Simrad HALO20+ vs HALO24: which radome fits your boat?

Choose HALO20+ when the mounting envelope is the binding constraint. Choose HALO24 when the larger installation is practical and separating nearby bearings is worth the extra space. That recommendation follows the published antenna specifications; it is not a claim that we measured detection performance at sea.

#The differences that matter

Shaded rows contain different values. On a small screen, scroll the table; model names stay visible within it.

Sources: Simrad’s HALO20+ specifications and HALO24 specifications, checked 3 October 2026. The cited regional pages establish specifications, not Australian stock or prices. Beam-sharpening figures are deliberately excluded from the native-beam row: software processing and physical antenna width are different comparisons.

#What a narrower beam buys

Imagine two boats at similar distances, close together in bearing. The reason to investigate the larger antenna is its ability to distinguish directions, rather than the largest number on the range selector. Whether two actual returns appear separately also depends on the targets, settings and conditions. A native beamwidth is therefore useful evidence, not a promise about every target you encounter.

For a yacht with a crowded mast, the installation can outweigh that advantage. Check sail clearance through the whole sailing envelope, the mount’s load rating and access for maintenance. A wider dome that forces an obstructed location is not automatically a better purchase. Take measurements on the boat before comparing retailer offers.

#Existing display or complete refit?

Record the display’s exact model and software version, then confirm scanner compatibility before placing an order. “Simrad” alone is not a compatibility statement, and a standard data backbone does not establish a radar-image connection. Use the radar compatibility guide to separate power, imagery and heading data.

Owners of an existing working system should price the cost of keeping its display as well as replacing it. For a completely new helm, compare the display controls and other required equipment too. Choosing a radar first can be sensible, but only when the rest of its supported system fits the boat.

#Budget the installation

Request two itemised Australian quotes with the same cable length, mount, heading-source assumption and commissioning work. Ask whether GST, delivery and access to the mast are included. A discount on the scanner can disappear when one quote excludes the mounting or cable work.

Neither an Australian transaction price nor an installed-cost quote was verified for this comparison. Treat the quoted total for your boat as the budget, not an overseas catalogue conversion. Ask the installer to identify the exact scanner revision and supply its current dimensional drawing; mounting loads should come from that documentation rather than a retailer’s abbreviated table.

#Which one should you choose?

For an existing compact helm, choose HALO20+ if it fits cleanly and leaves money for correct installation. For a boat with a suitable mounting position and frequent radar use, shortlist HALO24 for its narrower native beam. Neither choice compensates for inaccurate heading, an obstructed scanner or unfamiliar controls.

Before accepting the job, inspect alignment against known targets, check both range views and practise gain and clutter controls in clear conditions. Keep the commissioning record aboard. The radar tuning guide explains what to learn before poor visibility makes interpretation difficult.

#Worked choice: compact monohull or larger cruising platform

On a 32-foot yacht, begin with a drawing of the proposed mount and a check of sail movement, access and cable routing. If the larger dome creates a mounting or handling problem, the smaller installation can be the sensible choice even though the larger antenna has a narrower published native beam. The decision is about a supported radar the crew can use, not about winning a specification row.

On a 50-foot monohull or cruising cat, inspect the available structure instead of assuming the boat can accept HALO24. Ask whether the complete mounting arrangement preserves the required clearance and service access. If both fit, compare the installed difference and ask the supplier to explain when the narrower beam is likely to matter for the intended use. Do not treat beam sharpening and physical beamwidth as interchangeable measurements.

Shaded rows contain different values. On a small screen, scroll the table; model names stay visible within it.

#An acceptance exercise that answers a useful question

After installation, compare recognizable fixed shore features with radar returns in suitable clear conditions. Keep a responsible lookout while another person explores the display. Record the range scale, settings and any known obstruction; avoid claiming an isolated session proves one model detects better than the other. Ask the installer to investigate unexplained blind sectors or unstable information before departure.

For a constrained budget, retain a supported display and fund correct mounting and training. For a generous budget, consider whether a better radar viewing position or dedicated view offers more practical value than increasing dome size. The 32-foot plan and 50-foot plan put that choice in the context of the whole boat.