B&G
HALO20 (magnetron)
- TechnologyMagnetron compression
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V power consumption35-50 W average
- Start-up90 sec preheating
- DopplerNo
- IntegrationB&G/Simrad
2152 € HT
Pour qui : Offshore budget, 30-40 ft sailboat
View product2026 Comparator
Marine radar comparator — Skysat
4 marine radars compared based on the criteria that matter on a sailboat: technology (magnetron vs Solid State Doppler), range, 12 V power consumption, chartplotter integration. Workshop recommendation by program + custom calculator.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Solid State Doppler = 2026 standard: breakthrough in power consumption (20-40 W vs. 2-4 kW peak), instant start, close-range detection (6-8 m vs. 35-50 m).
- Magnetron not dead: raw range in rough seas (> 40 NM usable) + lower purchase cost. Still relevant for offshore budget builds.
- Doppler effect colors targets: red = approaching, green = receding. The feature that truly changes coastal use.
- Workshop verdict: HALO20+ for coastal sailing, Fantom 24 for offshore night passages, Quantum 2 for Raymarine retrofit on a budget.
- For more details: detailed comparison on our blog.
4 marine radars compared
B&G
HALO20+ (Solid State)
- TechnologySolid State pulse compression
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V power draw20-25 W average
- Start-upInstantaneous
- DopplerNo
- IntegrationB&G/Simrad
2530 € HT
Pour qui : Coastal and offshore sailing 35-45 ft, B&G ecosystem
View productB&G
HALO24 (Solid State + Doppler)
- TechnologySolid State Doppler
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V power draw25-30 W
- Start-upInstantaneous
- DopplerYes (MotionScope)
- IntegrationB&G/Simrad
2835 € HT
Pour qui : Performance sailing + IRC club racing
View productGarmin
Fantom 24x Doppler
- TechnologySolid State Doppler
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V consumption22-28 W
- Start-upInstantaneous
- DopplerYes (MotionScope)
- IntegrationGarmin GPSMAP/ECHOMAP
2624 € HT
Pour qui : Offshore fishing + Garmin ecosystem
View productDetailed comparison table
2026 distributor prices in France, excluding wiring and installation labor, before tax.
| Criteria | HALO20 | HALO20+ | HALO24 | Fantom 24x |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price HT 2026 | ~ 1 800 $ | ~ 2 200 $ | ~ 3 200 $ | ~ 2 800 $ |
| Technology | Magnetron | Solid State pulse | Solid State Doppler | Solid State Doppler |
| Avg. consumption 12 V | 35–50 W | 20–25 W | 25–30 W | 22–28 W |
| Start-up time | 90 s (preheat) | Instant | Instant | Instant |
| Doppler (colored targets) | No | No | Yes | Yes MotionScope |
| Close-range detection | 30-50 m | 8-10 m | 6-8 m | 6-8 m |
| Integration ecosystem | B&G/Simrad | B&G/Simrad | B&G/Simrad | Garmin GPSMAP |
Skysat workshop verdict — by program
Coastal sailing
30-40 ft sailboat — B&G ecosystem
The HALO20+ is our standard coastal sailing radar. Solid State, instant start-up, optimized consumption for a 200 Ah lithium bank. No Doppler but more than sufficient for day and night safety.
Radar + cabling + installation budget: ~ 2,800-3,200 € VAT excluded
View HALO20+Offshore night sailing
40-55 ft sailboat — IRC racing + cruising
The HALO24 or Garmin Fantom 24x add Doppler — immediate differentiation of targets by their relative speed. Essential in congested areas + night offshore navigation.
Budget radar + installation: ~ 4 000-5 000 € HT
View HALO24Offshore budget
30-40 ft sailboat — economical refit
The HALO20 magnetron remains relevant for offshore budget: raw range in rough seas, €400 cheaper. Acceptable if battery bank can handle the draw (60+ W when transmitting).
Budget radar + installation: ~ 2 400-2 800 € HT
View HALO203 installation errors observed in the workshop — all brands included
- Undersized or uninsulated transmission mast.
A radar cable carries an Ethernet or proprietary signal — undersized section or routing near a motor cable = interference, frozen screens, false targets.
- NMEA 2000 network cable run parallel to motor or windlass cable.
Inductive RF noise creates recurring radar artifacts. Always separate signal and power; cross at 90° if necessary.
- Antenna height incorrectly set relative to the boom.
If the boom passes in front of the radar, permanent masking occurs at the stern of the boat. Check elevation between +5° and +10° above the top of the boom.
Radar recommendation calculator
4 questions to identify the radar suited to your sailboat and program.
FAQ — Choosing your marine radar
Most frequently asked questions at the Skysat workshop.
Should you really replace a working magnetron radar?
Should you really replace a working magnetron radar?
Not necessarily. If the magnetron starts up, detects targets at 24 NM, and you mainly sail offshore, the Solid State upgrade is not urgent. The switch becomes relevant when you sail at night in busy coastal waters (Doppler changes traffic detection), when your 12 V system is under load, or when the magnetron reaches the end of its service life (typically 10–12 years).
What are the concrete differences between HALO, Fantom and Quantum?
What are the concrete differences between HALO, Fantom and Quantum?
All Solid State Doppler. HALO (B&G/Simrad) = optimized for sailing, native integration with H5000 and Zeus. Fantom (Garmin) = longest raw range (up to 48 NM) + highly readable MotionScope colored Doppler. Quantum 2 (Raymarine) = lowest power consumption (~17-20 W), most compact, unbeatable for retrofitting on existing Axiom.
Does Doppler really colorize dangerous targets?
Does Doppler really colorize dangerous targets?
Yes, but not exactly like an alarm. Doppler does not say "this target will collide with you" but rather "this target is approaching relative to you" (red) or "moving away" (green). It provides relative speed information, not collision course data. On deck, the eye instantly picks up red targets against a green background.
What is the actual 12 V consumption over 24 h during offshore cruising?
What is the actual 12 V consumption over 24 h during offshore cruising?
Over 24 hours of continuous navigation, a 4 kW magnetron typically consumes 600–900 Wh depending on the transmission cycle. A Solid State Doppler unit drops to 400–700 Wh, representing a 25 to 40 % power saving on the radar system.
Does a Solid State radar replace AIS?
Does a Solid State radar replace AIS?
No. AIS receives the GPS position declared by other transmitting boats. Radar detects what reflects its waves: everything that floats, including non-AIS boats, drifting containers, coastlines, and squalls. Both systems are complementary.
Skysat distributes B&G, Garmin, Raymarine, and Navico. Comparator based on manufacturer datasheets + workshop feedback from over 80 radar installations between 2022 and 2026. Indicative distributor prices (excl. VAT) for 2026.
