Do we have any G500/600 users out there?

 

A couple of us have experience with it.  What is your question?

 

I am thinking about adding XM weather and/or digital engine monitoring to my panel both of which would feed data to my G500.  I’m interested in hearing from others on these two adds and if they thought it was worth the money.

 

XMWx may depend on your mission.  Do you fly IFR?  If the answer is yes, then WX should be a YES also.

I flew IFR in a G1000 equipped 172 and 182 for a year then shifted into a G1000 equipped Columbia.  No Wx in the first year - rentals.  I added WX to the Columbia.  The decision making difference was huge.  And I get to do it in the air.  I used to land, check out the weather via phone or FBO computer.  No longer.  I still deviate but I haven’t had to land and wait it out.  I just deviate.

Something else to consider:  Center weather is no better than XMWx.  You have to be in the terminal area with Approach to get active weather.

Do you use an iPad/iPad2 or similar device?  If so, you might want to consider the app from www.skyradar.com and the associated hardware to receive ADS-B WX.  The app requires a subscription and the hardware isn’t cheap.  But you can do an install that makes it look like a non event since the receiver talks to the iPad via Bluetooth.  The payout is pretty good to and you end up with a backup for a number of aviation and non-aviation needs with the iPad.  (I don’t have it yet.  Should have it by this summer once I get some other issues taken care of.)  If it works anywhere in the US then I’ll cancel my XMWx.

More important is a good engine monitor.  I want to know what each cylinder is doing.  Not just an average.  With a good engine monitor, you can catch cylinder issues (mostly exhaust valve issues), fuel flow issues and issues that develop in a magneto check.

Does the G500 allow for data downloading?  I wonder if this would give you what you want?  It would be passive but something you can monitor if you do have the feature.

Hope this helps.