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Weather Station Hardware => What Weather Station Should I Buy? => Topic started by: astrolus on May 10, 2016, 03:08:43 PM
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Hello,
I am new to the forum.
I must say that english is not my first language so I may write strange sometimes...
I am looking for a basic weather station for beginning. My budget is 200$-250$.
For the sensors :
- I want wind strengh and direction.
- Not absolutly required, but it would be appreciated also to have UV sensor.
What I would like to do with it :
- I want to be able to store datas on my computer (using excel or a weather software) to make statistics and graphs.
- I want to have the data on the internet in real time.
I am located in Canada, so there is some brand that are not distributed in Canada and must be ordered from US, it increases a lot the price because of the shipping and border taxes.
I read a little on the internet about weather stations.
I understand the best is Davis Vantage, but it is at least 620$ so too much for me.
Then my favorite model was "Ambient weather WS1001", I loved very much that it send automatically the data on the website "wunderground". It would be the best for me.
But, It is not distributed in Canada, and with the shipping and border taxes, it will be 450$. Too much again.
Then I found two other models that are distributed in Canada and are in my budget, the same price (200$ all included).
I an hesitating between the two of them :
AcuRite-01057RM
- Data to internet (aculink) without PC
- Backup data to PC ??? i don't know, didn't find the information
- No UV sensor
Tycon TP2700WC
- Data to internet but need a PC connected 24/7
- Backup data to PC via WeatherSmart Software
- Have the UV sensor
At a glance, the Tycon seems better to me but there is absolutly no review anywhere. At the contrary there is a lot of reviews for the Acurite.
So my question is :
According to you, what is the best between Tycon TP2700WC and AcuRite-01057RM ?
Does anyone here have one of these models ? What do you think of it ?
Or, would you suggest me an other model ?
Thanks !!
Marie
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The Tycon station is made by or a clone of a Fine Offset box. I think they are garbage. I had one once; it died and was replaced with an Acurite 5-n-1. MUCH better IMO. The Acurite stations are always on sale and you get get Facebook discount codes. Even with exchange and shipping you should be within your budget. Also, you could spend another $100 and get a Meteobridge to read the Aculink and then do all sorts of cool stuff like populate SQL databases on your network.
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OK Thanks for your answer.
I am looking on the acurite website and I see that they have a lot a models.
Can you advise a model ?
In Canada, I can have the AcuRite 01057RM directly from Canada (no conversion fee and no border taxes) , from amazon.ca
https://www.amazon.ca/AcuRite-01057RM-Weather-Environment-System/dp/B00T0K8MN8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462925216&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=acurite+2032
Is it a good model ? Is there a better model ?
Is it compatible with meteobridge and cumulus software ?
Thanks !
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As long as it comes with the Aculink box it will work with Meteobridge. The picture shows the Aculink but the description does not specify. Ask. You need USB to a PC/Raspberry Pi to use Cumulus.
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You need USB to a PC/Raspberry Pi to use Cumulus.
I don't believe the Acurite will work with either version of Cumulus.
Paul
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You need USB to a PC/Raspberry Pi to use Cumulus.
I don't believe the Acurite will work with either version of Cumulus.
Paul
From sandaysoft.com: "Cumulus MX, a cross platform version of Cumulus which runs on Windows, Linux (including the Raspberry Pi) and Mac OS X, is currently in beta test. See the forum for more information."
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But the station type still needs to be supported, which the Acurite is not.
Paul
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But the station type still needs to be supported, which the Acurite is not.
Paul
You are basically correct Paul. http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/a/Supported_Devices#My_station_is_unsupported_-_Can_I_use_Cumulus.3F However, it would not take much to output the Easyweather data string and then you could use Cmx: http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/a/EasyWeather_Format
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Agreed, creating a compatible Easyweather data source will make it useable with Cumulus, and I think both Cumulus 1 and MX. Though I have no idea how that is done, nor what the limitations there are with that.
Paul
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Hello,
Thanks for your answers.
I understand that Acurite is NOT compatible with Cumulus software.
I could be possible to convert Acurite datas in "easyweather" format and import in Cumulus, but has anybody done this before ?
I am not very good in tech stuff... programming and so... I rather have something that is already working.
I looked at the Acurite software "PC connect"... there is nothing to browse the datas and make statistics... it is useless...
It is not interresting for me to have a personnal weather station if I can't make monthly and yearly statistics, make graphes, browse and store the datas for years.
The two main thinks that I want to do with a weather station are :
1- Store the datas in order to make graphs and stats.
