HDS 5 with broadband radar-gctid361597

[Guest]

Does anyone here have a Lowrance HDS 5 with

Broadband radar? I would like to know how well

The 5" screen works for that. I already have a

Garmin 541s so I don't need to split the screen.

The HDS 7 isn't really any taller, just wider.

Thanks

[Guest]

I don't have broadband radar (yet) but I do have an HDS5. My only information on the topic is I tried the radar display on an HDS5 at West Marine that was connected to a Lowrance broadband demo unit. My feeling is if you have the display close to the helm the HDS5 will work just fine.

If you need to have the display located farther away you should probably go with something with a bigger screen size.

[Guest]

Not to jack your thread, but IMO you want the largest screen possible for radar usage.

[Guest]

I am thinking about getting a radar for safety reasons. For at night

and in fog. It sounds like the Broadband radar has the best out there

for close range. I am also looking at the Furuno 1623 as another option.

[Guest]

FL510 wrote:
Does anyone here have a Lowrance HDS 5 with

Broadband radar? I would like to know how well

The 5" screen works for that. I already have a

Garmin 541s so I don't need to split the screen.

The HDS 7 isn't really any taller, just wider.

Thanks

As many have said, bigger is usually better when it comes to screen size. I use a HDS5 for navigation, I've checked out the radar and it seems to be about the same as charting. I had a HDS8 on my dash, and now I have a HDS5 mounted just behind the steering wheel... I think they get about the same performance from the HDS5 being so much closer to me. I bought a NSE8 last year but haven't had a chance to use it, I'd like to recess it where my instruments are which I think would be the ideal setup, then keeping the HDS mounted behind the wheel.

I have a spare HDS5 I bought last year with a cigarette lighter plug on it if you want to borrow it and see if it works for you, one of those "you break it, you buy it" deals though

[Guest]

FL510 wrote:
I am thinking about getting a radar for safety reasons. For at night

and in fog. It sounds like the Broadband radar has the best out there

for close range. I am also looking at the Furuno 1623 as another option.

Same here. We don't get out much when there's fog, but we do end up coming back at night quite a bit. I think for identifying boats/etc., radar overlaid on charts with the HDS5 would be fine. It's just not something you want to use for everyday navigation on a screen that small. Keep in mind the additional costs when you price things... you'll probably need/want the rate compass so that you can have radar overlay (you can get by with a KVH compass if need be, but the rate compasses I think are much more accurate/faster.), the mount, cables/parts, etc.

[Guest]

Pau Hana wrote:
Not to jack your thread, but IMO you want the largest screen possible for radar usage.

So, would you go for a furuno 1623 with a 6" screen or a broadband on a hds5 with a 5" screen?

[Guest]

ishiboo wrote:
As many have said, bigger is usually better when it comes to screen size. I use a HDS5 for navigation, I've checked out the radar and it seems to be about the same as charting. I had a HDS8 on my dash, and now I have a HDS5 mounted just behind the steering wheel... I think they get about the same performance from the HDS5 being so much closer to me. I bought a NSE8 last year but haven't had a chance to use it, I'd like to recess it where my instruments are which I think would be the ideal setup, then keeping the HDS mounted behind the wheel.

I have a spare HDS5 I bought last year with a cigarette lighter plug on it if you want to borrow it and see if it works for you, one of those "you break it, you buy it" deals though

PM sent

[Guest]

The small screens are very difficult to use if your looking for small boats and objects. I know that on some boats space is scarce. It will be difficult to pick out small boats and debris on a small screen except on your 1/8 mile or 1/4 setting. Radar on small screens is more useful for measuring distance to large objects, like land mass large jetties. I know there are those with all kinds of stories about amazing performance with small radar screens but weak reflections are pin points on small screens. Get the largest screen you have room for if your serious about relying on your radar.

[Guest]

Scary wrote:
The small screens are very difficult to use if your looking for small boats and objects. I know that on some boats space is scarce. It will be difficult to pick out small boats and debris on a small screen except on your 1/8 mile or 1/4 setting. Radar on small screens is more useful for measuring distance to large objects, like land mass large jetties. I know there are those with all kinds of stories about amazing performance with small radar screens but weak reflections are pin points on small screens. Get the largest screen you have room for if your serious about relying on your radar.

True, but the choice was between a HDS5 and Furuno 1623... if it were between a HDS8 and a HDS5, I'd say go the 8

The HDS5 is a multi-function display that will allow you to display your radar on future displays as well, is a fantastic NMEA2000 client, and is infinitely expandable through future software upgrades.

The 1623 is a great radar, but it's just that. It's a 2kw standard dome with only a slightly larger black and white display, it does not have the target discrimination that the broadband does, let alone the 3G and 4G models. I'd go with the HDS5 and upgrade the display as money/space permits.

It also depends on where you boat, around here there is little debris to worry about and it's all about tracking idiot fishing boats and rafts without lights... the broadband radars dominate at practical navigation ranges for small vessels.

[JimMc]

I had a Furuno 1623 and worked fine. BUT It is definately old tech and radar only. No overlay. It served us well for 5 years. I disagree with small targets being pinpoints, that was not my experience.

Even with my current Furuno Navnet 3D system I find I prefer a radar only view when using radar in soup. I do a split screen vs chart overlay. The radar blips are more obvious on a radar only view.

Go with something newer and buy a piece at a time to get where you want to be. Get as big a screen as you can afford and will fit. Also be sure to buy a unit that uses the chart card you want to use.

The Broadband stuff is great for up close manuevering.

Standard radar has a dead spot all around the boat. Mine is about 50 foot radius. Broadband has no dead spot around the boat. This might be a factor in pea soup fog and close quarters manuevering.

3G broadband does not have the range of a high power microwave radar. 4G Broadband has more range than 3G but still not like a high power open array. This comes into play when looking out for storms.

[Guest]

I just went over my budget.

I ordered a HDS 8 gen1 and 3G radar

I found a good deal and a couple rebates.

$200 rebate on gen1 HDS 8

$150 rebate on 3G radar



I can't wait.