New Garmin GXM-51 NMEA 2000 XM Receiver Announced - The Hull Truth

yachtjim · 02-11-2009, 09:00 AM

Garmin has introduced a new NMEA2000 XM weather/audio receiver. It willintegrate with any Garmin NMEA2000 compatible unit like the 4000 and5000 Series. Here is a pic followed by the specs:

Garmin International is pleased to announce the GXM 51 Weather and Audio XM Satellite Receiver. Delivering U.S. graphical weather data directly to your compatible Garmin chartplotter, this sleek, watertight XM satellite receiver/antenna offers easy plug-and-play installation with NMEA 2000 network connectivity. The integrated all-in-one design means there is no remote “black box” to install. The GXM 51 can be powered directly through the NMEA 2000 bus, so no separate power connection is required! In addition to conventional pole or surface mounting, the GXM51 can also be installed on the underside of many fiberglass decks,using the included under-deck mount. Over 20 different types of weather information (including NEXRAD, lightning, wave heights, water temps,wind data, and more) can be accessed from your chartplotter screen(depending on the XM WX package selected). Plus, with a subscription,you can even use the GXM 51 to enjoy over 170 channels of quality audio entertainment via XM Satellite Radio.

The GXM 51 is compatible with the GPSMAP 4208, 4210, 4212, 5208, 5212and 5215. The GDL 30A is also available for all GPSMAP 3000, 4000 and5000 series products.

GXM 51 Package includes: GXM 51, 6m NMEA 2000/Audio cable, 305mm audio cable
(7-pin to RCA), pole mount, under-deck mount, surface mount, mounting
hardware, NMEA 2000 T-connector, NMEA 2000 terminator (male), NMEA 2000
terminator (female), installation instructions

Availability: May, 2009
Garmin P/N: 010-00753-00

bluewaterpirate · 02-11-2009, 09:10 AM

About time they went to the Smart Antenna for the larger MFD's. That means one less blackbox behind the helm area. This is a proven design the Garmin 400/500 series CP hasused this antenna for over two years.

bluewaterpirate · 02-11-2009, 09:48 AM

The other interesting thing will be the price. You can get a GXM31A for the 400/500 series for around $220.00 so I guessing the new GXM51 will come in around $300 - 350 & that would reduce the cost of the XM function by 60 % in relation to the cost the GDL30A. That is great marketing if so.

Glen E · 02-11-2009, 11:38 AM

b_arrington · 02-11-2009, 12:37 PM

I just hope that Sirius XM is still around to use the new gear - they are looking at filing for bankruptcy.

Birdman · 02-11-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

b_arrington - 2/11/2009 2:37 PM

I just hope that Sirius XM is still around to use the new gear - they are looking at filing for bankruptcy.

Really?? Maybee Garmin will buy them???

b_arrington · 02-11-2009, 03:14 PM

Don't hold your breath---Echostar is more likely.

jvtuna · 02-11-2009, 03:17 PM

Bluewaterpirate and BOE, I want to thank you both for the info on the GMX31.I had been given so much disinfomation. I now see the RCA jacks do come with the antenna. Thanks again Jvtuna

RButler · 02-11-2009, 03:22 PM

If the release date is May, when should the my local Garmin dealer see them on the shelves? I am in the process of rigging a new boat with all Garmin and would love to get this product.

sandyda · 02-11-2009, 03:26 PM

I wonder if they are just wetting a line in the Government Bailout trough....

yachtjim · 02-11-2009, 03:37 PM

The price on this will not be much different than the price of the GDL-30a, so I don't see a reason to wait. The installation for the new GXM51 will be much easier, so if that appeals to you then wait. Not sure exactly when it will hit the streets though.

b_arrington · 02-12-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

sandyda - 2/11/2009 5:26 PM

I wonder if they are just wetting a line in the Government Bailout trough....

Maybe, but I don't think so. They may not be able to meet debt obligations due at the end of the month. They have some structural issues. Sirius XM has massive debt - it takes a lot of money to launch and operate satellites. Plus they made huge contracts with "talent" such as Howard Stern and Martha Stuart. Stern makes $100M a year.

Sirius XM's business model has been to continually roll over it's debt using low-cost financing until it turns a profit. With the squeeze in the credit markets financing is both less available are more expensive in the past. Add to that much of their model was based on sales with new cars - cars are not exactly flying off the lots recently so Sirius XM's revenues are impacted.

iPods, etc, are also a significant competition to satellite radio especially in the younger crowd. Think about Ford's Sync technology - you can just use your iPod to listen to exactly what you want instead of paying a monthly service fee.

