Furuno’s standalone 6kW marine radar with integrated 10.4-inch color LCD display. The 1945 combines a 4-foot open-array antenna with a self-contained display unit, AIS and ARPA target tracking, and automatic clutter controls for pleasure, fishing, and work boats that want radar without bundling into a separate MFD ecosystem.
The Furuno 1945 6kW 4-foot Open Array 10.4-inch Color LCD Radar (MPN 1945) is Furuno’s standalone marine radar package, combining a 4-foot open-array antenna with a self-contained 10.4-inch color LCD display unit. Unlike modern MFD-based radar systems that require a separate multifunction display to show radar imagery, the 1945 is a complete radar in one product, the display lives in the radar’s own dedicated unit. For boats that want serious radar capability without committing to a particular MFD ecosystem (or boats with existing chartplotters where the radar is independent), the standalone architecture is the right choice.
6 kilowatts of magnetron output. The 1945 delivers 6kW of magnetron output, which is the power class appropriate for inshore and coastal cruising, fishing operations, and work-boat use. The 6kW output provides solid detection of small targets at moderate ranges (typical recreational detection of comparable-size boats at 8-15nm, much longer on large vessels and land), with enough power to penetrate moderate rain and weather. For boats that don’t need 12kW or 25kW long-range capability but do need serious recreational and coastal-commercial radar performance, 6kW is the right power class.
4-foot open-array antenna. The 4-foot antenna delivers narrower beamwidth than dome alternatives, which means better target separation and bearing resolution. For boats that operate in moderate-traffic waters (busy harbors, coastal cruising, fishing grounds with multiple boats), the 4-foot open array delivers target discrimination that smaller dome radars can’t match. The 4-foot is also a manageable mast-mount size for boats in the 30-50 foot range where larger 6-foot antennas might be impractical.
10.4-inch color LCD display. The integrated 10.4-inch color LCD is sized for radar display at any practical helm distance, with the brightness and contrast tuning that Furuno provides for marine-grade visibility. The color display handles target highlighting, AIS overlay, ARPA tracking display, and the full radar interface in a single dedicated unit. For helms where the radar display is the primary use case (separate from chartplotter and instruments), the dedicated display keeps the radar always-available rather than competing for a shared MFD screen.
AIS and ARPA target tracking. The 1945 tracks up to 100 AIS targets and 10 ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) targets simultaneously, with target overlays on the radar screen for collision-avoidance assessment. AIS targets carry the vessel name, speed, rate of turn (ROT), draft, destination, and other navigation data transmitted by the AIS network, which means you know what the other boats are doing, not just where they are. AIS visibility doesn’t depend on radar line-of-sight either, AIS targets stay visible even when obscured by large ships or islands that would block radar returns. For collision avoidance in busy commercial-traffic waters, AIS plus ARPA is the combined picture that lets you make informed decisions.
Automatic Gain/Sea/Rain controls. The 1945 includes automatic Gain, Sea clutter, and Rain clutter controls that adjust the radar signal processing in real time based on the operating environment. For operators who don’t want to constantly fiddle with manual radar controls, the automatic settings deliver consistently usable radar pictures across varying conditions (calm seas, rough seas, light rain, heavy rain, harbor versus offshore). Manual controls remain available for operators who want fine-tuned adjustments.
Advanced signal processing for close-range detection. The 1945’s signal processing delivers substantial improvement in target detection at close range, where older magnetron radars struggled. Close-range detection matters most for collision avoidance in busy waters and harbor maneuvering, exactly where the operator needs the radar to be most reliable. For boats operating in tight quarters, the close-range performance is operationally meaningful.
New display modes for safer navigation. The 1945 includes all-new display modes engineered specifically to assist with navigation safety, with the display layouts and visual aids that help operators interpret the radar picture quickly and correctly. For operators who weren’t trained on radar fundamentals or who use the radar only intermittently, the display modes deliver the kind of guided radar presentation that turns a complex instrument into a usable tool.
Programmable NMEA 0183 integration. The 1945 interconnects with other navigation equipment (chartplotters, sounders, instruments) through Furuno’s programmable NMEA 0183 interface. For boats where the radar needs to share heading, position, course, and other navigation data with the rest of the helm electronics, the NMEA 0183 architecture is the standard integration layer. The 1945 is a NMEA 0183 generation product, so integration with modern NMEA 2000-only boats requires a NMEA bridge or a chartplotter that handles both.
Day and night visibility. The 1945 lets you see far-away objects before they’re visible to the naked eye, and lets you see in the dark, fog, or any period of obstructed visibility in any weather condition. For boats that operate offshore at night, in fog, or in heavy weather, the radar is what makes the operation possible at all. For coastal cruising in clear conditions, the radar adds situational awareness even when visibility is good.
Install considerations. The 4-foot open-array antenna mounts on a mast, hardtop, or radar arch with appropriate structural support. The 10.4-inch display unit mounts at the helm. Cable runs connect the antenna to the display, plus power, plus NMEA 0183 connections to any other navigation equipment. Total install is a marine electronics installer day for a clean job. Not casual DIY because the antenna mount, cable routing, and electrical integration all benefit from professional setup.
Why pay this much. Three reasons. First, the standalone architecture (radar plus integrated display in one product) is the right choice for boats that don’t want to commit to a particular MFD ecosystem or that want the radar to remain independent of chartplotter availability. Second, 6kW magnetron power plus 4-foot open-array antenna deliver the detection capability and target separation that serious recreational and coastal-commercial use requires. Third, AIS plus ARPA target tracking with automatic clutter controls turn the radar into a usable collision-avoidance instrument rather than a passive return display. For boats where these capabilities match the operational use case, the Furuno 1945 earns its position.
