Weather reports on GPS?

[138742]

Hey Guys,

I've am looking at the Quest and 2610. I like that they are both waterproof and can incorporate new maps as I am going X-country twice this summer. Do they get the weather report on them? Enough information to make a decision to head more North or South to pass through poor weather or not at all.

Thanks

[zer0netgain]

Hmmmm.  I know some models have traffic alerts, but weather?

I'd be amazed if any had it.  There just isn't the means to provide pinpoint weather in real time.  A map overlay might be the best they could do.

[lemansiii]

The only way I can think of getting weather alerts on a bike are weather band radio and satellite radio.  Typically standalone units.

Garmin sell an XM antennae/receiver that is not cheap, that will give you XM radio and weather nationwide, and traffic data in selected cities, for a fee.  It only works with certain Garmin units.

xmradio.com

Scott

[zer0netgain]

I've relied on what I see on the horizon, and I've watched as clear skies turn ominous the closer you get to where you're going.  

I wonder if there is any real use for the feature.  Weather is just too big to easily navigate around.  Perhaps in winter with potential road closures from ice/snow, but rain?

[Chips]

I have a Zumo 550 with the XM30 antenna which provides traffic alerts, XM radio and weather alerts. I've not noticed whether the GPS will avert bad weather while en-route but it does for traffic issues.

[boris badenov]

I have SP 2820 with GXM 30 antenna and it does have a weather forecast and alerts. It is not really integrated with GPS though. I had a “flood warning” box pop out on screen but it did not tell me where, I had to go through the menus in order to get details (totally not recommended when in motion… ). There is an option to see the weather on the map but it is more like a snapshot view – it does not change as you are moving.    

[jude]

My experience with the XM data is that the traffic alerts are out of date by hours and the weather must be done by a budding, 4th grade meteorologist...

I'm canceling the service at the end of the month.

[lemansiii]

I've relied on what I see on the horizon, and I've watched as clear skies turn ominous the closer you get to where you're going.  

I wonder if there is any real use for the feature.  Weather is just too big to easily navigate around.  Perhaps in winter with potential road closures from ice/snow, but rain?

It depends on the scale of your trip.  If you're riding several hundred miles and you have a couple of options, then it can be helpful.

I wouldn't use it to divert because of rain, but if there were high winds, tornadoes, hail, or flooding, then I would like to know about that.

However, the 2820/GXM30 combination does not have automatic weather avoidance, so you'd have to check periodically.

Scott

[RickC1957]

I have used the my Motorola SR71 radios that can pick up the National Weather Service, but I rarely use them. Out west you can see the weather coming at you. Other places I just listen to the weather channel before I leave...I rarely find the need for up to the minute weather reports. And the 2610 will route you back on to your route in you are trying to ride around the thunderstorm up ahead.

[jwhite518]

The 2610 definitely does not support weather overlays. As stated earlier, the newer models with XM antennas support weather. I own both a Zumo and a 2610 and I'm not interested in adding XM weather. If you can't ride through it, hunker down til it passes.

[138742]

Thanks for the good information. I don't think I would go with an xm setup. I guess this is something they need to incorporate into the GPS satellites.   I don't mind riding in that rain as my bike actually gets a bath  

It is very true that you can get a great idea of the weather before you head out for a few days. Anything after though and the weather would most likely have changed. Being on the road and camping for several days would make it hard to check up on NOAA. It would be sweet to get an update and current information about severe weather conditions, lighting, hail, snow, high winds, and things of that nature.

I have ridden in some really nasty stuff, including being caught in a inch and half of snow, but that was close to home. But being someplace more desolate like 94 and 90 in Montana and its a different story. Although I wouldn't be there in the winter, but there is still some nasty stuff that rolls through.


 

[RickC1957]

It is very true that you can get a great idea of the weather before you head out for a few days. Anything after though and the weather would most likely have changed. Being on the road and camping for several days would make it hard to check up on NOAA. It would be sweet to get an update and current information about severe weather conditions, lighting, hail, snow, high winds, and things of that nature.

 

Thats the beauty of the SR71s you can pick up a NOAA station anywhere in the USA, the SR71s seek out the closest station with the best reception. The battery life is good, if you kill the rechargeable ones, drop in AAs. And if you camping...KAOs, some have wireless internet now. I bring my internet tablet for this reason.

[jwhite518]

Thats the beauty of the SR71s you can pick up a NOAA station anywhere in the USA, the SR71s seek out the closest station with the best reception. The battery life is good, if you kill the rechargeable ones, drop in AAs. And if you camping...KAOs, some have wireless internet now. I bring my internet tablet for this reason.

I don't get it. You carry a battery operated Mach 3 jet aircraft with you?

[zer0netgain]

I don't think weather function would ever be part of a GPS satellite.  I don't even put much faith in those traffic alert systems.  They'll only work in cities which have the infrastructure, so if you do a lot of rural region traveling, it's no use.

I'd sooner make it a point to stop at a public access terminal or some place where you can watch The Weather Channel and see what the radar map looks like.  It's free.

[boris badenov]

I don't think weather function would ever be part of a GPS satellite.  I don't even put much faith in those traffic alert systems.  They'll only work in cities which have the infrastructure, so if you do a lot of rural region traveling, it's no use.

I'd sooner make it a point to stop at a public access terminal or some place where you can watch The Weather Channel and see what the radar map looks like.  It's free.

if there is enough interest - it will. the feeds are most likely coming from weather channel anyway and integration with gps map can be done with firmware. that would be useful on a long trips  

[Thunder7]

As long as I have data service I can use my phone to get animated radar and satellite maps. Thats assuming I cant see thats coming and where its headed.

I've found that any of the traffic services are horrible in most cases and subsequently learned that they can be wrong more often than a television meteorologist.

[tag2501]

I know that Garmin's 376 does have a weather service feature (I think you subscribe and pay, of course).  Some of their other units may also.  I don't remember clearly, but I think it was more extensive that simple alerts.   I decided not to spring for the extra $$$ and went with the 276.  Part of my rationale for those units versus the Nuvi, 2820, etc. was that the screen size was a bit better back then, and the unit is also marine capable (I use it for sailing also).  The unit still fits in between the handlebars on the FJR nicely on a stem mount.

[FlowBee]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the XM weather is more of a front forecast map like this:



Instead of a much more useful doppler radar image like this:

[SuperHans]

As long as I have data service I can use my phone to get animated radar and satellite maps. Thats assuming I cant see thats coming and where its headed.

+1
You can get live doppler and adding internet to your phone is much cheaper than what XM charges for the weather service.

[Thunder7]

+1
You can get live doppler and adding internet to your phone is much cheaper than what XM charges for the weather service.

The only downside is if one is in an area with no data service, which is entirely possible. At which point a radio that has the NOAA
frequencies is an excellent addition to a rider's gear.