Furuno Wireless Radar - Pacific NW Boater TESTED

As part of our transition to wireless navigation, we replaced our 31-year old radar with the Furuno 1st Watch Wireless Radar. The DSR4W only requires 12-volt power and will wirelessly transmit to two iOS devices simultaneously. Intuitive and easy to use, great features include a Guard Zone with alarm, night mode, and Off Center for looking further ahead. Plus, it will seamlessly overlay on the TZ iBoat navigation/chart app in realtime in 3D - with satellite image!

[edwojtecki]

Very informative. I tossed my 35 yr old Furuno radar. This wireless feature is a gift when installing the dome. Power cable only.

[ericanderson]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I am converting away from a similar ancient Furuno radar and GPS system and have been trying to find a reputable review on this product. I know it's been almost two years since your video. I hope you are still equally as pleased with your "new" Furuno. Again, excellent review. Thanks again!

[LilLamboo]

I don't own any kind of boat and i'm not really interested in boats but this was somehow really pleasant to watch

[ChristianLaurinE]

Thank-you for this video. I am renovating my 35 foot trawler boat to use modern technologies. And one of the new techniques is to make it wifi, and network ready. Meaning no more old stuff, which costs a fortune and brings no added value. I liked your camera idea, as I have the same problem when trying to dock.

[QuadFun]

I've loved following you guys and watching your videos over the years. This is a great video. I'm new to radar. I am going to put radar on our Bayliner 305 asap. I'm so overwhelmed trying to research what radar to purchase, and what else I need to go along with it. Picture a head spinning emoji here LOL.

[robertmcadams]

Hello! Great video. What type of backup camera did you have? does that work with your iPad

[jeffreyholt]

I have used this model on a sailboat for three years, the last two with the TZ charting app. I sail in Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, so fog, scores of lobster boats, and a rocky coastline are the norm. The FW radar replaced a 2005 vintage Raymarine radar that probably had more technical features and capabilities available for use. That being said, I am more than happy with the FW system. First, the system is dead simple to install and dead simple to use. Power requirements for the FW are a small fraction of what my older system demanded. The critical Wi-Fi link is solid and reliable and signal quality is more than adequate for my needs. I would like to be able to better detect a storm front would be a very useful capability. The capability to integrate with an iPad system is a huge plus. I know chart plotters keep getting more like iPads and tablets, but they still can't integrate the capabilities of new sailing apps on an almost weekly basis. TZ with FW and AIS connected is an excellent navigation and safety system. Lastly, the cost savings over traditional radars are significant. The criticism that you have to buy an iPad for the FW, thus driving up the entry cost is a bit misleading. I personally think anyone looking at the FW is already well invested in the iPad/iOs as their primary marine navigation platform. I would be hard pressed to believe anyone is buying the FW and then looking to buy an iPad. All this being said, the effort Furuno devotes to upgrading and sustaining this product is frustratingly negligible. The company likely realizes any upgrade in features would simply lead to a loss of sales for more expensive systems. Furuno is happy to market the FW as a niche product and no more. Bottom line, if the FW meets your specific limited needs you'll be happy with the purchase. If you like a lot of technical features, features we can argue all day about when it comes to whether they are a necessity, then the FW is definitely not for you.

[allenb]

Great review, I’ll be getting one too.
Also, what camera are you using for the backup? Thanks

[pammorris]

Great Video. I am in process of upgrading our electronics and looking at iPad solution. Looking at ways to get info from AIS on TZ iboat while connected to furor wireless radar. have you done this?

[michaelbedrossian]

Hi, Nice video. Can I use the Furuno as a gps atena for the ipad if i download the TZ App witgh thge radar
so I dont have to get the I pad with with 5G in it

Thanks

[eljefe]

Thank you for the video. What's the name of the wireless cam in your vid??

[sammyjbray]

Does the First Watch create its own wireless zone? There must need to be a wireless provider involved somehow right?

[kkots]

Hello-I recently read a review of this radar setup on the cruiserforum.com. A sailor was really complaining that there is not an EBL function to track ships, etc (he said that the EBL appears for a few seconds then disappears) ....basically, his experience was that this radar wasn't good for collision avoidance and weather, two of the basic uses of radar in (in his opinion). Any comments on your experience with tracking weather and or possible collision traffic? Thank you!!

[kairosboatsasia]

Thank you for explaining this, May I know if there is a way to read the ais from this ?

[EricChanceStone]

Nice job! I think you might consider making YouTube videos...

[Flat_Earth_]

How far away can you guys detect other boats or oil rigs with the new radar?

[islanddiveservice]

We passed you out there this weekend. So excited to see yall!  Let me know if you need zincs. based out of Oak harbor/La Connar. www.islanddiveservice.com

[bradsmith]

After a year of use any additional thoughts? Has the limited close in range been an issue?

[philipb.]

The App store says TZ iBoat is not available for my iPone 8, only iPad. How did you get to run it on your wife's iPhone?

[ghzkhz]

dam yo raymarine has wireless with the quantom or quantom 2 to mfd axiom i use pro full radar wireless or wired marpa arpa with a fast heading sensor and u can control the radar with an app to and it has drone control full radar color its kinda bleeding edge tec so you kinda gotta know how to config the axiom but its easy i would even come and help u free i love setting this stuff up VHF monitor vhf long range 16 or 72 vhf short range 9 72 16 tri if u in south call me anytime rock and reel you got a friend in Florida port everglades give me a call if u around i mon the radios anytime i am on the boat