Author Topic: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue  (Read 18671 times)

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Offline KILROSEL5

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I am looking into buying a new weather station and want to know which weather station is better the WS-1000-WiFi or a Davis Vantage Vue. I am wanting to put my weather station online.
Reliability?
Value vs. Price?

Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER: http://www.ambientweather.com/amws1000wifi.html

Davis Vantage Vue: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281347713864?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


Offline PaulMy

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2014, 05:17:59 PM »
Since you will need a datalogger to go with the Davis Vue if you want to upload your data or connect to a computer so the price will be more.  But the Davis quality and value has long been proven.  There are a lot of very satisfied Davis Vue users.
 
Paul


Offline SlowModem

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2014, 10:25:11 PM »
Go with Davis.  Look at other dealers.  You'll find references to them in the "what station to buy" threads.  ALWAYS look for the unadvertised price.  You generally have to send them an email to get it.  But you can save substantially.
Greg Whitehead
Ten Mile, TN USA

Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2014, 10:27:47 PM »
Da Vue. Dat's it.
 


Offline Mitch W4OA

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2014, 12:10:31 AM »
I had a couple of Davis', nice '90s technology (early 90's at that). Durable, but finicky, you have to have extra software and a full time computer, etc. etc., the cost adds up fast.


My WS-1000WIFI, on the other hand, was a breeze to install and set up, nice modern tablet type display, in color. It probably will not be as durable as a Davis. However, my budget is ~$100 per year, so if my WS-1000WIFI lasts 2.5 years, I will be a happy camper. And in 2.5 years, what new technology and sensors will be available??? (I have an AirPi kit which I will be building in a few days, with several new sensors and internet reporting.)


If I had bought a new Davis, how many years would I have to plan on using it with my ~$100 per year budget???


IMO, ~YMMV  :D


sempra
ps I do like Davis, but I like nice color displays more...






Offline Aardvark

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2014, 12:14:39 AM »
I think you need to ask yourself, do you just want something to tell you the temperature, humidity and rain and you'd be happy. Or are you looking for something of more of a thing that expands, more technical variables and so forth. 

It is like buying a lawn mower, you can get a push mower or a riding one that you can ride to town on.   

I like the VP2 wireless. I can expand and do a lot of different things with it. I can really dig into the data. 


Offline KILROSEL5

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2014, 10:45:24 AM »
Thanks for helping me guys! I will purchasing the Davis Vantage Vue because it is compact, reliable, and has many satisfied users.  \:D/

I'm thinking about buying it on eBay because it has free shipping and is $285.99: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=281347713864&alt=web

Is there anywhere else that could beat the price with shipping?

Offline George Richardson

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2014, 11:28:06 AM »
"I will purchasing the Davis Vantage Vue because it is compact, reliable, and has many satisfied users."

While I agree with your decision, be aware that in order to get your weather data onto your computer, you will need the "WeatherLink" dongle which does come with free software. WeatherLink ~ $120.00.

Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2014, 11:33:09 AM »
Thanks for helping me guys! I will purchasing the Davis Vantage Vue because it is compact, reliable, and has many satisfied users.  \:D/

I'm thinking about buying it on eBay because it has free shipping and is $285.99: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=281347713864&alt=web

Is there anywhere else that could beat the price with shipping?
You could go back to Ambient, and select the Vue, then click the inquiry for 'best price'.... might be some difference. You can get combos with various 'dongles' and software as George mentioned, plus mounting stuff, at combined prices that may be cheaper than ala carte, even though the 'basic unit' price might be the same of more...  :-P
« Last Edit: May 31, 2014, 11:35:19 AM by Cutty Sark Sailor »
 


Offline SLOweather

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2014, 01:57:29 PM »
Any dealer can beat that price. Davis dealers are not allowed to advertise below a set price, but can sell at whatever price they want. I believe rainmanweather.com has the Vue for about $258.

Generally, you have to email or register on the dealer site or call to get best pricing.

Offline CamarilloWX

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2014, 02:34:00 PM »
When I purchased my VP2 I obtained quotes from 5 or 6 dealers.  These guys had good prices.

http://www.scaledinstruments.com/
http://www.scientificsales.com/
http://www.provantage.com/weather-stations~67ENWEAT0.htm
http://www.rainmanweather.com/site/catalog/Weather-Stations/Davis-Instruments

As previously noted, you will likely have to ask for an email quote but the response is usually automated and takes only a minute or two.
Eric

Offline KILROSEL5

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2014, 04:04:47 PM »
Once I purchase and receive my Vantage Vue, I was thinking of putting it here. The roof is about 9 feet of the ground. Is this a good spot? Also, can I use a pole from the hardware store or would it be better to buy a Davis mounting kit?

Offline Skywatch

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2014, 04:54:56 PM »
I'd try and put it at the apex. The location you're talking looks to be sheltered by the roof it self. I have A Taylor Windscope 3105 on the edge of the roof and next year in hoping to get up on the chimney. Can't speak for the mounting. I use iron pipe which isn't the best option. Maybe 3/4-1" steel conduit. Might be a bit cheaper. The Vue attaches to the end.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2014, 04:59:43 PM by Skywatch »
I live in an apartment and for the moment am not a home weather watcher.

I am a storm chaser.

