Marine Radar for Sale: 15 Top Models, Prices & Buying Tips

The moment the mist creeps across the Rangitoto Channel or a squall hides the channel markers off Tauranga, even seasoned skippers can feel their stomach tighten. A good marine radar flips that worry on its head, turning an invisible harbour into a clear, colour-coded map of targets, squalls and shorelines. Whether you’re running a 5-metre tinny home after a dawn snapper mission or guiding a 12-metre launch through Cook Strait chop at midnight, the right radar is your electronic set of eyes—and one that can pay for itself the first time it saves you from a close-quarters surprise.

Choosing the “right one”, though, can feel like running blind through a gadget maze. That’s why we’ve compiled the 15 most proven radar units you can actually buy in New Zealand right now, complete with real-world pricing, compatible displays, plus the honest pros and cons the brochures skip. Scroll on for side-by-side comparisons, a plain-English buying guide, DIY install pointers and rapid-fire FAQs—all tailored for Kiwi boats, budgets and weather. Let’s get you seeing in the dark.

1. Garmin GMR Fantom 18 ‑ Solid-State Doppler Performance in an 18″ Radome

Garmin’s Fantom 18 stuffs open-array Doppler smarts into a rugby-ball-sized dome, making it one of the most sought-after marine radar for sale across New Zealand chandlers.

Price & Availability in NZ

Expect NZ $3,200–$3,500 for the radome alone; package deals with a compatible Garmin MFD and Ethernet cable usually land between NZ $4,700–$6,200. Most major marine dealers keep at least one unit in stock year-round.

Key Specs & Features

• 40 W solid-state output (no warm-up)
• MotionScope Doppler colour-codes approaching vs receding targets
• 6 m to 48 nm range with auto-adjusting pulse
• Sub-25 W draw in transmit, under 8 W on standby
• Dual-range display on a single screen

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

• 5–10 m trailer boats, centre consoles, and alloy hard-tops
• Skippers chasing work-ups or dodging fast ferries in Hauraki Gulf
• Night bar crossings where instant target overlay on charts is critical

Potential Drawbacks

Requires a recent Garmin plotter with Ethernet port; no path to upgrade to an open array later, and the dome is still range-limited compared with larger 24″ units.

2. Garmin GMR Fantom 24 ‑ Extra Range Without a Bigger Footprint

The Fantom 24 keeps the low-profile dome but bumps power and resolution, giving clearer returns on crowded Gulf runs.

Price & Availability in NZ

NZ $4.4k–$4.8k radome; bundles with GPSMAP MFDs add $1.8k–$3k.

Key Specs & Features

• 60 W solid-state, instant-on, 6 m–48 nm
• 3.7° beam, dual-range on one screen
• MotionScope Doppler target colour

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

Best on 7–12 m launches, game boats, and towerless sport fishers chasing birds or bar crossings.

Potential Drawbacks

1 kg heavier than Fantom 18 and still limited to 48 nm versus open arrays.

3. Garmin GMR 18 HD+ ‑ Entry-Level Magnetron with HD Processing

If your Garmin plotter is a few seasons old and budget is tight, the GMR 18 HD+ keeps you on radar without the leap to solid-state pricing.

Price & Availability in NZ

Typical retail sits around NZ $3,100–$3,400; a 15 m Ethernet cable is usually bundled.

Key Specs & Features

• 4 kW magnetron, 36 nm range
• Auto-gain & auto-sea-clutter
• 1.8°/5.2° variable beam width
• Dual-range display and target trails

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

Great match for 5–7 m trailer boats and frugal coastal cruisers already running legacy Garmin MFDs.

Potential Drawbacks

Two-minute warm-up, no Doppler MotionScope, and magnetron service life is finite.

4. Raymarine Quantum Q24D Doppler ‑ Wireless & Lightweight

Light, cable-free and Doppler-smart, Raymarine’s Quantum Q24D is the “set-and-forget” radar for small craft. The 18-inch dome weighs only 5.6 kg yet still delivers crisp CHIRP pulse-compression returns.

