I know this topic is nearly 5 years old at the time of writing it but I think galfert had a good idea. I'll add to this post with information as time allows. Should also note that this list is non comprehensive - what's listed is what I know of or have experience with.
*Content subject to change as information added.*Here's a list of companies that either completely specialize in, generally manufacture, or resell weather instrumentation. (Some better known than others.):
- Vaisala
- Campbell Scientific
- R. M. Young
- Gill Instruments
- Rainwise
- Texas Electronics
- Apogee Instruments
- Setra Systems
- Lufft
- Onset HOBO
- OTT HydroMet
- Columbia Weather Systems
- Peet Bros
- Met One Instruments
- Dyacon
- Kipp & Zonen
- Optical Scientific
- Thies Clima
- EnviroTech
- Paroscientific
- NRG Systems
- Orion
- Davis Instruments
These are in no particular order.
For starters, price is a big factor in deciding which observation system someone might want to invest in. I think it's disingenuous to list the companies from greatest price to least as many offer a wide range of solutions. For this I will group them into prosumer and research grade. While the instruments of some companies may not be directly used for research, I will use this as a benchmark for what is deemed "acceptable" if presented to a board for peer review. Something important to note is while some of these instruments are classified as industrial/research grade, it means nothing if the measurements made are not calibrated with a known reference traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Research Grade:- Vaisala
- Campbell Scientific
- R. M. Young
- Gill Instruments
- Texas Electronics
- Setra Systems
- Lufft
- Apogee Instruments
- OTT HydroMet
- Columbia Weather Systems
- Met One Instruments
- Dyacon
- Kipp & Zonen
- Optical Scientific
- Thies Clima
- EnviroTech
- Onset HOBO
- Paroscientific
- Orion
- NRG Systems
Prosumer:- Rainwise
- Davis Instruments
- Peet Bros
Price:I think the best way to give a baseline would be to consider the typical cost of each component in an automated weather station. Below is a list of each instrument and their associated cost:
Wind MeasurementMechanical Cup Anemometer and Wind Vane: $500-$1500
Mechanical Propeller Vane style anemometer: $1000-1500
Ultrasonic 2D No-Moving-Parts Anemometer: $1000-$2500
Ultrasonic 3D No-Moving-Parts Anemometer: $1500-$3500
Fast Temperature Measurement*Platinum RTD: $200-$300
Thermistor Probe: $50-$250
Dew Point MeasurementHygroThermometer: $300-$2000
Barometric Pressure MeasurementDigital/Analog Transducer: $100-$3500
Precipitation MeasurementTipping Bucket Rain Gauge: $100-$1500
Weighing Rain Gauge: $6000
Solar Radiation MeasurementPyranometer: $250-$1500
Present Weather & Visibility MeasurementVisiblity Sensor: $6000
Present Weather & Visibility Sensor: $6500-$10,000
Data Logging and AcquisitionData Logger: $350-$3500
*Common practice to measure temperature separately from the combined temperature/relative humidity probe due to response time induced gradient dampening.
Instrumentation, Specifications, and a Brief Description:Anemometers & Wind VanesVaisalaWMT700Wind Speed
Model Number | Observation Range |
WMT701: | 0 to 40 m/s (89 mph) |
WMT702: | 0 to 65 m/s (145 mph) |
WMT703: | 0 to 75 m/s (168 mph) |
WMT704: | 0 to 90 m/s (201 mph) |
Accuracy
Range | Error |
0 to 75 m/s (168 mph): | ±0.1 m/s (0.2 mph) or 2% of reading, whichever is greater |
75 to 90 m/s (201 mph): | ±5% of reading |
Threshold: 0.01 m/s (0.0223 mph)
Wind Direction: 0 to 360°
Accuracy: ±2°
Threshold:0.1 m/s (0.2 mph)
Vaisala WS425
Vaisala WA15
Vaisala WA25
Vaisala WM30
R. M. YoungR. M. Young 05103 Wind MonitorWind Speed: 0 to 100 m/s (244 mph)
Accuracy: ±0.3 m/s (0.6 mph) or 1% of reading
Threshold: 1.0 m/s (2.2 mph)
Wind Direction: 0 to 360° mechanical, 355° electrical (5° open)
Accuracy: ±3°
Threshold: 1.1 m/s (2.4 mph)
Flagship anemometer of choice for most atmospheric observation sectors. Around $1000 new, can typically acquire second hand for around $300.
