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Post by hoppy on Jun 20, 2015 12:59:46 GMT
Anyone gone to the trouble of doing some research or reading reviews on passive radar reflectors? Currently I have something like this on one of the stays I'm wondering if it is better to get something like the Echo Max EM230 Midi. Just the simple logic of big must be better tells me it is a worthy upgrade. I'm under the impression that EM is good but I have not seen independent tests that confirm it. I figure that whilst the mast is down maybe I should get an upgrade, not that fitting one should be much of a challenge to a rigger.
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Post by touchngo on Jun 20, 2015 13:11:00 GMT
I'm thinking of the Echomax Active-XS Dual Band Radar target Enhancer. I figure they're more likely to alter course if they thing I'm as big as a super tanker!
Your mileage may differ though.
PT
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Post by hoppy on Jun 20, 2015 14:26:34 GMT
I figure that AIS should hopefully be the primary method of saying "Hey, I'm over here", so I'm happy to keep the RR passive, but I figure it wont hurt to be more noticeable.
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Post by so36idavid on Jun 21, 2015 6:30:54 GMT
I'm wondering if it is better to get something like the Echo Max EM230 Midi. Just the simple logic of big must be better tells me it is a worthy upgrade. I'm under the impression that EM is good but I have not seen independent tests that confirm it. If it's independent tests you want then check out Yachting Monthly's test of all manner of radar reflectors. Based on their tests I would say that the EM230 is not worth it relative to the Plastimo Octahedral at 1/10 the price and 1/6 the weight. If you want something bigger and better then go for the tri lens. The tube that you have is just about the worst of the lot, sorry . David
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Post by hoppy on Jun 21, 2015 7:18:07 GMT
I'm wondering if it is better to get something like the Echo Max EM230 Midi. Just the simple logic of big must be better tells me it is a worthy upgrade. I'm under the impression that EM is good but I have not seen independent tests that confirm it. If it's independent tests you want then check out Yachting Monthly's test of all manner of radar reflectors. Based on their tests I would say that the EM230 is not worth it relative to the Plastimo Octahedral at 1/10 the price and 1/6 the weight. If you want something bigger and better then go for the tri lens. The tube that you have is just about the worst of the lot, sorry . David LOL my style is really bad If I don't get around to fitting a new unit now I think I'll tell them to bin it anyway. Thanks for the link The plastimo does not look good for a permanent fitting. The large tri performance looks good, but it is rather heavy. Might be good fitting under my radar, perhaps. Probably still leaning towards the EM230
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Post by sunnydayz on Jun 21, 2015 17:33:11 GMT
Plus 1 for the Echomax Dual Band XS which we have recently fitted along with an optional keypad which we installed at the helm. Had cause once to use the VHF to call up a Cruise Liner as it was becoming obvious he would be changing course and we wanted to know if the ship could see us. We asked the officer of the watch if he could see us on AIS as we have a transponder. He said they use radar not AIS, but he was aware of me and there would be no issues. At the time we had something like a the EM230 fitted. We would not rely on being seen by AIS alone especially as we are unsure if big ships can filter out class B.
Our take on it is AIS to see and the RTE to be seen.
Steve
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Post by tedp on Jun 24, 2015 16:02:58 GMT
I installed the EM230 some distance above the spreaders of my SO32 - it can just be seen in my avatar photo. The choice was made on the basis of an older comparative test. The new YM test seems to confirm the old one. The EM230 doesn't perform very well when heeling, but since a yacht tends to dance about rather a lot, I suppose some echoes will be reflected, and the 'spikes' on the horizontal relective pattern are huge.
The large tri-lens weighs half as much as a small outboard engine. The test suggests it for bigger yachts. Not sure whether I'd like it straining the rig on a 40-footer.
For passive protection I would never rely on active devices that need electric power, such as AIS and the SeaMe. Which doesn't mean you cannot fit an active device as an extra measure, since the SeaMe gives a huge signal, but only on the X band, not on the S band used on large ships radars.
At any rate the tube reflector is useless - my boat was fitted with one and it was the first thing I threw out.
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Post by hoppy on Jun 24, 2015 18:49:42 GMT
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Post by tedp on Jun 24, 2015 21:51:46 GMT
Thanks, that's new to me. Price over here is about €950, not much over the X band beacon.
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Post by dilligaf on Jul 25, 2015 16:00:20 GMT
I use my radar in the Pacific Northwest quite often, I see boats on the radar using the cheap reflector balls much better than the long spreader type that "look good". Check out the other boats in the area on your radar during clear days and check out who you can see on radar better......
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Post by rxc on Jul 26, 2015 13:15:26 GMT
I had an uncle who used to work on stealth technology for the US military, and his advice was to buy the biggest one you could stand to look at. He said the round Davis aluminum "balls" that fold flat were the best because they presented the largest radar cross section. He considered all the smaller ones to be true "stealth" radar reflectors.
I have one of those Davis aluminum ball reflectors, and it normally hangs from one of my lower spreaders. I also use the same halliard to hang flags.
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