Freedom 325 Garmin Radar Recommendations

[GSnyder]

Hi - I've got a 2023 Freedom 325 with a Garmin 8416 xsv charplotter. We're spending more and more time offshore fishing - mostly grouper, snapper, etc. We've had fog come in a couple times and want to add radar. I want to do the install myself. I'm looking at the 24" closed array dome. Should I be looking at an open array system? Any recommendations on the install, etc? Thanks!

 

[Hookup1]

I have a GMR Fantom 18 on my 268 Islander with 8612xsv, 8610xsv, GPS 24xd, no autopilot.

For your size boat I would go with a 24" GMR Fantom 24x dome optionally on a pedestal mount for increased performance. $2,999.99.

The open arrays are significantly more expensive and are 48". If you are serious about an open array you need to talk to someone who has one and uses the advanced features/performance. I don't own one so I can't speak for the performance.

If you don't have a autopilot installed you should also consider adding a magnetic heading sensor like Garmin SteadyCast or GPS 24xd antenna with built in heading sensor. This is especially important at slow speeds, at night and in the fog. Radar is disoriented when boat is moving slow-GPS heading inaccurate.

 

[GSnyder]

Thank you - this is very helpful. That is the same setup I'm looking at. The boat has autopilot.