electronic rain gauges?

[kossetx]

Anyone have any opinions of them? I like the idea that they can collect data on rainfall since I'm not always home, but do they actually work. Here in TX, a few days of sun can evaporate a lot of water out of a rain guage and I'd like to keep a better track of rainfall.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[polo1665]

I purchased a weather station this spring and it came with an electronic rain guage. Has worked well so far and seems to be accurate in comparison with other rain guages in the area.

Mark

 

[schmism]

they dont "hold" water like a standard gauge does.

(most) have a very small bowl (depression etc) that has a known volume (something like .005 of an inch) there are 2 of these that sit on a little teeter totter like thing. when it gets "full" that end of the teeter totter falls empties and the other one is in place to collect water.

the electronics count the number of times the teeter totter rocks back and forth and thats how it "measures" rainfall. As you can see it can also keep up with rainfall rate and duration. (inches per hour)

 

[jinman]

Mark, I bought the Accurite brand they sell at Lowes, Walmart, and many other places. I've learned to approximate the rainfall with this gage, but it is terribly inaccurate. It reads over 1/3 less than my actual rain collector gage. I would recommend you stay far away from this one. Like Steve says, it works like a teeter-totter with two tiny containers on each side that wobble back and forth to dump water and index the counter. I'm considering glueing a couple of pennies in each side of the teeter-totter to make it wobble sooner/more so that it indicates more accurately. If I get it right, it should work . . . in theory.

 

[RavensRoost]

I use the Oregon Scientific RGR126 wireless model, have had for about 2+ years, has a few quirks but I like it overall. You can scroll back 9 days and see day by day total as well as total rainfall.

Here is a link to it on Amazon:
Amazon.com: Oregon Scientific RGR126 Cable Free Long Range Rain Gauge: Home & Garden

RavensRoost

 

[Uncle Wayne]

This is one I've always wanted but just haven't bought yet.

AccuMall - Torrent High Precision Rain Gauge

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0009876.shtml

 

[RickB]

They work well until local insects move in. Spider webs, etc can interfere with them.

 

[kossetx]

Thanks for the repies guys! It is nice to have first hand info before buying.

Jim, I think I'm going to avoid the accurite. I already have to calculate and it's cheaper the way I do it.

Rick, Varmints hit home. Spiders already think my traditional guages are a sauna.

If I do get one, I think I'll try the torrent. Thanks for the link Wayne.

Rain guages are funny. I have 2 accurite's on aech side of my yard. One has a traditional .75"X5" glass one next to it. Those two never read the same but the glass one and the accurite across the yard most always read the same. I just average everything. That is if and when we get rain......

 

[Scooby074]

Have a look at the Davis weather stations. Not the cheapest solution out there, but probably the best "reasonably" priced system. Id consider it semi professional class.

I have one and its holding up very well after 3 years in a salt environment, dont know how id be without it. Parts are readily available if needed. If you want it can be hooked up to the internet for remote monitoring and sharing data like on weatherunderground.

Ive been extremely happy with our purchase. Our first one was the $99 Walmart remote one. Wasnt worth the box it came in.

Oh, and its Made in the USA to boot

 

[lhfarm]

Have a look at the Davis weather stations. Not the cheapest solution out there, but probably the best "reasonably" priced system. Id consider it semi professional class.

I have one and its holding up very well after 3 years in a salt environment, dont know how id be without it. Parts are readily available if needed. If you want it can be hooked up to the internet for remote monitoring and sharing data like on weatherunderground.

Ive been extremely happy with our purchase. Our first one was the $99 Walmart remote one. Wasnt worth the box it came in.

Oh, and its Made in the USA to boot

I agree. I went through 4 bargain weather stations before I give up and purchased a Davis Wireless system. The money I spent on inexpensive system was equal to what a Davis machine cost.

I know you are just looking for a gauge, but I'd give some thought to a complete weather station.