![\"DSC8073\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/DSC80731.jpg\" "\\"_DSC8073.jpg\\"")
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*Since we posted this article, we have had several comments from readers. Of particular interest was an email from blogger Peter Hayden (MVTanglewood.com<\/a>). Scroll down to read Peter’s\u00a0comments on his Simrad experience. We are curious to know your thoughts if you use Simrad, in particular their radar…Please comment and let us know.*<\/p>\n We\u2019ve now had 11,000 nautical miles of concentrated experience with the Simrad Marine electronics suite aboard FPB 78-1 Cochise,<\/em> and the time has come for an evaluation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is the first time we have personally used an integrated electronics package–in this case including radar, autopilot, chart plotter, depth sounder and forward looking sonar, AIS, VHF, and side scan sonar. In the past we have chosen what we felt was the best radar (usually Furuno), autopilot (mostly WH), radios (typically Icom), and chart plotter (most recently Rose Point).<\/p>\n This time we went with Simrad for several reasons. They had a robust and stable software platform, the charting system accepted a wide variety of different manufacturers’ charts, we were very impressed with the 4G radar and assumed (wrongly as it has turned out) that the Halo would be a breakthrough in target definition due to its much larger antenna. We also liked the apparent ease of operation, and there were theoretical benefits cost-wise to the installation of an integrated system.<\/p>\n We were concerned with the autopilot being able to handle our big rudders in heavy weather without oversteering, and did not give much credence to the \u201cGo Free\u201d wireless app.<\/p>\n First the good news. The platform is indeed stable. We have not had a system lockup. The AP70 pilot is superb. There are a variety of work modes that\u00a0are easily programmed and switched between, and the turn and track functions work very\u00a0well. We really like this autopilot. Our only complaint is that sea state, or dead-band as it is sometimes called, is not easily changed and is global rather than being adjustable for each work mode. The forward looking and side scan sonars are useful and very modest in cost compared to a proper searchlight sonar (but of course have nowhere near a searchlight sonar\u2019s capability).<\/p>\n The list of comments that follow were compiled by both Steve Parsons and this writer. Between us we have in excess of half a million sea miles of experience using radar, along with a fair amount of paper and electronic charting time as well. While it is entirely possible we have some installation or operator issues impacting our Simrad performance, we have been unsuccessful in getting a response from anyone at the company towards educating us – or checking out our systems – which in itself, of course, sends a message. Since SetSailors know we are using this gear, there is an implied endorsement if we don\u2019t mention the negatives.<\/p>\n We consider radar to be the most important of all electronics tools. And the most critical aspect of radar is target definition and the ability to pull targets out of rain and sea clutter. Everything else is secondary. Here are the items we forwarded in several emails to Simrad:<\/p>\n The chart plotter:<\/p>\n We are hopeful that there will be a software upgrade that corrects these issues, or we will find a glitch somewhere, but if not, we will eventually have to replace the Halo radar. Based on this experience the owner of FPB 78-3 has decided to go with Furuno gear.<\/p>\n Email from blogger Peter Hayden:<\/p>\n\n
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