XM Marine Weather

[Starboard 6]

Does anyone have the XM marine weather package on their chartplotter system. I am getting the Garmin 4208 with the sounder package and they have a "bundled" deal that includes the radar weather package. Since I am not adding radar this year, I thought this may be a good inclusion.

Does anyone have any thoughts? It will only cost about $350 more installed (retails for $about $700). Of course the subscription is $9.95 to $24.95 / month depending on the package.

 

[avguy]

We've had it for a couple years now. Love it.

 

[Fell 4 it]

Got it last year - love it!

 

[tobnpr]

Recently discussed; I think it depends on your needs and location.

Here in "thunderstorm alley" I use it (sirius, same stuff) daily in the summer to keep an eye on the developing storms. It's interesting to see them on the Wx screen, and match it up with the radar on the boat...

If severe weather isn't really an issue where you boat, I wouldn't see the value.

Also, if you boat inshore/neashore where you're in cellphone range, it's easy enough with a web-enabled cellphone to pull up local radar images from your local tv station.

 

[Escapade]

Ditto what every one else has mentioned AND, you can check other near by reporting stations for up to date conditions and forcasts. We consider it a must have here on Great lakes.

 

[Skeetobite]

Recently discussed; I think it depends on your needs and location.

Here in "thunderstorm alley" I use it (sirius, same stuff) daily in the summer to keep an eye on the developing storms. It's interesting to see them on the Wx screen, and match it up with the radar on the boat...

If severe weather isn't really an issue where you boat, I wouldn't see the value.

Also, if you boat inshore/neashore where you're in cellphone range, it's easy enough with a web-enabled cellphone to pull up local radar images from your local tv station.

I agree with this. We have storms daily along the Gulf Coast. We're out 3 to 4 days each week and use the XM weather far more than the radar.

There have been several times that we have been able to pull the hook and run for safe harbor because we were able to see what is coming. Sometimes things are moving too fast and you have to check the set of your anchor and increase the scope to just ride it out.

If you get one of these units, take the time to understand what you are looking at on the screen. Familiarize yourself with the various weather displays. I have even used this feature between 30 and 80 miles offshore to decide if something is small enough to "punch through" or if I should go around. Note: 99.99% of the time I go around due to lightning.

 

[Starboard 6]

What plan is necessary to utilize the functionality of the unit. Is Nexrad radar what makes the unit useful? It is only available in the higher level packages.

Price Page w/ features from Marine XM... :
http://www.xmwxweather.com/marine/data-service-pricing.html

 

[Skeetobite]

Personally, the nexrad is the feature I use most. It has an animation option so you can really see if a system is stregthening, weakening, direction and forward speed. This is most important. In Florida, the outflow boundary of the storms is very evident on nexrad. This is the strong winds ahead of a storm down here and you can tell within 4 minutes of when it will hit you.

 

[Starboard 6]

Thanks Skeetobite!

I had a feeling I would need the next package up from the lowest at least.

Is anyone familiar with the difference between the Fisherman and Mariner packages? The link with the details for each package is listed further back in my last post.

 

[Graham Lorimer]

I have a Garmin GDL XM Receiver that I can not use here in Europe, (was on the boat when I purchased in Florida) and will sell for a reasonable offer. Graham

 

[Skeetobite]

Thanks Skeetobite!

I had a feeling I would need the next package up from the lowest at least.

Is anyone familiar with the difference between the Fisherman and Mariner packages? The link with the details for each package is listed further back in my last post.

I've had both the fisherman and the sailor packages. I switched to the "Sailor" package because it gives me the metars for wind speed and direction, wave direction, wave height and wave period info. As an avid boater who can venture around 90 miles offshore, I find this info far more useful than the sea surface temps and bouy data. if I want the sea surface temp, I just look down at the chartplotter. I watch the temps to find the gulf loop current.