I have used a Nobeltec 4KW Radar w VNS v 7 for the last year. Overall I would rate the Radar functionality as an 8 out of 10, with 10 being fantastic. I went with the Nobeltec solution because I had space issues at my helm, and couldn't accommodate multiple screens for Radar and ChartPlotting. I've also recently spent a number of hours in front of a dedicated radar screen, and have a better understanding of why many people don't like the Radar overlay on a chart. At first glance, combining the Radar Overlay image on an already busy chart can seem overwhelming. However, like many things, the value comes from using the application, and coming to understand how it works, and then getting the most out of it. There are several things I really like about Radar Overlay. First, the radar returns that are associated with land masses and buoys or markers are very easy to identify on an overplayed image. For me, this makes it easier to focus on real targets, and not static marks that are not going to move. Second, the software has the ability to associate Gain, Sea Clutter, and Rain settings with each different Range setting. This means you don't have to re-tune the radar when bouncing around different ranges. Also, the radar can be synchronized with the scaling of the underlying chart, and it will increase or decrease range as you change the zoom level of the chart. It all adds up to a more user friendly experience (Some would argue that this makes an operator less knowledgeable about what's going on underneath all that software). I find these features to be very helpful. Finally, the sensitivity of the Radar is excellent. I have marked kayaks, birds, crab pots, and many targets that I was astounded would generate a reflection. Oh, and for those people that want a stand alone screen, you can always accomplish that by simply selecting a Radar only image, which results in the same kind of display you would get with a stand alone unit. Now, a word about reliability. I am very, very careful with my navigation system. It doesn't run anything other than VNS, is patched to the latest levels of software, and is 100% dedicated to VNS. In 240 hours of operation, the software has locked up 4 times. The latest incident was during an offshore delivery of a 55' Fleming from Coos Bay to Seattle. After running for more than 30 hours, the software died as we were negotiating a narrow passage between Umatilla Reef and the mainland off the west coast of Washington. Talk about dieing at the worst possible time, this did exactly that. If it had been night, or foggy, this could have been a tense situation. As it was, the captain had negotiated this location dozens of times, and it was daylight, so there was little if any risk. We had the software back up and running in less than a 90 seconds. What this does point out is that the software does have stability issues that are potentially less robust than a dedicated Radar or chartplotter running an embedded OS. I view this risk as one of the costs to have the power of a PC based navigation system. It's acceptable to me, because I'm a PC kind of guy, and believe I can manage these issues with an acceptable level of risk. If you are not PC literate, I would recommend buying a dedicated Radar platform from one of the top vendors. Of course now they all offer integrated solutions as well, so you really don't have to give up the Radar overlay functionality. I hope these comments are helpful, and I should advise that I do not work for, nor do I have any business relationships with any marine navigation companies. I have been liberal with my feedback to Nobeltec striving to deliver the most robust application available, and have found them to be attentive, and concerned about achieving this shared objective. Thanks, Scott. Scott Bulger Knot@Work, 31' Camano Email: scottebulger@comcast.net