We have a passive radar reflector,, a 'Blipper' not the best and in a really bad sea my return might be a bit intermittent but generally I'm a really big return.

I think that, redundancy and a the more you have for safety is without a doubt better then less. It does make the boat more complicated which is against my concept of how a boat should be set up.

I just think that instead of taking a lot of time and $$$ trying to let the other guy know where you are it's better to detect and know where he is. radar, AIS, radar detectors, night scopes and other devices to find and give you a warning of what's around you is better than relying on them to spot you.

I'm not in favor of an AIS transponder. We have a receiver but not a transponder. I know you can turn the transponder part off but I just don't want everyone to know where I am.. If I'm traveling along the coast the bad guys know where I am as well as the good guys. I'm not comfortable with that.

We like to keep a low profile when we cruise. In many areas I turn my navigation lights off and rely on my detection of other boats. If the AIS spots a target I turn the lights on. I don't if it's radar image unless it's a big target like a small ship and I can see what it is with the binoculars (talking night here). If it's a dark boat with no AIS I keep them off. There are a lot of dark boats out there and I never know what their intentions are. Is it just a small fishing boat or is it some guy sneaking up on me. I get paranoid out there as I have had friends beaten by thugs and another killed.

At least when cruising in this part of the world the lights are off. Along the U.S. coast the lights stay on.

We have great visibility from the helm. An unobstructed 360 view even while lying down in the cockpit. That really helps.