"Mark T. Mueller" wrote in message
...

The GDL49 / EchoFlight solutions are actually much less expensive that
either WSI or the XM/WxWorx systems. However, after considerable research,
I

The portable XM/WxWorx system is MUCH cheaper (well, cheaper if I presume
you already own a laptop computer).. The system costs between $650 and $850
for the hardware plus $49/month for the subscription. The downside is that
there are lots of wires to carry around; the upside is that it is portable.


WxWorx claims to have a "portable" system, but I still think you need one
of
their antennas mounted and cables run, so as far as a "less expensive"

No, the antenna can go right on the glareshield just like a portable GPS
antenna.


The technology is here for quality broadcast weather, but it still looks
like it will be some time before a truely portable or certified system at
a

I agree there are some practical issues to the XMRadio/WxWorx system, but it
is indeed portable. My thought is that on the days when I know there will
be convective weather, it is worth putting up with the wires in order to
make the flight, but I suspect I will not use the system on non-convective
days.
system, and still have to shell out over $4K+ $50/month!!!! About the only
thing on the market that is reasonable and functional at the moment
appears
to be AnywhereWx using a Globalstar sat phone, but there are issues with


XM/WxWorx is notably cheaper and definitely more practical than AnywhereWx
with a sat phone. AnywhereWx has just as many wires and it is a
reply/request model. One really nice feature of XM/WxWorx is that you can
"set it and forget it" -- once you set it up before flight, just glance at
the laptop every 5 minutes or so and the automatically updated weather will
be there. The hard part of the technology is there (satellite reception)...
I just wish they would combine the battery/display/receiver all into one box
like a portable GPS.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com