Price & Availability in NZ

NZ chandlers list it at $2,800–$3,300; stock is usually on the shelf and a bundled power/data cable comes standard.

Key Specs & Features

• 18″ solid-state radome, 24 nm range
• Built-in Wi-Fi or RayNet Ethernet
• Doppler colour codes closing targets
• 17 W transmit, <7 W standby

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

• RIBs, alloy runabouts, trailer yachts
• Sailors needing low windage and quick updates while racing

Potential Drawbacks

• Wi-Fi link can drop in heavy rain
• Requires a Raymarine Axiom, eS or gS display

5. Raymarine Cyclone 55 W Open Array ‑ Tournament-Grade Long-Range Clarity

When you need to pick individual birds at 10 nm or track a squall line pushing in from the west coast, the Cyclone series is Raymarine’s heavyweight answer. The 1.2 m (4 ft) open array couples CHIRP pulse-compression with Doppler processing, giving recreational skippers commercial-style separation of targets without the IMO paperwork.

Price & Availability in NZ

Most Auckland and Tauranga electronics dealers list the 55 W, 4 ft package between NZ $8,000–$9,500. Lead times are usually two weeks if a pedestal or longer 6 ft antenna is required.

Key Specs & Features

• 55 W solid-state (130 W magnetron equivalent)
• 6 m to 72 nm range with dual-range display
• Up to 60 rpm sweep for tight collision avoidance
• Doppler “Danger” target highlighting & Bird Mode
• Rated to 100-knot apparent wind; X-band, IMO-style presentation

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

• 9–15 m offshore launches chasing tuna lanes
• Commercial charter boats needing rock-solid tracking on busy approaches
• Harbour patrol and pilot vessels requiring fast refresh rates

Potential Drawbacks

The pedestal and array weigh north of 20 kg and pull up to 95 W while transmitting, so you’ll need a rigid hard-top, 24 V preferred, and deep pockets when the invoice lands.

6. Simrad HALO20+ ‑ 36 nm Radar with 60 rpm & VelocityTrack

Simrad’s HALO20+ is an instant-on, solid-state dome that brings Doppler safety to small boats without busting the budget.

Price & Availability in NZ

NZ $2,600–$2,900, widely stocked; most dealers throw in a 10 m Ethernet lead.

Key Specs & Features

• 20″ radome, 6 m–36 nm
• 60 rpm sweep, VelocityTrack Doppler
• Dual-range & MARPA (heading sensor required)
• Typical draw 18 W Tx / 6 W standby

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

5–8 m runabouts, cruisers, bar-crossing fishos running Simrad or B&G MFDs.

Potential Drawbacks

Bird mode limited; 60 rpm chews amps.

7. Simrad HALO24 ‑ Faster, Wider, Sharper

The HALO24 squeezes 60 rpm sweeps, Doppler safety and a crisper 2° beam into a tidy 61 cm dome—a sweet spot for skippers who have outgrown the HALO20 but don’t want an open array on the hard-top.

Price & Availability in NZ

NZ $3,800–$4,200; usually in stock at major chandleries, with a 10 m Ethernet cable bundled.

Key Specs & Features

• Solid-state, instant-on; 6 m–48 nm range
• 60 rpm in Harbour mode, 24 rpm offshore
• Dual-range on one screen; Weather and Bird presets
• Typical draw 20 W transmit, <6 W standby

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

7–12 m launches, fast cruisers and game boats wanting one dome that handles tight marina turns, dawn bar crossings and mid-range bird spotting.

Potential Drawbacks

Higher current draw than HALO20+; Simrad or B&G MFD required, and still limited to 48 nm compared with open arrays.

8. Simrad HALO3006 Open Array ‑ 130 W Equivalent Solid-State Muscle

Need offshore punch without hauling commercial iron? Simrad’s HALO3006 packs 130-watt equivalent power into a 3-foot open array that still plays nicely with recreational hard-tops.

