Gps vs radar

[BigLew]

Welcome to the forum.

GPS vs. Radar

Two entirely different animals.

GPS- It provides you location (lat/lon) and speed and bearing. Add a plotter function and it provides charts of what is shown on charts/maps along with a lot of navigational detail- channels, buoys, shoals, etc.,etc.

Radar- (the world of what is happening NOW!) At night, in fog, during blissfully clear days it scans the horizon and beyond for all things present at the moment- boats, buoys, rain clouds, shore lines, etc.,etc.
It does not neccessarily give you speed information though some will calculate relavant movements of other targets and determine if and how long until a likely collision unless avoidance maneuvers are taken.

Charts do not show current traffic, radar does. Radar does not show channels, shoals, reefs, etc.,etc., Chart plotters do.

You really need to do your homework and come to understand the value of both and which or both are needed for for your purposes.

Good luck. Check back with us and ask any questions you'd like.