xm weather

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:45 am

You guys make too much money! I notice they want $30/mo. for the marine weather. Not counting all the new electronics. I haven't even installed the Furuno 48 mi. Radar that is about 1997 vintage yet. It is still new in the box. I think if I put it on, I couldn't dream about NavNet anymore. Electronics are changing almost as fast as computers. The stuff is out of date almost as fast as I see it in the magazines. Everytime I see something I want, the Admiral says it costs too much, and besides you never needed it before , why now? After Wilma, I need new canvas, new outriggers, and some repairs. Toys on hold again... Gene Dugan

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:53 am

Gene, I dont think we really need these toys to run the boats.It just comes down to the old saying...He with the most toys ....WINS.The $29 monthly charge is steep, however,You can just buy the months that you want to use it.I know what you mean about electronics changing everyday.If this xm weather would have been out prior to me buying my radar and all my raymarine stuff.I would have skipped the radar and went with the garmin system and the xm weather in place of the radar because i use my radar for weather not objects that i might crash into.maybe i will sell what i have and start over! Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:03 am

Sean - I did not get the free radio - but it is a simple audio cable connection from the unit to my onboard stereo in the cabin. so simple that I never hooked up the audio - just the weather...

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:09 am

i just re-read your post - and yes I do have it. the XM weather receiver is available as weather only - or weather/Audio - the only difference is the letter A after the unit numbers. When I bought the set - I got everything except the radar from a distributor in FLorida that operates online - I think it is called SWFlorida navigation - I got the package reel cheap. I thought you meant that they were giving away a portable XM unit to carry from your boat to car, eliminating the need for the hardwire. The way mine is, if I want to hook up the radio - it is a connection (single audio cable) from the back of the receiver unit to any stereo.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:46 pm

"Take a look at the Max-Sea and tell what you think Tim" It sure looks great but at first glance it looks like a complex harder to use version of the garmin 3010 with g2 chart or even the raymarine e120 with navionics platinum. Also at first glance it looked like it is adapted to the furuno navnet and that you have to have a pc connected to the system to make it work. My guess is this is probably the basis of the creation of the g2 and the platinum.just a guess.... also garmin is bringing out the 3200 i guess which will replace the 3010 in march when the g2 comes out and the g2 chart is preloaded and according to retail prices listed on garmins website it might be $200 less.I am surprised that they have not come out with a 12" screen to compete with raymarine.I am sure if they brought out a 42" plasma version people would buy it. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:49 pm

Now were talking... the complete "Bridge Command Center" with not one, but THREE 42" plasma screens with voice command prompts. Such as "Fish here, No Fish...have a beer, and Nice fish... have a cigar." [:D] 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 5:02 am

Is that true, you only pay for the months that you use it? I don't get too concerned about storms and bad weather in the winter down here. Summer thunderstorms and fronts can make things bad real fast offshore. I got beat up in a front last summer coming back from the Bahamas. There were several boats lost in it. If I had this marine weather thing, I would have seen it before I left the dock. NOAA sure didn't post any warnings. Gene Dugan

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 5:23 am

Gene, thats exactly why I would like the system! You have to pay a $50 activation fee every time you sign back on,so if you wanted it just for june-august it would cost $29 x 3 plus $50 for a total of $137.cancel sept1 then sign back up for the $137 for next summer.At least that is how i understand it. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 5:27 am

sean(s), Does the xm work in the rain or a storm? That is my only concern .That is why i got rid of my direct tv at the house because i could not watch tv when it was raing because the dish could not see the satelites. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 7:17 am

