weather stations?

[Brock]

Ok, my wife wants to get us a weather station for x-mas. Anyone one have one? If so do you like it would you get something different now?

She was thinking in the $500 range, a while ago I was looking at the Davis pro and just saw they have the pro2 now...

 

[KDOG3]

I have the Radio Shack WX200 (rebadged Oregon Scientific WM-918) and I have it hooked up to my PC using the great and *FREE* FreeWx weather software. The software is located at http://freewx.net/

Check it out...

 

[KC2IXE]

IF you are willing to live with PC only display, you can get a NICE system from AAG Electronics - The "Basic" system of wind speed/direction + temperature is $99. The PROBLEM with the basic system is that it is highly succeptable to "solar load" on the temp sensor (sealed plastic housing) - if your willing to buy the temp/humidity sensor (something like another $40) and build your own "gill shield" (aka a pagoda) you can get VERY accurate readings. There are lots of add on modules available from various folks (Look up "1-wire weather stations")

I've been running one for almost 2 years - look at

http://www.thegallos.com/weather/MyWeather.htm

 

[Fitz]

I bought an Oregon Scientific WM918 abought 4 years ago and along with many others had big problems with the outdoor temp/humidity sensor going blank for long periods. They finally replaced them under warranty months later, and a few weeks later lightning struck a tree in the neighbors yard about 50 yards from the sensor and nocked it out for good. I gave up on it at that point.
I have a friend that has a Davis that's about 10 years old and still works fine.I'll buy a Davis next time.

 

[Brock]

Good stuff. I don't mind having to have the computer running to see what’s going on so a USB sensor would be ok. I should have added I would like rain, temp, humidity, wind and barometric pressure. It would be nest for it to guess at the upcoming weather, I think the Davis pro or pro2 does this.

My wife likes the idea of being able to upload it to a web site. I have plenty of space, just not sure about the automated part. Does anyone know about free web software for the Davis stuff?

 

[KDOG3]

I don't know about that. I'm a member of CWOP (Citizens Weather Observer Program) and FreeWx uploads data to them every 5 minutes. Pretty neat.

 

[KC2IXE]

[ QUOTE ]
KDOG3 said:
I don't know about that. I'm a member of CWOP (Citizens Weather Observer Program) and FreeWx uploads data to them every 5 minutes. Pretty neat.

[/ QUOTE ]

KDOG - Look for AP811 aka KG2V for my CWOP station

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JohnJ80]

go to weatherunderground.com and follow the links to personal weather stations. They have reviews, software listings and places to buy. One of the issues is accuracy and repeatability.

We just put in a Davis Vantage Pro Wireless this summer and have been very happy with it. Davis seems to have the best tech support, the best software support (theirs and 3rd party), and seems to be the best bang for the buck.

Weather stations up here in MN have to be durable with the range of weather we have. From -40F to +105F, drought to torrential rains and calm to high winds. Ours has been through much of that including 60+mph winds with no problem. Highly recommended and easy to install too.

J

 

[Brock]

That’s good news about it working up here. Actually our web weather is weatherunderground.com and that’s how she came up with the Davis pro. It's just that when I looked at Davis for more info I found they now have the pro2, so I am stuck, the pro is cheaper, but is there that much difference in them or???