02 September 2022
From compact radomes to long‑range open arrays, this guide explains how each radar type performs on the water, so you can select the setup that matches your boating ambitions.
Raymarine offers a wide range of marine radar systems for all types and sizes of boats. Whether for fishing, sailing, or cruising, radar systems from Raymarine keep you aware of surrounding traffic, hazards and obstacles, approaching weather and so much more. To deliver peak performance no matter your vessel type, we offer radar in both Radome and Open Array configurations.
Radome radars are perfect for sailboats, RIBs, and smaller powerboats. They pack big radar features into a small enclosure, making them perfect for vessels with limited space. And unlike open array, there are no exposed rotating parts that could get tangled in lines, rigging or sails.
Quantum Radars use CHIRP pulse-compression technology to deliver exceptionally clear target separation at both short and long ranges. The Quantum radar has very low power consumption making it ideal for battery-conscious sailing and electric vessels. They're lightweight and offer wireless data capability, making it ideal for mounting aloft on sailboat masts, tuna towers and other complex and weight-sensitive locations. Quantum is a great choice for coastal navigation and reliable collision-avoidance in all conditions.
Quantum 2 adds advanced Doppler-based moving-target tracking. Targets moving toward you are shown in red, while those moving away are shown in green, allowing skippers to assess situations instantly, which is particularly helpful in busy harbours or narrow channels
Raymarine’s 18- and 24-inch HD Color Marine Radomes are high-power magnetron units with advanced digital signal processing and up to 4kW of output. HD Color models are extremely popular with smaller fishing vessels that don’t have space aloft for an open-array because they have automatic bird mode as a standard feature. These radar units are also fitted with open-array level features including dual-range scanning, high-speed mode and much more.
Open array radar antennas are composed 2 pieces. The base or pedestal unit contains the radar’s transmitting and receiving electronics. Bolted to the top of the pedestal is a rotating antenna array that is 3, 4 or 6-feet long. Open array radar antennas are considerably heavier than radomes, and with their larger diameter antennas, require much more topside space. The benefits of the open array radar though are a huge increases in radar range, performance and capability.
The increased length of the open array radar antenna unit gives the radar an increased level of sensitivity so it can detect weak echoes returning from farther away more effectively. The larger size of the open array radar antenna also allows the radar to better focus its microwave energy beam. By concentrating the energy on-target, this allows the open array to have a longer effective range than a radome-style system. The concentrated energy is also subject to less distortion resulting in a crisper, cleaner radar picture when looking at small contacts near to each other, or a detailed shoreline.
In addition to having a choice of antenna size, the modular configuration of the open-array also gives you a choice of transmit power. This lets you customize the radar to your boating style and needs.
Raymarine's Cyclone Radar is the ultimate tool for collision avoidance and coastal navigation. Available with 55- or 100-watt power output and 3-, 4-, or 6-foot antenna length the Cyclone open array radar is our most advanced radar scanner, ever.
Cyclone uses CHIRP pulse compression technology for superior target discrimination and short-range imaging, while its powerful transmitter and super-sensitive antenna design give it tremendous range capability and sensitivity. Cyclone supports traditional and Doppler radar modes, simultaneously. Its bold design also gives it the capability to work at relative wind speeds in excess of 100-knots, a must-have for today’s high performance power boats.
Magnum radars are a high-performance open-array solution using a traditional magnetron processor and advanced digital processing. Magnum radars are available with 4kW or 12 Kw transmitters and your choice of a 4- or 6-foot antenna array. Not only is Magnum great for traditional navigation and collision avoidance tasks, its also the preferred choice of tournament-winning anglers for its Bird Mode capability.
Both of these open array radar options are ideal for powerboats, fishing boats, motor yachts, commercial, and law enforcement vessels.
