is their fantastic customer service and tech support well beyond the warranty, extending into several generations of models. Really exceptional in general, not just compared to other marine electronics.
Agree!.... I don't think anybody makes a "bad" radar anymore. All major brands are good, service after the sale and support down the road are important. Furuno excels at that. Bullet proof equipment that just works day after day.
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Old 07-19-2019, 07:34 PM   #19
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I'vealways liked Furuno electronics and their radars are great.
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Old 07-19-2019, 10:45 PM   #20
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For me what really sets Furuno apart from the rest is their fantastic customer service and tech support well beyond the warranty, extending into several generations of models. Really exceptional in general, not just compared to other marine electronics.
I agree 100% On the phone, web, or at Camas they are always helpful.

I have two older CRT Furuno Radars: FCR 1100 and an old 1800 and Furuno still supports them.

I've taken my own and clients radars down to Camas for service and their work is magic.
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