Yes, this thead is a year and a half old and Ambient has come out with an upgrade from the WS-1000 while the Vantage Vue has remained the same for the past 8 plus years.
I've owned the Vantage Vue for over 7 years and link to Weather Underground via the WeatherLink (the Davis software/logger combo that plugs into the Vue console. Yes, Davis sells the WeatherLinkIP data logger (the "IP" designation distinguishes it from the Console-mounted data logger). The price just for the WeatherLInkIP data logger, not including the ISS or console is about $300
on the Davis site. Maybe you can get it for less somewhere else, but I haven't seen it.
The new Ambient WS-1001 is the upgrade from the WS-1000. The difference is how it communicates to the internet. It communicates wirelessly in both directions: from the ISS to the console and from the console to your router. That enables the ISS to display on Weather Underground without a computer. The only function of your computer is if you have the new version of the EasyWeather software, you can automatically populate that program to show the historical records on your computer. Otherwise, there is no need for the computer, just like what the Davis WeatherLinkIP data logger provides for the additonal $300. The new Ambient unit sells for less than $300.
The shortcoming of using the Davis system with just the standard (non-IP) data logger is that when my computer automatically reboots in the middle of the night after a virus scan, the WeatherLink software does not reboot with it. Consequently I get an email from Weather Underground that my station is not reporting anything until I manually have to restart WeatherLInk on my computer. I am told by Davis that WeatherLink has no option to have it automatically boot up with the computer like many programs can do.
What the Davis does that the Ambient does NOT do is:
* 2.5 second refresh for wind versus 14 seconds for Ambient. But Ambient does still record the highest gust within the 14 second period.
*Allows uploads to a number of different weather services in addition to WU; Ambient is compatible only with WU.
What the Ambient unit does that Davis Vantage Vue does not is:
* Provides Solar radiation and UV levels without the need to purchase another multi-hundred dollar device.
* Has the ability to connect to the internet directly through your router without the need to purchase another multi-hundred dollar device.
The comparision of the accuracy of each unit is comparable according to the many reviews of each I have read.
The Davis unit is good, but not bullet proof. After 6 years I had to replace an $82 part, and now into my 7th year my hygrometer/temp module needs to be replaced for another $82 if I do it myself, or $125 if Davis installs it, including postage.
I have no idea of the average longevity of the Ambient unit. But at 1/2 the cost for equivalent functions, it is worth looking at. I've asked Santa for one. I've been very good.