More of this Feature • Part 1: Keys to the Kingdom • Part 2: Keys to the Kingdom • Electronics Q&A • Lopolights • Garmin Radar • Navman Pilot

Related Resources • Electronics Column Index • Electronics Feature Index

Elsewhere on the Web • Furuno • Lopolights • Garmin • Navman

A distinguishing feature of Garmin’s new 2- and 4-kW radomes is their low profile—only eight inches without the optional pedestal—and extra-wide, 28-inch diameter. The latter dimension means that these units boast a 3.6-degree horizontal beam width, narrower than more conventional 24-inch domes, and hence yielding more precise target discrimination. Plus the processing electronics are all built into the dome and output via Ethernet cable to a router and then onto to Garmin’s 3000 series multifunction displays, which means simplified installation and a scanner that’s nicely independent of any one display’s malfunction.

The results looked good during trials at the Miami International Boat Show, as did the radar’s full and well-implemented control and feature set, which includes MARPA anticollision tracking. The 24-mile-range GMR 20 is $1,920, and the 36-mile GMR 40 is $2,347.

Garmin ( (800) 800-1020. www.garmin.com.

(Note that with this issue, we've begun marking products as "PMY Trialed" when we get to see them fully demonstrated. As always, "PMY Tested" means that we actually got our mitts on the product and tried using it as if we owned it.)

Next page > Navman Pilot > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6