Just thought I'd do a quick update. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was installing a Garmin GR40 as a back-up radar to my Furuno. While I haven't had the time to give it a full run thru, I did finish up the install and have a few general observations....
A quick background....
I originally had a Garmin 2010C with the fish finder module. When the 3010C came out, I wanted to upgrade the system so I could add some video feed on the bridge from the engine room and wanted the network capability so I could add a 3006C to the lower helm.
Well, like most projects, this one grew and I ended up adding the Weather/XM module as well as the GR40 Radar dome. Did I need it... well, no... but I already have back-ups for every other system, and since I already had the rest of the hardware, I figured why not.....
In short, the addition allowed me a combo fish-finder, chart plotter as well as real time weather info and radar information. The network capability allowed me to bring all this info into the lower helm (in the cockpit), which should be very useful this coming season.
As far as the Radar comparison goes... off hand I see two major differences between the two units. The Furuno I have is an analog system. At close in settings, the objects are as they appear. The Garmin is a digital unit and close in objects are displayed in super-pixel blocks. It takes a little getting used to, but it's similar to the fish-finder display... blocky vs the main Furuno fish-finder unit.
I do like the idea of being able to configure the menu and display multiple pieces of information. This Garmin display is also mounted on the bridge lower counsel, while the Furuno units (Radar, side scan sonar and fish-finder) are mounted on the overhead counsel.
I need to spend some time with the Garmin unit, used both systems in the harbor Saturday night and the Garmin unit seemed to pick out targets and display them larger than the Furuno unit (again, the super pixel rounding up vs analog). This works well for pinpointing buoys, which always seemed to display as thin lines on the Furuno.
However, as I ran under a bridge the Garmin (which was in Auto mode) seemed to go into over saturation mode, requiring me to do a manual readjust after I cleared the bridge to bring down the gain. The Furuno was not affected.
Still, too early to make any real comments... just general observations.
I will note that I do like having real time weather on board. I have a Furuno weatherfax in the salon, but having the info overlaid on the chart plotter is a huge benefit. We had a number of storms last week and I was able to watch the storm cells as they drifted over my slip and could predict light vs heavy rain, as well as breaks. The swell info and water temp breaks should be helpful as well during our upcoming Tuna season.
Here are a few pics of the two units and similar settings while in the slip. The first couple pics are showing the dome on top, with the Furuno. The Garmin pizza dome is large, but not too large for this installation. Both units run without interference.
http://momentoffame.com/photopost/da...G_1169-med.JPG http://momentoffame.com/photopost/da...G_1170-med.JPG http://momentoffame.com/photopost/da...G_1189-med.JPG http://momentoffame.com/photopost/da...G_1187-med.JPG 
Garmin Radar Installation 
