Yes its confirmed new stations will have new better temperature and humidity sensor. This may be as close as it comes to the VP3. Its not 100% clear to me if older systems can be upgraded. Possibly by replacing ISS Transmitter board along with sensor.
This is what Ryan received from Davis.
In early 2016 Vantage Pro2 systems will switch to a new temperature humidity sensor with new and exceptional accuracy specs.
This new sensor requires new transmitter firmware to communicate with it properly. As a result, you will see on your new 2016 Replacement Parts Price List that there are new and old temperature humidity sensors as well as new and old transmitter boards.
Accuracy Specification
The new Temperature Humidity sensor is much more accurate than the prior sensor.
New Temperature Humidity sensor spec
Temperature
· ±0.3°C (±0.5°F) across entire range
Humidity
· ±2% across entire range
Old Temperature Humidity sensor spec
Temperature
· ±0.5°C (±1°F) above -7°C (20°F)
· ±1°C (±2°F) under -7°C (20°F)
Humidity
· ±3% (0 to 90% RH)
· ±4% (90 to 100% RH)
Part Numbers
Since there are incompatibility issues between transmitter firmware and temperature humidity sensors there are discrete part numbers for the new transmitter(s) and temperature humidity sensor.
For systems built with new Temperature Humidity sensor
· Temp/Hum sensor 7346.070
· OV ISS Transmitter board 7345.952
· OV Extra Station board (Anemometer, Temperature and Temp/Hum. stations) 7346.069
· US ISS Transmitter board 7345.951
· US Extra Station board (Anemometer, Temperature and Temp/Hum. stations) 7346.068
For systems built with old Temperature Humidity sensor
· Temp/Hum sensor 7346.166
· OV Transmitter board 7345.978
· OV Extra Station board (Anemometer, Temperature and Temp/Hum stations) 7346.057
· US ISS Transmitter board 7345.976
· US Extra Station board (Anemometer, Temperature and Temp/Hum stations) 7346.049
Incompatibilities
Using incompatible transmitters and temperature humidity sensors will result in inaccurate temperature values.
Using a new transmitter with an old temperature humidity sensor will result in
· Temperature reading 0.5C (0.9F) low.
Using an old transmitter with an new temperature humidity sensor will result in
· Temperature reading 0.5C (0.9F) high.
Manufacturing Codes
New sensors will begin to be built into systems in early 2016. Clearly a manufacturing code of AS160501001 (May 2016) will certainly have the new sensor. However, the best method of determining whether the system was built with the new sensor is to look at the two alpha characters in the beginning of the manufacturing code.
Systems with the new Temperature Humidity sensor
· Will have a manufacturing code that starts with AS or later ( e.g. AT, AU, AV, etc.)
Systems with the old Temperature Humidity Sensor
· Will have a manufacturing code of AR or earlier ( e.g. AQ, AP, AO, etc. )
Additional Notes:
· If incompatible hardware is used the user can apply a temperature calibration offset in the console to adjust for the error.
· All Extra Stations (Anemometer, Temperature and Temp/Hum stations) will get this new firmware created for the new Temperature Humidity sensor.
· The new transmitter firmware is compatible with the stand alone, analog temperature probe (used in all Temperature stations).
· This new sensor is not in the Vantage Vue system.