Hi,
I agree with you dcriner, my only concern with your suggestion is that COCORAHS don't recognise any form of electronic readings, they only want readings from their own specified gauges, namely their own 4" plastic funnel and tube.
What they should do is find a suitable electronic (tipping bucket) gauge, but clearly more accurate then the Davis models (as we have read on this forum, the comparisons in readings from the two types can be wide and varied) I personally have found these differences from using both types of gauges. My manual readings are taken at 8:00 a.m. and compared with the Davis. Looking at their website, and seeing the meso style map they have on their site, you will see the variations in times of readings from other users, anything from 6:00 - 10:00 a.m. Their suggestion of 7:00 a.m. I think is the next best time from average day break (6:00 a.m.) At the end of the day, they are happy with the readings from anytime near the 7:00 a.m. criterior.
So my point to this is - electronic gauge with same specs as the manual version, and clearly at a price which is affordable to us users without compromising quality and accuracy. Not sure if that's all achievable - hence why they don't offer anything yet to fill the gap.
Anybody else want to chip in on this, I'm sure others would benefit from ideas and views on this, after all, most of our weather stations are completely electronic, accurate, and serve a purpose, a manual rain gauge is like going backwards - ok it maybe more accurate - but I feel it shouldn't be, if so, I'm going back to reading a wet/dry bulb thermometer and logging everything in a text book - this is how I started, no computer, nothing electronic, just simple graphs with a bit of maths thrown in for good measure.
Nick. dw7240.com.