Author Topic: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?  (Read 3121 times)

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Offline CW2274

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #25 on: October 17, 2018, 11:08:28 PM »
I can buy the Davis Vantage Vue station for $238 and it's unquestionably a higher quality unit with 2.5 second updates, which is critical during a thunderstorm.


That price for the Vue does not include a data logger. So the difference between the Vue and the Atlas is much greater if you plan on connecting to the Internet.

So, with the Vue, out of the box, you cant monitor your station via the internet in any way shape or form with out a data logger?
Are all the Davis's like that now?

thanks
Yes. Always have been.

Offline galfert

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #26 on: October 18, 2018, 07:00:09 AM »
I can buy the Davis Vantage Vue station for $238 and it's unquestionably a higher quality unit with 2.5 second updates, which is critical during a thunderstorm.


That price for the Vue does not include a data logger. So the difference between the Vue and the Atlas is much greater if you plan on connecting to the Internet.

So, with the Vue, out of the box, you cant monitor your station via the internet in any way shape or form with out a data logger?
Are all the Davis's like that now?

thanks
Yes. Always have been.

... and to expand on that, I think this Davis approach offers the best flexibility. This way you can buy extra displays at a lower price than if they already included built in loggers. Not only that but you can have the logger type that you want as there are several to pick from. You also can add the logger onto the Envoy receiver instead of adding it to your display console.

If you compare that Davis approach to Acurite and Ambient to some degree they are all doing the same thing. The Atlas doesn't connect to the Internet either. As the Atlas is just the outdoor unit and the indoor display that does not connect to the Internet. When you buy the Atlas with the bundle that includes the Access (hub/bridge whatever you want to call that part), it is an add-on to give you the Internet connectivity. As for Ambient they too sell displays and complete models without the Internet connectivity in the case of the WS-1900 or WS-1201. But you can then add the ObserverIP as the Internet connection add-on, or get an extra compatible display that does have the Internet connectivity. Mix and match to your needs.

In the case of all three companies they offer the ability to customize and expand without having to pay extra for functionality (Internet connectivity) that is only needed at one point.
« Last Edit: October 18, 2018, 07:06:35 AM by galfert »
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Offline davefr

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #27 on: October 18, 2018, 08:35:02 AM »
Quote
In the case of all three companies they offer the ability to customize and expand without having to pay extra for functionality (Internet connectivity) that is only needed at one point.

The biggest difference is the Ambient Solution is 100% wireless. (except for the power cord to the console).  Davis consoles/hubs require very expensive dongles (ex: $250 WeatherlinkIP add on) and stringing ethernet cable to the router.  Acurite Access requires ethernet cable to router and it's own power source.

I just rec'd my WS-2000 kit yesterday and so far it's a very impressive system. IMHO WiFi is where it's at vs. hard wired connections.


Offline galfert

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #28 on: October 18, 2018, 09:17:05 AM »
Quote
In the case of all three companies they offer the ability to customize and expand without having to pay extra for functionality (Internet connectivity) that is only needed at one point.

The biggest difference is the Ambient Solution is 100% wireless. (except for the power cord to the console). 

The Ambient Weather ObserverIP also requires Ethernet cabled connection. But as you pointed out the display consoles with WiFi are nice. With Davis there is now a WiFi logger available. So Ambient isn't the only one with a WiFi solution.

Also it is possible to turn an Ethernet device into a WiFi device by using an access point that can be configured to become an Ethernet to WiFi bridge. I've done that with my ObserverIP. So someone could do that with their Acurite Access.
« Last Edit: October 18, 2018, 09:18:48 AM by galfert »
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Offline WXman

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #29 on: October 18, 2018, 11:03:10 AM »
The discussions on internet connectivity are all valid points.  But, I'm simply talking about the weather station data on its own.  The Davis system is higher quality, more repairable, more upgradable, more reliable, and does 2.5 second updates even with wind gusts...for less money.  It seems like a no-brainer.

Yes, you can get more features on paper with the Acurite Atlas, but you still have a lower quality station that's going to totally miss gusts in a storm, isn't going to last as long, and may possibly require battery swaps more frequently.