Offline KILROSEL5

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2014, 09:55:22 PM »
I'd try and put it at the apex. The location you're talking looks to be sheltered by the roof it self. I have A Taylor Windscope 3105 on the edge of the roof and next year in hoping to get up on the chimney. Can't speak for the mounting. I use iron pipe which isn't the best option. Maybe 3/4-1" steel conduit. Might be a bit cheaper. The Vue attaches to the end.

I don't think I am going to want to put it that high because I won't be able to get to the weather station easily.

Thanks for your advice!

Offline KILROSEL5

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #15 on: May 31, 2014, 10:04:14 PM »
When I purchased my VP2 I obtained quotes from 5 or 6 dealers.  These guys had good prices.

http://www.scaledinstruments.com/
http://www.scientificsales.com/
http://www.provantage.com/weather-stations~67ENWEAT0.htm
http://www.rainmanweather.com/site/catalog/Weather-Stations/Davis-Instruments

As previously noted, you will likely have to ask for an email quote but the response is usually automated and takes only a minute or two.

Thanks for giving me those retailer websites! I purchased a Vantage Vue and a Davis mounting kit from scientific sales for a total of $283.98! (eBay would have been $286 without a mounting kit) Howevever, I had to pay shipping bringing the price to $301 but it still saved me money.

Offline Bushman

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #16 on: June 01, 2014, 11:24:31 AM »
WHat are you doing for a logger?
Need low cost IP monitoring?  http://wirelesstag.net/wta.aspx?link=NisJxz6FhUa4V67/cwCRWA or PM me for 50% off Wirelesstags!!

Offline Mitch W4OA

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2014, 12:59:11 PM »
To your $301 total, add  ~$120 for dongle/software and ~$300-$500 for a decent computer, and ~$?? energy cost per year to run the computer. You will have a really nice wx stn for ~$700+.


YMMV, have fun!








Offline txweather.org

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2014, 09:55:10 PM »
To your $301 total, add  ~$120 for dongle/software and ~$300-$500 for a decent computer, and ~$?? energy cost per year to run the computer. You will have a really nice wx stn for ~$700+.


YMMV, have fun!









Wrong.

Yes you need a logger and I am sure scientific sales can help him.. but for about 100 dollars you can setup a meteobridge on a tplink.
So no need for a $300 - $500 computer.... That's a thing of the past...

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Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus +FARS|Meteobridge Nano SD|Meteohub|Meteobridge MR-3020|WU KTXSPRIN75/PWS JRARGWX75/CWOP EW2972/WBB TXWDVUE75/Blitzortung ID: 1142|AWEKAS: 12095
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Offline torch

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #19 on: June 25, 2014, 10:30:20 PM »

Wrong.

Yes you need a logger and I am sure scientific sales can help him.. but for about 100 dollars you can setup a meteobridge on a tplink.
So no need for a $300 - $500 computer.... That's a thing of the past...

To clarify: are you saying the meteobridge/tplink replaces the Weatherlink dongle and the computer, or just the computer?

Offline txweather.org

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #20 on: June 25, 2014, 10:40:00 PM »

Wrong.

Yes you need a logger and I am sure scientific sales can help him.. but for about 100 dollars you can setup a meteobridge on a tplink.
So no need for a $300 - $500 computer.... That's a thing of the past...

To clarify: are you saying the meteobridge/tplink replaces the Weatherlink dongle and the computer, or just the computer?

Just like the thread states you need the logger which is the usb dongle. and meteobridge or meteohub will replace your computer.

Heck Meteohub can replace both the logger and the computer if you buy a meteostick with it.

----
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Offline torch

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #21 on: June 26, 2014, 12:12:04 AM »
Thanks for the clarification. However, it looks like the Weatherlink has no annual fee. I already have a website; I don't need to pay for theirs.

Offline txweather.org

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #22 on: June 26, 2014, 12:21:35 AM »
Thanks for the clarification. However, it looks like the Weatherlink has no annual fee. I already have a website; I don't need to pay for theirs.

Hu?

What annual fee?

Meteohub nor meteobridge have an annual fee. Just a one time software license. Just like weather display and the likes...

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Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus +FARS|Meteobridge Nano SD|Meteohub|Meteobridge MR-3020|WU KTXSPRIN75/PWS JRARGWX75/CWOP EW2972/WBB TXWDVUE75/Blitzortung ID: 1142|AWEKAS: 12095
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Offline torch

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #23 on: June 26, 2014, 12:44:32 AM »
Sorry, I should have been more specific: the Meteostick you suggested carries an annual fee, as opposed to the Weatherlink. I realize the Meteobridge software does not. (Unless of course they charge for future updates.)

Offline txweather.org

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Re: Ambient Weather WS-1000-WIFI OBSERVER vs. Davis Vantage Vue
« Reply #24 on: June 26, 2014, 06:17:28 AM »
Sorry, I should have been more specific: the Meteostick you suggested carries an annual fee, as opposed to the Weatherlink. I realize the Meteobridge software does not. (Unless of course they charge for future updates.)

You are so confuse.

Meteostic has no annual fee nor a license fee.
Is just like a receiver.

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Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus +FARS|Meteobridge Nano SD|Meteohub|Meteobridge MR-3020|WU KTXSPRIN75/PWS JRARGWX75/CWOP EW2972/WBB TXWDVUE75/Blitzortung ID: 1142|AWEKAS: 12095
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