IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM - Anything newer than GDL69a for XM weather?

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Anything newer than GDL69a for XM weather?

Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
Forum Description: Topics on Avidyne's IFD 5 Series and IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
URL: http://forums.avidyne.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2645
Printed Date: 27 May 2025 at 2:21pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Anything newer than GDL69a for XM weather?

Posted By: rolfe_tessem
Subject: Anything newer than GDL69a for XM weather?
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2024 at 3:34pm

The GDL69 is pretty dated technology at this point -- not to mention large. In my Bonanza, it would have to be mounted in the rear of the plane, which is not really desirable.

Is there really nothing else more up to date that can furnish XM weather to the IFD's? Or is everybody so satisfied with the ADSB weather that there is no demand?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Rolfe Tessem

N1500V

Replies:

Posted By: Gring
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2024 at 9:16pm

I had the MLB700 until Sirius was shut off then switched to the GDL69/a. No noticeable difference in performance, in my Bonanza I mounted it on the avionics shelf behind the pilot side of the panel. I’ve debated about installing a Skytrax to get ADSB weather. I have a TAS620/A, but would like some of the free data components.

Posted By: paulr
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2024 at 7:24am

I don't think there are any other supported installable devices for Sirius XM WX besides the GDL69A. There used to be a few others (HeadsUp XMD076, the Aspen whatever-it-is) but none of them were updated to use the post-merger satellite bands, and none of them are available new.

I debated the GDL69A but instead bought a GDL51 and have been happy with it. Since I have 440s + Aspen displays, I'd end up wanting to see the satellite weather on the iPad anyway; not having it on the panel mount devices isn't a problem.

Note that there are different varieties of GDL69A-- look for one that has the "Sirius XM" logo on the back panel (not just "XM") to make sure it's compatible with the current set of downlink bands.

Posted By: Gring
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2024 at 12:46pm

To clarify on Paul's post, there are two versions of the GLD69 and 69/A with all version being pin compatible. The original version needs to have the latest firmware to work with the IFD navigators. The new version, SXM, had reported problems working properly with the IFDs, but I do not know if that has since been resolved by the 10.3.xx release. Perhaps AviSteve can chime in here.

The SXM is more desirable if it works because the service level has a higher number of products than the same service level on the orginal XM version, and at a lower price point.

Posted By: AviSteve
Date Posted: 02 May 2024 at 6:49pm

Sorry, just saw this question and don't know the answer off the top of my head. Stand by...

-------------
Steve Lindsley
Avidyne Engineering

Posted By: rolfe_tessem
Date Posted: 03 May 2024 at 8:13am

Thanks to all for the replies...

I have a Skytrax 200 which works great and furnishes weather and traffic to two yoke mounted iPads as well as the IFD. I have retained a Garmin 696 primarily for the XM weather, but I would like to retire it. Thus the search for a solution.

Yesterday, I confirmed with Foreflight support that the GDL-51 will furnish XM weather to Foreflight while simultaneously allowing Foreflight to display the retransmitted data from the IFD. I assume this is possible because the GDL-51 is using Bluetooth while the IFD is sending via Wi-Fi. They can be individually enabled or disabled via the usual layer toggles in Foreflight.

As to why I want both XM and ADSB weather, it is useful to have the WX available on the ground and that obviously isn't possible with ADSB alone.

Bottom line, I think the GDL-51 is the best solution for me going forward.

Best,

Rolfe

Posted By: paulr
Date Posted: 03 May 2024 at 8:25am

Rolfe, this is exactly what I do-- I get FIS-B weather from the IFD via wifi, and SXM weather from the GDL-51 via Bluetooth. It's easy to switch weather sources in Foreflight. My only complaint is that I wish I could see SXM weather on the Aspen, but that's a minor irritant (especially since you can't see any weather overlaid on the Aspen map page, which is REALLY what I wanted).

Posted By: rolfe_tessem
Date Posted: 03 May 2024 at 10:46am

For others who may be following the thread, it looks as though there is a $400 rebate program right now on the GDL-51, so final cost is $375 -- a bargain in aviation terms :-).

Rolfe