I guess what it comes down to is features vs. quality.  And I suppose everyone has their own needs.

For what it's worth, I've already got a VP2 station so this purchase will be a secondary unit for me.
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Offline nincehelser

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #30 on: October 18, 2018, 11:16:54 AM »
The discussions on internet connectivity are all valid points.  But, I'm simply talking about the weather station data on its own.  The Davis system is higher quality, more repairable, more upgradable, more reliable, and does 2.5 second updates even with wind gusts...for less money.  It seems like a no-brainer.

Yes, you can get more features on paper with the Acurite Atlas, but you still have a lower quality station that's going to totally miss gusts in a storm, isn't going to last as long, and may possibly require battery swaps more frequently.

I guess what it comes down to is features vs. quality.  And I suppose everyone has their own needs.

For what it's worth, I've already got a VP2 station so this purchase will be a secondary unit for me.

"Lower Quality" in what way?

Why would it miss "gusts"?

Why "frequent battery swaps"?

Where are you getting this info?

Offline DoctorKnow

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #31 on: October 18, 2018, 11:44:48 AM »
WxMan

The Atlas hardware is much more "heavy duty" than you are making it out to be...

Offline galfert

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #32 on: October 18, 2018, 11:46:04 AM »
WXman,

Your opinion as to which is better is fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But when you throw in facts then they need to be right. I pointed out that your claim that the Davis Vue was cheaper is not a valid statement. If you want to compare the Vue price to the Atlas then you should be comparing it to the Atlas that is just the outdoor unit with just the indoor console as is the case with the Vue. Now neither has Internet connectivity and then this means that the Vue is not cheaper.

Acurite Atlas $174.14
https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-01009M-Weather-Definition-Touchscreen/dp/B074XK7GRQ/

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Offline WXman

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #33 on: October 20, 2018, 07:17:33 PM »
The discussions on internet connectivity are all valid points.  But, I'm simply talking about the weather station data on its own.  The Davis system is higher quality, more repairable, more upgradable, more reliable, and does 2.5 second updates even with wind gusts...for less money.  It seems like a no-brainer.

Yes, you can get more features on paper with the Acurite Atlas, but you still have a lower quality station that's going to totally miss gusts in a storm, isn't going to last as long, and may possibly require battery swaps more frequently.

I guess what it comes down to is features vs. quality.  And I suppose everyone has their own needs.

For what it's worth, I've already got a VP2 station so this purchase will be a secondary unit for me.

"Lower Quality" in what way?

Why would it miss "gusts"?

Why "frequent battery swaps"?

Where are you getting this info?

The lower quality is subjective.  I've got a Davis station that's 11 years old.  There are countless threads discussing the VP2 and Vue stations lasting many years.  On the flip side, the most time I've heard of an Acurite station lasting is 3 years. 

Missing wind gusts is objective.  Acurite stations just don't have anywhere near the 2.5 second updates that the Davis stations have.  In gusty weather, particularly thunderstorms, you'd have to just get really lucky to capture the maximum winds with anything other than a Davis station.

The battery swap thing is also objective.  Acurite shows a bunch of AA batteries needed for the station. Right?  They do have an optional remote battery pack so you at least don't have to take your pole down to swap batteries frequently.  The Davis stations typically use a different battery type and voltage and if it's anything like my VP2 station, it'll almost never need the battery swapped out.
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Offline DoctorKnow

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #34 on: October 20, 2018, 08:11:13 PM »
The discussions on internet connectivity are all valid points.  But, I'm simply talking about the weather station data on its own.  The Davis system is higher quality, more repairable, more upgradable, more reliable, and does 2.5 second updates even with wind gusts...for less money.  It seems like a no-brainer.

Yes, you can get more features on paper with the Acurite Atlas, but you still have a lower quality station that's going to totally miss gusts in a storm, isn't going to last as long, and may possibly require battery swaps more frequently.

I guess what it comes down to is features vs. quality.  And I suppose everyone has their own needs.

For what it's worth, I've already got a VP2 station so this purchase will be a secondary unit for me.

"Lower Quality" in what way?

Why would it miss "gusts"?

Why "frequent battery swaps"?

