Anything newer than GDL69a for XM weather?

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   The GDL69 is pretty dated technology at this point -- not to mention large. In my Bonanza, it would have to be mounted in the rear of the plane, which is not really desirable.
Is there really nothing else more up to date that can furnish XM weather to the IFD's? Or is everybody so satisfied with the ADSB weather that there is no demand?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Rolfe Tessem
N1500V

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rolfe_tessem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 187	Post Options Post Reply Quote rolfe_tessem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Anything newer than GDL69a for XM weather? Posted: 29 Apr 2024 at 3:34pm
	The GDL69 is pretty dated technology at this point -- not to mention large. In my Bonanza, it would have to be mounted in the rear of the plane, which is not really desirable. Is there really nothing else more up to date that can furnish XM weather to the IFD's? Or is everybody so satisfied with the ADSB weather that there is no demand? Inquiring minds want to know... Rolfe Tessem N1500V

Gring Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 724	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gring Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Apr 2024 at 9:16pm
	I had the MLB700 until Sirius was shut off then switched to the GDL69/a. No noticeable difference in performance, in my Bonanza I mounted it on the avionics shelf behind the pilot side of the panel. I’ve debated about installing a Skytrax to get ADSB weather. I have a TAS620/A, but would like some of the free data components.

paulr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2014 Status: Offline Points: 547	Post Options Post Reply Quote paulr Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Apr 2024 at 7:24am
	I don't think there are any other supported installable devices for Sirius XM WX besides the GDL69A. There used to be a few others (HeadsUp XMD076, the Aspen whatever-it-is) but none of them were updated to use the post-merger satellite bands, and none of them are available new. I debated the GDL69A but instead bought a GDL51 and have been happy with it. Since I have 440s + Aspen displays, I'd end up wanting to see the satellite weather on the iPad anyway; not having it on the panel mount devices isn't a problem. Note that there are different varieties of GDL69A-- look for one that has the "Sirius XM" logo on the back panel (not just "XM") to make sure it's compatible with the current set of downlink bands.

Gring Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Location: Kingston, NY Status: Offline Points: 724	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gring Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Apr 2024 at 12:46pm
	To clarify on Paul's post, there are two versions of the GLD69 and 69/A with all version being pin compatible. The original version needs to have the latest firmware to work with the IFD navigators. The new version, SXM, had reported problems working properly with the IFDs, but I do not know if that has since been resolved by the 10.3.xx release. Perhaps AviSteve can chime in here. The SXM is more desirable if it works because the service level has a higher number of products than the same service level on the orginal XM version, and at a lower price point.

AviSteve Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 12 Feb 2018 Location: Melbourne, FL Status: Offline Points: 2161	Post Options Post Reply Quote AviSteve Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 May 2024 at 6:49pm
	Sorry, just saw this question and don't know the answer off the top of my head. Stand by...
	Steve Lindsley Avidyne Engineering

rolfe_tessem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 187	Post Options Post Reply Quote rolfe_tessem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2024 at 8:13am
	Thanks to all for the replies... I have a Skytrax 200 which works great and furnishes weather and traffic to two yoke mounted iPads as well as the IFD. I have retained a Garmin 696 primarily for the XM weather, but I would like to retire it. Thus the search for a solution. Yesterday, I confirmed with Foreflight support that the GDL-51 will furnish XM weather to Foreflight while simultaneously allowing Foreflight to display the retransmitted data from the IFD. I assume this is possible because the GDL-51 is using Bluetooth while the IFD is sending via Wi-Fi. They can be individually enabled or disabled via the usual layer toggles in Foreflight. As to why I want both XM and ADSB weather, it is useful to have the WX available on the ground and that obviously isn't possible with ADSB alone. Bottom line, I think the GDL-51 is the best solution for me going forward. Best, Rolfe

paulr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2014 Status: Offline Points: 547	Post Options Post Reply Quote paulr Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2024 at 8:25am
	Rolfe, this is exactly what I do-- I get FIS-B weather from the IFD via wifi, and SXM weather from the GDL-51 via Bluetooth. It's easy to switch weather sources in Foreflight. My only complaint is that I wish I could see SXM weather on the Aspen, but that's a minor irritant (especially since you can't see any weather overlaid on the Aspen map page, which is REALLY what I wanted).

rolfe_tessem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 187	Post Options Post Reply Quote rolfe_tessem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2024 at 10:46am
	For others who may be following the thread, it looks as though there is a $400 rebate program right now on the GDL-51, so final cost is $375 -- a bargain in aviation terms :-). Rolfe