2- Remote live access on the internet.
So, finaly,... must I forget about Acurite and go with Tycon ?
Thanks !
Marie
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YEs, folks have written stuff to create the Easyweather.dat file but I cannot say for certain if there is a Meteobridge version. The Meteobridge forum might have a clue there).
Acurite's PC Connect offers a download (up to 2 weeks worth) of data in an Excel compatible .CSV file: you can graph from that or get fancy and load it into an Access or even SQL database.
Meteobridge has a whole host of graphing/browsing features - some free, others not. The Meteobridge Wiki explains all that. Or like I said earlier, write your own database and graph away! Like http://www.stevejenkins.com/blog/2015/02/storing-weather-station-data-mysql-meteobridge/
Look - it is your money and while some are happy with the FO clones like this Tycon, I would not recommend it. Thank goodness for Costco's return policy. :)
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Hello,
Thanks for your answers.
I understand that Acurite is NOT compatible with Cumulus software.
I could be possible to convert Acurite datas in "easyweather" format and import in Cumulus, but has anybody done this before ?
I am not very good in tech stuff... programming and so... I rather have something that is already working.
I looked at the Acurite software "PC connect"... there is nothing to browse the datas and make statistics... it is useless...
It is not interresting for me to have a personnal weather station if I can't make monthly and yearly statistics, make graphes, browse and store the datas for years.
The two main thinks that I want to do with a weather station are :
1- Store the datas in order to make graphs and stats.
2- Remote live access on the internet.
So, finaly,... must I forget about Acurite and go with Tycon ?
Thanks !
Marie
As far as the cheap stations, I actually liked the Tycon. Bought one back in September. Have had little problem with it. And for a cheap unit, it actually compared closely with my Davis VP2+. Even the solar and UV readings were consistent with the VP2+. Plus you can separate the sensors for better siting.
Also has a built-in data logger.
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I saw a Tycon for less than $117 recently, which is a good deal! If it would work with meteobridge, I would pick one up now.
http://www.balticnetworks.com/tycon-power-systems-proweatherstation-data-logging-wireless-weather-station-tp2700wc.html
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Hello,
Thanks for your answers.
I am still wondering which one to buy...
At first glance, the acurite is attractive with beautiful display, colors, marketing, etc...
But the Tycon seems a little bit less gadget, a little bit more professionnal, with more sensors (UV and light sensors) and the sensors can be separated, not "all in one". It is just my feeling.
I read conflic arguments about acurite and tycon.
Some say tycon is scrap, others say tycon is as good as davis... some say acurite is a lot more modern and quality, others say it is only gadget.
I don't know what to believe.
Finaly I think I can run a PC 24/7 to store the datas from my weather station and post on wunderground. I can use my old Asus "eeePC", dedicated only for that.
The only problem is, if there is a power cut or if the PC restart for any reason, when I am not at home (for example, if I am on a 3 weeks holiday away), I will lose my data (no more data online until I come back from my holidays, and moreover I will lose data for my stats on the PC storage).
As for the live data on wunderground, it seems easier with Tycon. Just connect it on a PC and use the "smartweather" software from Tycon.
Acurite seems more complicated, the software by acurite posts datas to their website "my backyard weather", but can only posts data to wunderground every 15 minutes.
If we want to transfer to wunderground more often, we need to connect a meteobridge on the aculink and then ... I don't know... we need to be very good at technical stuff because there is no software that can read datas on acurite format.
So I think I will buy Tycon but I am still not sure...
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Anyone who tells you Tycon is as good as Davis is well, let's just say I have some swampland that might interest you.
As for using an eeePC - BTDT. It will generally work but unless you get a huge UPS and/or modify the hardware, it WILL NOT boot up after a power failure. Been there - done that too! The BIOS in the eeePC does not support resume/restart.
As for software to read the bridge: http://kevin-key.blogspot.ca/ And there are other solutions as well.
If I were you, I would do a LOT more reading before I buy.
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others say tycon is as good as davis...
I would take such comment with a grain of salt.
I am not knocking Tycon or AcuRite as have not used them and no doubt there are lots of people who like their station and suits their needs. Unfortunately not all makes or models have all the things that a person would like.
Paul
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As for software to read the bridge: http://kevin-key.blogspot.ca/ And there are other solutions as well.
Thanks ! This is very interesting !
So there is a solution already developed to post datas on wunderground !
It still need to run a PC 24/7, but I think I will do it anyway with my eeePC. Just too bad for the power cuts..
