Author Topic: 968 vs 200  (Read 4431 times)

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Offline SlowModem

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968 vs 200
« on: February 20, 2009, 08:06:43 AM »
Since I have a working 968, I've not really looked for another station.  Recently, I see more and  more folks saying they have a 200.  I decided to look at the 200 this morning, just to see what the differences are.  These are the advertised features:

Displays Weather Forecast icons—Sunny, Partly Cloudy, Cloudy, Rainy or Snow, Displays current moon phase, Indoor and outdoor (up to 10 wireless sensors) temperature and humidity measurements, Measures temperature, humidity, wind chill, wind speed, wind direction, UV index (optional), barometric pressure and rainfall, Displays dew point, wind chill and heat index readings, Weather alert alarms for temperature, heat index, humidity, dew point, gust wind and rainfall rate, Automatically sets itself to the U.S. Atomic Clock, Includes 5-language software—English, Dutch, Italy, Spanish and French to store and view weather data on your PC via USB download, on-board Data Logger Function stores data with a time stamp,    Long range transmission of 300 feet (100 meters) at 433MHz between the main unit and remote sensors, Main console features touch-screen controls and EL backlight,  Installation kit allows for multiple mounting options (includes 6 foot mounting pole), Low battery indicator icons for both main units and wireless sensors, Operating temperature range: –50°C to +70°C (–58°F to 158°F with lithium batteries), Includes 6 foot usb cable.

It looks like it has a few more bells and whistles.  I like the fact that it sets itself to the atomic clock (although the signal doesn't reach the entire US), and I like the fact that they've realized that the world is changing to usb from serial ports (I hope they have the bugs worked out).  On the other hand, it looks like every sensor is strictly battery operated.

If anyone has experience with both types of units, does that sound about right?  I wonder if they've improved the temp/RH sensor in the new model?  The THGR968 really sucks.

Just a curious ramble this morning.   :-k
Greg Whitehead
Ten Mile, TN USA

Offline killwilly

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2009, 08:29:08 AM »
Greg, I have no experience with the 968, but I do have the OS 100 and 200. The one thing I have noticed is the 100 has a much better range when it comes to distance from remote sensors. The 100 will pick up sensor signal that the 200 wont, having said that I do prefer the 200, in my opinion it's far more stable and the inbuilt logger is a bonus for anyone like me who doesn't run 24/7.

Does the 968 have a data logger?

Alan.
Alan

Offline SlowModem

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2009, 08:33:26 AM »
Does the 968 have a data logger?

Alan.

Not that I'm aware of.  It retains the info so that you can see the date and time that the min/max value of a parameter occured, but as for the day to day info, no, I don't think it retains that.  I send it to WU and Weatherforyou.  If I want to see the data, I just look there.

Greg
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Offline mackbig

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2009, 09:11:19 AM »
Having seen so many discussions about the 200 (mostly 100) I would probably buy another 968 cause they are so cheap and I have so many extra sensors and spare parts assuming the current one died partially or fully, or get a Davis.  The 200 compatible sensors are more expensive (not as bad as Davis...) Also based on comments about USB both OS and Davis, unless you were running a laptop and needed to be USB, I would stick with serial.

Andrew

Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display.  Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64

Offline Scalphunter

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2009, 02:03:47 AM »
 If I were to buy a unit between the 200 verus the 968 is for one reson the 200 temp sensor get down to the temps we have up here in the interior where I would be setting it up at the cabin. 968 temp sensor seem to lack the idea that place do get down to 50 or 60 below.

John
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Offline amsoiltek

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2009, 11:47:19 PM »
Quick question about the 968's or 200's my neighbor has a 968 running, we are about 400 ft apart would there be any problems with interference?

Offline killwilly

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2009, 02:55:50 AM »
Quick question about the 968's or 200's my neighbor has a 968 running, we are about 400 ft apart would there be any problems with interference?

No, I think they operate on a different signal frequency, someone will correct me if I'm wrong.  :oops:

Alan
Alan

Offline SlowModem

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2009, 07:20:51 AM »
I looked in both manuals and they both operate at 433 MHz.
Greg Whitehead
Ten Mile, TN USA

Offline mackbig

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2009, 07:45:14 AM »
They are both the same frequency, but different protocols.

So they "should not" interfere with each other.

Andrew

Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display.  Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64

Offline tomwxman

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2009, 10:38:08 AM »
They are both the same frequency, but different protocols. So they "should not" interfere with each other.
If true this would also mean there is no way to get the 200 model sensors to work with the 968 central--has anyone here tried?

I like the 200 sensor design better from the POV that they use a single solar panel that is separate from the sensors. I'm imagining using a better solar/battery setup with all the sensors, or at a minimum putting the solar panel onto a sun-tracking mechanism for better output.

But I'd like to salvage my investment in (2) WMR968 consoles! :p

Offline mackbig

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Re: 968 vs 200
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2009, 11:33:39 AM »
it is true... havent tried though.  But if they were compatible, os would market as such, as the 200 sensors are more expensive....

Andrew

Andrew - Davis VP2+ 6163, serial weatherlink, wireless anemometer, running Weather Display.  Boltek PCI Stormtracker, Astrogenic Nexstorm, Strikestar - UNI, CWOP CW8618, GrLevel3, (Station 2 OS WMR968, VWS 13.01p09), Windows 7-64

 

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