Perhaps I missed it in this thread but one thing that hasn't been mentioned is the length of time Davis equipment lasts sitting outside exposed to whatever mother nature throws at it 24/7/365. Davis equipment is placed all over the world from the North Pole to the South Pole, on mountain tops and deserts everywhere. Somehow, this overpriced, outdated hunk of plastic just keeps ticking!
I have several friends who felt I spent too much for a weather station (a Davis VP2) while they got bargain prices for some LaCrosse, Oregon Scientific, or Acu-Rite units. All of them died within the first two years of operation mainly due to not being able to withstand the UV rays. Their cases, wind-vanes and anemometer cups all either froze-up or became very brittle. My Davis unit has experienced NONE of those problems. Now, to be honest, I have experienced three failures of my anemometer due to the magnetic reed failing. My last round of problems with was solved when Davis came out with a new design that eliminated the reed switch. In over 8-1/2 years I have had one super-cap go bad but otherwise, it has run nicely.
So, while it may not use the latest greatest technology, it works, and gives me accurate data year after year.