Furuno UHD Radar

[Sharphooks]

I probably sound like a shill for Furuno but I thought I'd share these screen caps of UHD radar overlayed on GPS chart

The old story with Furuno is truer then true---sometimes it's a major PITA getting them hooked up properly and tweaked right, but once you get your unit dialed in, they are Gold.

I finally figured out my Fluxgate Compass (they want to be mounted on the centerline of your boat). Once I got it calibrated, the UHD radar overlayed perfectly on the GPS chart

Here's a shot of a large container ship approaching my port beam---now that is a TARGET!




Back when the magnetic compass was whacky, you could see that land masses were always a bit "off" the GPS chart---made for some sweaty-palm moments in the fog. Now they overlay perfectly.

These new units are quite a navigation tool. For years I had a stand-alone Furuno 1623 (B&W analogue)---although it did what it was supposed to do, this UHD is in another league as far as target definition. You basically turn it on---for the most part, none of the old-style knob tweaking required. User friendly!

 

[gogglesvancouver]

Nice unit, how much does one like that set you?

Edit: Damn, 10k for the monitor and radar?


Have an old 1830 that is giving me some trouble, not transmitting targets. Any recommendations in the vancouver area for a marine electricians with reasonable rates?
Within 3 years, another repair job..... (previous one is 600), now...no idea. Need it fixed it though.

 

[Sharphooks]

My boat is loaded with Furuno equipment but none of it was purchased at retail. I believe in supporting local business but none of my local Furuno dealers would cut ANY kind of deal so I resorted to Craigslist, eBay and The Hull Truth classifieds.

The Furuno Navnet MFD 12---yes, they retail for $ 4k + but some guy on THT offered a brand new in box MFD12 for $2000. Everyone thought he was a scammer due to low price for new. I got his phone number, called him in Florida, and he explained he had just bought a boat and the bank had thrown in the new Navnet unit "to sweeten the deal" . He wanted to stick with Raymarine and wanted to dump the Navnet. I RAN to the Post Office to get a Money Order.

The UHD radar---some guy in California had several used domes for sale. I think they were Furuno demo units and he somehow got his hands on them.
I rolled the dice and took a chance-- when I received it in the mail, it was basically brand new--one small scuff on the dome--- $ 1500. The key to purchasing marine electronics on these sites---try and get a phone number and have a few conversations with the Seller. You can usually get a feel for what you're buying, how much use it's had, whether the investment makes sense or not

So if you keep your eyes and ears open, you can get the good stuff at a reasonable rate. Case in point---the Furuno 585 (which is a FANTASTIC color sounder), is now consider "old technology" because it has since been supplanted by the 587 (and now the CHIRP units) Three years ago you had to pay full retail for a 585 ($ 1,200--1,400) They are now freely available for $ 600 - 800.

Your 1830---if it's not transmitting targets it sounds like a tired magnetron. Those come up on eBay regularly, but you'd probably be better off just upgrading-- once the UHD series became available, the 1600 and 1700 series regularly started trading on eBay at steep discount. That 1623 is small but powerful. Easy to find them for $ 500 - 700. Might be cheaper in the long run to go that route rather then try and fix the 1830

If you want to fix it, I would send it to FUSA in Camas. You never know--you might get the dome back with a new magnetron at "no charge"

Another option: contact this guy in Florida---His name is "Max"

He runs a business selling used marine electronics and ALWAYS has used Furuno equipment--he's honest and helpful and will save you money:

mstyle8517@gmail.com

If he sells you a replacement magnetron, he'll have tested it first to make sure it's fully operable


good luck!

 

[gogglesvancouver]

That is some fantastic info Sharphooks.

I agree, the deals online/states are just too good. It's unfortunate. Thanks' for the contact on the Furuno parts guy and really? Furuno USA might repair it free? That would be incredible. Granted, the shipping would be a tad expensive, but free is great. I'll give them a call.