Weather - ADS-B, WSI or XM?

[Oldguy]

The AV-300 on 67Z has been dropping out recently, and it looks like it may be time for some work on it. I have been runnning it in conjunction with my iPad running Foreflight with a Stratus 2, and both have been showing the same weather, with the exception of the AV-300 putting it on the MX-20. With the expiration of the WSI subscription at the end of next month, I have been looking at the MX-20/AV-300 combination and wondering how much more money to put into them. I do not plan on flying hard IFR, but do not want to do anything stupid.

 

Given the upcoming 2020 mandate for ADS-B Out will generate some expense on the panel anyway, what are some suggestions I should investigate now? Drop WSI and go with just the iPad/ADS-B weather solution? Add a Garmin ADS-B solution for a Garmin tablet/iPad option? Jump into a GTN-750 with ADS-B and XM weather and replace the MX-20? Or just stick with what I have, renew the WSI solution and get the AV-300/MX-20 worked on?

 

Right now, there is a KMA-24, MX-20, GNS-430W and KFC-150 in the center stack and a KX-165 and KT-76A on the right. Any and all comments are welcome.

 

Thanks,

John

[rbridges]

I plan on replacing the KT-76A with a Kt-74 once the STC is out to hook it to the 430W.  My setup is very similar to yours, including the foreflight/stratus.

[Cruiser]

In 2014 with nearly six years to go, I think Bob hass got the right idea. I plan to do the same as he is, replace the existing KT-76C with the KT-74 hooked to my 430W. That will make the plane legal for 2020. It is the least costly now also.

I like the idea of independently satisfying the "OUT" requirement. It leaves a lot of options for any "IN" combinations. 

 

Lots of stuff will be coming for the ADS-B IN side and for now any portable setup is a nice solution. I would hate to commit to an all-in-one system today and find out someone has a better/nicer idea that gets released six months from now.

[Oldguy]

I plan on replacing the KT-76A with a Kt-74 once the STC is out to hook it to the 430W.  My setup is very similar to yours, including the foreflight/stratus.

 

 

In 2014 with nearly six years to go, I think Bob hass got the right idea. I plan to do the same as he is, replace the existing KT-76C with the KT-74 hooked to my 430W. That will make the plane legal for 2020. It is the least costly now also.

I like the idea of independently satisfying the "OUT" requirement. It leaves a lot of options for any "IN" combinations. 

 

Lots of stuff will be coming for the ADS-B IN side and for now any portable setup is a nice solution. I would hate to commit to an all-in-one system today and find out someone has a better/nicer idea that gets released six months from now.

The more I read, those sound like the best choices for me as well. I thought I had seen where the Trig can now connect to the 430W as an approved source, so I am looking for the KT-74 to follow soon. That solves the ADS-B OUT but leaves me up in the air on weather. I think I will let the WSI expire and run on the ForeFlight and Stratus 2 for a while. Like Cruiser says, lots of stuff coming out almost weekly.

Thanks for the ideas.

[rbridges]

 

 

The more I read, those sound like the best choices for me as well. I thought I had seen where the Trig can now connect to the 430W as an approved source, so I am looking for the KT-74 to follow soon. That solves the ADS-B OUT but leaves me up in the air on weather. I think I will let the WSI expire and run on the ForeFlight and Stratus 2 for a while. Like Cruiser says, lots of stuff coming out almost weekly.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

 

I didn't realize the STC came through for Trig.  That's awesome.  You would think the KT74 would be very soon.

[ArtVandelay]

I didn't realize the STC came through for Trig.  That's awesome.  You would think the KT74 would be very soon.

It was on AOPA:

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/August/05/Trig-talks-to-Garmin

 

however their own web site hasn't been updated yet...

[kshaw]

Here is information on the STC for the Trig 31:

 

STC Number:
SA00744DE

This certificate issued to:
Peregrine

STC Holder's Address:
13000 E Control Tower Road Suite 219 Box K-4
Englewood CO 80112
United States

Description of the Type Design Change:
Installation of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS- Out Equipment using a Trig Avionics TT31 Transponder and an approved position sensor

Application Date:
11/14/2011

Status:
Amended, 07/31/2014

Responsible Office:
Denver Aircraft Certification Office (ANM-100D), Tel: (303) 342-1080

TC Number -- Make -- Model:
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172A
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172B
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172C
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172D
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172E
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172F (USAF T-41A)
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172G
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172H (USAF T-41A)
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172I
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172K
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172L
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172M
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172N
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172P
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172Q
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172R
3A12 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 172S
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182A
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182B
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182C
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182D
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182E
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182F
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182G
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182H
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182J
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182K
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182L
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182M
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182N
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182P
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182Q
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182R
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182S
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 182T
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- R182
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- T182
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- T182T
3A13 -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- TR182
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20A
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20B
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20C
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20D
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20E
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20F
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20G
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20J
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20K
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20L
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20M
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20R
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20S
2A3 -- Mooney International Corporation -- M20TN
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-140
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-150
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-151
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-160
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-161
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-180
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-181
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-201T
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-235
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28-236
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28R-180
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28R-200
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28R-201
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28R-201T
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28RT-201
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28RT-201T
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28S-160
2A13 -- Piper Aircraft, Inc. -- PA-28S-180

[aviatoreb]

It was on AOPA:

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/August/05/Trig-talks-to-Garmin

 

however their own web site hasn't been updated yet...

