Fathom 18 radar

J

jcarrdive

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
151
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 SC
Vessel Name
Wallowa
Hi Tugnuts- We recently installed the New Garmin Fathom 18 Radar! It is an amazing unit. Solid State, no warm up needed!

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/555656

Here is a link to the page for Garmin. I can tell you that the Doppler feature is really something else! And the resolution is much better than the older unit (our boat is a 2016) we replaced.
We are really happy we did it.
The install took about 20 minutes on our R31CB. bring down the mast, undo 4 bolts holding the radar on, and 4 screws hilding the wiring in place, and unplug the unit, plug the new unit in and put back together. THen go down and Install the software while you drink a cup of coffee and you are done.
jeff
 
Hi Jeff, just curious...I think your 31 is newer than mine. Which model radar were you replacing? Was this just an upgrade, or were there issues with your old set-up?
 
Hi Sue,
the 4KW HDX Radar, Garmin was replaced. I had no problems with it at all and think it was a good unit, but the new one is the next generation and certainly is worth the money to get it. You only replace the radar unit, you don't have to replace any inside electronics at all, just software on it.
jc
 
I also upgraded my radar like Jeff did. On my previous boat I had Lowrance 4G which was dramatically better than the Garmin 18XHD. The XHD is the old technology with a magnetron that needs to warm up and uses a lot more power then the new units. The new solid state radars have much better target separation, seem to be more sensitive and just work a whole lot better. It is like going from a low resolution display to a high resolution display. Garmin also has their new motionscope technology which changes target colors if they are coming towards you. Red target if coming toward you and green if going away. So far it works really well.
 
Thanks Jeff! I will put that on my maybe list for future upgrades! Right now, preparing for trip to Alaska is taking all of my spare budget. I followed your recommendation and got survival suits (two, because I will have a guest on board), upgraded the solar system, bought a para-sea anchor, switched out my dinghy and motor, lengthened rode for my primary anchor, bought a PLB, extra hand-held VHF, putting together ditch bag, Garmin vision chip for Alaskan waters, many spare parts.....doing my part to support the boating economy!! Still have to get satellite weather subscription, update DeLorme software, etc, etc, etc :-D
 
Sue, be sure to take a ton of photos and send them to us! I do an Alaskan email every day in preperation for the time we go up (5 years from now).
Great list of things you did/are doing for the trip! When do you leave?
jc
 
Hi Jeff, I leave May 16! Yes, I will take pics 🙂
 
Thanks for the user report! We have been considering updating to the Fantom but we had agreed to wait to see other's responses to the and solid state radar on the 18 inch antenna. The tech reviews have been very positive. Please do share with us what you think of it as you use it more. I'm especially interested in hearing what you think of the Doppler based motion displays. This technology looks like it should be a real win.

Kevin
 
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