Looking for wireless weather station

Country Geek · Jan 4, 2015

I had Oregon Scientific units, and they never seemed to last.

I currently have a Davis Vantage Vue with the Weatherlink dongle. It works great and the company stands behind it, but honestly, I paid waaaay too much for it because I didn't do enough searching for alternatives. I now recommend that people get the AcuRite models discussed above. People I know with AcuRite gear are very happy with it and they paid a lot less than I did for my Davis gear.

Sure they aren't as "professional grade" or durable as the Davis gear but let's be real, you can afford to replace an AcuRite setup 2-3 times for the price of a Davis setup. Heck for the price of Davis's "bargain" refurbishment mentioned above, you can buy a whole brand new AcuRight setup.

Both Davis (with the $$$$ WeatherLink Dongle) and AcuRite can upload data to the internet without a PC.

DennisArrow · Jan 4, 2015

We have used a weather direct for several years that in addition to the data collection, reached out to the weather service and got forcasts...........It has been great for maybe 5 years now; but recently the outside temperature sending unit went bad and there is not a replacement available for the outfit.........So........

Grandkids gave me an Accurite Professional Weather Center unit for Christmas........though only a couple of weeks of use now, could NOT BE HAPPIER...........It has already learned the weather patterns so it gives a durn good forcast for the day or night, does all that the OP requests, and all kinds of neat data collection, display, and correlation.............really glad the weather direct went out as this is so much better...........God bless........Dennis

fordmantpw · Jan 5, 2015

Thanks for the help everyone! I'm leaning toward Accurite for the cost, but keep the input coming!

Billrog · Jan 5, 2015

One of the kids bought me an Acu-rite about 5 yrs. ago does everything you asked for and I've replaced the rechargeable battery once.

Humblebub · Jan 5, 2015

I installed a Davis Instrument Weather Wizard III 21 years ago. It is not wireless, thus not current tech, but it still works perfectly.

JRobyn · Jan 5, 2015

I've been using a LaCrosse C84612 station that we got at Costco about 14 months ago. I think it was a Costco-only item, but they have many other similar models widely available. I think ours was about $70. Has performed well for the most part. Birds like to drop sunflower seeds into the conical rain gauge feeder that stop it up (has happened twice). The wind sensor quit transmitting to the outdoor temp/hygro "base", but LaCrosse customer service promptly sent me a replacement. It comes with a small wireless internet gateway and LaCrosse hosts a website where data is stored and accessible via computer or smartphone.

- Jay

Msamt · Jan 5, 2015

I have the davis wireless. Flawless operation for 2 years.

Skeeter Madness · Jan 5, 2015

fordmantpw said:
Thanks for the help everyone! I'm leaning toward Accurite for the cost, but keep the input coming!

I bought an Accurite from Lowe's for $99 and this thing is amazing! Great range on the sensor module (330') and you don't have to wait for it to find the sensor signal. They sell a color model with a couple less features that is also really nice. I bought my brother that one for Christmas on sale at Costco for $75. Hope this helps.

Scooby074 · Jan 5, 2015

Both dad and I have Davis Vantage Pro2s.

Love them. Mine is 2 years old now, Dads is about 4. Theyve been flawless. You can upload to the internet with Weatherlink USB, with the PC on or use the standalone WeatherlinkIP if you want to not have to run a PC to upload (its a standalone data logger with internet connectivity). Using weatherlink USB a PC (or laptop or equivalent) must be running to push the data up to WeatherUnderground (or equivalent). I use the WeatherlinkUSB

Were in some particularly harsh environments here with dads particularly bad due to high winds and ocean salt spray, and the Davis never misses a beat, other than loosing a cup on the anemometer in an ice storm (a $5.00 fix).

They arent cheap, but they are very well made in the USA. And you can buy basically all the parts to rebuild one should the need arise. They are not chicom disposable units.

Check ScientificSales.com out of new jersey. They had the best prices by far when I bought mine. If you get a good price, the differential between a $100 disposable and the Davis isnt nearly that bad. Currently ScientificSales has the Davis Vue2 Wireless for $385

This was the weather on Dec.25 this year. Yup, 17*C.

B7510HSD · Jan 5, 2015

Scooby074 said:
Both dad and I have Davis Vantage Pro2s.

Love them. Mine is 2 years old now, Dads is about 4. Theyve been flawless. You can upload to the internet with Weatherlink USB, with the PC on or use the standalone WeatherlinkIP if you want to not have to run a PC to upload (its a standalone data logger with internet connectivity). Using weatherlink USB a PC (or laptop or equivalent) must be running to push the data up to WeatherUnderground (or equivalent). I use the WeatherlinkUSB

Were in some particularly harsh environments here with dads particularly bad due to high winds and ocean salt spray, and the Davis never misses a beat, other than loosing a cup on the anemometer in an ice storm (a $5.00 fix).

They arent cheap, but they are very well made in the USA. And you can buy basically all the parts to rebuild one should the need arise. They are not chicom disposable units.

Check ScientificSales.com out of new jersey. They had the best prices by far when I bought mine. If you get a good price, the differential between a $100 disposable and the Davis isnt nearly that bad. Currently ScientificSales has the Davis Vue2 Wireless for $385

This was the weather on Dec.25 this year. Yup, 17*C.

Vantage Vue can be had for around 257.00 the VP2 can be had for around $385.00