R. M. Young 05103-45 Alpine Wind MonitorWind Speed: 0 to 100 m/s (244 mph)
Accuracy: ±0.3 m/s (0.6 mph) or 1% of reading
Threshold: 1.0 m/s (2.2 mph)
Wind Direction: 0 to 360° mechanical, 355° electrical (5° open)
Accuracy: ±3°
Threshold: 1.1 m/s (2.4 mph)
Obsolete, replaced with 05108-45 HD Alpine Wind Monitor. For use in cold climates with frequent frozen precipitation. No longer sold but can be found second hand for $300-$500.
R. M. Young 05106 Marine Wind MonitorWind Speed: 0 to 100 m/s (244 mph)
Accuracy: ±0.3 m/s (0.6 mph) or 1% of reading
Threshold: 1.0 m/s (2.2 mph)
Wind Direction: 0 to 360° mechanical, 355° electrical (5° open)
Accuracy: ±3°
Threshold: 1.1 m/s (2.4 mph)
For use in marine environments. Newer models come with ceramic bearings, older models do not. Pigtail cable termination with standard output. External signal conditioning required for 4-20mA and voltage output variants. New for around $1200. Used can pick one up for around $300.
R. M. Young 05108 Heavy Duty Wind Monitor HDWind Speed: 0 to 100 m/s (244 mph)
Accuracy: ±0.3 m/s (0.6 mph) or 1% of reading
Threshold: 1.0 m/s (2.2 mph)
Wind Direction: 0 to 360° mechanical, 355° electrical (5° open)
Accuracy: ±3°
Threshold: 1.1 m/s (2.4 mph)
R. M. Young 05108-45
R. M. Young 05305
R. M. Young 09101
R. M. Young 05501LM
R. M. Young 04101
R. M. Young 27106
R. M. Young 27106T
R. M. Young 03002
R. M. Young 12102
R. M. Young 86000
R. M. Young 86004
R. M. Young 86106
R. M. Young 91000
R. M. Young 81000
Gill Instruments WindSonic 60
Gill Instruments WindSonic 75
Gill Instruments WindSonic Metal
Gill Instruments WindObserver 65
Gill Instruments WindObserver 70
Gill Instruments WindObserver 75
Gill Instruments WindObserver 90
Gill Instruments WindObserver II
Gill Instruments WindObserver IS
Gill Instruments WindMaster
Gill Instruments WindMaster Pro
Gill Instruments WindMaster RA
Gill Instruments WindMaster HS
Texas Electronics TV-114
Texas Electronics TD-104-5D
Texas Electronics TV-110-L320
Texas Electronics TD-106-5D
Texas Electronics TV-4
Texas Electronics TD-4
Texas Electronics TDV-4
Met One Instruments 034E
Met One Instruments 010C
Met One Instruments 010D
NRG Systems 40C
NRG Systems 40H
NRG Systems 200M
Thies Clima 4.3865.0x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.3866.0x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.3867.0x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.382x.0x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.382x.3x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.382x.4x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.383x.2x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.383x.4x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.3875.xx.xxx
Thies Clima 4.3875.6x.xxx
Thies Clima 4.3877.xx.xxx
Lufft VENTUS-X-UMB
Lufft VENTUS-UMB
Lufft V200A
Thermometers/HygroThermometers:VaisalaVaisala HMP35C Temperature and RH Probe:Temperature: -35°C to +60°C
Thermistor interchangeability error:
Typically < ±0.2°C over 0° to +60°C, ±0.4°C @ -35°C
Temperature Interchangeability
Temperature (°C) | Temperature Tolernace (±°C) |
-40 | 0.40 |
-30 | 0.40 |
-20 | 0.32 |
-10 | 0.25 |
0 to +50 | 0.20 |
Polynomial Linearization Error:
< ±0.5°C over -35° to +50°C
Polynomial Error
Temperature Range (°C) | Error (±°C) |
-40 to +56 | < ±1.0°C |
-38 to +58 | < ±0.5°C |
-24 to 48 | < ±0.1°C |
Relative Humidity: 0 to 100%
Accuracy @ 20°C
Relative Humidity Range | Error ±% |
0 to 90% | ±2% |
90 to 100% | ±3% |
Temperature Dependence of Relative Humidity measurement: ±0.04% RH/°C
Obsolete (late 1990s), but usually easy to find and on the cheaper end.
