Garmin Radar...Which One?

[oneeyedjackass]

Decided to install a garmin radar dome just can't decide which model to get. My chartplotter is the Garmin 7610. I'm leaning towards the mid priced xHD but really have no idea. thanks for any help
GMR™ 18 HD+ Radome about $1300
GMR™ 18 xHD Radome about $1600
Garmin Fantom 18" Pulse Compression Dome Radar with MotionScope™ Technology about $2000

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I have a basic radar I think its the 18HD. so thats where I am coming from and just an opinion.

1. our boats are nimble so I cant see the value of long range reception.
2. I have not struggled in the PNW with not having a close in view and long distance view at the same time so dual range seems to be a waste of money to me. with the garmin touch screen its very easy to zoom.
3. Seeing what direction something is going in would be valuable but for $700 for the motionscope? I would struggle to justify.
4. I like the idea of the solid state fantom. less moving parts (surprisingly still the same power usage) but if I recall correctly on the Panbo website its not quite as good as the spinning array although very close.

in fact you should go read the panbo website he had a bunch of his thoughts on the new solid state radars.

 

[knotflying]

What do you want to accomplish with your radar and that will depend on what you buy. The $2,000 will give you weather and the direction, like you see on any radar weather map. If you want crisp targets appearing on the screen and don't want the bells and whistles go with the $1,600 model. Keep in mind ( at least my observation) all the bells and whistles are marketing ploys. They create enhancements for situations you never even thought about. 😀

 

[NorCal]

I have had two of those models. The standard one that came on our 31 which I think was the xHD. I now have the Fantom 18. I think there is a dramatic difference between the 2 models. The motionscope feature makes it very easy to spot any vessel that is coming toward you or going away.

When navigating via radar I split my screen. One side is chartplotter with radar overlay and the other is just radar. Makes it very easy to determine targets and threats. The target separation is dramatically better on the Fantom model. Yes you can see the advancing rainstorms but that is not a necessity, but kind of cool. Also I feel the the sensitivity is much better on the Fantom unit.

I came from a Lowrance 4G previously and was not happy with the xHD at all. It really is new technology vs old technology. From what I understand all radars are going toward the new technology.

Also, not has much of a concern when running but the power requirement of the new units are dramatically less than the old units. 4000 watt output on the old unit and 40W on the new.

 

[knotflying]

Just to add, the more expensive model has no moving parts. The scan is all done electronically. Maybe in the long run less issues with a broken belt etc.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

What’s interesting is the power usage is pretty similar according to Garmin website between hd and fantom

 

[NorCal]

I could be mistaken but I think the electronic board that is in the fantom does spin around. It sounds like there are gears turning when you turn the radar on. I believe the old magnetron is replaced by a circuit board.

That is an interesting point on power consumption. How can the radiated output on the old style be so much higher when the actual consumption is roughly only twice as much.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I think its a measure of outputted radio power not power consumption. 4Kw is boiling a kettle which would kill the batteries in no time...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmitter_power_output

18HD+ (cheapest)

18 xHD

Fantom

 

[oneeyedjackass]

Awesome!! thanks so much for the great info everybody. Well its def between 18xHD (mid$) and fantom (top$) maybe its best to get the best tech you can get and deal with the $$ issue. I like the idea of seeing weather, thats a big ++