The Northstar 2, 4, 6, 10 and
25 kW High Definition Radars
Northstar is renowned for our heritage in
GPS/Chartplotter development. When we tackled High
Definition Digital Radar, we wanted the same core values
invested in this technology: make it reliable, make it easy,
and make it for everyone.
High Definition Digital Radar means: Exceptional detection
of small or distant targets, using advanced digital signal
processing. Presents targets better and rejects clutter
using 10-bit digital Sensitivity Time Control (STC).
Screen-clutter from rough weather is cleared away using
sensitivity settings tailored for specific conditions.
High Definition Digital Radar
The Right Choice. We’ve hired leading radar experts
to develop Northstar High Definition Digital Radar, an
accurate and economic choice for reliable surface detection.
Radar’s primary uses are vessel detection and collision
avoidance, particularly in reduced visibility conditions
like darkness, fog and rain. Now this technology is
available to you.
Heading Sensors
Heading sensors provide gyro-compensated data for
your radar processor. A heading sensor enhances radar image
stability, and is needed for chart overlay. Northstar's
radar heading sensors deliver heading data 10 times a second
to your display.
Chart Overlay
With an optional heading sensor, radar brings a
wealth of important information to the skipper’s attention
swiftly and accurately by overlaying the radar image onto
the active chart screen. Radar overlay provides the optimum
situational awareness.
Guard-Zone Alarms
If any target detected by the radar enters a
user-defined area on the display, the Northstar Radar will
alert you to its presence.
Choosing a scanner
Radomes are compact and lightweight, making them
ideal for sailboats and small powerboats. Consider a radome
when space and power supply is limited.
The 6 kW array delivers better range and detail because of
its higher power and narrower beam width. The effective
range of any scanner increases when mounted higher on your
boat. The power of a scanner is also an indicator of its
range. A scanner's beam width (the angle at which scanner's
signal spreads) indicates how good the scanner is at target
discrimination - a smaller beam width is better.
STC Curves
Adjustable Sensitivity Time Control (STC) curves
reject clutter by setting minimum thresholds that consider
return strength and distance.
Color Palettes
Different color palettes allow better distinction
of target returns, depending on viewing conditions.
A rotating assembly sends out
narrow-beam pulses of high frequency energy, then ‘listens’
for echoes as these pulses bounce back from boats, land
masses, buoys, waves, rain, birds... "targets", in radar
terms. The noted angle of the array at any time a pulse is
sent gives the direction of an echo. The time it takes to
come back gives the distance.
Please Note
Adding radar to your boat requires at least two
components - the scanner, and the related processor unit.
When ordering a radar system, please ensure both the scanner
AND processor unit are ordered
