Simrad launches Broadband 3G Radar

by Rushton Gregory Communications on 30 Apr 2011 Following the award-winning success of the BR24 Broadband Radar™, Simrad has launched its all-new Broadband 3G™ Radar.

Simrad’s Broadband 3G marks another huge leap forward in the capacity of FMCW radar with a massive 30 per cent increase in both range and target detection without compromise to its already outstanding close range capabilities.

Combining straightforward installation, flexible antenna placement options, low power draw and unrivaled performance, the Simrad Broadband 3G Radar provides the safest navigation possible in all weather conditions, at a significantly more affordable price.

The new Broadband 3G Radar is the next step in revolutionary vessel navigation and collision avoidance, providing boaters with a host of Simrad Yachting’s signature safety and convenience benefits – including superior target definition and separation in close quarters where traditional pulse radar is blind.

The Broadband 3G Radar offers crystal-clear, highly detailed views of surroundings at a range scale down to 1/32 nautical miles (200 ft.), and marks objects within two meters (6.5 ft.) of the boat. Incredibly safe, the new radar transmits 1/10,000 the power of traditional pulse radar – less than 1/5 the energy of a mobile phone – making it safe to install just about anywhere on a boat.

Other innovative 3G features include advanced clutter rejection which virtually eliminates tuning, and rapid cold start and InstantOn™ which enable the radar to power up instantaneously from standby. With incredibly low power consumption, it is also 30 to 50 percent more efficient than traditional pulse radomes. In addition, Broadband 3G Radar supports chart overlay, display networking, MARPA and True Motion Rader Display to distinguish moving vessels from fixed objects or landmasses.

'Broadband 3G Radar represents our driven commitment to introduce innovative marine electronics that offer meaningful benefits to boaters,' said Louis Chemi, COO, Navico Americas. 'We upgraded our award-winning Broadband Radar technology – which already offers best-in-class safety, convenience and short-range capability – and expanded its performance features for even more powerful on-the-water awareness. When released, Broadband 3G will be the most revolutionary radar system available, and we’re offering it at an affordable price point to make it accessible for all boaters.'

The Broadband 3G Radar is compatible with Simrad Yachting’s full range of brilliant NS navigation systems – the NSO Offshore, NSE Expert and NSS Sport. Also available in the Lowrance and B and G model lineup, it is compatible with award-winning Lowrance HDS and B and G Zeus multifunction displays.

The Simrad Broadband 3G’s compact 18-inch radome measures 11.02-inches high x 19.28-inches diameter (280 mm x 489 mm), weighs 16.3 pounds (7.4 kg), and installs quickly with an easy-to-route 0.5-inch (13.5 mm) diameter scanner cable. Drawing only 18 watts of power during operation and two watts in standby, the Broadband 3G has an operating temperature range of -13 to +131 degrees Fahrenheit (-25 to +55 degrees Celsius) and can operate in winds up to 100 knots.

The radar transmits on the X-band with a frequency of 9.3 to 9.4 GHz and has a sweep rotation frequency of 200Hz. Its antenna has a peak power output of 165 mW. The Broadband 3G is waterproof to the IPX6 standard and protected by a two-year parts and labor warranty.

Price and Availability:

The new Simrad Broadband 3G Radar has a suggested retail price of U.S. $1,699 and will be available in June 2011 from authorized dealers and distributors throughout the United States and Canada. For more information on the Simrad Broadband 3G Radar or the entire line of Simrad Yachting professional-performance marine electronics, click here.

Navico is currently the world’s largest marine electronics company, and is the parent company to leading marine electronics brands: Lowrance, Simrad and B and G. Navico has approximately 1,500 employees globally and distribution in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Simrad Yachting website

Navico website