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Getting Started with Garmin Radar
Garmin radar allows connected GPSMAP® chartplotters to detect upcoming shorelines and targets above the water, such as other boats, birds, and heavy precipitation or storm clouds. This helps boats to avoid collisions and safely navigate in situations of low visibility, such as at night or in heavy fog. Flocks of birds may also indicate schools of fish near the water's surface.
NOTE: ECHOMAP™ chartplotters and STRIKER™ fishfinders are not compatible with Garmin radar.
Select a topic below for more information:
How radar works
Radar arrays send narrow radio beams through the air that reflect off of targets above the water. The connected chartplotter then displays these targets, their distance from the boat, and their bearing.
Garmin chartplotters can display radar as an overlay on the navigation and fishing charts, or radar information can be displayed separately by selecting Radar on the home screen.
Garmin radars have different power output ratings. In reading materials, it is commonly referred to as Transmit Power, Output Power, or Transition Power and they all mean the same thing. The greater the output rating, the stronger and more precise the radar returns displayed on the chartplotter. High power outputs enable the chartplotter to see and display smaller targets farther out from the boat.
Larger antennas have narrower, more focused horizontal beamwidths, which can more precisely distinguish between targets that are close together. Narrower beamwidths have a greater minimum range, within which the radar cannot see targets close to the boat. See the radar model's specifications sheet on garmin.com for more information.
Wider antennas will also have a greater maximum range, or how far they can see out from the boat. However, the visibility and clarity of far-away targets will depend on the size of the target.
Garmin radar types
Garmin offers two types of radar:
Magnetron radar is a cost-effective system that gets returns by generating short, high-voltage electromagnetic pulses
Transmit frequency will vary with temperature; the Automatic Frequency Control helps to mitigate this. See Related Content for more information about AFC
The magnetron in the radar degrades over time, limiting the radar's lifespan
Magnetron radar can generate less precise returns due to the volatility of the high-voltage pulse
Solid-state radar uses fully digital solid-state circuit amplifiers. It is considered highly reliable and provides precise frequency control, which allows it to collect Doppler information on targets
Solid-state radar also starts up more quickly, has a higher spin speed, uses consumes less power, and has a longer lifespan than magnetron models
Garmin solid-state radars are called Fantom radars
Fantom solid-state radar compatibility is limited to newer chartplotter models. See the radar model's compatibility page for more information
Both types of radar are available in two forms:
Radomes completely enclose the 18 in. or 24 in. radar array inside a compact plastic dome
These are most commonly used on smaller vessels and on sailboats
Open arrays are 4 ft. to 6 ft. wide. They are mounted on a separate pedestal, which contains all the radar's electronic components
Open arrays have narrower beamwidths due to their greater width, which provides better target separation and greater ranges than radome models
Installing Garmin radar
IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended to mount the radar out of range of any personnel on the boat, and above head height, to avoid eye injuries caused by electromagnetic energy.
Mount the radar high above the boat's keel and away from heat sources, electronics, and cables to prevent electromagnetic interference. Do not remove the in-line fuse holder on the power cable.
See the radar's installation manual for full instructions.
After installing the radar, use the Garmin Marine Network cable to plug it into the chartplotter's marine network port, or into a Garmin network port expander. The radar will be ready to use immediately.
It is recommended to update the software on the chartplotter and radar after the connecting the radar to ensure compatibility. See Garmin Marine Device Software Updates for instructions. Garmin Express and ActiveCaptain, either of which can be used to update the software, will also provide the opportunity to register the radar.
Registering Garmin radar
Since Garmin radars connect to chartplotters through the Garmin Marine Network, they can be registered simultaneously with the chartplotter, using either the Garmin Express desktop application or ActiveCaptain mobile app. See Registering Garmin Marine Devices and Charts and select GPSMAP chartplotters for registration instructions.
Setting up radar features
IMPORTANT: Radar generates radio waves that can be harmful to humans and animals. Make sure the area around the radar is clear before beginning transmission. Do not look directly at the radar when at close range, since the electromagnetic energy could cause eye injury.
Garmin radar requires no setup on the chartplotter to work, but some features can be adjusted according to user preference. See the GPSMAP model owner's manual for more information about interpreting and adjusting radar, and for some general guidance, see this video:
See Radar Display Mode and Feature Compatibility to see feature definitions and a chart of which radar devices and features are compatible with various GPSMAP chartplotter models.