XM Weather !!

[offshore]

Well everyone I have been tossing up the Radar to complete my Simrad system or going with the XM. For the money I decided to go with the XM weather. Spent the weekend learning all the functions. So far I will say it is money well spent. The nexrad radar loop update very fast once the system is up. The sst information is within a degree of the all the buoys I checked. And yes you can get all the latest buoy information on your boat!!! You also get sea and current information. Depending on the package you get you can get as much information as you need. I ended up with the Master Mariner package to start with. You can change the package any time there is no contract it is day to day (monthly). You can also suspend your account in the off season if you want with no additional fee. I will keep you updated.....Mark

[bluffman2]

Mark i have heard nothing but great feedback on that system.....

[Angler Systems]

Originally Posted by offshore

You can change the package any time there is no contract it is day to day (monthly). You can also suspend your account in the off season if you want with no additional fee.

Yea, that is one of the best things about the package. I have a friend who has the XM package and I've used it a few times, great product.

[welder]

What kind of dollars are we talking for a XM package ?
What kind of power does it use [ amps ] ?
What comes in the package, ant., screen ?
What is the reg. monthly fee ?

[offshore]

lester,
I was looking at finishing my simrad Cx44e with radar which comes to the tune of about $3900.00. After looking into XM and what I could and couldnt do the XM won out. There are many units you can go with to get XM weather and or radio. I opted for the Garmin 545 coastal - $810
GXM31 Smart Antenna - $216
Garmin G2Vision chart VUS512L - $330
A one time XM activation charge $50
And a month to month suscription $30-$50 per month depending on the package you get. XM WX Satellite Weather for Marine Service and Pricing

I went with the 545 mainly because of its good reviews and it is big enough to use as a backup Chart plotter on the boat that is why you see the G2 Vision chart. I am going to leave this unit set in TDs instead of Lat and Long because everyone where we fish uses TDs and it is a pain to switch one unit back and forth. I did see some of the 400 series units on ebay for about 1/2 the price of the package I opted for.

[welder]

Great answer , Thank you .

I think I would go your route when I can .

[Southshore Marine Service]

95% of the 545s units I have seen go out have gotten the xm. It is simply awsome how it works.

[Domino Effect]

It's worth every penny