Which Radar reflector?

[David G]

Morning All,
So which Radar reflector would you install on a RIB?
There is an A-Frame.
Thanks in advance.
David.

[willk]

A medium sized Tri-lens for a discreet but useful installation. Echomax if you want the very best but don't mind having a dustbin sized lump swinging off the RIB

Forget the small cylindrical things - a biscuit tin would work better!

http://www.safety-marine.co.uk/spage...-reflector.htm

[Pikey Dave]

Depends. If you want something that's passive & works, echomax 230bm. If you want something that looks nice, don't bother, save your money. If you want to go active, then echomax & mcmurdo do active sarts, but be prepared to put your hand in your pocket. You can purchase "seconds" directly from echomax, the quick release base mount is also useful.


.....sh1t happens.......

[Searider]

Trilens every time.
Not cheap but does perform.
Echomax also good - but quite big.
Clear tubular ones useless.

[lakelandterrier]

Depends on size of rib and use I'd say.

Pootling around inshore / beach hopping in good weather is different from off shore / sea crossings near shipping lanes, and venturing out in poor visibility / night.

on my RC5.3m I have a tri-lens that fits neatly on the A-frame and doesn't block the all-round white nav light. My use is in shore / coastal, and daytime.

[beamishken]

When you see the level of attention being paid to instrument's etc on the bridge of a commercial vessel your far better to just keep out the way than rely on them seeing a little blip on the radar this was the bridge of a 100m anchor handler in transit to port roughly 15 miles from shore

[Poly]

Originally Posted by beamishken

When you see the level of attention being paid to instrument's etc on the bridge of a commercial vessel your far better to just keep out the way than rely on them seeing a little blip on the radar this was the bridge of a 100m anchor handler in transit to port roughly 15 miles from shore

Mmmm... But if you find yourself in fog (or other situations where you might not see them first) giving yourself every opportunity to be seen makes sense.

Active (Electrical) reflectors make sense on ribs if you have deep pockets and regularly expect to find yourself in the path of ships monitoring radar, but it's worth bearing in mind that if the feaces fan interface is functioning you might have no power!

In an ideal world you might have your own radar, but without a competent navigator it may not add much value.

I do have one of the much maligned tubes (its poor reputation is one of the reasons Ive not fitted it yet). I'm sceptical that they are totally useless on a powerboat, but of course getting it high enough to be above any waves is an issue too.

[Razorbill RIBs]

Just fitted the mid size Viking trilens on the new boat.... Had wanted to go for another cyclops (another trilens type), but the price made my eyes water (3 times the price of the Viking unit).

They perform well in test and take up little room.....

[ShinyShoe]

Where does the two metal pyramids joined together like this:

RADAR REFLECTOR - Advitek Marine Systems A.M.S. B.V.

fit in the spectrum of rubbishness...?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Where does the two metal pyramids joined together like this:

RADAR REFLECTOR - Advitek Marine Systems A.M.S. B.V.

fit in the spectrum of rubbishness...?

The Echomax is basically the next generation of those, inside a plastic tub. They are the original geodesic design that gives the radar beam plenty of corners to bounce off. Iirc, they have to be mounted canted off the vertical to work correctly. A lot better response than the Plastimo tube type, I.e. More than zero.


.....sh1t happens.......

[Searider]

Radar reflector test results here:

https://assets.digital.cabinet-offic...ors_report.pdf

[Daniel]

Echomax

[Stevie J]

What model is that Daniel?

S

[whisper]

+1 Echomax


www.customrib.co.uk

[GuyC]

After seeing what turned out to be a tri lens radar reflector on Lunasea and reading good reports on it, I thought I'd investigate the price. Whilst I can find most things on the internet, the tri lens is evading me.

Are they still on the go?

The Echomax Compact seems to be an alternative option.

[mick]

👍👍

[Poly]

Originally Posted by GuyC

After seeing what turned out to be a tri lens radar reflector on Lunasea and reading good reports on it, I thought I'd investigate the price. Whilst I can find most things on the internet, the tri lens is evading me.

Are they still on the go?

The Echomax Compact seems to be an alternative option.

I think tri lens is no longer in production.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by beamishken

When you see the level of attention being paid to instrument's etc on the bridge of a commercial vessel your far better to just keep out the way than rely on them seeing a little blip on the radar this was the bridge of a 100m anchor handler in transit to port roughly 15 miles from shore

Yep...Reflectors COMPLETE waste of time (on a Low profile craft like a RIB) money,space,and look atrocious!
A comfort Blanket for the Nervous Boater???

[Bern Hanreck]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Yep...Reflectors COMPLETE waste of time (on a Low profile craft like a RIB) money,space,and look atrocious!
A comfort Blanket for the Nervous Boater???

Not so sure about that !

https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4...es/Annex15.htm

If you regularly cruise in waters frequented by ferries and any other large vessels , it goes without saying that you stay out of their way . If I were " broken down" or otherwise stranded , I would like that extra bit of security.......

Some have even suggested carrying a roll of baking foil for such emergencies

[willk]

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

If you regularly cruise in waters frequented by ferries and any other large vessels , it goes without saying that you stay out of their way...

Some have even suggested carrying a roll of baking foil for such emergencies

'Cos yer Goose is gonna be Cooked...?