SiriusXM Weather - new receiver worth it over old one?

[Magnumpl]

Hi. I wanted to add a SiriusXM system for weather tracking when out of cell signal. I have a Simrad NSS Evo3 MFD and a WM-4 receiver costs $500. The options are mixed though. I am considering getting a used WM-2 (not sure if it works with my MFD) or getting an old Garmin chartplotter such as 478 or 396 and the GXM30 receiver so that I have a dedicated screen for weather, for a lesser price.

Which route would you recommend?
Are there any advantages of the WM-4 compared to WM-2 or even better an old Garmin with GXM30?

 

[dingbat]

Hi. I wanted to add a SiriusXM system for weather tracking when out of cell signal. I have a Simrad NSS Evo3 MFD and a WM-4 receiver costs $500. The options are mixed though. I am considering getting a used WM-2 (not sure if it works with my MFD) or getting an old Garmin chartplotter such as 478 or 396 and the GXM30 receiver so that I have a dedicated screen for weather, for a lesser price.

Which route would you recommend?
Are there any advantages of the WM-4 compared to WM-2 or even better an old Garmin with GXM30?

How about option 3....none of the above.

The GXM 30 was discontinued 15 years ago. Replaced multiple times since. Now the GX54 @ $900 plus annual XM subscription.

Just not a fan of XM at all. When all is said and done radar is the best and most cost effective technology.

 

[richw46]

Our group uses VHF radios with the WX channels to get NOAA weather broadcasts. If there's an alert the radios switch from the normal channels to the WX channel and provides the warning. It's enough to get us to come in off the water.

 

[Magnumpl]

Our group uses VHF radios with the WX channels to get NOAA weather broadcasts. If there's an alert the radios switch from the normal channels to the WX channel and provides the warning. It's enough to get us to come in off the water.

Does the VHF give coordinates or how does that work? I mean, how would it know my location, or how would I determine if the storm is heading my way?

 

[dingbat]

Does the VHF give coordinates or how does that work? I mean, how would it know my location, or how would I determine if the storm is heading my way?

While I have radar available, my first line of defense is NOAA WX on VHF.

NOAA broadcast the current location of the storm cell(s) and the current heading(s) and speed.

If the storm's path is in your vicinity, you should have no problem putting an eyeball on the storm cell to see if I need to take evasive action or not.

A sudden change in wind direction is the giveaway that storms are nearing. Rarely do I need radar to confirm the location of a storm cell

 

[richw46]

Does the VHF give coordinates or how does that work? I mean, how would it know my location, or how would I determine if the storm is heading my way?

As dingbat said, the broadcasts from NOAA provide details. NOAA broadcasts the forecast for areas around you. Information provided by NOAA includes where they are broadcasting from, intensity and direction of the storm if severe. There are multiple WX stations on the VHF radios and the emergency broadcast automatically picks the strongest one, switching you from a regular broadcast channel. You can select other WX stations but obviously the stronger they are, the closer they are. The weather forecasts are very helpful in planning your day as well, to prepare for bad weather.

Some VHF radios have an emergency beacon that broadcasts your position (LAT/LON). I have never needed to use this but some of our fishing buddies ran aground once and spent a very cold night in the fog waiting for someone to come get them. That's when all of us boat owners bought VHF radios and got rid of the small hand held family style radios.