Furuno announced today an industry first: a radar that delivers its signal wirelessly from its new 19-inch 4KW radome to either an iPad or iPhone on board.
The new product has been tested on the Chesapeake all spring and summer, says Tim Moore, GM of East Coast Operations, and has performed flawlessly. Listed at a draw of 2 amps, the 24-mile X-band radar is easier to install — only a power cord is needed — and is designed to work with Apple iPads/iPhones using simplified controls such as pinch to zoom, automatic gain and sea clutter all in apps downloadable from the Apple App store.
The product (DRS4W) will be available by the end of 2014 with a tentative street price of approximately $1,695 (not including iPad). The apps are free.
Furuno is not known for being the first to market, preferring to wait to "get it right" as the company likes to say, but they are known for reliable equipment that they are willing to service as long as 30 years after purchase.
The new product has limitations. There is only one radome available, it supports only two devices at time, it does not permit AIS, chart overlays etc., but navigators should find this new product an affordable, low-cost, low-power drain approach to radar for the future.
–Alex Agnew at the Annapolis Boat Show
Quick demo of Furuno's new iPad radar display with simplified interface.
