Furuno 1623 Radar

[Cornfed]

I was going to buy a Lowrance radar to network with my Lowrance LCX-111c GPS unit, but was basically told that Lowrance radars are crap and to go with furuno. I have heard this from a lot of people and all you really have to do is take a walk down the dock and it becomes clear that people do like furuno radar. I just need something that will do the job. I talked with Boaters World at the boat show and they said the best "low level" radar unit they have for the money is the Furuno 1623 radar. It is $1000 plus tax, free shipping. includes dome, lcd screen and all connections.

What do you guys think about the radar discussion?

[RIKTRONIC]

$s for the price, im $100 over. $1000 is a good deal. The 1623 is a great radar for the price.

for a little more $$ you might want to check out the furuno 1715. a little more power and a bit larger of a screen.

[Magnanimous]

I have the 1715 and I love it...it is interfaced with my Furuno 1850 gps, and its great....I would go with the 1715....

Mark

[Russell A. Jost]

Forget the money issue for now and go with the Furuno. As far as size goes more transmit power means better resolution and target separation. What are your needs- do you go out at night? What are your chances of getting caught in fog bank? One of the best safety pieces of equipment you can have on board. I would not leave the dock without one.

[fishfighter]

Questions to ask are what type of fishing you do and boat size?1623 unit is a take off from the 1621 unit with just a couple more bells.The 1623 unit is a good base unit that will connect over to a GPS unit.It will get you in and out to sea.I will NOT pick up birds out 10 miles from you nor T storms 15 miles from you.Now,the best thing about a radar is to learn how to use one first.I had seen people with real nice high power units that didn't know how to use them.So,what good is it to have one if you don't know how to use one.

[Cornfed]

Questions to ask are what type of fishing you do and boat size?1623 unit is a take off from the 1621 unit with just a couple more bells.The 1623 unit is a good base unit that will connect over to a GPS unit.It will get you in and out to sea.I will NOT pick up birds out 10 miles from you nor T storms 15 miles from you.Now,the best thing about a radar is to learn how to use one first.I had seen people with real nice high power units that didn't know how to use them.So,what good is it to have one if you don't know how to use one.

I have a 25' Starcraft Expedition (no tower) and will be fishing for albacore and salmon. Although it may be nice at times to pick up birds, I will most likely not be able to do it because of my lower profile and crappy seas. Most of the time I will be picking up the 8' swell right next to me. In order for the radar to connect to a gps and be able to see the radar scan overlayed with the map data, I assume the units have to be the same brand? or do they just need to be NMEA 2000 capable? For my GPS, I have a Lowrance LCX-11c HD. Another gentlemen offered to sell me his Furuno 1715 for $600. That unit, I believe, has a 24 km range and little bit more power. I will look into that. I agree...a radar is worthless if you don't have a clue how to use it. I need from mostly a safety standpoint (ship traffic and navigating in the fog).

[yachtjim]

$1000 is a great price Must be time for them to unload some inventory. I too would opt for the 1715. It is just $400 or so more and offers a bigger screen and more power.

[Cornfed]

$1000 is a great price Must be time for them to unload some inventory. I too would opt for the 1715. It is just $400 or so more and offers a bigger screen and more power.

Jim - I checked out BOE and couldn't find that radar on the site. Do you guys have a lot more than what is posted? The price is $1000 plus tax. So it would come out to roughly $1090 with free shipping. It is a Seattle Boat Show, Boater's World special. It won't be that price after the show, but I think I am going to opt for the 1715. At only $400 more, why not?

[yachtjim]

It is on our site. You can either put 1623 into the search box up top or browse to it Marine Electronics / Radar - Dome / Furuno. Either way gets you there. Our normal price is $1130 shipped. Give me a jingle and I'll hook you up with a competitive price

[Jambone]

I have some questions regarding this topic. I was just about to post a seperate thread but figured jumping in here would be better. I am also looking at new systems. I have an old Furuno suite on my Hydra-Sports; Furuno Marine Radar Model 1622, and Furuno Color GPS Plotter Sounder 1650DF. I'd like to buy the Navnet gear but I know very little about this product line. Aside from the new Navnet 3D, which Furuno equipment models would you guys recommend for combined multi-function display radar, chart plotter, depth finder. I’m currently installing a through mount transducer for my current chart plotter. I'm also trying to determine if it's a good idea to go from a dome to open array radar. I really think the Navnet 3D stuff is awesome but is it really worth paying premium dollars for it vice the regular Navnet stuff? I know these are wide open questions but I'm just looking for some opinions. I'm simply just not happy with the mono-chrome display of the 1622 and mapping limitations of the 1650. I'd like to replace both with single display, all-in-one, mid to high end Furuno gear. I fish the Chesapeake Bay and off-shore out of Virginia Beach and North Carolina.