In general, the SiriusXM receivers (Garmin GDL51, GDL52, and Sirius SXAR1 ) provide more weather products, such as lightning, cloud tops, and storm tracks over a broader coverage area than ADS-B receivers (Sentry, GDL50), while also avoiding issues like coverage gaps and minimum reception altitudes. The Sentry, however, does not require a weather subscription. Below is a table with a full comparison of weather products.
DATA |
ADS-B WEATHER Sentry |
SIRIUSXM WEATHER Garmin GDL51/52, or SXAR1 |
NOTES |
METARs |
Yes Low-altitude stations provide data within 250-500nm. High-altitude stations provide wider coverage |
Yes CONUS, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Central America, northern S. America, the Caribbean, and Hawaii |
|
TAFs |
Yes Within 250-500nm |
Yes CONUS, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Central America, northern S. America, the Caribbean, and Hawaii |
|
Winds/Temps Aloft |
Yes Within 500-1,000nm |
Yes CONUS, S. Canada, and Puerto Rico |
|
Graphical Winds Aloft |
No |
Yes CONUS, S. Canada, and Puerto Rico |
|
PIREPs |
Yes Within 250-500nm |
Yes CONUS, Alaska, Canada, and PR |
|
Composite Radar |
Yes For CONUS and some local U.S. regions elsewhere |
Yes CONUS |
ADS-B NEXRAD is hi-resolution within a 250 nm ring, lower resolution outside of that. |
Base Reflectivity Radar |
No |
Yes CONUS, S. Canada, and PR south to Grenada |
|
NEXRAD Storm Cell Attributes |
No |
Yes CONUS and PR south to Grenada |
|
No |
Yes CONUS |
||
Yes CONUS |
Yes CONUS, S. Canada, N. Mexico |
||
Graphical Turbulence |
Yes CONUS |
Yes CONUS, S. Canada, N. Mexico |
|
Graphical Freezing Level |
Yes CONUS |
Yes CONUS, S. Canada, N. Mexico |
|
Graphical Icing Level |
No |
Yes CONUS, S. Canada, N. Mexico |
|
Lightning |
Yes CONUS |
Yes CONUS, Canada, Mexico, Central America, northern S. America, and the Caribbean |
|
Surface Analysis |
No |
Yes CONUS |
|
Surface Wind | No |
Yes CONUS |
|
Surface Wind Analysis |
No |
Yes CONUS |
|
TFRs |
Yes Within 100nm |
Yes CONUS, S. Canada, and PR |
|
NOTAMs |
Yes Within 100nm |
No | |
AIRMET/SIGMET |
Yes Within 250-500nm |
Yes CONUS |
|
Special Use Airspace status |
Yes Within 250-500nm |
No | |
Reception Coverage |
See the latest map for enroute coverage | CONUS and S. Canada, ground or airborne (with sky in view). See coverage map | ADS-B is generally available above 2,500' AGL but gaps exist |
Month Fee | No | Yes | GDL51, GDL52, & SXAR1 require the SiriusXM Pilot For ForeFlight subscription |
ForeFlight Subscription |
Required | Required | ForeFlight plans and pricing |
Notes:
- Distance ranges refer to the distance from transmitting ground stations currently being received.
- ForeFlight Mobile 10.2 or later is required for use with GDL51 or GDL52.
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