Topic: Just installed my first weather station since 15 years ago

[Jackietools]

Davis Vantage Pro

[Jackietools]

Is this a little too high. It may wobble in high wind. As it stands it is about 12 feet off ground. Should I remove one pole and lower it 3 feet to make it more stable. Thanks for any advice.

[cospringswx]

I think it will be fine. My Vue is around 18ft but the pole is bolted and clamped to a fence. Congrats on the install and it looks great.

[Jackietools]

Thanks. My old station was from about 15-20 years ago but has not been working for about 10 years ago. It was an old wired Oregon Scientific that I mounted with a chimney mount. Ive since raised my house a second level and at 20 years older am not about to climb a 30-35 foot roof! Only problem with this is that I cannot see the level on top to know if it is perfectly level. Guess I will have to bring a ladder to check. Also I have been a CoCorhs observer for 3 years now and was worried about the difference in rain measure. We had some nice rain this morning and the Cocorhs gauge measured .38 while the Vue measured .47. I read if the Vue is not perfectly level it can be off. For now I calibrated the Vue to +20% to make up for the difference even though it was actually off 19.2 %. Ill have to monitor the differences and make adjustments until I can get it as close as possible. I know it will never be perfect and will still always use the manual gauge as the true measurement. Also if you use any software please let me know what you recommend. Good talking to you. Thanks

[SlowModem]

I assume you realize you have to have a datalogger to get the data from your vue console to the computer so that you can use software?  The datalogger comes with weatherlink software that is ok, but some think it is dated.

I use wuhu software (it's free).  Others use Cumulus software (donations accepted) and still yet others use VWS or WD.  There's plenty of threads about each one on here.

Happy hunting and good luck! 

[PaulMy]

Also if you use any software please let me know what you recommend.

As a happy and very satisfied Cumulus user I would certainly recommend you look at and try Cumulus in addition to any of the others you wish to try.
 
Enjoy,
Paul

[Jackietools]

How and where do I get a data logger? I see some software products such as Davis Instruments 6510USB USB WeatherLink For Vantage Pro / Vantage Pro2 / Vantage Vue come with it but if I am to use a free program where can I purchase the link cable to use the free software. Thanks

[PaulMy]

You DO need to buy the data logger as an extra with Davis stations, such as the 6510USB Weatherlink datalogger kit you have noted, for connection to console to a computer and then you can use the Weatherlink software that comes with the Davis datalogger kit, as well as use with the third party programs like Cumulus, etc.  The logger kit is available from many online sellers.  Make sure you shop around or ask for their unpublished price (under $120).

Paul

[Jackietools]

Thanks for the info . Will do a little shopping!