Home weather station suggestions

[950deerehunter]

Strange that none of the three data points on the small display repeat on the larger one.

 

[HAR]

Here's one you already paid for and it works pretty good:


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

I agree 100%. I am constantly hearing people tell of 'weather this' and 'weather that', and I keep telling them, as a former student pilot, I learned to use the same one that all commercial pilots use....NOAA/NWS...provided and funded by our taxes! And I always wonder where the 'others' get their 'radar' images. I doubt that the local TV/RADIO stations own their own weather radar. And I also wonder where they get the data to feed into their 'weather programs'? I also doubt that they own or operate a huge network of data gathering equipment, such as NOAA/NWS.

 

[BoylermanCT]

what model of Acurite do you have that has 2 monitors?

I have their 5 in 1 Iris sensor and have 3 base stations that connect to it in the family room, office and bedroom.

 

[newbury]

I doubt that the local TV/RADIO stations own their own weather radar. And I also wonder where they get the data to feed into their 'weather programs'? I also doubt that they own or operate a huge network of data gathering equipment, such as NOAA/NWS.

NBC 4 Washington DC radar truck, mostly used for major storms. Otherwise NOAA/NWS

 

[lman]

I agree 100%. I am constantly hearing people tell of 'weather this' and 'weather that', and I keep telling them, as a former student pilot, I learned to use the same one that all commercial pilots use....NOAA/NWS...provided and funded by our taxes! And I always wonder where the 'others' get their 'radar' images. I doubt that the local TV/RADIO stations own their own weather radar. And I also wonder where they get the data to feed into their 'weather programs'? I also doubt that they own or operate a huge network of data gathering equipment, such as NOAA/NWS.

Weather Underground has a much larger source of data than the NWS. All of the reporting PWS's provide data for their forecasting.

 

[dj1701]

what model of Acurite do you have that has 2 monitors?

It's two different units.

 

[dj1701]

Strange that none of the three data points on the small display repeat on the larger one.

Never set the time on the small one because it doesn't matter. I will use it for the temp in the crawl space. I have not placed the sensor there yet. Right now, the sensor is outside the front door. It is getting residual heat from the house.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Have you ever checked to see if you can calibrate the rain meter?

Many weather stations have ways to calibrate rainfall. Most use the tipple cup technique which works well for the most part. They can get overwhelmed during heavy rain when the cone or "reservoir" fills up and overflows.

I calibrate my Davis equipment with this NOAA approved analog gauge:

On the rare occasion when we get a torrential rain storm, it will measure any overflow from the Davis gauge.

 

[KWentling]

Have you ever checked to see if you can calibrate the rain meter?

Just what was on their website. As I remember it, they wanted you to link nearby weather stations so the reported rainfall was more in line with others. I looked at other Tempest reports in the surrounding 5 mile radius there were others with pretty unbelievable reports too. I never went any further with it.

 

[Xfaxman]

I doubt that the local TV/RADIO stations own their own weather radar.

Here in tornado alley the local TV station does: NextGen Live: News 9 History Of "Firsts"at

Quote From the link:
"Here at News 9, we've been a leader in weather technology in Oklahoma. Now, we've just unveiled another first, our NextGen Live. It's the most powerful and fastest dual pol radar in the world.

In 1981, News 9 was the first television station in the world to use a Doppler radar.

"For the first time we were able to look at storms and look at rotation in storms," said Chief Meteorologist David Payne.

We also were first to do storm tracking on the screen and the first to bring you our StreetScope technology, which shows you the exact location of breaking news and weather over live video.

"We can track a tornado on the ground from the chopper from the camera showing streets where the tornado is and where it's headed, street by street, block by block and mile by mile," said Payne.

Now, another first is unveiled. Our NextGen Live, the most powerful dual pol radar in the world. Baron Services in Huntsville, Alabama upgraded roughly 170 National Weather Service radars across the country to dual pol radars. Dual pol technology releases two beams of energy in the atmosphere to scan for storms.

"We were the first to install dual pol systems commercially," said John Ellis, Baron Program Manager.

But our radar is even more sophisticated.

"We've taken that same dual pole radar but we've basically put it on steroids," said Payne. "The processor the computer that goes into it is just a beast."

With one million watts of power, the NextGen live will give you dual pol information about Oklahoma's storms with the highest resolution and in real time, no delay."

And this link: Ahead Of The Storm: 1M Watts Of Power

 

[JBF43]

I have a Vantage pro 2, and like it. My neighbor has a Tempest, and loves it. If I were in the market now, I would buy a Tempest, just because the rain gauge never needs cleaning. The accessories from Davis are pricey, though the product quality has been excellent and technical support top notch.

All the best,

Peter

I have the same thing. It took a Category 5 hurricane to break mine.

 

[ponytug]

I have the same thing. It took a Category 5 hurricane to break mine.

I'm sorry to hear that yours broke. I can only imagine what the house was like! As we all know, there are often things besides gases in hurricane force winds.