In the end, I think they will survive in some form. I certainly hope so for the Marine services. All that hardware circling the globe is far to valuable to let it sit there unused. They may have to cut some (IMO) bloated contracts, however; I personally don't think Stern is worth $100M a year.

vanc · 02-12-2009, 07:16 AM

Isn't there a monthly charge for the service?

Anyone know the cost of that?

ocnslr · 02-12-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

vanc - 2/12/2009 9:16 AM Isn't there a monthly charge for the service? Anyone know the cost of that?

http://www.xmwxweather.com/marine/da...e-pricing.html

Birdman · 02-12-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

yachtjim - 2/11/2009 5:37 PM

The price on this will not be much different than the price of the GDL-30a, so I don't see a reason to wait. The installation for the new GXM51 will be much easier, so if that appeals to you then wait. Not sure exactly when it will hit the streets though.

That is what I was thinking, I don't really see ANY benifit to the new GXM51 except for not having the extra black box? But the downfall is the antenna looks bigger, no? The box took all of 15 minutes to install, for scews and power, that's it. Unless I am missing something here??

Birdman · 02-12-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

b_arrington - 2/12/2009 9:08 AM
Stern makes $100M a year.

NO he doesn't. That all just a bunch of press marketing BS. Yes, his contract says in very fine print, on page 500 somewhere, that if Sirrus radio gained 500 umpteen-gabillion-trillion (Yes, that is a big number!!) customers the 1st year he was with the company, he would then get the $100m. And if they gained that many $15 per month customers, they would have been able to afford it, easily!! But that DID NOT happen, and he happily took the 2 or 3 million a year salary that he deserved.

So to hype it even more, they simply released: "Stern signes with radio for 500M!!!!!!" EXTRA EXTRA sign up now!!!! bla blah blah.

HONDAM · 02-12-2009, 06:55 PM

I hear its going to be about $700 which is about $100 less then the current GDL30A, and its going to be May at the earliest.

Glen E · 02-12-2009, 06:56 PM

eliminates 1 box, two connections - 699 MSRP...

A major exec from Olathe today at the Miami show told me big update march 31 - maybe this is the one birdy....

b_arrington · 02-13-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Birdman - 2/12/2009 8:52 PM

Quote:

b_arrington - 2/12/2009 9:08 AM
Stern makes $100M a year.

NO he doesn't. That all just a bunch of press marketing BS. Yes, his contract says in very fine print, on page 500 somewhere, that if Sirrus radio gained 500 umpteen-gabillion-trillion (Yes, that is a big number!!) customers the 1st year he was with the company, he would then get the $100m. And if they gained that many $15 per month customers, they would have been able to afford it, easily!! But that DID NOT happen, and he happily took the 2 or 3 million a year salary that he deserved.

So to hype it even more, they simply released: "Stern signes with radio for 500M!!!!!!" EXTRA EXTRA sign up now!!!! bla blah blah.

I haven't read Stern's contract; I doubt you have either. I'm really not that interested in his details. Overall, however, the point is that Sirius XM has huge a huge overhead from a number of items that were set up in a far different economic climate. They are now in trouble.

Back on topic. The other plus to the new antenna, I think, is pretty much a plug-and-play via a NMEA 2000 network. No extra power needed. Should be very nice for those with such a network. If you don't already have NMEA 2000 on your boat, it's not so great.

Birdman · 02-14-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Glen E - 2/12/2009 8:56 PM

A major exec from Olathe today at the Miami show told me big update march 31 - maybe this is the one birdy....

Yep. Apparently it will version "6 dot Birdy"

Garmin should be paying me for this update!!

Question regarding the XM weather stuff, anyone know this one:

If I turn on my 5215, and then turn on my GDL weather box, it takes a few minutes, up to 20, to get all the data downloaded so I can start to view it and watch the loops and such. 99 out of a 100 times, that is just fine. But every once in a while, I jump on the boat just to check the weather, and want to just fire it up and watch the loops.... but have to wait for it to get the data. So the question is, if I leave the GDL black box, and the reciever (XM antenna) fired up, but turn off the 5215, when I turn on the 5215 will all the data be there?? OR, is the data being stored on the 5215 so it wouldn't help??