Marine electronics manufacturer Furuno has introduced a new series of commercial radars designed to streamline operations on the bridge.
The company says that the FAR2XX8MK2 radar series provides clearer and more accurate radar images of surroundings compared to its predecessors, while simplifying maintenance requirements.
Images are processed inside the antenna unit, where analogue information is directly converted to digital signals before being sent to the below-deck processor unit. The gearbox and antenna have been redesigned to reduce aerodynamic drag, while a brushless DC motor should allow the unit to operate for prolonged periods without the need for frequent maintenance.
All primary components are assembled in a removable block or ‘sled’ inside the gearbox, Furuno notes.
Operation is managed via an InstantAccess Bar that contains shortcut menus and a Status Bar that provides operating status, including modes of operation and presentation.
All operations can be controlled with a trackball, with ACE (Automatic Clutter Elimination) functionality to allow the operator to adjust the radar image with a single button press. When activated, ACE automatically adjusts clutter reduction filters and gain controls according to surrounding conditions, especially in busy and congested harbours and waterways.
