Rain Gauges

[N80]

I'm looking for a remote, self emptying rain gauge to get my B-I-L farmer for Christmas. As much as he depends on rain data, he still just has a cheap plastic gauge screwed to a fence post. It works fine, if someone remembers to empty it, etc etc.

I've seen several types with a number of features and mechanisms. The thing I'm most interested in is if anyone knows if the type of rain collector matters. I've seen two types. One type has an internal bucket that tips to empty when it is full. The other type basically counts drops as they pass through and there is nothing to empty at all.

Are the weaknesses or advantages to either type?

Anybody have systems that they really like of really dislike.

I'm looking to spend about $100. I've looked at Wind and Weather and at Gemplers.

Thanks for any tips.

 

[arrow]

Dr. George
In my current life, and after retirement, I work for an energy conservation company situated in Texas. They utilize all kinds of climatological data including rain fall on a national basis. Allow me to contact them to see what they use. It may take a couple of days for them to get back to me so hopefully it will still be expedient for you.

Lou

 

[N80]

Thanks Lou!

 

[mikim]

another option ....maybe...depending on his location and the location of an ASOS ..... online there is a NOWData link to NWS sites that show temp and precip .....www.weather.gov/climate there would need to be a site nearby for it to be any good to him.

 

[arrow]

Well, this had to be some kind of record as for my own info, I've always had to wait at least a day. They got back to me within 1/2 hr for this so someone out there must have a pendant for rain gauges. Heres some scoop. They also coinside with your idea of a tipping bucket type gauge. They have automated gauges that cost $5000 but I told them I'm not interested in those. They recommend 2. They call them udometers and another word that begins with a P. but I stopped listening after "udometers". They like "Oregon Scientific" for $60. They feel they make good stuff for a value as far as their electronics are concerned. The other is "Rainwise" This gets a bit more pricey but they feel their stuff withstands weather for a longer period. This brand as I understand it comes with a lifetime guarantee. They have a wireless for $190 powered by lithium. They also have a wired version for $80. Apparantly there are advantages and disadvantages no matter what the style rain gauge. For convenience, the tipping kind wins out. Their disadvantage is that they may not tip before the rain ends. Then they may tip after the rain starts again so you do not get the accurate read of the 1st rain. This inaccuracy may be measured in mm like around 2. Well, thats the info I received from people who know alot more stuff about this sort of thing than I do. I'm sorry I cannot give you something more empirical as everything I learned about rain gauges I've learned today so I have you to thank for that.

Lou

ps. They also mentioned "LaCrosse" as a good one as well

 

[George2615]

If your looking for something to tell weather here's a weather rope and weather rock.

(sorry, I couldn't resist)

 

[N80]

Thanks Lou. I did a little more research and along with what you found out, I got him an Oregon Scientific one. The one I looked at was priced anywhere from $50 to $65 and the $50 one was at Amazon so I got it from there.

George2615, when I was in the Air Force I was stuck at a small ANG base waiting for a flight back home on a C-17. I was waiting in the tiny little operations building and we were waiting for a thunderstorm to pass before we could take off. There were all these monitors on one wall showing radar, satellite, doppler and other such weather data that the crew were watching. High tech stuff. The building also had big plate glass windows looking out over the flight-line and runway. Amidst all these high tech weather instruments was a large square framed on one of these big windows with masking tape. Below it someone had written in wax pencil "Accu-Weather Window".

Sometimes you just have to look outside to see what the weather is doing!

 

[RavensRoost]

N80, I also bought the Oregon Scientific from Amazon:
Amazon.com: Oregon Scientific RGR126 Cable Free Long Range Rain Gauge: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Have had it for about 2 years now and it has been fine. The only negative is you have to take the outdoor collector apart to change the batteries, but I have gotten used to it and they last a full year.

RavensRoost

 

[Amontilado]

Thanks Lou. I did a little more research and along with what you found out, I got him an Oregon Scientific one. The one I looked at was priced anywhere from $50 to $65 and the $50 one was at Amazon so I got it from there.

George2615, when I was in the Air Force I was stuck at a small ANG base waiting for a flight back home on a C-17. I was waiting in the tiny little operations building and we were waiting for a thunderstorm to pass before we could take off. There were all these monitors on one wall showing radar, satellite, doppler and other such weather data that the crew were watching. High tech stuff. The building also had big plate glass windows looking out over the flight-line and runway. Amidst all these high tech weather instruments was a large square framed on one of these big windows with masking tape. Below it someone had written in wax pencil "Accu-Weather Window".

Sometimes you just have to look outside to see what the weather is doing!

Amen,

Very few things beat a good pair of trained eyes to see what's happening in the immediate area, and to integrate what is happening on all the scopes.

Steve

 

[jinman]

Thanks Lou. I did a little more research and along with what you found out, I got him an Oregon Scientific one. The one I looked at was priced anywhere from $50 to $65 and the $50 one was at Amazon so I got it from there.

Please let us know how the Oregon Scientific gauge works out. I have one of theseAccurite rain gauges and I'm really unpleased with it's performance. I compare it to a regular glass collection rain gauge and find that when it says I've had 2" of rain, the glass collector shows 3" of rain. I think that error is a little high. It is a self-emptying/tipping mechanism which works freely and has no obvious mechanical problems.

I bought it off-the-shelf at Lowes. I could take it back, but I've lost the receipt. Has anyone else tried one of these? What do you think? I'm tired of having to use the "add 50% formula" to figure my rainfall.