Raymarine is launching its new HD Digital radar at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show., Raymarine says that it is “making a massive technological leap” with this true digital radar technology, which delivers high quality performance and target display in a 4kW package that rivals the performance of significantly larger and more powerful 25 kW radars.
This evolutionary breakthrough has been achieved thanks to Raymarine's development of Digital Signal Processing. Using true 'front end' digital technology, Raymarine says it has significantly improved target detection by eliminating virtually all unwanted noise and thereby enhancing the detection of small targets.
By processing 16,000 levels of data digitally, this provides leisure users with the type of radar images and detailed accuracy only previously available on commercial vessels -with options to use 256 colours on graded target returns.
Raymarine says that for leisure users, it's like comparing images from a black and white TV to the image available from a high definition colour TV.
Raymarine's new HD Digital open array radars are available in two sizes - 48” and 72” - and both offer a maximum range of 72 nautical miles, while weighing less than 29 kg. A key benefit of HD Digital radar is its ability to work in dual range mode.
With its exclusive method of processing two distinct ranges of data, Raymarine's HD Digital effectively gives users two separate and independently controlled radars in one package. This gives the opportunity to see and control both long range and short-range displays at the same time.
Another useful feature for users of HD Digital is the multi-level colour target display. This means that targets with different echo return strengths - such as a vessel in front of a rocky island, or rain on vessels or navigational buoys - is shown on the display in a different colour.
Fully SeaTalk network compatible, the high resolution and clarity of the new HD Digital radar is particularly impressive on Raymarine's new ultra bright G Series monitors, and multi function E series brilliant sunlight viewable screens, says the company.
Using Raymarine's new thin wire connections, the HD Digital radars are also said to be easy to install thanks to the external waterproof connector. Operating using 10.3 to 32V DC power, the system comes complete with an external voltage converter.
Described as “intuitively simple to use,” the HD Digital radars offer a choice of auto modes - for use in coastal, harbour, and offshore areas as well as a setting specifically for buoy detection.
As well as providing better performance and accuracy, the 4kW power consumption is around 25 per cent less than the power required to achieve similar high quality images from a much larger, commercial vessel quality radar.
Raymarine's new HD Digital open array radars will retail at £2,965 (€4,269) ex VAT and £3,440 (€4,953) ex VAT for the 48” and 72” respectively.