It is a bit expensive I guess, I get billed $90 a quarter. Activation was free but I'm sure you have to pay if you turn it on and off. But for me, just to avoid one offshore nightmare storm it is worth it. We get all kinds of lightning here, and I know several people that have been struck by it in their boats. One guy I know still isn't quite right. Little local storm cells and microbursts pop up off the east FL coast in summer that probably aren't big enough or long-lived enough to make it to NOAA reports, but they are quite serious enough when you feel the temperature suddenly drop from 90 to 70 and see a jet-black sky looming in front of you on what was an otherwise sunny day. I haven't had the pleasure but I know guys that have been hit with 50 MPH winds, golf-ball size hail, 40 degree temperature drop and zero-visability conditions in the middle of an otherwise perfect hot summer day with nothing forecast but "scattered afternoon showers," the standard summer forecast here. In the Gulf Stream, a longer-lived (and I mean half a day) storm front can raise elephant waves in a small area that can sink you and not leave a trace. In the afternoon they can grow right on top of you, and their movement can be deceiving because they'll sometimes move in one direction but be growing in size, faster, in another direction. The system already allowed me to dodge one last summer, and that particular one was doing what I just described- moving south but also growing to the east and north. I was offshore and the storm was inland, and my eyes were telling me I could stay there and let it blow by, XM radar showed me exactly what it was really doing. So I ran in and then ran north up the innercoastal, and the thing stayed just astern the whole time, chasing us at 21 knots. Lots of boats were out and going nowhere when I decided to leave, and I just missed the thing, am sure they got it. If lightning would have hit me that day and whacked all my electrics- well then the XM already paid for itself that day. Between avoiding the lightning, and wanting to avoid storm fronts while crossing the Stream to the Bahamas (a minimum 90 mile offshore trip), it is well worth it to me. On longer trips your boat's radar just doesn't see far enough ahead to tell what's happening along your path. As for how well it works in rain, well, I don't know yet. Hopefully I'll not be in a storm to find out, but if so I'll have my own radar to show me what's going on within 36 miles if the XM stops working. I had the antenna temporarily mounted on the starboard side of my softtop so it only got a clear view of the sky to the starboard side. Interesting thing about that was when my heading was southerly it got intermittent reception, but while pointed north (antenna with clear view of the east sky) it got good reception. I don't know if all the satellites are to the east of me or what. But I'm in the process of mounting it on the very top and after that expect if to work all the time. Finally, to those who would poke fun at the thing as a silly and unnecessary gadget- I say that anything available to me that might enhance the safety of my boat and those aboard her, for all those reasons above, isn't silly to me at all. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 10:13 am

Well stated Sean! Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:29 am

Sean, I too will have to agree, your case is well stated and your points are excellent. In fact, so much so, that I am going to get the XM system. Thanks. 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 4:59 pm

I am lucky enough to get great reception and have never lost the signal - XM or GPS. My antennas(seperate antenna for GPS and XM - but they look identical) - are mounted on the forward part of the flybridge - just below the small windshield on the sloped part of the fiberglass. I thought it was a bad place but I had it installed and the guy said it would be fine there. I only have it activated in the summer - then turn off in nov. it is 29.99/mo and 50 activation (as stated) but this year was free activation with system purchase. I was told to watch the Garmin and XM website for another free activation offer for next year. I completely agree with everything Sean said - safety first. I have boated my whole life - but only owned boats for about 5 years - and anything I can do to feel safer is worth it - especially 100 miles offshore!

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:48 am

Ok, now that you guys have my attention. What new equipment do I need to buy$$$ to just get the Marine Weather Service? I like the idea of being able to shut it down when I don't need it in the winter. Makes it more affordable. What the heck...I pay $300-$600 for customs to go to the Bahamas (hope they keep the 2 for 1 deal) every summer. I have no upgraded electronics. I have a old Garmin 175 Map that still works perfectly, and a plain ole new Furuno GPS to run my broken Autopilot. A compass and a good color bottom machine, and that is all I need. I still like to drive my boat, not push buttons. Gene Dugan

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 4:00 am

Gene, What i am considering is waiting till march.That is when Garmin is bringing out the new chart plotter 3200 which comes preloaded with the new g2 charts.From what i can tell the price will not be any more and in fact might be less.(I will have to see that to believe it)Garmin is the only system that does not require the use of a computer.If you want to buy now .What you need is the Garmin 3010c which has a 10.4" screen. This is the bundle which comes with the depth sounder as well or you can just buy the chart plotter and the gdl 30a but the bundle is a good value. GPSMAP 3010C Network Bundle Includes: GPSMAP 3010C Chartplotter/MFD, GDL 30A Marine Weather/Audio Satellite Receiver, GSD 20 Remote Sounder, and GMS 10 Network Port Expander . Here is where i found to be the best price at $2500 http://www.gpsonsale.com/MarineGPS/Mari ... &ovtac=PPC The only additional expense is the transducer for the depth for around $200 If you do not need the bigger screen you could go with the 3005c and the xm weather for about $1300 If you just want the weather capabilities the other option is you can just get the wxworx system for the laptop for $1250 it is wireless so you could use the laptop anywhere on the boat. I have really thought about it and i think in march if i can get the 3200 bundled for around $3k that is what i would like ,big screeen ,permanent mount, and i would love an extra depth finder.Also have you seen any of the demos on the new 3d charts? That alone is worth it. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC