B&G
HALO20 (magnetron)
- TechnologyMagnetron compression
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V power consumption35-50 W average
- Startup90 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 for 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 = standard 2026: 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 still relevant: raw range in rough seas (> 40 NM usable) + lower purchase cost. Still cost-effective for offshore cruising.
- 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 use, Quantum 2 for budget Raymarine retrofit.
- For more details: detailed comparison on our blog.
Four marine radars compared
B&G
HALO20+ (Solid State)
- TechnologySolid State pulse compression
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V power draw20-25 W average
- StartupInstantaneous
- DopplerNo
- IntegrationB&G/Simrad
2530 € HT
Pour qui : Coastal & offshore sailing 35-45 ft, B&G ecosystem
View productB&G
HALO24 (Solid State + Doppler)
- TechnologySolid State Doppler
- Max range48 NM
- 12 V consumption25-30 W
- Start-upInstantaneous
- DopplerYes (MotionScope)
- IntegrationB&G/Simrad
2835 € HT
Pour qui : Performance sailing + IRC club-level 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
Prices excluding VAT 2026 for France, distributor rates, excluding cabling and installation labor.
| Criteria | HALO20 | HALO20+ | HALO24 | Fantom 24x |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ex-works price | ~ 1,800 € | ~ 2,200 € | ~ 3,200 € | ~ 2,800 € |
| Technology | Magnetron | Solid State pulse | Solid State Doppler | Solid State Doppler |
| Average consumption 12 V | 35-50 W | 20-25 W | 25-30 W | 22-28 W |
| Startup time | 90 s (warm-up) | Instantaneous | Instantaneous | Instantaneous |
| 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 for coastal sailing workshops. Solid State, instant start-up, optimized consumption for 200 Ah lithium battery banks. No Doppler but more than sufficient for day and night safety.
Radar + cabling + installation budget: ~ €2,800-3,200 ex. VAT
View HALO20+Offshore night
Sailboat 40-55 feet — IRC racing + cruising
The HALO24 or the Garmin Fantom 24x add Doppler — immediate differentiation of targets based on their relative speed. Essential in congested areas + offshore night navigation.
Radar budget + installation: ~ 4 000-5 000 € HT
View HALO24Offshore budget
Sailboat 30-40 feet — economical refit
The HALO20 magnetron remains relevant for offshore budget: raw range in rough seas, 400 € lower cost. Acceptable if battery bank can handle the draw (60+ W when transmitting).
Radar budget + installation: ~ 2 400-2 800 € HT
View HALO203 installation errors observed in the workshop — across all brands
- Undersized or uninsulated mast transmission.
The radar cable carries an Ethernet or proprietary signal — undersized section or running near a motor cable = interference, frozen screens, false echoes.
- Network cable run parallel to a motor or windlass cable.
Inductive RF noise creates recurring radar artifacts. Always separate signal and power lines; cross at 90° if necessary.
- Antenna height misaligned 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 program.
FAQ — Selecting your marine radar
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, detects at 24 NM, and you mostly sail offshore, Solid State radar is not urgent. The switch becomes relevant when you sail at night in busy coastal areas (Doppler changes traffic reading), when your 12 V battery bank is under load, or when the magnetron reaches end of life (typically 10-12 years).
What are the actual differences between HALO, Fantom, and Quantum?
What are the actual differences between HALO, Fantom, and Quantum?
All Solid State Doppler. HALO (B&G/Simrad) = sailboat-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 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 hit you" but "this target is approaching relative to you" (red) or "moving away" (green). It provides relative speed information, not collision route 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 during offshore cruising?
What is the actual 12 V power 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 transmit cycle. A Solid State Doppler unit drops to 400–700 Wh, a 25–40 % saving on the radar power budget.
Does a Solid State radar replace AIS?
Does a Solid State radar replace AIS?
No. AIS receives the GPS position declared by other transmitting vessels. 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 on over 80 radar installations from 2022-2026. Indicative distributor prices (excl. VAT) for 2026.