Price & Availability in NZ

Expect NZ $6,500–$8,000 depending on 3′ or 4′ antenna; most dealers can land one within a fortnight.

Key Specs & Features

• 130 W equivalent solid-state CHIRP, instant-on
• 6 m–72 nm dual-range, 6–60 rpm sweep
• 1.8° beam width for bird spotting
• ZoneTrack & VelocityTrack Doppler/ARPA
• Typical 40 W transmit, 24 V recommended

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

Perfect for 8–14 m sport-fishers, cray boats and patrol launches operating 30 nm offshore.

Potential Drawbacks

Needs stout roof mount, hefty 10 mm² supply, and firmware only supports Simrad/B&G Zeus3 or newer.

9. Lowrance HALO20 ‑ Budget-Friendly Solid-State for Trailer Boats

Chasing reliable target returns without the premium price tag? The HALO20 is the most affordable solid-state marine radar for sale in the Lowrance line-up and slips neatly onto a rocket-launcher or cabin roof.

Price & Availability in NZ

• NZ $2,350–$2,700 in-store or online
• Stocked by most North Island chandlers; 5 m power/Ethernet lead usually included

Key Specs & Features

• 24 nm range, instant-on solid-state
• 20″ radome, 30 rpm sweep (24 rpm default)
• Target Trails and MARPA (heading sensor required)
• Typical draw 17 W transmit, <5 W standby

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

• 4.5–7 m aluminium or glass trailer boats
• Weekend fishos running HDS LIVE or Elite FS displays
• Foggy harbour commutes and coastal night runs

Potential Drawbacks

No Doppler colour coding and fewer advanced modes than HALO20+; still needs a heading sensor for full MARPA tracking.

10. Furuno DRS4W Wireless Radome ‑ Plug-and-Play to iOS & TZ iBoat

The DRS4W was the first radar to turn an iPad or iPhone into a live scanner. Tipping the scales at 4.9 kg, the 18-inch dome installs like any other but broadcasts its own Wi-Fi hotspot, feeding real-time targets to the free Furuno Marine Radar app or MaxSea’s TZ iBoat.

Price & Availability in NZ

NZ$2,250–$2,600; usually in stock.

Key Specs & Features

• 4 kW magnetron, 24 nm max range
• Wi-Fi stream to two devices simultaneously
• 0.125–24 nm scales, 100 ms refresh
• 12 V draw: 38 W transmit, 2 W standby

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

• Trailer boats lacking fixed MFDs
• Share-able radar for club or hire fleets

Potential Drawbacks

• Wi-Fi range limited to ~30 m
• Two-minute warm-up; heading sensor needed for ARPA

11. Furuno 1815 Stand-Alone LCD Radar ‑ All-in-One Compact Solution

Furuno’s 1815 puts the radome, processor and an 8.4″ colour LCD in one box, giving skippers proven commercial DNA with zero networking hassles. Mount the dome, plug in the display and you’re scanning.

Price & Availability in NZ

NZ $3,800–$4,200; package includes display, scanner and 15 m cable.

Key Specs & Features

• 4 kW magnetron, 36 nm max
• 8.4″ daylight LCD with rotary/soft keys
• Heavy Rain, Guard Zone, 10-target ARPA (heading sensor required)

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

• Workboats and older launches lacking plotter networks
• Skippers wanting true plug-and-play radar

Potential Drawbacks

No Ethernet sharing, and the 8.4″ screen feels cramped on busy bridges.

12. Furuno FAR-1416 Black Box ‑ Commercial-Grade Marine Radar

The FAR-1416 brings SOLAS-level situational awareness to non-commercial skippers who want nothing left to chance. A hidden processor feeds any suitable monitor, leaving only the open array visible up top.

Price & Availability in NZ

Processor, control panel and PSU run NZ $14–17 k. Add NZ $5–8 k for a 4 ft or 6 ft antenna. Usually indent-ordered; three-week lead.

