Weather Screen on 2010 Nav System

Puzzle-man said:

Hi All,

I have a 2010 Wing with the built in Nav system.

I have never subscribed to XM radio or the weather maps that they offer. I have listened to the XM radio when they have a free period (like they do right now). I live in western Washington state. We have lots of trees. When there are trees between the wing and the satellite the XM radio drops out. This happens frequently when I am not on a freeway. I also note that I can not select Weather on the nav menu. It is grayed out and the cursor just skips over it and traffic.

Thanks ahead of time for any help, guidance and suggestions you can give me.

Bill

Click to expand...

Here are your questions and my answers:

1. When you subscribe does the Weather menu option automatically become active? YES
2. How good is the system at allowing you to avoid rain cells (this would be my main reason for subscribing) in the weather map mode? Fairly good at showing you the areas of weather. Radar is updated roughly every 5 minutes
3. How much detail do you see on the weather map screen? It is easier to see the edges of the weather when zoomed out. Zooming in tight, you tend to have less situational awareness.
4. Can you zoom the weather map screen just like you can the navigation screen (The navigation book shows the weather map showing about 2/3 of the entire US. That would be totally useless at avoiding rain cells in the local area)? YES
5. Does the weather screen blank or just not update when you are not in view of the satellite (tree problem)? Doesn't update
6. What does it cost to subscribe to XM radio and weather? Trick question, it varies depending on your negotiating skills
7. How do you go about subscribing (what number to call, how do you identify the XM radio you want to activate etc)? Some will say to activate it on SiriusXM.com, others call 1-866-635-2349. In any case, you get your XM radio ID or ESN off of the menu on the bike
   
8. The Navigation manual says XM radio and I assume that means XM weather maps are only available in the 48 contiguous states. What happens when you cross the border into Canada? Does the radio and weather maps just quit? Can't help you, haven't been up there
9. Is there anything that I should know that I am not asking? Can't think of anything
10. Do you feel the XM weather maps are worth the cost of subscribing to the service? Do you find it of help in avoiding rain cells? I do feel it is worth it. Keep in mind that no radar or wx depiction is going to be perfect. That is the nature of radar. It will give you a fair idea of the area to avoid, but if you expect it to be exact down to the line, you will get wet. I've read where people are upset because they got wet when they were skirting the green, but not in it. Nature of the beast.

I now have a Zumo 665 with the same Navweather that you can get on the 2009 and up bikes. It's $12.95 per month without the negotiating...I think I paid 6 months up front. Be sure to ask for the Navweather pkg when you call XM...customer service was a breeze and I think I will ditch the traffic service that raised my monthly rate to $19 bucks or so.

I was upset that I didn't wait just a few months to get a 2009, but now I actually think I have a better setup. I like the Honda NAV unit for seeing where and what road I am on exactly, but I use the Zumo 665 for going back and forth between XM and weather, plus I just set it up as a bluetooth adapter for my cell phone. Drove all the way to Utah without getting around to it, and just paired it with my blackberry a few minutes ago.

Frankly, if I had to use it for navigation, weather, XM radio and phone, it really might be too much. I really liked the way the two units work together to help me on the way from the DC area to Utah.

Sadly, too much snow and rain to do my original trip plan which included California and Montana. Got to Utah, spent some time with the family and am on my way home today.

XM radio and Weather on a Wing

Thanks both of you for the reply. I appreciate the information.

Slowdog,

I also have a Zumo 665 that I used on my 1800 VTX before I had the wing. I have mounted it on my Wing without the XM antenna. I now feel I have the best of both worlds. The ability to enter a route on the stock Wing nav unit is horrible. I use the 665 for all of my nav. It has newer maps anyway. I listen to the radio using the Wing's radio and I will use the Wing's nav for the weather. For me that is going to work out just fine.

BTW I have a Schubert helmet with built in bluetooth. I use the 665 with my cell to route all the sound from the 665 (nav plus calls from the cell) to my helmet and that is working just great.

I would make the Wing nav work instead of buying the 665 if I was starting from scratch but since I already had the 665 when I got my Wing I decided to use it. I think the combination of the two will be perfect.

Thanks again,

Bill