When it comes to the general perception of Radars on recreational fishing boats, many people think of them as optional or luxury equipment. This may be true in the sense that your equipment will still navigate you towards a fishing spot and locate some fish without one. But it takes a radar to see things like birds eating bait and boats clustering on a hotspot in the distance. Nothing else will give you the confidence to stay out a few moments longer in low light or poor weather conditions when the bite is starting to pick up.
With advancements in technology and manufacturing we are seeing solid state radars replace traditional magnetron radars. A fully digital platform provides multiple advantages including higher quality transmissions and improved reliability. Here is a comparison of recently released radars.