Apparently, Serge Brin lucked out with a 199mph measurement on his Vantage Pro 2;

Vantage Pro2 Registers Record-Setting High Wind Gust

When Irma hit in September, 2017, as a Category 5 hurricane, most personal and government weather stations were quickly knocked out. But not this Vantage Pro2.

www.davisinstruments.com

All the best,

Peter

 

[JBF43]

I'm sorry to hear that yours broke. I can only imagine what the house was like! As we all know, there are often things besides gases in hurricane force winds.

Apparently, Serge Brin lucked out with a 199mph measurement on his Vantage Pro 2;

Vantage Pro2 Registers Record-Setting High Wind Gust

When Irma hit in September, 2017, as a Category 5 hurricane, most personal and government weather stations were quickly knocked out. But not this Vantage Pro2.

www.davisinstruments.com

All the best,

Peter

Unfortunately, mine was taken out rather early in the storm. The wind vane and the anemometer were hit by flying debris. All of the other functions of the weather station continued to perform flawlessly and reported to the base station. Of course, my main interest was in max wind speeds for the storm. When I ordered my replacement station, I still had the working inside base station and asked Davis if I could use the 2 stations simultaneously off of the outside unit and they told me no. HOWEVER, (bet you can guess where this is going,) when I got the new one up and running, it reported to both base stations. You can send to as many base stations as you want so long as the dip switches in the outside unit and the inside bases are set to the same frequency settings.

 

[gsganzer]

anyone familiar with the Ambient Weather Brand? Seems like they're a good brand with parts/service available. They have one at the right price point $239 (WS-2000) and its expandable and wifi/internet linking.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

anyone familiar with the Ambient Weather Brand? Seems like they're a good brand with parts/service available. They have one at the right price point $239 (WS-2000) and its expandable and wifi/internet linking.

Several people have mentioned it, including me.

 

[OzarkChris]

My home weather station has quit working and I'm looking to replace it. My original was just a cheap-ish Accurite. Without going all out with a professional model, does anyone have a recommendation for a decent one?

I don't mind spending some money (up to maybe $300) if it will last a while.

I replaced my Accu-wrong with an Ambient weather ws-2902 one and haven't had an issue at all for over 5 years - haven't even had to replace battery yet. I see Amazon has them for $189.99 (same price as on their website). The app is great. The display is nice. Hope this helps.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

.

 

[Spike56]

I replaced my Accu-wrong with an Ambient weather ws-2902 one and haven't had an issue at all for over 5 years - haven't even had to replace battery yet. I see Amazon has them for $189.99 (same price as on their website). The app is great. The display is nice. Hope this helps.

OzarkChris,
Yes, I have an Ambient also. I really like the unit/s (indoor and out). The reliability has been terrific. The ONLY thing is, I have had a nightmare to keep this on a network. As I understand now, the Ambient tool for this unit is to be disconnected / retired next month ? I am sketchy on the details, but there is some type of upgrade needed ?

 

[OzarkChris]

OzarkChris,
Yes, I have an Ambient also. I really like the unit/s (indoor and out). The reliability has been terrific. The ONLY thing is, I have had a nightmare to keep this on a network. As I understand now, the Ambient tool for this unit is to be disconnected / retired next month ? I am sketchy on the details, but there is some type of upgrade needed ?

Yea, I got that email too. It appears that if you have the 2902 display "Without" any letters behind the model # (e.g., ws-2902A, B, C or D) it will no longer update to the AWS network but everything else will be functional - mine was that way. $79 to get a new display - I'll move the current display out in the living room since it will still pick up the weather station and I can glance at it without going through the app. I was going to "upgrade" and send the old unit back, but the link to upgrade was also $79 so I decided to keep the old display.

As far as Connection issues, I've had none. My outdoor system is about 75 yards from my office mounted on a pole 25-30' off the ground. When I first installed it, had to remove the screen from the window - tight fabric made of steel and we have metal roof. I replaced the screen (that looks out on the front porch) with a non-metal screen and everything has worked fine since.The top unit is the Ambient weather. The lower one is the Accu-wrong that still doesn't work - been too lazy to shimmy up the pole to bring it down.

 

[Spike56]

Yea, I got that email too. It appears that if you have the 2902 display "Without" any letters behind the model # (e.g., ws-2902A, B, C or D) it will no longer update to the AWS network but everything else will be functional - mine was that way. $79 to get a new display - I'll move the current display out in the living room since it will still pick up the weather station and I can glance at it without going through the app. I was going to "upgrade" and send the old unit back, but the link to upgrade was also $79 so I decided to keep the old display.

As far as Connection issues, I've had none. My outdoor system is about 75 yards from my office mounted on a pole 25-30' off the ground. When I first installed it, had to remove the screen from the window - tight fabric made of steel and we have metal roof. I replaced the screen (that looks out on the front porch) with a non-metal screen and everything has worked fine since.The top unit is the Ambient weather. The lower one is the Accu-wrong that still doesn't work - been too lazy to shimmy up the pole to bring it down.

I haven't had "connection" issues at all with the indoor unit - ever. My problem is/was keeping it connected to the net / my phone. I had it connected a couple of times on the internet, but then it stopped working. Admit to being challenged on turning off 5G part of the router, if that was an issue or not, dont know. I am on Wifi internet which may also be the issue ? Otherwise, No problems.