Skip Talbot
EF5
There is a refurbed receiver unit on ebay selling for $600. With the $50 option it seems that WXWORX is quite a bit cheaper than some of the prices I remember seeing like $1000+ for a new receiver and $100 a month.
Tyler_Costantini
EF2
I use both XM and cell data, I have Sprint, amp and a high gain external antenna but i still loose signal from time to time so the XM is really nice for holes in the data. It has really saved my butt a few times. When i was chasing hurricane IKE this year we lost ALL cell data the next day and it was my sole source of info for 4 hours or so.. I would still agree with everyone that cell data is a MUCH better solution but XM sure makes a nice backup to cell data.
Stephen Levine
EF4
A few of you have mentioned the extreme price of WX Works/Garmin.
I was concerned about this as well when my wife and I considered this purchase early last year; we went shopping on Amazon.com and found a complete system, antenna included for about $800; about 1/2 price of what I saw on the Garmin site itself.
Indeed, still quite expensive, however I thought and still find it worthwhile due to its compact size and satelite signal.
I was concerned about this as well when my wife and I considered this purchase early last year; we went shopping on Amazon.com and found a complete system, antenna included for about $800; about 1/2 price of what I saw on the Garmin site itself.
Indeed, still quite expensive, however I thought and still find it worthwhile due to its compact size and satelite signal.
David Drummond
Member
It's $930 direct from WxWorx/Baron. Sounds like Garmin was way overpriced.
Jason Foster
There is one good use....
Bottom line to me is this:
You can't get the internet with MoTN. You can't upload video or photos. You can't send emails, you can't IM while chasing or when waiting to chase, you can't do any of the stuff that the data cards or cell connections get you.
HOWEVER. The MoTN is very cool to have in a promotional type storm chase vehicle that you want to have at show off functions and more. It looks really cool on a big monitor that is set-up out in the back tailgate area along with other cool stuff that gets people to look at you and your chase vehicle...if your into that sort of thing.
Bottom line to me is this:
You can't get the internet with MoTN. You can't upload video or photos. You can't send emails, you can't IM while chasing or when waiting to chase, you can't do any of the stuff that the data cards or cell connections get you.
HOWEVER. The MoTN is very cool to have in a promotional type storm chase vehicle that you want to have at show off functions and more. It looks really cool on a big monitor that is set-up out in the back tailgate area along with other cool stuff that gets people to look at you and your chase vehicle...if your into that sort of thing.
Derek Weston
EF5
I really like the idea of it as a backup plan for data. I don't like the idea of spending nearly 1000 dollars for it, however. Perhaps something for half or less will pop up.
J Kinkaid
If you shop around you can find it for around $550 new.
Dustin Wilcox
EF5
I've had the pleasure of chasing with WxWORX, and then eventually WxWORX as just a back up to internet, and I will say WxWORX was the best thing ever for several years, however IMO it's old news and has pretty much zero relative value to chasers. Still is and likely always will be, a great tool for those on the boats, but unless they completely revamp the services (I would guess not likely) I just don't see all that much value for chasers anymore.
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Dan Robinson
I guess it depends on the cell carrier that one uses. The past two seasons, WxWorx was instrumental in several of my tornado intercepts where cell data holes would have busted the chase. When you're in a cell data void during a critical decision making time, WxWorx can and does save the day.
Paul Knightley
EF5
It's very useful to us overseas chasers who don't want to fork out for, or go through the process of getting some kind of US-based 3G coverage. I think there are a growing number of ways we can nowadays, as several UK chasers already do, but WxWorx is quick and easy to get activated, and does the job pretty well most of the time. Still, I would like to chase with GRL3!
Miroslav Provod
Enthusiast
Have been using WxWorx for the last 3 years and it did the job well. Had to use my eyes a lot near storms as the level of detail is not that great. This year I went for data coverage and went through GRLevel3 trial period and it's much better regarding details, products and update frequency. The main benefit I think is storm relative velocity at various levels. However, there were several data holes, especially in central Texas, where WxWorx proved really useful.
John Moore
EF1
I used it since it first came out until last year. That year, it kept failing when I needed it most - probably my old receiver was dying.
Even so, last year we did extremely well.
This year, I didn't even bother to bring it.
My reasoning:
Even so, last year we did extremely well.
This year, I didn't even bother to bring it.
My reasoning:
- MTN works when nothing else does
- MTN radar is very dumbed down (unless they changed it in the last year). It is just composite reflectivity, and of very low resolution. You aren't likely to see a hook on it, for example
- MTN is way too expensive. $100/month is a lot. $100 to turn it on is a pure rip-off.
- I use a Wilson cell amplifier cradle, with my cell phone on it in hotspot mode. This year, we had data virtually every place. BTW, I also had a cellular tablet in the car, not on the hotspot, and it didn't have data as often - suggesting that the Wilson amp was making a big difference.
Dan Robinson
EF5
I am still using ThreatNet. I have the basic $30/month option that has radar, surface obs and surface analysis only. I am using online radar (GRlevelX and COD) more and more these days as the cellular network continues to improve, but still run into frequent data holes in the Plains and Midwest where I need to rely on ThreatNet. I don't have a cellular amp yet. I keep intending to purchase one, but every year there is some other more important piece of equipment I need to fix or replace that uses up my chase equipment budget. This year it was a broken Canon 10-22 lens. Next year it is probably going to be my laptop.
I have Threatnet running for the entire day during chases, and I still consider it a staple piece of equipment. I still have my original receiver from 2004. I have only had to replace two antennas over the years.
I have Threatnet running for the entire day during chases, and I still consider it a staple piece of equipment. I still have my original receiver from 2004. I have only had to replace two antennas over the years.
Bill Hark
EF5
I have been using MTN since about 2006 including this past season, and I think it is still very useful. I supplement with RadarScope and GrLv3. I chase by myself or in a convoy and I have difficulty using RadarScope and especially GrLv 3 while driving. I can take a quick glance at MTN and I know what is going on. Most importantly, it just chugs including in areas with poor data. This past year, I had major issues with data in southern Oklahoma and in northeastern Colorado. I simply couldn't get images with my cell phone or laptop.(I use Verizon and don't have an expensive amplifier) No issues with ThreatNet. It also has a low res shear marker which is very useful in seeing presence or absence of rotation and changes with a quick glance. It is also easy to make a quick distance measurement between myself and the storm. For a detailed analysis of rotation or if I am in very close, I like RadarScope. Sitting at home or parked, I'll use GrLv3. One has to be aware of the limitations of MTN. The graphics are much coarser and there can be difficulty estimating hail size. For me, this is no issue. I chased with my eyes for a number of years and I don't rely on just radar. I also avoid core punching and don't worry if the purple is bad or really bad hail. I keep ThreatNet on only during chase season.
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