Dan Luke wrote:
"john smith" wrote:

For those of you who have purchased the GPS 396, which of the two
subscriptions are you purchasing? Aviator LT/$29.99 or Aviator/$49.99?

I've used the higher priced subscription for nearly two years and will keep
it when I get the 396. The extra features are well worth the extra cost,
IMO, especially the lightning, surface analysis and winds aloft.

Dan,

That's an interesting and surprising answer. I have no experience with the XM
service but anticipate using it on the 396 soon. I had figured I would use the
lower price subscription.

Does lightning data give you more/better information about where the convection
is? I would expect to see the lightning wherever you see the most intense
precipitation, so having precipitation intensity and lightning data would be at
least somewhat redundant. No?

I see the value of surface analysis in preflight planning, but not airborne. It
really doesn't change very fast, and I'm going to be making a pit stop before
any changes become important. No?

With winds aloft, again, it seems to have preflight value, but limited value
once airborne.

Pretend you're the XM sales rep and convince me I should go for the high-price
spread.

Thanks.

Dave