Typically you will see these mounted to the face of the mast. Tri-lens – From what I understand this radar reflector offers some of the best all around performance for the price. The Davis Echomaster Deluxe Hanging Version “Catch Rain Position” We will use seizing wire to properly seize them to the stay 12″-24″ up from the spreader. We only recommend these for boat’s with at least two sets of spreaders so that they can be mounted to the intermediate or D2 shrouds. This of course makes the reflector twice as expensive. This is why we like them so much. Yes, these don’t have the best performance, I’ve come to find out, but we always rig these in pairs (which may improve the performance results?), one on the port stay and one on the starboard stay. When properly mounted, they are neatly tucked out of the way of the sails and rigging. Mobri – A favorite radar reflector of ours for a long time mostly from an installer’s point of view. I would like to take second and talk about the reflectors we have installed the most of and their pro’s and con’s in terms of rigging. In terms of performance you will need to do your own research to see which reflector suits your needs the best. Here are a few articles (click here and here) that get into the science of it all. Clearly there are many factors in how a radar reflector performs wind, rain, heel, elevation, type of signal, I am sure there are even more. What makes a radar reflector good in our eyes is: #1 how well does it reflect or bounce back a radar signal in varying conditions and circumstances, #2 how practical and sturdy is it to install on a sailboat mast. For sailboats the options are narrowed down a bit, but there is still much controversy over which ones are the best, in what conditions and why.

In the world of radar reflectors there are many, many options. A radar reflector is used to help make your vessel more identifiable by other boats and ships that use radar to scan for vessels as well as other obstructions.

Navy star radar reflector