B&G
HALO20 (magnetron)
- TechnologyMagnetron compression
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V 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 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 + personalized calculator.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Solid State Doppler = 2026 standard: power consumption breakthrough (20-40 W vs 2-4 kW peak), instant start, close-range detection (6-8 m vs 35-50 m).
- Magnetron not dead yet: raw range in rough seas (> 40 NM usable) + lower purchase cost. Still relevant for offshore on a budget.
- 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 sailing, Quantum 2 for Raymarine retrofit on a budget.
- For more details: detailed comparison on our blog.
The 4 marine radars compared
B&G
HALO20+ (Solid State)
- TechnologySolid State pulse compression
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V power consumption20-25 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 consumption25-30 W
- Start-upInstantaneous
- DopplerYes (MotionScope)
- IntegrationB&G/Simrad
2835 € HT
Pour qui : Performance sailing + club-level IRC racing
View productGarmin
Fantom 24x Doppler
- TechnologySolid State Doppler
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V power draw22-28 W
- StartupInstantaneous
- 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 ex. VAT 2026 | ~ 1,800 € | ~ 2,200 € | ~ 3,200 € | ~ 2,800 € |
| Technology | Magnetron | Solid State pulse | Solid State Doppler | Solid State Doppler |
| Avg. 12 V consumption | 35-50 W | 20-25 W | 25-30 W | 22-28 W |
| Start-up | 90 s (pre-heat) | Instantaneous | Instantaneous | Instantaneous |
| Doppler (colored targets) | No | No | Yes | Yes MotionScope |
| Short-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 for coastal sailing workshops. Solid State, instant start-up, optimized consumption for 200 Ah lithium battery packs. 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
40-55 ft sailboat — IRC racing + cruising
The HALO24 or the Garmin Fantom 24x add Doppler — immediate differentiation of targets by their relative speed. Essential in busy areas + night offshore navigation.
Radar + installation budget: ~ 4,000-5,000 € VAT excluded
View HALO24Offshore budget
30-40 ft sailboat — economical refit
The HALO20 magnetron remains relevant for offshore cruising on a budget: raw range in rough seas, and a cost under €400 cheaper. Acceptable if the battery bank can handle the draw (60+ W when transmitting).
Radar + installation budget: ~ €2,400-2,800 ex. VAT
View HALO203 installation errors observed in the workshop — all brands
- Undersized or uninsulated transmission mast.
The radar cable carries an Ethernet or proprietary signal — undersized section or routing near a motor cable = interference, frozen displays, false targets.
- Network cable run parallel to a motor cable 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 rear of the boat. Check elevation +5° to +10° above the top of the boom.
Radar recommendation calculator
4 questions to identify the radar suited to your sailboat and your program.
FAQ — Choosing your marine radar
The most frequently asked questions at the Skysat workshop.
Is it really necessary to replace a working magnetron radar?
Is it really necessary to replace a working magnetron radar?
Not necessarily. If the magnetron starts up, detects targets at 24 NM, and you primarily sail offshore, the Solid State upgrade is not urgent. The switch becomes relevant when you sail at night in busy coastal areas (Doppler changes traffic display interpretation), when your 12 V battery bank is under load, or when the magnetron reaches end-of-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) = sailing-oriented, native H5000 and Zeus integration. 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 retrofit on existing Axiom.
Does color Doppler really highlight dangerous targets?
Does color Doppler really highlight 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 power consumption over 24 h in offshore cruising?
What is the actual 12 V power consumption over 24 h in 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 drops to 400–700 Wh, 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. The two systems are complementary.
Skysat distributes B&G, Garmin, Raymarine, and Navico. Comparator based on manufacturer datasheets + workshop feedback from over 80 radar installations (2022-2026). Indicative distributor prices HT 2026.
