Furuno DRS6AX X-Class 6kW UHD Radar Pedestal, Less Antenna

The DRS6AX is the X-Class evolution of Furuno's 6kW magnetron radar pedestal, designed to network with NavNet TZtouch and NavNet TZtouch2 multifunction displays. The X-Class designation isn't marketing fluff. The pedestal got a top-to-bottom redesign: 20% lighter than the DRS6A it replaces, an updated motor that runs noticeably quieter, an integrated power supply that eliminates the separate PSU the old radar required, and a smart-connector cable interface that pulls all the radar wiring into one keyed connector at the pedestal rather than a bundle of separate connections. The lighter pedestal matters for radar arch design and for service access. The quieter motor matters on cruising boats where the radar runs at night and the captain wants to sleep without the rhythmic radar growl through the deck.

Performance specifications are what put this radar in serious offshore service. 6 kilowatts of transmit power push the maximum detection range out to 120 nautical miles when paired with the 6-foot antenna, which is enough for serious offshore traffic awareness and weather tracking. The minimum detection range drops to 20 meters, which is the spec that matters for harbor entries and tight close-quarters maneuvering: most magnetron radars have a near-target blind that starts inside the first 50 to 100 meters. The X-Class drops that to 20 meters, which gives you usable radar picture right up to the boat's hull. Range scales run from 0.0625 nm at the close-in setting up to 120 nm at maximum.

Fast Target Tracking is the headline added feature in the X-Class series. The function comes directly from Furuno's commercial FAR3000-series radar, where it's been deployed on tugs, fishing vessels, and pilot boats for years. The technology automatically acquires up to 100 targets at once and displays their course and speed as vector overlays on the radar picture without operator intervention. On a busy chartplotter screen at night in fog or in a shipping lane, that's the difference between scanning every blip for closing course and instantly seeing which targets are actually a concern. Combined with Bird Mode (which tunes gain and echo filter to surface feeding bird flocks for offshore fishing) and the standard radar feature set (Guard Zones, Echo Trails, VRM/EBL), the X-Class delivers the operational picture most operators want without manual target acquisition.

One critical thing to know about this SKU specifically. The DRS6AX ships as the pedestal only. The antenna is a separate purchase. Furuno offers three antenna options for this radar: a 3.5-foot, a 4-foot, and a 6-foot open array. The choice depends on the room you have on the radar arch and the target separation you want at long range. The 6-foot antenna gives you the narrowest horizontal beamwidth (best target separation) at the cost of a longer swing radius and more weight on the arch. The 3.5-foot is the most compact but has the widest beamwidth, which loses some target detail at distance. For most offshore cruising and sportfishing applications the 4-foot is the sweet spot. The signal/power cable is also a separate purchase sized to the run from the radar arch to the helm. We can spec the antenna and the cable with you before you order.

Two compatibility notes. The DRS6AX networks with NavNet TZtouch and NavNet TZtouch2 multifunction displays only. It does not work with NavNet 3D, earlier NavNet generations, or with NavNet TZtouch3 directly without firmware verification. If your MFD is TZtouch3 or older than TZtouch, send us the model and we'll confirm whether this radar pairs with your helm. Second, the pedestal is a 24V system. On a 12V house bank you need a 12V-to-24V converter sized for the radar load, which is a standard install for shops familiar with Furuno radar. Furuno does not offer a 12V variant of the X-Class pedestal. The boost converter is the right answer if you don't have 24V available.