BetaTherm 100K6A1I NTC thermistor and capacitive polymer 0062 HM HUMICAP-H chip.
Vaisala HMP45 Temperature and Relative Humidity Probe:Temperature: -39.2°C to +60°C
Temperature Accuracy
Temperature (°C) | Temperature Tolernace (±°C) |
-40 | 0.5 |
-20 | 0.4 |
0 | 0.3 |
20 | 0.2 |
40 | 0.3 |
60 | 0.4 |
Relative Humidity: 0.8 to 100%
Accuracy @ 20°C ±1% RH
Relative Humidity Range | Error ±% |
0 to 90% | ±2% |
90 to 100% | ±3% |
Temperature Dependence of Relative Humidity measurement: ±0.05% RH/°C
Obsolete (late 2000s), less common than HMP35C but on cheaper end as well.
1000 Ω PRT, IEC 751 1/3 Class B and HUMICAP 180 chip.
Vaisala HMP60 Air Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor:Temperature: -40°C to +60°C, ±0.6°C max error
Relative Humidity: 0 to 100%, ±7% max error
In production probe,
1000 Ω PRT, DIN 43760B and INTERCAP chip.
Vaisala HMP155
Temperature:
Relative Humidity:
Vaisala HMT330 Series, HTM337 etc.
Campbell Scientific 107/108/109
Campbell Scientific Fine-Wire Thermocouple Type E
Campbell Scientific BLACKGLOBE
Campbell Scientific EE181
Campbell Scientific HygroVUE10
Campbell Scientific HygroVUE5
Apogee Instruments ST-100
Apogee Instruments ST-110
Apogee Instruments ST-200
Apogee Instruments ST-300
Apogee Instruments ST-150
Rotronic HC2A-S3
R. M. Young 41382(V/L, C/F)
R. M. Young 41372(V/L, C/F)
R. M. Young 41342 4 Wire PRT
Barometers:Vaisala, R. M. Young, Setra Systems, Apogee Instruments, Texas Electronics, Paroscientific, Druck
Vaisala PTB101
Vaisala PTB110
Vaisala PTB200
Vaisala PTB330
R. M. Young 61201
R. M. Young 61202(V/L)
R. M. Young 61302(V/L)
R. M. Young 61402(V/L)
Apogee Instruments SB-100
Setra Systems 276
Setra Systems 278
Setra Systems 270
Setra Systems 470
Paroscientific 6000-16B
Texas Electronics TB-2012M
Druck RPT410
Precipitation:Vaisala, R. M. Young, Texas Electronics, OTT HydroMet
Vaisala RG13
Vaisala VRG101
R. M. Young 52203
R. M. Young 52202
Texas Electronics TR-525I
Texas Electronics TR-525USW
Texas Electronics TR-525M
Texas Electronics TR-525-W2
Texas Electronics TR-4
OTT Pluvio Weighing Rain Gauge 70.040.021.9.0
OTT Pluvio S Weighing Rain Gauge 70.030.002.9.0
Solar Radiation:Apogee Instruments, Kipp & Zonen
WIP
Present Weather and Visibility:Optical Scientific, Belfort Instrument, Vaisala, Campbell Scientific
Optical Scientific OWI-430-DS
Optical Scientific APG-815-DS
Belfort Instrument/Met One Instruments 6400
Vaisala PWD12
Vaisala FS11
Vaisala FD70
Campbell Scientific CS125
Campbell Scientific CS120A
Data Loggers and Displays:Campbell Scientific, R. M. Young
Campbell Scientific CR10
Campbell Scientific CR10X
Campbell Scientific CR500
Campbell Scientific CR510
Campbell Scientific CR23X
Campbell Scientific CR5000
Campbell Scientific CR1000(X)
Campbell Scientific CR3000
Campbell Scientific CR200(X)
Campbell Scientific CR300
Campbell Scientific CR350
Campbell Scientific CR6
Campbell Scientific CR800
Campbell Scientific CR850
R. M. Young 26700
R. M. Young 26800