Garmin GMR Fantom™ 126, open-array radar and pedestal, black

The GMR Fantom™ 126 radar is a 120-watt solid-state marine detection solution. This power is equivalent to that of a 15 kW magnetron radar, providing detailed, high-resolution imagery.

The GMR Fantom™ 126 can detect targets at a minimum range of 6 meters (20 feet) and up to 96 nautical miles, providing versatility for various navigation conditions.

The antenna offers two rotation speeds:

24 rpm: For reduced power consumption. 48 rpm: For faster screen updates. This speed is available in single-range mode with MotionScope disabled and for range settings of 12 nautical miles or less.

The GMR Fantom™ 126 has a horizontal beam width of 1.25 degrees, ensuring precise imaging of coastlines, vessels, and weather conditions. The vertical beam is 23 degrees.

The device is rated IPX6 for resistance to powerful water jets, making it suitable for marine environments.

The GMR Fantom™ 126 radar is equipped with a 6-foot open-array antenna (approximately 182.9 cm).

Before installation, it is crucial to consider the following warnings:

The radar transmits electromagnetic energy. Ensure personnel are clear of the beam before transmission. Never look directly at the antenna at close range while it is transmitting, as eyes are the most sensitive part of the body to electromagnetic energy. Always wear safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask when drilling, cutting, or sanding. When drilling or cutting, always check what is on the other side of the surface to avoid damaging the vessel.

For installation, you will need the following tools:

Phillips screwdriver #2Hex wrench 6 mmDrillBits: 15 mm (19/32 in) and 32 mm (1 1/4 in) (32 mm bit is optional)17 mm (21/32 in) wrench and torque wrench12 AWG (3.31 mm²) tinned copper wire for grounding (not included)Marine sealant

When choosing the mounting location, consider the following points:

The radar must be mounted out of reach of people, with the vertical beam width above head height. It must be installed high above the vessel’s keel line, with minimal obstruction of the beam. The mounting surface must be flat, parallel to the vessel’s waterline, and strong enough to support the radar’s weight. The radar must be kept away from heat sources (exhausts, lights) and at a different level than horizontal spreaders. To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, the radar must not be mounted closer than the specified safe distance for the compass. Other electronic equipment and cables must be installed more than 2 m (6.5 ft) from the radar beam path.

To prepare the surface:

Fix the mounting template included on the surface at the chosen location, along the bow-stern axis.Drill the mounting holes using a 15 mm (19/32 in) drill bit.If you need to route the power and network cables through the surface, drill a 32 mm (1 1/4 in) pass-through hole along the central channel indicated on the template (optional).Remove the mounting template.

To mount the pedestal:

Place the radar on the mounting surface, aligning the holes in the base with the drilled holes.Apply the included primer (Petrolatum Primer) to half the length of each threaded rod.Insert the primed end of each threaded rod through the mounting surface and into the radar base, then tighten with a 6 mm hex key.Stop tightening when the rods no longer turn easily to avoid damaging the pedestal.From underneath the mounting surface, place the included plastic shoulder washers, flat washers, lock washers, and hex nuts onto the threaded rods.Tighten the hex nuts to a torque of 14.7 N·m (11 lbf·ft) to securely fasten the radar.

Once the pedestal is securely mounted:

Remove the protective cover from the waveguide located on top of the pedestal. Align the pedestal's waveguide with the socket beneath the antenna, then slide the antenna onto the pedestal. Secure the antenna to the pedestal by tightening the captive hex bolts under the antenna arm to a torque of 7.9 N·m (6 lbf·ft.).

When installing cables:

Apply marine sealant around every penetration after running cables to ensure watertight integrity. Do not route cables near moving objects, high-heat sources, or through doors and bilges. To prevent interference, avoid running network and power cables parallel to other cables (radio antenna lines, power lines). If unavoidable, cables must be shielded. Route the power cable as close as possible to the battery source.

The radar (and the voltage converter, if applicable) must be connected to an appropriate marine ground using a 3.31 mm² (12 AWG) copper wire, which is not included. This wire must be routed to a marine ground and to the radar pedestal, then connected to the ground connector on the pedestal. It is recommended to coat the ground screw and the crimp connector with marine sealant.

The radar power cable contains an inline 15 A fuse holder, which must not be removed. If a voltage converter is used, an additional 30 A fuse must be installed between the voltage converter and the boat’s battery. Both fuses must be in place for the radar to operate correctly and to avoid voiding the product warranty.

The GMR Fantom™ 126 radar is compatible with Garmin BlueNet™ or Garmin Marine Network, allowing seamless integration with other compatible Garmin devices aboard.

To use the GMR Fantom™ 126 radar, a compatible Garmin chartplotter is required. It is recommended to ensure that the chartplotter and radar are running the latest software version.

You can update the radar software in several ways:

Via an SD card: If your chartplotter has an SD card slot, you can load the latest software version onto an SD card (up to 32 GB, formatted as FAT32) using the Garmin Express application, then insert it into the chartplotter. Via the ActiveCaptain™ app: If your chartplotter is equipped with Wi-Fi® technology, you can use the ActiveCaptain™ app to download and install software updates on your devices.

The product warranty may be void in the following cases:

Connect the power cable without the appropriate inline fuse holder and fuse specified in the product specifications. Damaging the device by opening it if not done by a Garmin authorized service technician. The device contains no user-serviceable parts.