100 Watt NXT (DRS12a - NXT) vs 200 Watt (DRS25a-NXT)?

[Quitsa]

I don't think bird marks look much different with the DRS25A-NXT than with a Furuno 25kW magnetron. I would normally be in manual tuning with the sea state filter off, gain set high enough that it leaves some speckling, and trails turned on. The birds are small red marks with trails. A flock will show as a cluster of red marks. They are fainter than boat or buoy targets depending upon gain setting but I don't feel that it is especially difficult to pick them out if the seas are not too rough. But remember that I have a six foot array, which certainly makes a difference with birds, I would imagine you are probably limited to a four foot antenna on a Freeman 34.

Perhaps your electronics dealer can find someone who has one of the DRS25A-NXTs installed and you can try it? It's a big decision. For what it's worth, I was quite worried getting the solid state radar and almost ent with the 25kW magnetron to ensure I could spot birds. I do not regret my choice at all after a full summer with the DRS25A-NXT. It performs really well.

 

[Tailin strange]

I tuned it manually the best I could and I'm familiar with how other manufactures radars work including Furuno. Ive just never used Furunos 25kw X class magnetron. The Simrad halo would mark them 3-4 miles out but damn it was faint. I'm used to seeing oblong blobs that change in size and shape every sweep. I basically will use the radar 75-80% of the time for birds the rest for night time running. I know the older 25kw UHD Furuo is a step behind the X class 25KW so if the 200w NXT marks like the older 25kw DRS UHD radar I'm sure it would fit the bill nicely. There isn't anyone near me to my knowledge that has a newer Furuno 200w DRS25aNXT system that I could check out.

 

[gtstang462002]

I tuned it manually the best I could and I'm familiar with how other manufactures radars work including Furuno. Ive just never used Furunos 25kw X class magnetron. The Simrad halo would mark them 3-4 miles out but damn it was faint. I'm used to seeing oblong blobs that change in size and shape every sweep. I basically will use the radar 75-80% of the time for birds the rest for night time running. I know the older 25kw UHD Furuo is a step behind the X class 25KW so if the 200w NXT marks like the older 25kw DRS UHD radar I'm sure it would fit the bill nicely. There isn't anyone near me to my knowledge that has a newer Furuno 200w DRS25aNXT system that I could check out.

Where are you located? While I am still waiting on my 6' stick to arrive, it will be on the boat within a week of arrival. I will be glad to go out "bird hunting" out here in the Chesapeake Bay and provide some videos if nothing else.

 

[JG400]

Last fall it upgraded my DSR6AX radar to a DRS12A-NXT unit with a 4 foot antenna. I was unhappy with the target resolution on the DSR6 especially at night. The DSR12A-NXT is amazing for navigation, it completely solved my confidence in navigating in bad visibility. I'd go out in pitch black with no worries. Birds? What Birds? I'm building a new boat and will get the DRS25A-NXT with the 6 foot antenna in hopes that I can pick up birds.

Jake