Need Help Please Quality Radar for reasonable price

tamezjos · Jun-25-2009, 10:06 AM

Hello Guys, I would really appreciate if you can help me decide what to do, your opinions count...

I'm just finishing my boat and would love to put up a radar on it, I would have to buy the display too as I have a 900 series huminbird now (that's another story). Anyway I wanted a Foruno Navnet 3D system but with the economy I can't see that happening, I like Garmin but I'm not sure this is the best way to go, my boat is a 23ft pilothoutse, I think a 36mile range radar would sufice but you tell me, I have aroung 2k to spend and would not mind getting a used package if I can find it.

I want to replace my ffinder/gps/plotter (huminbird) with this package, so a good unit that would provide the infrastructure so I can later install a sounder, etc would be the best. This would be my first radar.

Thanks for helping me out.

Josh

zarco · Jul-16-2009, 07:28 AM

Furuno 1715

DOMINATOR · Jul-16-2009, 08:01 AM

Check out the new Lowrance HD series. They have a killer broadband sounder, and the new Broadband radar is meant for smaller boats, and puts out less radiadion than a cell phone. The price point on them is very good. You can get the 5" screen with radar for around $1600, and the 7" for around 2k. Like all the others, the bigger the screen, the higher the price. If you spend an extra $500($2500), you get the 8" screen with soft keys. Check them out, Simrad makes them, so you know they are good.

CaptnJD · Jul-16-2009, 09:42 AM

I was just at the candy store. I agree with Pete. Those new Lowrance units are the bomb. Gotta get the soft key/touch screen with overlay and all..

Big Dan · Jul-16-2009, 10:18 AM

I was at West Marine the other day and they had a great deal on a Raymarine package, it was on sale with a rebate and a gift card want to say the whole thing was under 2k c8 or c12 may want to call them

tamezjos · Jul-19-2009, 01:19 AM

Not a word about Garmin???

Thozguys · Jul-24-2009, 06:33 PM

I have a Garmin 4208 that is GPS/FishFinder/Radar with an 18" HD Radar dome. The cool part of this setup is every 3 months Garmin send out an update that adds loads of new functinoality to the units. I would highly recommend the 4208 or if really want some trick go for the 5208 with the touch screen. No buttons - very cool. Also I have a fairly small boat also, 23 foot Triumph and everything fits perfectly. Another really cool part is the network Garmin uses, it is either NMEA2000 or NMEA0183 both are standard for most mid-range units do it is possible to inter-connect different units and accessories into the system.

bigeye2k · Aug-16-2009, 12:56 PM

Furuno 1623 $1200.00 with dome and display

pescaloco · Aug-17-2009, 08:43 AM

Hey what's up Josh

Take a look at the JRC brand radars, I was very happy with the one I had on my last rig. I bought it from Consumer Marine electronics

ISLAND BOUND · Aug-18-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dan

I was at West Marine the other day and they had a great deal on a Raymarine package, it was on sale with a rebate and a gift card want to say the whole thing was under 2k c8 or c12 may want to call them

This is what I waas going to suggest, they still make the C-80 but are selling them way cheaper than the newer units. You can do the whole package FF/radar/chartplotter for around 2k if you install yourself.

I have had this unit for 5 years and have never had any problems with it except having to reconfigure the bad install from the seaswirl dealer in newport. Since then it has been flawless.

If you have the extra coin I would opt to buy only the radar/ chartplotter raymarine then get a stand alone FF like a furuno585 with a 1kw through hull transducer. This is what I wished I had done.

bigeye2k · Aug-18-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISLAND BOUND

I have had this unit for 5 years and have never had any problems with it except having to reconfigure the bad install from the seaswirl dealer in newport. Since then it has been flawless.

That dealer if it's the one I am thinking of has lost its volvo cert and the ability to sell stripers anymore.

Bada Bing · Aug-18-2009, 09:21 AM

Look for end of season display models. I've bought two complete radar units in the past, both were diplay models I found at the former BoatUS. One was a JRC and the other was an ICOM, both worked flawlessly, both had standard factory warrenties and I think I paid $900 for the JRC and no more than $1200 for ICOM unit (retail was at least $2000 for either one). The point is that radar technology is improving fast, so you should be able to a good deal on a "Last years model" somewhere. Yes, Garmin makes a nice expandable package.