 

I just signed the contract to have the TT31 installed in my plane on Sep 23.  I slightly prefer the KT74 for the buttons but the TT31 is the same thing in its guts, and gets the job done just the same and at the same price point install and acquisition.  I need a transponder now for my next IFR cert so I am not in the mood to wait around and I am quite pleased with the TT31.

[jlunseth]

My strategy also is to install the KT74, which will make the aircraft ADS-B compliant, but I am not sure yet what I will do about weather-in.  I am still reading reports of weather not being received over areas of the midwest, particularly the Dakotas, and I fly there quite a bit.  I use my SatWX all the time, every trip, displayed on an MX20, brought in through a GDL69A, XM subscription.  Free would be nice, but not if it is free and not available 100% of the time, and even when available, only in poor resolution.  I will need to replace the MX20 at some point, the processor is old and therefore slow.  Still works fine though, so I am going to wait to see if ADS-B gets better, and reception is available 100% of the time.  Then I would probably display it on Foreflight with a Stratus2.  Not worth it though, at this point.

[Oldguy]

I just signed the contract to have the TT31 installed in my plane on Sep 23.  I slightly prefer the KT74 for the buttons but the TT31 is the same thing in its guts, and gets the job done just the same and at the same price point install and acquisition.  I need a transponder now for my next IFR cert so I am not in the mood to wait around and I am quite pleased with the TT31.

Are you connecting the Trig to anything to get the ADS-B Out handled or is it just a xponder replacement?

[KSMooniac]

Are you connecting the Trig to anything to get the ADS-B Out handled or is it just a xponder replacement?

 

I think the Trig is only a transponder and it must be connected to a WAAS source (like a GNS box) for proper ADS-B Out functionality.

[aviatoreb]

Are you connecting the Trig to anything to get the ADS-B Out handled or is it just a xponder replacement?

 

Yes, I have a Garmin 430W already and I am connecting it for the out.  Plus I have a GDL393d which I ready from the iPad so this should give me sufficient in to make me happy.

[aviatoreb]

My strategy also is to install the KT74, which will make the aircraft ADS-B compliant, but I am not sure yet what I will do about weather-in.  I am still reading reports of weather not being received over areas of the midwest, particularly the Dakotas, and I fly there quite a bit.  I use my SatWX all the time, every trip, displayed on an MX20, brought in through a GDL69A, XM subscription.  Free would be nice, but not if it is free and not available 100% of the time, and even when available, only in poor resolution.  I will need to replace the MX20 at some point, the processor is old and therefore slow.  Still works fine though, so I am going to wait to see if ADS-B gets better, and reception is available 100% of the time.  Then I would probably display it on Foreflight with a Stratus2.  Not worth it though, at this point.

 

I already get the ADSB weather with the GDL393d showing on my iPad.  While it is nice to have a second source, the quality of the adsb weather is just not as good as xm weather.  You get a lot more weather products with xm, and the appearance of it is just much better, so I have kept my xm weather.  So I have both xm and adsb weather - xm showing on my Garmin 510 (which is on the panel and also cross filling from the GNS430W) and adsb weather on the iPad.

[wiguy]

The XM wx on the 696 proved it's worth again last eve as I flew the length of WI from North to South. The Southern part had some lingering T-storms, near the home field area. Most of them moved off as I flew. Throughout I was always able to keep a good divert airport available. Of course I was able to backup XM presentations with my eyeball.

It also showed the presidential TFR had gone away, which Matched my preflight checks.

[Cruiser]

I just bought a cheap WxWorx satellite receiver and hooked to my Voyager software for XM weather. It works great (after some install issues were corrected)

 

You can see some in flight deviation on my recent trip to FXE, just check flightaware N99MS.

[Piloto]

Go with the XM weather it works from inside the hangar all the way to the Bahamas, Canada and Mexico. A friend of mine lost ADS-B WX coverage in Nebraska because the ground UAT station was knock out by a tornado. Unlike XM which is in space  the ground UAT/ADS-B stations are subject to service disruption due to weather (just when you need it) or flooding. I am very happy with the XM service. I can check for weather and TFRs just before pulling the plane out of the hangar. And more important I can tell if it is working or not before engine start. No need to get surprised after takeoff like with ADS-B WX.

 

José 

[Bravoman]

Agree with Jose. I fly two planes, with XM in one and ADS-B WX in the other. XM is still a far better product in my opinion. The presentation is better and less pixely. It isn't free though, and it would be interesting to know what kind of a bite the free service has taken out of sirrious/XM's share of the wx business.