Key Specs & Features

• 25 kW X-band magnetron, 96 nm range
• Risk Visualiser collision shading
• IMO MSC.192(79) / IEC-62388 compliant
• 0.8° beam (6 ft array), 100-target ARPA & AIS
• Ethernet networking to Furuno or third-party displays

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

Ferries, patrol launches and ocean-going yachts wanting storm tracking, clarity and legal carriage compliance.

Potential Drawbacks

Heavy current draw (≈195 W Tx), professional install required, excessive for vessels under 12 m.

13. Koden MDC-941 ‑ 4 kW High-Resolution Compact Radar

Japanese-built Koden sets are prized for crisp echoes and rock-solid reliability. The MDC-941 shrinks that commercial DNA into a 9-inch, all-in-one package that drops neatly onto smaller bridges without skimping on range or target tracking.

Price & Availability in NZ

NZ $5,500–$6,500. Usually ordered through ENL or specialist dealers; allow 7–10 days for delivery.

Key Specs & Features

• 4 kW magnetron, 36 nm max
• 9″ daylight TFT with rotary knob control
• True Trail target history & 30-target AIS overlay
• Dual-range split display, guard zones, watch alarm
• NMEA 0183/NMEA 2000 output for plotter integration

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

Survey launches, pilot boats and commercial workboats needing an independent, high-resolution radar that plays nicely with existing nav gear.

Potential Drawbacks

Limited NZ service centres and the usual two-minute magnetron warm-up; open-array upgrade path is minimal.

14. JRC JMA-3300 Series ‑ Ocean-Proven Reliability

Japan Radio Co. still wins fans for making radars that shrug off salt, vibration and thousands of engine hours. The JMA-3300 packs that durability into a tidy console unit with real-time Constaview processing, so new echoes appear instantly rather than in sweeps—handy when you’re threading a bar or picking gaps through shipping lanes.

Price & Availability in NZ

Complete package (scanner, 10.4″ display, cable) typically runs NZ $10,000–$12,000. Usually indent-ordered through specialist dealers; allow 2–3 weeks.

Key Specs & Features

• 4 kW or 6 kW magnetron options
• Up to 64 nm range, 0.75–48 rpm rotation
• Constaview real-time image redraw
• AIS and ARPA (30 targets) with optional sensors
• Dual-range split screen, True Trail history, USB plot backup

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

Offshore passagemakers, steel yachts and coastal freighters needing a stand-alone radar that copes with long passages and power spikes.

Potential Drawbacks

Heavier radome (about 8 kg) and mast wiring can be fiddly; fewer authorised NZ service centres compared with Garmin or Furuno.

15. B&G HALO20+ Sail ‑ Radar Optimised for Yacht Racing & Cruising

B&G took the already-popular HALO20+ dome and tweaked the firmware for sailors—prioritising lay-line clarity, up-range squall detection and rapid target refresh when you’re crash-gybing in a tight fleet.

Price & Availability in NZ

• Retail: NZ $2,650–$2,950 (radome only)
• Widely stocked by major chandleries; most bundle a 10 m Ethernet/power lead.

Key Specs & Features

• 20″ solid-state dome, instant-on
• 6 m–36 nm dual-range view
• Sail-specific “Racing”, “Weather” and “Bird” modes
• VelocityTrack Doppler for collision-risk colouring
• 60 rpm sweep in Harbour mode, 18 W transmit draw

Ideal Boats & Use Cases

• Keelboats 30–50 ft, multihulls and coastal cruisers
• Round-the-buoys racing, night passages, foggy harbour entries

Potential Drawbacks

• Requires B&G Zeus³/NSSevo3 or newer display
• Mast installs mean longer, pricier cabling; max range still 36 nm

Bonus: Marine Radar Buying Guide – How to Match a Radar to Your Boat & Budget

There’s no single “best” radar—only the one that fits your hull length, power system, and the way you actually use the boat. Before you drop thousands on the first marine radar for sale that looks flash on the brochure, work through the checkpoints below. A little homework now means clearer echoes, lower power bills, and far fewer installation headaches later.

