RADAR UNIT !

[Highlander]

Gazmn

U have Radar on ur boat maybe u can chirp in ur 2 cents worth on radar & answer Mark,s question ?

J

[vizwhiz]

Hey BOAT, maybe check into a FLIR system. You can see very well with today's infrared camera systems. That plus an infrared light system (like headlights, only infrared). It may not cover every last possible obstruction, but it is probably the best overall option. And they make mast or arch mounted systems like radar units, not just handhelds.
As a matter of fact, if you have an infrared camera at the house (baby monitor, security cam, etc), you might give it a try on the boat and see what you can see.

http://www.flir.com/marine/m-series/

[Highlander]

Not the way to go these camera,s start @ $2500.00 for a 3/4 mile range in the direction it is pointing for the cheapest one if u have a MFD unit that is radar compatible u can buy a radar radome 3D-4D or Quantum for $1200.-2000.00 giving u a range from 1/16th of a mile to 36-48 miles for a 360% of full coverage if u don,t have a MFD unit the camera won,t work without one .
Now I have not searched the internet to see if there is a cheaper Knock-off avail , but remember u need a MFD unit that is compatible with the cam u buy , if I could find a half decent one for say $500-600.00 I might consider it

J

[BOAT]

I have infrared camera stuff, but it's not really much good because the arc of vision is really bad - they are really for tight anchorages around other boats and stuff - masteb uses one because he sails in a bay - I don't - so close up stuff is not my main concern.

I mentioned the camera for use during the day - you know - get a better look at what's over the horizon. I was not thinking of it for a nighttime aid, but I guess it could be. I suppose even a drone might be a good idea.

Still, in the day time the radar is still better than a camera for long distance, and in the night time it's WAY better than a camera, and in the fog it's the ONLY way.

I'm still on the fence about installing one - have not decided yet. I like the fact that some radars can "lock on" to several targets at the same time and track their movements. I think AIS layered over RADAR would be the superior system - that way you don't waste your limited radar locks on boats that are transmitting.

Still not sure about surface debris like logs for high speed travel - the jury seems to be hung on that one - no one wants to go fast at night from what I'm being told. (I sort of wanted to do it, but you guys say no). I have never peen a power boater so my experience at high speed piloting is quite limited and explains why i want to do things that you power guys might feel are inadvisable - (I just plain don't know any better).

I am a sailor for the past 50 years, not a power boat operator - so I have no clue what to do with this big thing on the back of my boat. All I know is that it's really fast.

[vizwhiz]

yeah, fair enough - I wasn't clear on the fact that you were trying to go fast. It just sounded like you didn't want to hit a log at night, which the IR camera can help with. It would be interesting to know what you come up with for a RADAR unit...