Where are you getting this info?

The lower quality is subjective.  I've got a Davis station that's 11 years old.  There are countless threads discussing the VP2 and Vue stations lasting many years.  On the flip side, the most time I've heard of an Acurite station lasting is 3 years. 

Missing wind gusts is objective.  Acurite stations just don't have anywhere near the 2.5 second updates that the Davis stations have.  In gusty weather, particularly thunderstorms, you'd have to just get really lucky to capture the maximum winds with anything other than a Davis station.



Not so. I had an acurite 5 in 1 that lasted 3.5 years. The fan was replaced under warranty. The sensor started eating batteries, I fixed that for a while, and then it just died. It went through many heavy storms with torrential rains, and horribly high humidity in the summers, so I think for the price it did well.

The Ultimeter weather station captures wind faster than Davis, and I have a fine offset that takes constant wind readings but transmits every 48 seconds, however you do not miss any gusts... Mine even captures wind that the nearest air field misses. Rainwise also is faster than Davis at every second.

Offline nincehelser

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #35 on: October 20, 2018, 08:47:01 PM »


Missing wind gusts is objective.  Acurite stations just don't have anywhere near the 2.5 second updates that the Davis stations have.  In gusty weather, particularly thunderstorms, you'd have to just get really lucky to capture the maximum winds with anything other than a Davis station.z



Frequeny of sampling isnt the same as the reporting iterval.  For examle a 5n1 sends swind ever 36 seconds but samples it every 4 secondes.

Offline CW2274

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #36 on: October 20, 2018, 08:51:27 PM »
The discussions on internet connectivity are all valid points.  But, I'm simply talking about the weather station data on its own.  The Davis system is higher quality, more repairable, more upgradable, more reliable, and does 2.5 second updates even with wind gusts...for less money.  It seems like a no-brainer.

Yes, you can get more features on paper with the Acurite Atlas, but you still have a lower quality station that's going to totally miss gusts in a storm, isn't going to last as long, and may possibly require battery swaps more frequently.

I guess what it comes down to is features vs. quality.  And I suppose everyone has their own needs.

For what it's worth, I've already got a VP2 station so this purchase will be a secondary unit for me.

"Lower Quality" in what way?

Why would it miss "gusts"?

Why "frequent battery swaps"?

Where are you getting this info?

The lower quality is subjective.  I've got a Davis station that's 11 years old.  There are countless threads discussing the VP2 and Vue stations lasting many years.  On the flip side, the most time I've heard of an Acurite station lasting is 3 years. 

Missing wind gusts is objective.  Acurite stations just don't have anywhere near the 2.5 second updates that the Davis stations have.  In gusty weather, particularly thunderstorms, you'd have to just get really lucky to capture the maximum winds with anything other than a Davis station.



Not so. I had an acurite 5 in 1 that lasted 3.5 years.

The Ultimeter weather station captures wind faster than Davis
 
Wow, a whopping 3.5 years.... :roll:

That's all it does better. The 12+ year old VP2 still rules everywhere else.

And we wonder why Davis sits.....


Offline DoctorKnow

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #37 on: October 20, 2018, 09:21:48 PM »
Davis is built to last, no doubt, but it has become antiquated on the display end... The outdoor hardware is a tank.

Offline CW2274

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #38 on: October 20, 2018, 09:40:16 PM »
Davis is built to last, no doubt, but it has become antiquated on the display end... The outdoor hardware is a tank.
Yup. The thing is though, I still can see whatever you guys see (at least what matters to me), I just see it on something that's certainly outdated looking. The data is unchanged, just good and reliable...exactly what a wx station should do, supply data, pretty or not.   

Offline davefr

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Re: Did Amazon Pull the Atlas?
« Reply #39 on: October 20, 2018, 10:48:51 PM »
Davis is built to last, no doubt, but it has become antiquated on the display end... The outdoor hardware is a tank.
Yup. The thing is though, I still can see whatever you guys see (at least what matters to me), I just see it on something that's certainly outdated looking. The data is unchanged, just good and reliable...exactly what a wx station should do, supply data, pretty or not.

Just like my Commodore 64 computer.

 

anything