WXforum.net
Weather Station Hardware => What Weather Station Should I Buy? => Topic started by: adaptec on March 07, 2009, 01:36:50 PM
-
I'm considering a new weather station, replacing a Oregon WMR968. If so, the new weather station needs the following features:
x Inside console to view all parameters
x Compatible with Virtual Weather Station v14
x WIRED connection between the sensors and the weather station, cables needs to be LONG (min. 15m/50ft.)
x WIRED power supply
x Wind speed and direction
x Wind chill
x Temperature
x Barometer
x Humidity
x Must operate by itself 24h/365days
x If power loss it must of course reboot and work again automatically
x Metric units
Price is not an issue at all as long as it doesn't exceed approx. 2,000USD.
Rain is not important, but I'll mount it if it's included.
If there is a system to measure snow depth I'll strech the budget big time!
-
I'm curious why you are insisting on wired conections?
Have you looked over the Davis stations: http://www.davisnet.com/index.asp? They have both wired and wireless and all your criteria are met by their VP2 stations.
-
DAvis Vantage Pro wired will do just fine EXCEPT for snow. FOr that you will have to use a third party system or roll your own, possibly through Dallas 1-Wire. And it would not show on the console (if you had that but I'm guessing you would use the Envoy). 24/7/365 is a function of your computer, not the weather station. Lots of options there. HTH
-
I'm curious why you are insisting on wired conections?
Because I have today an Oregon WMR968 and there isn't a sensor left that communicates with the console. There is nothing more stable than a physical wire between the sensor and the console.
-
I think the wired Davis VP2 will be the weather station for me.
Does anyone have a recommended system for measuring snow depth? The equipment are/will be placed here:
(http://www.jvb.no/eidsbugarden.jpg)
You don't see much today though :) But for the 150 cabins in the area plus two hotels with a 200 people capacity it would be a fun feature for the watchers to keep track of the snow depth and maybe with a history made by some kind of computer software.
-
A picture is worth a thousand words. If you are posting your data on a webpage consider installing an inexpensive webcam focused on a vertical ruler to show the actual snow depth.
-
The webcam/rule is a great idea. Back that up with a rain gauge heater and do a water to snow conversion and you will have all the snow info you need. The NWS uses Geonor devices and they ain't cheap! Alternatively you can build an ultrasound snow gauge and hook that up. But snow/water equiv. is a better idea in this case methinks.
-
You really shouldn't form an opinion of Davis wireless devices, VP2, etc., based on an Oregon Scientific WMR968. That's like deciding you won't buy a Mercedes because you once bought a Yugo and both are from Europe so both must have problems.
Edit: This is more a you-get-what-you-pay-for type of comparison. I'm sure that at its price level the OS WMR968 is a good station, but reducing a station's price point has to have some affect on the overall reliability.
-
There is nothing more stable than a physical wire between the sensor and the console.
I agree with d_l 's last post. In the past 20 months I have had zero communication problems with my wireless Davis unlike previous OS equipment. There are certainly pros and cons to both setups. I wanted the ease of installation that comes with wireless, and in fact I have changed the location of my ISS once, and will be moving the anemometer in the next few weeks; both would have been difficult had I gone wired. If I lived in an area prone to severe thunderstorms I would only consider the wireless route.
-
I've never had a communications problem with the 968. The humidity sensor is junk, but the rest operates flawlessly.
-
What's wrong with the humidity sensor? Have you played around with it to see if it can be improved? Good system shouldn't have to suffer if it can be repaired. Just wondering 'cause I came up against the same thing and made a big improvement (no help whatsoever to the 'tech support section' at LaCrosse. Sorry, sour subject there). I'd be glad to help if there's a chance.
Dan
-
One thing that is very nice about a wired VP is that it "never" has a signal problem and "never" has a battery and/or supercap issue, ever. It just runs. ;)
Bob
-
I'm not willing to discuss wireless or not. I've decided for WIRE this time, with no exception. It's not hard to install the wire where I'm having this webcam and weather station placed so for me it's wired and wired only. I can't afford risking 1000 bucks on a new wireless system that might not work for me, regardless of what your experiences are, sorry.
-
Does anyone have a recommended system for measuring snow depth? The equipment are/will be placed here:
(http://www.jvb.no/eidsbugarden.jpg)
LOL
Humm, I would say a 10 foot pole with measured marks & a web cam. Your average yard stick ain't gonna cut it there! ;)
Bob
-
I would agree with Adaptec that a wired unit is the way to go for this installation. From what I can see in the picture it may be the installation would be too far North or South to get a good solar cell charge due to the low sun angles.
Can you give us any idea of where this would be sited? Someone might be interested in renting one of your hotel rooms or cabins.
And, once you decide what Wx unit to get, let us know. Also, be certain to include a link to your website. I'm dying to see the stats from it.
-
Don,
http://www.jvb.no/eidsbugarden/jvbcam.htm
Bob
-
I've never had a communications problem with the 968. The humidity sensor is junk, but the rest operates flawlessly.
You will.. I had one before I bought a Davis Pro 2 WIRED because the 968 was always a problem, batteries dropping out of communication and you'd have to go take 6 small Phillips screws out of the sensor cover to get to the stupid reset button..