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But the UV and light sensors on the Tycon still make me hesitate.
I thinks it is very usefull, with ligh sensor we can know if it is a sunny or a cloudy day, and UV index is good to know since I have a friend who must protect himself from UV for medical reason.
Is there a light sensor and a UV sensor for the Acurite ? Something I can buy separatly and add to the system ?
Is there anybody here who really have the Tycon TP2700WC ???
It seems a very rare model or it is too recent, because I can't find reviews nor owners anywhere...
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If you have Meteobridge you don´t need your PC 24/7. Meteobridge is a tiny device, with minimum energy consumption and absolutely quiet, which can send data to all sorts of different weather networks or your own server at various time intervals starting from 5s. And the standard version is only 60 euros + the router, which you can get for as little as 30 dollars. And that would take care of your station sending data to the internet and staying online.
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Is there a light sensor and a UV sensor for the Acurite ? Something I can buy separatly and add to the system ?
Is there anybody here who really have the Tycon TP2700WC ???
It seems a very rare model or it is too recent, because I can't find reviews nor owners anywhere...
No to the acurite light sensor.
Yes, Skywatch owns the station and says it is good. That's good enough for me. He knows his stuff around here.
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If you have Meteobridge you don´t need your PC 24/7. Meteobridge is a tiny device, with minimum energy consumption and absolutely quiet, which can send data to all sorts of different weather networks or your own server at various time intervals starting from 5s. And the standard version is only 60 euros + the router, which you can get for as little as 30 dollars. And that would take care of your station sending data to the internet and staying online.
Thanks for your answer.
OK I didn't understand that Meteobridge don't need a PC at all. It's cool.
But, I also would like to store datas in order to make monthly and yearly statistics. If the datas go directly to internet without beeing stored on my PC, how I will have datas for my stats ?
Does the website (like wunderground) store datas for a long period of time ? And then, can we download our datas from website (wunderground...) to PC ?
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Double check with Docbee and be sure this version of Tycon works with Meteobridge. I am thinking I read somewhere that it doesn't. This is a new station that has different bits than other fine offset clones.
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If you have Meteobridge you don´t need your PC 24/7. Meteobridge is a tiny device, with minimum energy consumption and absolutely quiet, which can send data to all sorts of different weather networks or your own server at various time intervals starting from 5s. And the standard version is only 60 euros + the router, which you can get for as little as 30 dollars. And that would take care of your station sending data to the internet and staying online.
Thanks for your answer.
OK I didn't understand that Meteobridge don't need a PC at all. It's cool.
But, I also would like to store datas in order to make monthly and yearly statistics. If the datas go directly to internet without beeing stored on my PC, how I will have datas for my stats ?
Does the website (like wunderground) store datas for a long period of time ? And then, can we download our datas from website (wunderground...) to PC ?
Yes, Weather Underground will store the data in 5 minute intervals. And you can also let Meteobridge to send data to your own server if you plan on having your own website.
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Yes, Weather Underground will store the data in 5 minute intervals. And you can also let Meteobridge to send data to your own server if you plan on having your own website.
Can we download the datas from wunderground back to our computer ?
I think that first I will run my eeePC 24/7 to store data and send to wunderground.
But one day, when I will have a little bit more experience, I will buy Meteobridge and I will try to make a MySQL database on a server.
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This is exactly what I do with my data. I have Meteobridge, which sends data to my server, where it is saved into MySQL database. Then I also send data to several weather networks, including WU, which is independent of the server.
Then I use my template to process all the data and display it on a webpage and my template also includes many scripts for graph export, data export and all that in various formats including JSON, XLS, CSV, TXT and PNG.
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But the UV and light sensors on the Tycon still make me hesitate.
I thinks it is very usefull, with ligh sensor we can know if it is a sunny or a cloudy day, and UV index is good to know since I have a friend who must protect himself from UV for medical reason.
Is there a light sensor and a UV sensor for the Acurite ? Something I can buy separatly and add to the system ?
Is there anybody here who really have the Tycon TP2700WC ???
It seems a very rare model or it is too recent, because I can't find reviews nor owners anywhere...
You seem to have talked yourself into the Tycon. Good for you. There is no connected UV or light sensor (really?) for Acurite although you could get another brand and for Meteobridge or Weather Display software hook it up.
Look up any review for Fine Offset weather stations and decide. Like I said before I had an FO (clone like the Tycon) and replaced it with an Acurite 5-1. No contest IMHO. I also have a VP 2 Pro and another couple of 1-Wire based systems. Methinks you want a Cadillac for Volkswagen prices.
