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My experience with the XM data is that the traffic alerts are out of date by hours and the weather must be done by a budding, 4th grade meteorologist...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

[ST1300Rider]

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:

There are two XM services, Nav Weather is the one that is available for the Zumo and SP. The one that's available for the 376/378/478 Chartplotters is a different (and expensive) package. I got it on a 3 month trial to do a cross country trip or two and it rocks......

From my 376C

North America weather overview



The Weather specific screen



The weather overlay on the map page



The map legend



There is a ton more stuff that I didn't need/want and on the 376C you can turn the individual modules on or off. You can also set the zoom level that the weather data and overlays appear. You can check the local conditions and forecast for your location, the next waypoint on your route and your destination. Using the cursor on the map page you can check forecasts for any city that shows on the map. Severe weather warnings by county appear as pop-ups. It's a very complete package that was designed for pilots and mariners.

[DangerMoney]

There are two XM services, Nav Weather is the one that is available for the Zumo and SP. The one that's available for the 376/378/478 Chartplotters is a different (and expensive) package. I got it on a 3 month trial to do a cross country trip or two and it rocks......

If you subscribe to XM NavTraffic ( $4.95/month and compatible with the Zumo), weather comes with it.

[HipGnosis]

... a radio that has the NOAA frequencies is an excellent addition to a rider's gear.

Don't the NOAA alerts go by counties?  Which means I'd have to pull out a map to find out what county I'm in, where the storm is and where it's is headed.

[DangerMoney]

I fired up my Zumo 550 and got screen shots that show what weather info comes with the XM NavTraffic I mentioned in my earlier post. It includes severe weather warnings which are mapped. The "forecast" selection on the screens are greyed-out as  I didn't have the Zumo on long enough to capture the forecast data. To get all this you need a Zumo which supports the GXM30 receiver and must subscribe to XM NavTraffic. Don't know if you can subscribe to just NavTraffic and not the music.

[Slonishku]

Those 376 wx overlays look sweet! The Zumo ones... not so much. Bummer, because I'm really liking the idea of a 550 overall. For the Iron Butt Rally next year, I supposr the Zumo's wx reporting would be helpful for big-picture stuff, like deciding whether to brave the cold by seeking a bonus in Goose Bay vs. enduring the heat by seeking the bonus in Key West...

[ST1300Rider]

Those 376 wx overlays look sweet!

They are. The one feature that's most useful on really long routes is the ability to get real time conditions and forecasts for the progressive points along your route all the way to your destination. These are text summary pop ups available from the find menu.

[jwhite518]

Alex,

Choose wisely for your IBR GPS. I have a 550 but it has a few shortcomings as a rally unit. WX is one of them, the other Garmins do weather better. I think the 2xxx series are very popular with rally riders. I've gone down the Zumo path, and it's great for touring and general m/c use. I've also survived many a 24 hr rally with mine, shortcomings and all, but if I were buying one specifically as a rally GPS I'd probably look elsewhere. Too bad you won't be in Tulsa, Rob Nye's sure to drop tons of helpful info in his GPS seminars.

[Slonishku]

Too bad you won't be in Tulsa, Rob Nye's sure to drop tons of helpful info in his GPS seminars.

Believe me, I really wish I was going to be in Tulsa. Between my ultra-truncated prep time, missing Tulsa, and riding the RE5, I'm going to be needing some luck!

Are the weather features in the Garmin 2xxx seies much better? I've currently got a 2610, but need to spend the $$$ for map updates, so I was thinking of running it for data, another unit for routing or vice versa.

[jwhite518]

Are the weather features in the Garmin 2xxx seies much better? I've currently got a 2610, but need to spend the $$$ for map updates, so I was thinking of running it for data, another unit for routing or vice versa.

I think the 27/28xx supports the Nexrad WX overlays, better than what you get on the Zumo. For Spank and IBR I'm running a 550 and a 2610. Using 550 for routing, music, and cell phone, the 2610 for data, misc. functions, and backup. I sprung for the map update for the 2610 anyway. WTH, it's only money!  

[ST1300Rider]

Are the weather features in the Garmin 2xxx seies much better? I've currently got a 2610, but need to spend the $$$ for map updates, so I was thinking of running it for data, another unit for routing or vice versa.

The 2XXX series are the same package as the Zumo family. You have to go to the Chartplotters, 376C, 378, 478 to get the full meal deal weather. Garmin explanatory page Here.

[jwhite518]

The 2XXX series are the same package as the Zumo family. You have to go to the Chartplotters, 376C, 378, 478 to get the full meal deal weather. Garmin explanatory page Here.

Thanks for the link. Now it makes sense. And now I know why so many rallyists have the marine units.

[Ronin120]

I'd second what ST1300Rider says.

I have a Garmin 367c with XM weather (and tunes) with the "Sailor" weather option. I bought the weather package for use on my boats but it has proven to be pretty nice for the cars and motorcycle. That said, although the NEXRAD radar overlays are pretty sexy, especially with the animation feature, it really only lets me know just how wet I'm going to get. One has to keep in mind that what is being displayed on the unit has already happened. NEXRAD already has a bit of a delay which is exacerbated by the delay in sending to and receiving the signal from the satellite.

I had high hopes of being to ride around storm cells but that is pretty much did not happen in real-world use. Oh well, that's what rain-gear is for...

What is really helpfully are the synoptic chart overlays which will show frontal movement out for 2 days. With this and the ability to pull up local weather forecasts for pretty much anywhere in the US you can do some weather planning when on a long trip. Good for figuring out if it will be camping or hoteling at the end of the day.

@HipGnosis, yes the warnings go by counties but you'll be able to see which ones are affected. The software shades/crosshatches affected areas and putting the cursor on that area of the map/chart and hitting Enter will bring up the message.

Best.

[ST1300Rider]

I had high hopes of being to ride around storm cells but that is pretty much did not happen in real-world use. Oh well, that's what rain-gear is for...

True if you're on a timetable. It did come in handy on my last trip through CO/NM with all the thunder storm activity though. Twice I just waited at a gas stop until the "big red blob" that was shown over my route moved on. My wife (and the other three wives in the group) were impressed enough with my ability to forecast the lightning that at least one of my riding buddies got Spousal Approval to "get one of those things".  

[Ronin120]

....Spousal Approval to "get one of those things"

Hey, that's exactly how I was able to justify the XM Weather costs but in my case is was "Honey, we'll be able to see the storms coming and get to port before we sink!"  She wants no part of motorcycling.....

Seriously, the XM weather on the marine Garmin's is a pretty good deal.

Best.

[Walker]

My Garmin 2720 does not support weather reports, only FM traffic reports if you subscribe to the service.  The 2730 supports XM radio, but I haven't seen any refurbished units of these at the serious discount prices I bought both my 2720s for (one for me, one for my wife).

I've never felt the need to get the FM traffic receiver accessory for mine.  Anytime I've ridden where there may be traffic, there's usually a carpool lane too.

I've often admired the Garmin portable chartplotters like the 376C, but I've grown to really like touchscreens, which the 376C isn't.... nothing's perfect I guess.

[Slonishku]

So true... if only the Garmin site had a "design your own" option.