1. Technology Types Explained

• Magnetron: Tried-and-true vacuum-tube transmitter. Long life (≈3,000 hrs) but needs a 90-120 s warm-up and draws more amps. Cheapest entry point and still king for 25 kW commercial sets.
• Solid-state (CHIRP or FMCW): Instant-on, lower current, and far better close-range target separation. Doppler and dual-range tricks are only possible here. Higher upfront cost, but no magnetron to replace.

2. Power Output & Maximum Range

More watts equal more punch, yet range on the water is ultimately capped by the horizon. Use the quick rule
Range (NM) ≈ 1.22 × (√antenna height [m] + √target height [m])
to see why a 72 nm spec means little on a 5 m tinny. Focus on how clearly the set resolves 200 m-2 nm collision threats instead.

3. Radome vs Open Array

• Radome: Lightweight, low windage, draws fewer amps. Beam width 3-5° so bird-finding and channel-buoy separation are limited beyond ~4 nm. Perfect for trailer boats and yachts.
• Open Array: Narrow 1-2° beam, longer range, and superior bird mode. Needs solid roof space, at least 24 kg allowance and often 24 V supply. Overkill on sub-7 m craft but magic for offshore launches.

4. Display & Network Compatibility

Check that your chosen dome talks natively to the plotter already on the dash. Garmin uses Ethernet, Simrad/B&G Lowrance use Navico Ethernet, Raymarine adds Wi-Fi options. Mixing brands generally means buying a stand-alone display or black-box bridge.

5. Installation Space & Power Supply

• Flat mounting pad wider than the scanner footprint
• 330 mm minimum cable bend radius inside the arch
• Fuse at battery end; allow 25 % headroom above peak draw
• 12 V fine for most domes; open arrays like HALO3006 prefer 24 V for startup current.

6. Legal & Safety Requirements in New Zealand

Maritime NZ has no licence requirement for recreational radar operators, but Collision Regulations rule 5 expects “proper lookout by all available means”—radar included. Fit a radar reflector on yachts over 7 m, and keep a paper or digital log of bearing alignment checks.

7. Budget Benchmarks

• Entry-level (NZ $2–3 k): Lowrance HALO20, Furuno DRS4W—ideal for harbour hops.
• Mid-range (NZ $3–5 k): Garmin Fantom 18/24, Simrad HALO24—sweet spot for most launches.
• Premium (NZ $6 k+): Open arrays like Raymarine Cyclone or Simrad HALO3006—serious offshore firepower.

Remember to budget another $250–$600 for mounting brackets, cables, and a heading sensor; professional installation can add $80–$120 hr but often saves you two weekends of cursing up the mast.

DIY Installation & Maintenance Tips for Kiwi Boaties

A radar install isn’t witchcraft, but it is more than bolting a dome to the rocket-launcher. Get the basics right and you’ll dodge 90 % of the gremlins owners ring us about every winter. The pointers below assume you’re handy with 12 V electrics and comfortable drilling through alloy or fibreglass; if not, shout a sparky and spend the weekend fishing instead.

Tools & Skills You’ll Need

• Stainless metric sockets, torque wrench (8–12 Nm for most domes)
• Quality HSS or cobalt drill bits, countersink, deburring tool
• Marine-grade crimpers, heat-shrink and dielectric grease
• Multimeter capable of 20 A DC
• Basic laptop or SD card for firmware updates
• Confidence to climb the cabintop or mast with a harness

Step-by-Step Mounting Basics

1. Pick a spot above eye-level with 360° line-of-sight; avoid T-top tubing and rocket-launchers.
2. Dry-fit the bracket, mark holes, drill undersize first, then final diameter.
3. Bed the bracket on polyurethane sealant; torque bolts evenly.
4. Run the power and Ethernet inside conduit; maintain a 330 mm bend radius.
5. Fit a drip-loop before the gland and fuse within 300 mm of the battery.