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I have Fine Offset WH1080.
I´ve had it for 5 yrs connected to Meteobridge without any problems. But I know that in terms of accuracy there is no doubt it cannot compete with the more expansive stations. In terms of value for money it is probably the best option of all, but if you really want to make accurate measurements I would recommend investing a bit more. My station now serves mostly to feed the DEMO for my template, but I know that especially in the summer, the temperatures are way too high because of the poor radiation shield (even after I replaced it with my own). Also, it is not very durable, mostly cheap plastic, it is ok for me because we don´t have strong winds here, but if you do, i would also not recommend it.
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I didn't make my choice yet.
I wonder where are located the UV and the light sensors on the Tycon ?
I would like to put appart the sensors on an home-made pole (not the very little pole provided) in order to put the temperature sensor (and rain gauge) lower, in the shade, and put the anemometer, UV and light sensor very higher in the light and wind.
But I can't find the information about the location of the UV and light sensors. If they are on the temperature sensor, my idea won't work because UV and light sensors must be in the ligh of the sun... but ther is a conflict because the temperature sensor must be in the shade...
And I see that there is a little solar panel ont the temperature sensor so... the temperature sensor must be in the sun ??? but I read everywhere to put the temperature sensor in the shade... huh ... there is something I don't understand....
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According to Fine Offset's (the manufacturer) web pages on this device, the "solar pod" that sits above the temp/hum unit has the light/uv sensor. I guess you could decouple that and mount it separately, too. The temp/hum sensor could be mounted elsewhere in or out of a radiation shield if you want. BTW I tried that when I had mine - didn't really help much.
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OK !
Thanks for your searching.
So the UV sensor is ont top of the temps sensor... not very clever design... I found it clever to be able to separate the sensors in order to place some in the shade and some in the sun. It was something I found better in the Tycon than in the all-in-one Acurite sensors. But with the UV sensor on the top of the temperature sensor, it destroy all this.
With your acurite, all the sensors are in one piece, it is difficult to place it always in the shade because it have to be in the wind, high in the air and there is often no shade at a place high in the air...
How can you do that ? You must place it in the sun ? Do your Acurite temp sensor is acurate even in the sun ?
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This has been covered. Try the search function. Besides, you originally asked for a budget station and now you want UV and solar sensors, separate components, etc. In your price range it hardly maters what to get I'd say.
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I read that there is a fan inside the temperature part, on the acurite, that should keep the temperature right, but I read that this fan often stops for any reason.
But maybe it is not all the models that are defectuous ?
I know that I won't have something perfect with my budget. But I still want to have the better I can for the price. Normal... as everyone.
The Tycon have everything I need but it is not very well build. So I am still hesitating. The question is, is the Acurite better build or not ? Some say yes, some say no...
I found this very interesting, it is inside the components :
http://www.philpot.me/weatherinsider.html
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OK !
Thanks for your searching.
So the UV sensor is ont top of the temps sensor... not very clever design... I found it clever to be able to separate the sensors in order to place some in the shade and some in the sun. It was something I found better in the Tycon than in the all-in-one Acurite sensors. But with the UV sensor on the top of the temperature sensor, it destroy all this.
With your acurite, all the sensors are in one piece, it is difficult to place it always in the shade because it have to be in the wind, high in the air and there is often no shade at a place high in the air...
How can you do that ? You must place it in the sun ? Do your Acurite temp sensor is acurate even in the sun ?
The placement of the thermometer is supposed to be in the open, 5-6 ft above grass, (not a hot roof)so it belongs in the sun, with the shield over it. If the supplied shield is not good enough, you can invert a plastic bowl over the top under the solar sensor. The solar sensor is also supposed to be in the sun, in the open, so that is why the station is designed this way. Also, you want the rain gauge in the same kind of location. The wind sensor should also be in the open, but as high as possible.
The acurite is not exact in the hot sun. It runs a few degrees high.
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I read that there is a fan inside the temperature part, on the acurite, that should keep the temperature right, but I read that this fan often stops for any reason.
But maybe it is not all the models that are defectuous ?
I know that I won't have something perfect with my budget. But I still want to have the better I can for the price. Normal... as everyone.
The Tycon have everything I need but it is not very well build. So I am still hesitating. The question is, is the Acurite better build or not ? Some say yes, some say no...
