• The dragonfly is bonded for all-weather performance and guaranteed never to fog up.
  • It is claimed that the Dragonfly display offers superb clarity at 600 feet, even at speed, thanks to DownVision CHIRP technology.
  • Quantum’s solid-state design and efficient electronics are a huge bonus, significantly reducing power consumption and extending battery life.

Quantum Leap

The London Boat Show saw the UK launch of two products from Raymarine: the Quantum CHIRP radar and the Dragonfly 7 PRO sonar/GPS combination. Greg Copp tells us more…

Radar has come forward in leaps and bounds since digital radar first appeared on the scene, but the Quantum CHIRP looks to be a game changer. It is the first recreational marine radar featuring CHIRP pulse compression technology. In exceedingly simple terms, pulse compression uses far less power and achieves much higher levels of clarity, even at its maximum range of 24nm. It does not reach further than conventional magnetron radar, but what you see in terms of navigational marks, other craft and even the weather is claimed to be unmatched in terms of detail. As well as being long-sighted, clear images as close as 18 feet away are also possible, so if you are creeping through the mist, there will be little doubt as to what could be closing on your bow.

Quantum’s CHIRP pulse compression technology uses multiple compressed radar pulses with FLIR’s exclusive ATX advanced target separation technology to display with a very high-resolution quality compared to traditional magnetron radars. Quantum’s on-board processing also automatically eliminates rain and sea clutter, blocks interference from other radars, and ensures a noise-free, easy-to-interpret image in congested waterways.

Quantum’s lightweight design and Wi-Fi connectivity make it easy to install and simple to operate. At only 12lb (5.4kg), Quantum weighs 50 per cent less than traditional magnetron radars, and the internal solid-state components are a fraction of the size of the internals of a magnetron radar. This system is a reality for smaller boats that could not normally house a heavy power-hungry dome mounted high above the boat’s centre of gravity. Quantum breaks new ground with its Wi-Fi networking connection to Raymarine’s multifunction displays, making installation much easier and eliminating the need for additional radar cabling or interface boxes.

For sailing vessels, Quantum’s solid-state design and efficient electronics are a huge bonus, significantly reducing power consumption and extending battery life.

The Quantum CHIRP radar will be available worldwide in the first quarter of 2016 starting at £1,495 (inc. VAT).

 

The new Dragonfly 7 PRO is a feature-rich sonar/GPS combination. Offering the same advanced features as the award-winning Dragonfly 5 PRO, the 7 PRO is equipped with an extra-large 7″ display. The superbright display is also optically bonded for all-weather performance, and is guaranteed to never fog up. Unlike conventional imaging sonars that transmit each pulse at a single frequency, the Dragonfly 7 PRO’s DownVision sonar uses wide-spectrum CHIRP technology to transmit high-resolution photo-like sonar images. It offers deep-water performance to 600 feet, which is par for the course in terms of fish finder performance, and it also provides reliable high-speed bottom tracking, which is where many systems fail to perform. It is also equipped with a conventional high-frequency CHIRP, single, slower-speed sonar channel, for targeting fish and bottom tracking down to 900 feet (277 metres). It has a fast-acquisition GPS sensor and mapping software that helps you to stay on course. Raymarine’s Wi-Fish mobile app enables streaming of CHIRP DownVision directly to smartphones or tablets. The Wi-Fi also syncs with the Navionics Boating app to give anglers the power to create their own personal HD bathymetry maps in real time.

The Dragonfly 7 PRO supports Navionics charts, C-MAP by Jeppesen and Raymarine LightHouse charts, and comes bundled with C-MAP Essentials or Navionics+ maps on microSD.


Prices: From £595 (inc. VAT).


Contact

www.raymarine.com

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