Initial Setup & Calibration

• Use the on-screen wizard to set radar height and antenna type.
• Swing the boat on flat water and align the heading so the shoreline sits at 000°.
• Run Auto-Sea-Clutter and Auto-Gain routines before saving user presets.
• Check for firmware updates via SD or Wi-Fi before the first passage.

Routine Maintenance Schedule

• Quarterly: inspect cable glands for weeps; re-grease connectors.
• Annually: lift the dome cover, look for moisture, corrosion or loose RF screws.
• Magnetron sets: log transmit hours; expect replacement at ~3 000 h.
• Open arrays: grease bearings per manual and torque pedestal bolts.

Common Issues & Quick Fixes

• “No scanner” alarm: verify 12–24 V at the dome, then reseat Ethernet.
• Faint or patchy echoes: clean the radome face; run Auto-Sea-Clutter again.
• Ghost targets on harbour pylons: drop gain 5 %, enable interference reject.
• Radar won’t transmit: check magnetron warm-up timer or Tx inhibit in menus.
• Wi-Fi drop-outs (DRS4W/Quantum): shorten SSID list and keep phone inside cabin.

Marine Radar FAQs (Quick Answers)

Still mulling things over? The rapid-fire answers below clear up the five questions our Auckland counter team hears every week.

How much does a marine radar cost in New Zealand?

Entry-level domes such as the Lowrance HALO20 start around NZ $2,300. Expect NZ $3–5 k for mid-range solid-state units, and NZ $6 k plus for open arrays or commercial-grade sets. Add a few hundred dollars for cabling, heading sensor and mounts.

Can I install radar on a 5-m aluminium runabout?

Yes—provided you have a clear mounting pad and a healthy 12 V supply. Lightweight radomes (≤6 kg) bolt to a rocket-launcher or small pedestal, but keep the scanner at least head-height to avoid microwaving crew.

What’s the difference between Doppler and ARPA?

Doppler highlights closing or receding targets in real time using slight frequency shifts—great for spotting risks at a glance. ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) mathematically tracks selected targets over time, displaying speed, course and closest-point-of-approach.

Does marine radar work in heavy rain or fog?

Fog barely affects X-band radar, so echoes stay crisp. Intense rain can cause clutter, but modern sets offer Rain-Clutter or Weather modes that digitally punch through most squalls without losing close-range detail.

Do I need a licence or certification to operate radar in NZ waters?

Recreational skippers do not require a formal licence, yet Maritime NZ expects operators to understand basic radar use under Rule 5 of the Collision Regulations. A short Coastguard radar course is strongly recommended for safe, confident operation.

Quick Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Picking the right radar is really about matching three things: hull length, the way you run the boat, and what’s realistic for the wallet.

• 5–7 m trailer boats that stay inside 12 nm of land will be perfectly covered by budget solid-state domes such as the Lowrance HALO20 or Furuno DRS4W.
• Launches and sport-fishers in the 7–12 m band usually lean toward mid-range solid-state units—think Garmin Fantom 18/24 or Simrad HALO24—for their Doppler safety and dual-range tricks.
• If you’re regularly pushing 30 nm offshore, an open array like the Simrad HALO3006 or Raymarine Cyclone gives the narrow beam and bird-mode reach you’ll appreciate at dawn.
• Workboats and blue-water passagemakers needing independent screens or IMO options should shortlist Furuno 1815, Koden MDC-941 or the FAR-1416.

Whichever marine radar for sale you pull the trigger on, leave room in the budget for quality cabling, a heading sensor, and—ideally—professional commissioning. Local dealer backup means firmware updates, spare parts and troubleshooting are a phone call away.

Ready to see through the mist? Check current stock or swing by the Auckland showroom at Action Outdoors for hands-on advice and installation packages tailored to your boat.