26 strike

OceanCityHank

I used that radar with an IPAD mini for a while, it was an easy implementation, and working great detecting surroundings in nighttime, daytime voice alerts for approaching vessels etc. For $800 - $900 it is quite capable wireless router.

Never let me down. Well not powerful/capable as more expensive radars, and no bird finding capabilities exists...

Mind you that router could be operated by GP1871F (chirp capable MFD), GP1971F (chirp capable MFD) as well...

iFishMD

I have photos of one being used with a GP1971F that I will try to dig up. It is a nice little radar. Seems to paint targets very well.

abbor

The dome is 19.2" in diameter, this is indicating a 18" antenna which should give a horizontal beam width of about 5 degrees. But DRS4W has 7.2 degrees beam width, this is the typical performance of a 12" scanner. The radar performance seems to be degraded by Furuno to not cause any competition for Furuno's other radar products.

cravenMH

Really not an answer to the OP question, but I'm sure he appreciates the conjecture.

Omarf4

26 strike

RickC137

Seriously considering this unit. Problem is that I'm an Android guy. However, it looks like you can buy a 9" wifi-only iPad for around $150, putting a radar with display on your boat for right at $1,000.

For the folks that have the unit, does that seem right? Am I missing anything other than maybe investing in a RAM mount and Scanstrut/Seaview mast for the radome?

Having used large commercial marine radar, I realize this doesn't compare. But, in the event of GPS failure, this basic radar, a compass and paper chart would be more than adequate I think. Gotta be better than the 80's vintage radars on the old 41's and 44's

Omarf4

I have about 400 hours on the unit (moved to a new boat each time I get one) and so far it’s done paid for itself several times over. I only use it at night when fishing and it does exactly what a radar should do. Really no complaints.

yilhan

I use it with furuno 1971f and furuno heading pg700. It does excellent work with radar and map overlay.

The price and performance value are satisfactory.

njk4o5

dont buy the wifi only Ipad, for a couple bucks more get the cell capable one so you can use navionics or Inavx as a backup gps. you dont have to have a cell plan for those apps to work just a cell capable Ipad so that its got the built in GPS inside of it.

I love this thread i didnt even know there was a radar that could function to an ipad. too bad no bird mode id like to play around with that but for the price this is hard to beat, and i wont have to buy a $$$ MFD and run all new wiring, just have to buy another $150 Ipad

RickC137

Excellent advice and you are absolutely correct. I purchased and received this radar two days ago. Bought a used 2017 iPad (9.7" display) WITH cellular for the reason you described. I hooked up the radar in my house to test it for connectivity because the boat is still shrink-wrapped.

It fired right up after I connected it via wifi to the iPad. All functions appear to work ok, but obviously I cant give a report on performance.

But, I have determined that the iPad is invaluable as a back up plotter. I purchased the ios version of Navionics (I have it on my Android devices) and all my route archives transferred over. Also learned that the TimeZero charting app WILL overlay with the radar, so once I'm installed on the boat I'll probably purchase that.

Spent $100 on a RAM mount for the iPad so now I'll have radar with 9.7" display, probably with chart overlay, and back up Navionics chart plotting to supplement my Garmin Echomap.

RickC137

Installed and functional. Still need to get offshore a bit to get a good read on it

Drjbc3

3M dual lock tape mounts the iPad where you want it, and allows you to remove the iPad.

Just keep swimming

Rick- what's the verdict years later- still a fan of this model?

dreaminphp

Rick do you have the power supply for this wired into a switch or does the iOS app turn the radar on/off?

RickC137

Happy with it for what is is. If you need radar for foggy conditions on a small boat it is more than adequate. It is so easy to use, a caveman can do it. Close in detail is excellent with a nice bow shaped return on a boat that was within less than 75 feet.

It does NOT have ARPA/MARPA, but it does have adjustable alarm zones.

I haven't had an opportunity to look for birds, but it will show some lobster pot buoys.

I have it connected to a fused switch. Without it, there is alway power to the unit. However, it is turned on/off (standby) via the on screen controls. There is no "power supply" seperate from the radome. It's just the radome and the power cable coming from it.