Navico radar is a world first

Auckland company Navico has spent $15 million over 10 years developing a marine radar it says is an industry ‘‘breakthrough’’.

On Monday the world’s largest marine electronics company released its Simrad Halo radar.

The Halo was manufactured at Navico’s Auckland research and development hub on the North Shore.

Navico chief operating officer John Scott said the rotating radar, which sat on top of recreational and commercial boats ranging from 10 metres to 30m, was a major breakthrough in marine radar technology.

The radar delivers accurate, high-definition surface mapping for navigation, weather forecasting and bird spotting, which helped fishermen find fish.

Halo is made from faster and more durable components.

The radar detects objects at long and short range using pulse compression technology – which increases mapping resolution.

It was the world’s first dual range pulse compression radar, meaning it could function as two radar systems in one – monitoring two distance ranges simultaneously with independent displays without compromising resolution, Scott said.

The Halo gave off a lower amount of dangerous radio frequency emissions compared to other radars and its brushless motor was quieter and more durable.

The Halo sold for $10,000 and Scott expected to sell 10,000 each year.

To install the radar with the necessary additional technology cost between $20,000 and $50,000, which would generate about $300m annual revenue for Navico, Scott said.

The New Zealand market made up only 1.5 per cent of the company’s sales, he said.

Navico employed 1500 staff globally with about 127 employed at its North Shore office.

The Halo radars were put through thousands of hours of rigorous testing during the development phase to ensure they were weather proof, shock proof and vibration proof, Scott said.