More Garmin Gripes

I just installed a GDL69A data link with my 530, which works great. It gives
Nexrad radar as well as graphical METARs, and superimposes the information
on the basic map pages.

It is also supposed to provide text metars, but this will not be available
until "sometime in the future"

Worst, I have to subscribe to XM radio, which is excellent. Unfortunately,
there is no way to change the channels, identify the stations, or alter the
volume through the 530. My radio shop installed a removable box that allows
me to increase or decrease channels or volume (it's a guess what you're
listening to out of 110 channels).

So Garmin blew it again- they deliver a product that does not allow the user
to listen to the satellite radio or get text metars. Does anyone think that
the new owners will also have to pay for an upgrade to be able to do this,
even after already paying for the GDL69?

What about the terrain system? It's also overdue by nearly two years!

I can hardly wait for Oshkosh this year to see what kind of vaporware Garmin
is promising next.

Viperdoc wrote

> It is also supposed to provide text metars, but this will not be available
> until "sometime in the future"

Get an MX20.
>
> Worst, I have to subscribe to XM radio, which is excellent.

You don't have to subscribe to the "radio" part of XM. Your unit has
a separate and independent auth code for the radio part as opposed to
the weather.

> Unfortunately,
> there is no way to change the channels, identify the stations, or alter the
> volume through the 530. My radio shop installed a removable box that allows
> me to increase or decrease channels or volume (it's a guess what you're
> listening to out of 110 channels).

Get an MX20. Not only does it allow you to tune and adjust the volume,
it also lists the stations and what's playing on each of them (as
opposed to the ones in my car and my wife's car that only shows me
what's playing on the station I'm listening to).
>
> So Garmin blew it again- they deliver a product that does not allow the user
> to listen to the satellite radio or get text metars. Does anyone think that
> the new owners will also have to pay for an upgrade to be able to do this,
> even after already paying for the GDL69?

There's nothing wrong with the GDL69/69A that I've noticed so far. It's
the 530 which appears to be useless.

> Get an AviDyne MX500 instead.

Is the Jepppesen approach plate option working with the Avidyne EX500?
I mean REALLY working other than announcements from both Avidyne and
Jeppesen that it is "available"? I've learned in the last few years
that one should only buy avionivs or services that are actually and
really working as opposed to "vapourware".

Gerd

See! That's what I mean.
Gerd

This is the original quote from you: "The FAA has a contract with WSI
to provide the weather data, so there's no subscription cost to the A/C
owner." That's why I thought you meant that the FAA has a contract
with WSI to provide the weather data, so there's no subscription cost
to the A/C owner.

Anyhow, is there anyway you can back this up?

Thanks and regards,
Gerd

Dave, now that makes sense. You are talking about the UAT Flight
Information System (FIS). That indeed may be free of charge; however
it is very limited (2 pages in the MX20 manual). WSI is selling (i.e.
you have to subscribe to) their own WSI InFlight FSI (8 pages) which
has many more functions. Garmin's own GDL69/69A FIS is supposed to
have many, many more functions - but buyer beware: on many it says in
the manual "when enabled" or "this product is not available at this
time" - don't hold your breath.

Gerd

Can you display Jeppesen Approach Plates on the Avidyne EX500 as of
this very moment?

Gerd

Sorry, I didn't scroll down enough before I posted my last message.
Very impressive panel and display!!!

Gerd