Has anyone had any experience using the Garmin GDL 49 weather datalink
system? What's the performance like?

"kc" > wrote in message
...
> Has anyone had any experience using the Garmin GDL 49 weather datalink
> system? What's the performance like?
>
SLOOOOWWWWWWWW

A friend installed it and had it removed 3 months later - got a full
refund from Garmin. Haven't talked enough with him to know why, but
the local dealer says "wait a while - they haven't got this right
yet".

kc wrote:
> Has anyone had any experience using the Garmin GDL 49 weather datalink
> system? What's the performance like?

I demoed the system once and it worked, though I didn't get enough
experience with it to make a serious judgement.

For what it's worth, however, I know of two people who have the unit.
Both say it works, but that it's nothing to write home about for various
reasons including the time-consuming nature of the request/reply system,
delays in the weather products received, the resolution (at least as
displayed on the Garmin 530) and the high monthly / transaction charges.
On the other hand, one said "it's better than nothing".

If you need weather NOW and/or have already invested in a Garmin GTX330
transponder with TIS traffic support, look at one of the solutions from
WSI or WxWorx.

http://www.wxworx.com/
http://www.wsi.com/solutions/aviation/

If you can wait, watch for the Garmin GDL90 UAT (Universal Access
Transceiver). If all goes well, we'll soon have free terrestrial
broadcast weather text & graphics as well as TIS-Broadcast traffic (in
which similarly-equipped aircraft broadcast their position data to one
another). Expect the GDL90 to list for $8000, and start shipping late
summer 2004.

-Doug

--
--------------------
Doug Vetter, CFIMEIA

http://www.dvcfi.com
--------------------

"Doug Vetter" > wrote in message
t...
> kc wrote:
>> If you need weather NOW and/or have already invested in a Garmin GTX330
> transponder with TIS traffic support, look at one of the solutions from
> WSI or WxWorx.
>
> http://www.wxworx.com/
> http://www.wsi.com/solutions/aviation/
>

How is TIS related to these products? Both WxWorx and WSI are using weather
data from the XM satellite radio network. The subscription cost for WxWorx
is $60/mo and the uncertified hardware for a notebook is $800 or so.

When TIS weather information is available it will be provided by the
Government. However, you will have to pay to have your display device
modified to show the weather.

jerry

Jerry Kurata wrote:
> How is TIS related to these products? Both WxWorx and WSI are using weather
> data from the XM satellite radio network. The subscription cost for WxWorx
> is $60/mo and the uncertified hardware for a notebook is $800 or so.

TIS isn't related to the weather, per se. The reason I mentioned it in
this context is that based on what I've read, TIS-B provided by the UAT
will ultimately replace TIS provided by the mode-s datalink.

That means if you haven't bought a 330 transponder, and are not pressed
for a weather solution, it would be better (IMHO) to wait and invest in
the UAT vs. buy a 330 transponder for traffic and the GDL49 for weather.

The only thing TIS has going for it right now is wider coverage, but
it's clear the government is not going to send weather data over the
relatively small bandwidth provided by the mode-s datalink, and they
want aircraft to have collision avoidance information outside the
traditional radar coverage areas so that the free-flight concepts under
study right now can be implemented in the future. Thus, UATs are the
future. The Capstone project has already proved that to be the case.

> When TIS weather information is available it will be provided by the
> Government. However, you will have to pay to have your display device
> modified to show the weather.

True, but I think it's safe to say that will minor cost in the scheme of
things, especially if you consider how much money you'll save by not
having to pay monthly access fees to the commercial providers.

-Doug

--
--------------------
Doug Vetter, CFIMEIA

http://www.dvcfi.com
--------------------

"Doug Vetter" > wrote in message
et...
....
> > When TIS weather information is available it will be provided by the
> > Government. However, you will have to pay to have your display device
> > modified to show the weather.
>
> True, but I think it's safe to say that will minor cost in the scheme of
> things, especially if you consider how much money you'll save by not
> having to pay monthly access fees to the commercial providers.
>

The cost factor of UATs have yet to be determined. What we do know is that
the GLD-49 is $3600, plus installation. GTX-330 is $3,500 Plus installation.
On top of this you already have to have a GNS 430 ($7000) or 530 ($10,000).

Considering all that, $60/mo + $800 for the software for the uncertified
WxWorx system does not look too bad. But, then there is the cabling mess and
hatred for subscription systems to consider. Decisions, descision, .....
:->

jerry