XM WX vs SiriusXM Aviation Weather?

NovaBandit · #1 03-29-2016, 01:39 PM

So one company (SiriusXM) offers two different aviation weather services. One is the legacy XM WX aviation weather, and the other is SiriusXM Aviation. Both have three levels at $34.99, $54.99, and $99.99 per month. However, it looks like the SiriusXM flavor includes more data points in the lower tier packages. I haven't done a one-for-one comparison, but it appears as if the SiriusXM $34.99 tier includes most if not all of the XM WX $54.99 tier features.

Does anyone know the requirements to get the SiriusXM data feeds? Will newer "xm" receivers like the ones built into the G3X touch be compatible with SiriusXM?

Huge Image below, comparing the two services (sorry if you have a smaller monitor!):

g3xpert · #2 03-29-2016, 06:51 PM

Hello Ed,

A G3X Touch system with a GDU 455 (7") or GDU 465 (10.6") display with built-in SXM weather/radio receiver may use any of the SXM weather packages, but not the older XM weather packages.

A G3X system with GDU 375 display with built-in XM weather/radio receiver may only use the XM weather packages.

An aera 510/560, aera 796, or GPSMAP 696 with a GXM40 receiver will use XM weather packages, while those with a newer GXM42 receiver will use the SXM weather packages.

Thanks,
Steve

roadrunner20 · #3 03-29-2016, 08:34 PM

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why would anyone buy these services when ADS-B is free?

NovaBandit · #4 03-29-2016, 08:51 PM

There are a few reasons.

You may be flying in areas outside of ADSB coverage, like the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada... or the fact that you get better radar resolution, and that higher resolution is for the entire US, unlike ADSB. It also has products that I don't believe are currently included in the ADSB datastream, like echo tops, freezing levels, and storm tracks (although my screens will display looping radar).

You can also get this on the ground, even if you're in the middle of nowhere with no cellular data to check with Foreflight before departing.

That said, I currently have ADSB weather, and it's fantastic. I do think that I'll probably purchase an SXM subscription for when I know be traveling a lot... if it can be purchased month to month.

NovaBandit · #5 03-29-2016, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g3xpert

Hello Ed,

A G3X Touch system with a GDU 455 (7") or GDU 465 (10.6") display with built-in SXM weather/radio receiver may use any of the SXM weather packages, but not the older XM weather packages.

A G3X system with GDU 375 display with built-in XM weather/radio receiver may only use the XM weather packages.

An aera 510/560, aera 796, or GPSMAP 696 with a GXM40 receiver will use XM weather packages, while those with a newer GXM42 receiver will use the SXM weather packages.

Thanks,
Steve

Thanks, Steve! That's what I wanted to hear!

roadrunner20 · #6 03-29-2016, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaBandit

There are a few reasons.

You may be flying in areas outside of ADSB coverage, like the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada... or the fact that you get better radar resolution, and that higher resolution is for the entire US, unlike ADSB. It also has products that I don't believe are currently included in the ADSB datastream, like echo tops, freezing levels, and storm tracks (although my screens will display looping radar).

You can also get this on the ground, even if you're in the middle of nowhere with no cellular data to check with Foreflight before departing.

That said, I currently have ADSB weather, and it's fantastic. I do think that I'll probably purchase an SXM subscription for when I know be traveling a lot... if it can be purchased month to month.

OK. I guess I'm spoiled as we get such great coverage here in the southeast.
I'm off to the Bahamas in May, so I'll see what kind of coverage I get out there in the outer islands.

BobTurner · #7 03-29-2016, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaBandit

There are a few reasons.

or the fact that you get better radar resolution, and that higher resolution is for the entire US, unlike ADSB.
th.

That 'higher resolution' looks pretty, but it's an illusion. XM has the same latency (delay) issues as ADSB, and what you see at high resolution is not what you get. Similarly, the radar data hundreds of miles away will change before you get there. High resolution is of little real use when it's not real time.

Ironflight · #8 03-30-2016, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadrunner20

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why would anyone buy these services when ADS-B is free?

Ed covered the reasons pretty well, but I'll add (for a Florida guy) that out here in the mountains, getting weaetrh from ADS-B can be hit or miss, especially when you need it the most - when you are in a valley trying to determine what is going on down the way and you don't have any coverage. It gets really remote out here!

Satellite works great in this case, so we have both in our airplane's for now. I am more impressed with ADS-B as we use it more, but it's hard to beat overhead coverage!

GalinHdz · #9 03-30-2016, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaBandit

There are a few reasons.

You may be flying in areas outside of ADSB coverage, like the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada.

I hate to burst your bubble but having flown extensively through the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America I can testify you will not get XM signal while flying in those areas. Sure, when you are over the US you will see the WX from those areas but once you get about 50miles from the US border you are outside the XM satellite "footprint" and you get nothing. Remember, if you can't receive a signal you can't get any information. Now, when flying within about 25miles of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean you will get ADS-B because there are three ADS-B stations there, but still no XM.

NovaBandit · #10 03-30-2016, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalinHdz

I hate to burst your bubble but having flown extensively through the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America I can testify you will not get XM signal while flying in those areas. Sure, when you are over the US you will see the WX from those areas but once you get about 50miles from the US border you are outside the XM satellite "footprint" and you get nothing. Remember, if you can't receive a signal you can't get any information. Now, when flying within about 25miles of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean you will get ADS-B because there are three ADS-B stations there, but still no XM.

Yeah. I think you're right. I haven't been able to find a good coverage map. So that point is iffy at best.

I did find a comparison chart of ADS-B vs the "new" SiriusXM Aviation Weather. It's from the SXM website, so it's not totally unbiased... so make of it what you will. It does note that there is data in ADSB that isn't in SXM, including NOTAMs and Special Use Airspace.