I found this very interesting, it is inside the components :
http://www.philpot.me/weatherinsider.html
I've owned both Acurite and Fine Offset clones (as well as a few other brand and home brews). I much prefer the build quality of Acurite. Those pictures of FO bring back some bad memories.
Acurite acknowledged a problem with some fan motors not working well last summer and has been replacing them as necessary with improved motors.
I've been running Acurite stations for several years now and have been very pleased with their performance, especially considering their low cost.
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OK !
Thanks for your searching.
So the UV sensor is ont top of the temps sensor... not very clever design... I found it clever to be able to separate the sensors in order to place some in the shade and some in the sun. It was something I found better in the Tycon than in the all-in-one Acurite sensors. But with the UV sensor on the top of the temperature sensor, it destroy all this.
With your acurite, all the sensors are in one piece, it is difficult to place it always in the shade because it have to be in the wind, high in the air and there is often no shade at a place high in the air...
How can you do that ? You must place it in the sun ? Do your Acurite temp sensor is acurate even in the sun ?
Theoretically, it could be possible to separate the solar sensor from the rest of the sensors. The temperature and humidity sensor which the other sensors plug into are the same as the 1080 and don't transmit solar data. The solar pod has its own transmitter. Or you could find an extension RJ11 cable and place the solar sensor and shield in an exposed location while the temperature and humidity sensor is in a shaded area.
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@ SkyWatch ... separate the solar sensor from the rest of the sensors. ...
I did that with a TP2700WC, and lashed the solar sensor + rad-shield near everything except the temp/r.h. sensor, which is in the xmtr pkg (downside, probably should buy another shield (such as from AmbientWeather, for a WS1080, which is similar, to protect xmtr from the 'elements'). If you use extension cable (I've forgotten whether 6 conductor was necessary), be sure any connector(s) doN't crossover pins. In other words, check continuity to be sure that what will plug into the xmtr corresponds to plug pinout with the original cables.
An advantage of extension cables is that sensors can all be in relatively auspicious places for each of them, and distance from xmtr to baseStn can be minimized.
Some issues:
1) power from the solar sensor may not be enough to keep the xmtr batteries charged on a series of lo-Sol days
2) Alkaline batteries in xmtr may not stand up well to deep cold. I use newer, 2450 mAh NiMh.
3) Random changes to time and/or date on baseStn may be due to RFI impairing WWVB reception
4) Another EMI/RFI issue is with the USB cable. I use a ballasted cable, routed *away* from backside of baseStn.
5) Solar sensor (and possibly power) may degrade over time
6) Rainfall may fail to reset on baseStn, at local midnight. Manual reset has been an ongoing pain after ~ 1st year.
If you have a poor location for siting a weather stn, being able to separate sensors may offset some of the issues noted. Otherwise, saving money on the stn is liable to cost extra effort...
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P.S. FineOffset makes a lot of the re-branded, lower-end 'professional' weather stations. Closest to TP2700WC, but maybe newer: http://www.foshk.com/Weather_Professional/WH2310.html
I notice that has a link to WeatherSmart v1.8. I intend to try that on a laptop connected to baseStn of TP2700WC.
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@ SkyWatch ... separate the solar sensor from the rest of the sensors. ...
I did that with a TP2700WC, and lashed the solar sensor + rad-shield near everything except the temp/r.h. sensor, which is in the xmtr pkg (downside, probably should buy another shield (such as from AmbientWeather, for a WS1080, which is similar, to protect xmtr from the 'elements'). If you use extension cable (I've forgotten whether 6 conductor was necessary), be sure any connector(s) doN't crossover pins. In other words, check continuity to be sure that what will plug into the xmtr corresponds to plug pinout with the original cables.
An advantage of extension cables is that sensors can all be in relatively auspicious places for each of them, and distance from xmtr to baseStn can be minimized.
Some issues:
1) power from the solar sensor may not be enough to keep the xmtr batteries charged on a series of lo-Sol days
2) Alkaline batteries in xmtr may not stand up well to deep cold. I use newer, 2450 mAh NiMh.
3) Random changes to time and/or date on baseStn may be due to RFI impairing WWVB reception
4) Another EMI/RFI issue is with the USB cable. I use a ballasted cable, routed *away* from backside of baseStn.
5) Solar sensor (and possibly power) may degrade over time
6) Rainfall may fail to reset on baseStn, at local midnight. Manual reset has been an ongoing pain after ~ 1st year.
If you have a poor location for siting a weather stn, being able to separate sensors may offset some of the issues noted. Otherwise, saving money on the stn is liable to cost extra effort...
I like it!