Weather stations

[BTDT]

BTDT. Something for in the house. Not interested in a web page thing. I did see on the LaCrosse Technologies site their pro models include software etc to upload trends etc. I just want temp/humidity wind speed and rain fall all in one place instead of having to look at the barometer, go outside to the rain gauge etc. You all have givin me some great tips, thanks. EL

I don't know if you have a Frey's Electronics near you, but they usually have some neat gadgets. Small wind generators, weather instruments, computers, tv's, etc.

 

[lhfarm]

I've gone through 2 low cost weather stations, including a Le Crosse and finally purchased a Davis Pro Vantage wireless. The first two just quite working - at least one part died.

The wireless model is a breeze to install and the console gives you all the information you want in a easy to read format. $400 seems like a lot, but I paid that with the two failures.

I purcahsed from Provantage (on e-bay). PROVANTAGE: Davis Instruments Vantage Pro 2 Weather Stations & Accessories Check them out.

 

[wickedinhere]

I have the Davis Vantage Pro 2 wireless mine survived 90 mph winds from hurricane rita so i would have to say it doesnt get any better than that.

 

[Mike120]

I've had an Oregon Scientific WMR 968 for a couple of years now. I'm pretty happy with it. One of my neighbors about a mile away has a Davis Vantage Pro and he's happy with it as well. I had concerns about the accuracy of mine because at times there might be a 3-4 degree difference between our units. We think it is caused by the solar shields we are using. He bought his and I made mine out of the top of a universal roof jack ($3.00 at HD). Checked against real mercury, mine is more accurate (not enough to make a real difference). I've checked my rain gauge as well and it's pretty much right on.

Before you buy one you might want to check the units already in your zip code/area. If you do a zip code check on weather underground they will be listed on the bottom of the page. The Oregon Scientific and Davis units seem to be the most popular.

 

[elalexander]

Barry good point. I know you only get what you pay for and what you think is a bargain soon turns to rust. I had not looked at these bigger units before, some are for serious weather people with deep pockets.

 

[dmccarty]

Before you buy one you might want to check the units already in your zip code/area. If you do a zip code check on weather underground they will be listed on the bottom of the page. The Oregon Scientific and Davis units seem to be the most popular.

I have been using the Welcome to The Weather Underground : Weather Underground for years to check out what has been happening in my county. The problem with using other stations is that I see different windspeeds and rain amounts with the varouls locations even thought they are only a few miles from each other. I have been wanting one of these stations for awhile but the cost has kept me away but I might get one this year.

Last night a front went through and I would like to know the wind speed at my house. I have heard some really strong local winds. I have plenty of trees downed my microbursts or mini tornados. Those events wont show up on a station miles away.

And rain can be so spotting. I can't count the number of times I have seen rain just to our north or south and we don't get any or vice versa. Temperatures are different as well. I watch the themometer in the truck as I drive back and forth from work. There are so many little micro climates its really amazing.

I had been looking at the Davis Vanatge Pro 2. I'm glad its getting positive reviews. I'll check out he WMR 968 as well.

On the wireless units, have there been recieving problems with the station mounted on the roof?

Does the software keep track of the highest high and lowest low of the day as well as the average temp?

Does it keep a month average temp?

And does it do that for wind speed as well?

Later,
Dan

 

[meadowlarkponds]

I have the Davis Vantage Pro 2 wireless mine survived 90 mph winds from hurricane rita so i would have to say it doesnt get any better than that.

If it survived Rita, that's good enough for me. I'm still cleaning up from Rita.

 

[lhfarm]

I
On the wireless units, have there been recieving problems with the station mounted on the roof?

Does the software keep track of the highest high and lowest low of the day as well as the average temp?

Does it keep a month average temp?

And does it do that for wind speed as well?

Later,
Dan

Dan,
Check out the console on the Daivs unit http://www.davisnet.com/product_documents/weather/manuals/VP2_Console_Manual.pdf. (Don't be put off by the number of options on setup. It is really easy and straight forward) It even does graphs for the high/lows, averages and a ticker tape of current information. I use my with the data logger (an extra option) and have Web displays, so I don't use the console since I'm monitor the farm when I'm away.

My unit is on a pole in an open field and the console is in the basement, next to my computer. I'm at least a 200' and have had no problems with the wireless.

 

[SkyPup]

I use a dynomite hand held weather instrument, the Kestral 4000 for most of my weather collecting.

Neilsen-Kellerman is into some serious weather forecasting business!!

Here's a link to its specifications:

http://www.nkhome.com/pdfs/Kestrel_specs.pdf

 

[HomeBrew2]

I have the Oregon Scieentific WMR100A with Virtual Weather Station V13.00 software. It's a wireless entry-level unit that works GREAT! Glad I didn't spend more to get more because this does all that I need. I got it from AmbientWeather.com.