jlr

I just installed a Garmin Phantom 18 radar. I am quite familiar with radars, having had open array Furuno radars for many years. On this Garmin radar, I am getting very poor return from can buoys for some reason. The radar reflectors on poles give me a great return as does the floating round 5 mph no wake markers. But, for some reason, the shape of the green can buoys may be just too much for this radar and just do not come through well at all. I do not think it is a gain issue as I am most familiar with how to set up a gain on a radar, Any suggestions would be appreciated.

jlr

Anybody?

AKGriz

I don't know anything about the Garmin "Phantom" radar; I do have a GMR Fantom 18 (sorry, couldn't resist poking a little fun!). Headed out this weekend into a SCA in Prince William Sound (hence won't get out very far outside Valdez Narrows) but will check mine to see if I'm having similar issues and/or can find a helpful solution for you. Haven't noticed any issues with green cans in the two years I've had it--I actually use it to find my shrimp buoys (LD-4s) at night if I get my lazy self up to go pull! Will advise if I find anything useful.

1997MAKO231

Mine marks as it should . Check software....how is it installed? anything in front (etc) ?

jlr

The installation is fine and there is nothing in front. I am wondering whether the 5.2 degree beam width may just be too poor for these circular returns. I hope not.

raybark

Could it be the broadcast angle from horizontal? You can see day marks that are taller, right? Maybe you’re just catching the cans with the outer edges of your beam.

ansel

can you post a pic of the set up from the side displaying the mount angle relative to the horizon

rscriven

Does the speed of your boat cause the loss of targets i.e., you are going faster and dont see the marks? If so, perhaps the angle the dome is mounted may be the cause

AKGriz

I set mine to factory default while I was out in the Sound just to see what would happen--green cans show up about the same as a big oil tanker minus the AIS triangle. I'd be inclined to agree with other posters about your physical mount--otherwise, try resetting to factory default. Bottom line, you've got something wrong going on!

Unevensteven

It needs to be mounted on the same angle you are running at on plane. I have my 24" Fantom set to 5 degrees nose down because my boat runs about 5 degrees bow up while on plane.

jlr

Mine is set to 4 degrees down angle. Same result when going slow or fast. I will reset it to factory default as suggested. It does indeed sound like something is wrong here.

Gali

Ive ran a Simrad Halo20+ and a Fantom 18. Quite frankly I am dissapointed with the target pickup and clairity of the Fantom vs the halo. The halo can pickup individual targets miles away that are stacked ontop of each other. The garmin is always one big blob. There is also no scale to the targets, hard to tell bouy vs a 150' yacht.

I've tried every setting available in the menu. My unprofessional conclusion is that the Simrad is just far superior.

westbootie

Hate to also pile on the Fantom but I just ran my boat for the first time after my install and to say I'm disappointed would be an understatement.
poor target pick up and tough to distinguish things apart

My old boat with a 8 year old Raymarine radar was much easier to read and cleaner.

dove72

Broadband radars just don't have a lot of range. It's not one of their advantages. My Raymarine Quantum 18" only picks up small center console boats (20 - 24 ft) at about 1.5 statute miles. And that's when I have the adjustments set where I am seeing a number of spurious targets. For those with the Fantom 18 or others, how far away can you see smaller fishing boats?

marketic

I’m fully subscribed on this discussion! I just sold a boat that was running Furunuo DRS4D NXT —-tomorrow, I take delivery of a new-to-me boat that has is running the Fanton 18 ——first time I’ll ever run a boat with 100% Garmin...I was going to run the boat home from the manufacturer to my home (3 hour run) but we have thick smoke blanketing all our water from forest fires...you guys are giving me pause with the comments about the Fantom 18...hope I don’t regret cutting loose that DRS4NXT—ultra sharp returns, amazing target separation