Radar suggestions

[Puget Sounder]

I may be opening up a can of worms here but my boat has the original 2008 vintage Raymarine C120 Classic MFD with an 18" Raymarine 2kW radome. I'm thinking of upgrading to something from this decade and while I haven't ruled out any radar options, I'm leaning towards a 24" Raymarine RD424HD radome which should be a step up from what's currently on the boat.

The two other options I had in mind are the Quantum 2 Doppler or a 4' 4kW Magnum open array. I feel like the open array may be a bit overkill even if I think I have room for it on the top of the 2008 350DA (same size as the 2010+ 370DA) but I'm drawn to the narrower beam. And I like the lighter weight and lower power consumption of the Quantum 2 but worry about the beam width.

Since the antenna isn't going to be higher than the 11' air draft of the boat, I'm not as worried about range as I am about target resolution. We have lots of commercial traffic and weather in this area. I feel like the 24" 4kW Raymarine RD242HD radome would be a good compromise but am I missing something by passing up on the 18" Quantum 2 or the 4' Magnum?

Edit: I should have noted that I will be replacing the C120 Classic MFD with something newer as well (Axiom+)

 

[Skybolt]

Your mixing tech and saying you want close range resolution. Typically that means dome opposed to open array. Typically Magantron = long range, but it also means better weather discovery as well. Domes are great for up close but not weather unless it's on top of you, then it doesn't matter really. Not sure that has changed much even with the newer offerings. A few people have gone with both because of this question. I would think for cruising etc. that a dome would be the best choice.

Sorry can't speak to Raymarine, I am a Garmin guy.

 

[The Bill Collector]

If Puget Sound is your home base, with the widest distance between shores is under 2 miles... Our a127 connected to the quantum dome works excellent for Puget Sound and Canada.

 

[Juliery]

What about pulse compression radars like Halo 24 or does it have to be Raymarine?

 

[Puget Sounder]

What about pulse compression radars like Halo 24 or does it have to be Raymarine?

The Quantum 2 is a pulse compression radar. My only concern with the smaller radome of the Quantum 2 is the wider beam width. Granted it's only 1 degree difference but I think that's my question. Will I lose anything by going with the Solid State RD424HD with a 3.9 degree beam width vs the pulse compression Quantum 2 with a 4.9 degree beam. On paper, it seems the narrower beam will give me better target resolution. Either one will be an upgrade from what I have now.

I'm not stuck on Raymarine since this will likely be replacing both the radar and MFD.

 

[dtfeld]

I'm in a small and confined body of water, and I am extremely pleased with the Quantum 2 Doppler's ability to differentiate objects like small buoys (12" dia x 24" tall) both close up and at longer range 1-2 miles. I can pick up weather out to the full range of the unit (as long as the weather is "tall" enough. Add in the color coding of the relative motion of targets, makes for a pretty effective and cost effective radar unit for boats like ours.

The solid state pulse compression radar don't have the minimum range limitations of traditional radars meaning that you can see an object literally on your bow, where a traditional radar might be "blind" out a couple hundred feet. The Solid state units are "instant on" as opposed to the warm up time required for magnetron based units. Power consumption is significantly lower as well. Unless you have a tower to get the antenna up high, your effective range any marine radar unit is likely 6-10 miles at best (taller things like large ships and weather being able to be detected at longer ranges).

For a cruising boat, these are about as much as you'll ever need. All manufacturers are pretty good on the radar these days, I would pick the MFD you like. MFD/Radar must be same manufacturer.

 

[mdolesh]

Following. I have the same older setup but with 2 of the C70's. Curious what you decide.