WXforum.net
Weather Station Hardware => Ambient Weather and Ecowitt and other Fine Offset clones => Topic started by: davidsmartin on April 13, 2019, 07:07:23 PM
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If I buy the WS1900 for $72 and the Observer IP module for $37 plus postage am I getting the same as the WS2902 which sells for $153 plus postage? I am confused by Ambient's website.
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Well you aren't getting the same thing...That solution has some compromises...
The WS-1900 has a display console that does not connect to the Internet....so I'm thinking that you are figuring to add the ObserverIP as a console instead. But you still wouldn't end up with the same capabilities as a real WS-2902A complete station because there are a good bit of compromises with this setup:
- The ObserverIP only reports to AmbientWeather.net and Weather Underground. With the WS-2902A console you also get WeatherCloud uploads
- The ObserverIP only uploads to WU every 30 seconds. The WS-2902A console uploads every 16 seconds.
- The ObserverIP doesn't have an internal barometer and indoor temp/hum so you need a WH32B (or a WS-1000-BTH but this is older version), where as with the WS-2902A console the barometer and indoor temp/hum is built in.
- The ObserverIP is a bit flaky and needs reboots every now and then. The WS-2902A is rock solid reliable.
- The ObserverIP does some averaging that used to be apparent on the old WU so you ended up with smoother graphs. The WS-2902A was more reactive to temperature changes and you could see it on WU. This is a weird one because the temperature is coming from the same outdoor sensor...it is all because of some averaging that the ObserverIP does. I prefer the WS-2902A console method of reporting. Of course with the new WU graphs they are just terrible as they are missing decimals...but they are coming back.
- If you have an ObserverIP and a WS-1900 console then you end up with two consoles. Each console has their own barometer and indoor temperature and indoor humidity. You can work at calibrating the barometers and temperatures and even humidity but they are still going to track differently. Meaning they don't change at the same rate. Some people get frustrated because they expect both console to read the same all the time. I have many consoles and it is a challenge to then have to calibrate multiple consoles but I'm okay with them not reading exactly the same all the time because I see the graph trends between them and I know they average long term about the same. So if you want simplicity then don't get two consoles. Like the old proverb, "man with two watches never knows what time it is."
But it isn't all bad with the ObserverIP as I use it because it has many benefits. So what I did is I used both consoles...a WS-2902A console and an ObserverIP. So that I could benefit from the ObserverIP features:
- The ObserverIP is the only supported method to connect a Meteobridge which lets me do a whole lot more with my station. But all the while I keep using the WS-2902A console (or now a WS-2000 console) for WU because it is better ....everything else goes through the Meteobridge via the ObserverIP
- The ObserverIP allows you to add more sensors which can not be added with the WS-2902A console*
* But if you have a WS-2000 console then you can add additional sensors. You still can't connect a Meteobridge to the WS-2000 console though. Which is why I have all the consoles.
TIP - Also don't forget that the ObserverIP requires an Ethernet connection. Depending on where your outdoor sensor array is you may find yourself with a harder time getting it situated to pick up that signal. It may require you to run Ethernet cable. While with the WS-2902A or WS-2000 since they are WiFi you have an easier time finding the right spot.
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If you want all the bells and whistles at the best price then you get just these two things.
WS-1550-IP with WH32B and then add a WS-2000 console.
That is the no compromise solution. But it only makes sense if you have purpose for the ObserverIP like you want to add a Meteobridge (or a WeatherBridge). Otherwise once you have a complete WS-2000 it makes no sense to add the ObserverIP by itself.
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Thanks for the detailed reply. I think I will go with the WS-2902A, especially since the price on Amazon is about the same as the Ambient prices for the 1900, ObserverIP and sensor after you add in the postage. I may regret not splurging on the WS-2000 display but it is enough more expensive that for now I will pass on it.
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The WS-2902A is a great choice. You can always add the WS-2000 display later. The WS-2902A does have some but few advantages over the WS-2000. Just in case you missed the sticky thread.
https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=36379.0
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I have a WS-1900 and ObserverIP setup and am very happy with it. None of the drawbacks listed above are deal killers for me.
And, maybe I have a magic ObserverIP, but I've never had to reboot mine.
Right now the WS-1900 is the best deal on Ambientweather.com. It costs less than the replacement 2902 array.
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I have a WS-1900 and ObserverIP setup and am very happy with it. None of the drawbacks listed above are deal killers for me.
And, maybe I have a magic ObserverIP, but I've never had to reboot mine.
Right now the WS-1900 is the best deal on Ambientweather.com. It costs less than the replacement 2902 array.
The ObserverIP hiccups are caused by having a Meteobridge constantly taxing the ObserverIP every 8 or 9 seconds. The ObserverIP just was not built for the Live Data page to be constantly screen scraped. If you just have an ObserverIP and only use it to send to WU and AmbientWeather.net then sure it runs well.
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I use the ObserverIP with Meteobridge, with no lockups.
I guess I'm just lucky.
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Hmmm...maybe I need to look at my setup. I'm using an old router with DD-WRT as a wireless bridge (that I'm not trusting now) to connect the ObserverIP where I need it to get a good signal. I guess I'm going to have to run an Ethernet line. No big deal as I've done this a bunch of times in other places...I guess I better do it before Summer kicks in and my attic becomes unbearable.
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I have another ObserverIP/Meteobridge setup about a half hour drive from here. I have a dual WiFi controlled outlet so I can cycle the power on either device. In 1.5 years I've had to reboot this ObserverIP once. As I was not on-site I don't know exactly why the station stopped sending data, but the power reset fixed it. Regardless, one reboot in 1.5 years is pretty good for me.
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I'm withdrawing my support for the ObserverIP.
I'm now using the Ecowitt GW1000. It's been far superior, and has increased range.
Now I just have to sell off my fleet of ObserverIPs before all the world knows about the GW1000.
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What is an ObserverIP? /s :grin: