Garmin 740s and 18HD

[Bergertime]

All,

I have been following the prices closely and I am considering the purchase of a Garmin 740s and their GMR 18HD radar as a combo unit.  Priced together I can save approx $400-$500 on the radar and the Garmin unit is now down to mid $900s w/o the ducer.  

I am looking at the radar for more of the safety aspect as I am finding myself navigating the Tampa waters (inshore & off) at night more than I anticipated.  Both leaving for fishing very early and frequently coming home after dark.  Spotting birds is a secondary consideration although I have heard that this unit really does not excel at this..   I have a Garmin 546s now so the transducer and power connections would be plug-n-play.  That said, I have done some research and I think I know what I want from an equipment perspective but I also wanted to poll the group on any additional considerations that I should be aware of.  

Some ?s I have are..

1) Is it necessary to mount the unit on a pedestal as my T-Top sits close to 9 feet above the waterline?

2) Are there any special considerations on mounting the Radom?

3) How difficult is the mounting job on a traditional t-top with electronics box?

4) Does anyone have any firsthand knowledge on the performance of the Garmin 18HD and/or the 740s?

5) If you have a radar now would you make the same investment today or would you pass on the expense?

Any general insight or personal experiences welcome.. It's a significant investment and so please don’t be shy.

Thanks!

B

[GoneFission]

Check the rebuilds section for Bob's recent radar installation on a t-top.  Nice pics and discussion there on how to mount, run wiring, etc.

[seabob4]

Bruce,
The GMR 18 is an excellent radar for what you are looking to use it for...but you are correct, it's really not going to be a bird spotter.  Spotting birds really requires a very tight beam width, pretty much only an open array scanner can give you that...and those bad boys are up there in $$$.  

The good thing about the GMR 18 is that it is a digital radar, so the cable is MUCH smaller in diameter than the anolog radars of old...basically just an ethernet cable and power to the dome.  So it's a lot easier to run down hardtop/T-Top legs and the like.  As far as mounting the radome, you definitely need to t/bolt it, preferably through aluminum plates welded to the top frame, if that's possible.  If not, here's how I did the Lowrance on a Capehorn 23 that DIDN'T have any plates to use...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDGZeOd- ... Q&index=38

And yes, this is the vid where I can't figure out how to turn the effin radar on!!!

[Bergertime]

Bob,

Here are a couple pics of the underside of my t-top.  The front of my top slopes down so I am thinking the Radome would likely have to be placed over the electronics box where the top is close parallel to the waterline. Based on the photos do you have any initial thoughts on mounting?





-Bruce

[seabob4]

Bruce,
Keep in mind the boat's attitude when on plane...bow up, or at least a bit up, depending on seas and use of tabs.  So the downward slope of the top would not actually be downward at that point.

I can see the longitudal braces that the ebox bolts to, that would have to be the mounting point for a piece of starboard to mount the radome to.  Those braces are way to far apart to accommodate a radome, especially the smallish GMR 18.  It has a very small bolt pattern footprint, no more than 10" apart fore and aft.  So the ebox would have to be dropped a few inches to allow access above it to drill 3/8" holes for the bolts for the starboard, and then of course holes through the starboard to bolt down the radome.  

The ebox location will have to do as the longitudal braces on the forward end are not all conducive to mounting anything up there, starboard base or radome.

Quite a bit more involved than one might think.  And all this work has to be done precisely.  It most cases on a ladder...reaching over the top...crouched in between the box and the underside of the top...in 95 degree heat!

Food for thought...

[wingtime]

A radar would be a big safety benefit in the Tampa Bay area at night or in thick fog.  Also it would be nice to track our sudden afternoon thunderstorms that pop up in the summer.

[Bergertime]

Yea for sure... I have had a couple mornings where I had left the dock in some real pea-soup.  I always moderate my speed to match the conditions but it sure would be nice to get a better view of what other boats are doing around me when vis is low.  It's the "other guy" that I am concerned about..  

No joke.. I was out one morning (9-10am) a couple months ago en-route to Egmont Key and the near shore fog was so thick you would have had a real hard time seeing any vessel.. freighter included past 50 or so yards.  That was scary.   It was sunny at the ramp and like a wall just outside the Manatee river entrance.  I was grateful that I had tracks from my multiple trips in and out of there to follow to aid in channel navigation.   That and more nighttime navigation is what sealed the deal for me.  I will report back once installed for those interested.  

Gotta coax Bob into leading the install for me  

B

[wingtime]

A flir camera would also be the ticket...   see right thru the fog!

[seabob4]

Hey Bruce, I'll walk you through the install step by step if you want...

[Bergertime]

Thanks Bob.. When I get the equipment I'll drop you a note.

B

[Bergertime]

Hello all...

Well I got my equipment (Garmin 740s and GMR-18HD) in the mail last week.  Upon much installation research I decided to buy a 5 inch SeaScan pedestal to mount the Radome to.  This pedestal has a six degree forward slant built into the top mount to angle the radome down which will offset the bow rise while running on plane.  In addition, it raises the unit off the top providing better range and near unit accuracy.  

A trip by the local FWC headquarters sealed the deal on the pedestal.  All of their boats (5-6 visible) have their radomes mounted on some time of elevating structure (most are pedestals) off the top.  I removed my 545s and mounted the 740s so I am anxiously await the radar install which is scheduled for Monday at a local shop.  More to come as the project progresses :)  Have a great weekend.



Calm seas and tight lines....

B

[Bergertime]

Hello all in AS land...

My radome install was completed on Tuesday and I am very pleased.  I had a marine electronics installer here in Tampa do the work (was not cheap) but they did an excellent job.  They even took the boat out on the water with me for about an hour to test and provide some instruction on the unit which was a help.  I consider myself very tech savvy but the additional instruction will really help speed up my learning process and confidence in using the unit on the water.  From my limited use so far I am very impressed.  It pick up a very small and low profile johnboat over 1/2 mile away which is one of the very things that causes me pause when navigating the local inland waters at night or early in the morning.  In addition, the chart overlay is awesome showing the traditoinal chart with the radar returns on top.  Anyway, I provided some pictures below so you all can see the finished product.  If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.  Calm water and tight lines-

B

[wingtime]

Looks nice!  I see you have the same Fulton winch I have.  I love how the two speed shifts.  Have you ever had trouble with yours popping out of low gear on you?

[Bergertime]

Thanks!  Got that winch after my old one slipped out of my hand and broke my thumb     I have had it for a couple months now and have used it a fair amount.  No problems as of yet.  How long have you had yours and when did it start acting up?

B

[wingtime]

I've had it since August.  It started acting up when I was winching up the boat on a steep ramp at low tide.  It has done it two or three times.  The handle just seems to drift out from low into the neutral position then the boat scoots back a foot or so before the pawl stops it.  I may try moving the handle out to the longest bolt hole.  It winches in my boat MUCH easier than my old winch.  I sent a email to Fulton Tech support today and I'm waiting to hear back from them.  The winches do carry a lifetime warranty.