Topic: Grandparents want station!

[offroadjosh]

Grandparents looking for a weather station.  $250 dollars total to spend(including software).

requirements
 wireless
anemometer
rain guage
thermo and hydro
barometer
pc interface
able to run on vws
solar power if possible




Josh

[George Richardson]

Well, Cumulus is a VERY nice donation-ware package that would start your software priced low. Check out http://sandaysoft.com/ to see what hardware it supports then pick the best you can slip into your budget.

George

[wxtech]

Grandparents looking for a weather station.  $250 dollars total to spend(including software).

requirements
 wireless
anemometer
rain guage
thermo and hydro
barometer
pc interface
able to run on vws
solar power if possible
Josh

Top 'O the list.  Get them a CoCoRaHS rain gauge ($23).  They'll enjoy the group/network of rain observers.

[Anthony]

I agree totally with WxTech on the 4" manual guage. I have really enjoyed sending my data to them every morning. As for a station. Why not consider the OS WMR-968. If you order it from Ambient it is less that $250 and comes with the basic ver of vws if they want to connect the station to a computer.

[offroadjosh]

i think your right on the 4in manual rain gauge=)




Josh

[sam2004gp]

I agree totally with WxTech on the 4" manual guage. I have really enjoyed sending my data to them every morning. As for a station. Why not consider the OS WMR-968. If you order it from Ambient it is less that $250 and comes with the basic ver of vws if they want to connect the station to a computer.

Thats what I would recommend as well.

[George Richardson]

Just to be contrary!, I can't see reducing my budget by 10% from the gitgo for an accessory that can be added later. Not everyone would like to take on an early morning, out in the elements, obligation. Now, if you have one of those little houses away from the house where you take the Truman quick step, then it might be a consideration. However, speaking for myself, some of us old fogies wouldn't be interested.
JMO
George

[wxtech]

Just to be contrary!, I can't see reducing my budget by 10% from the gitgo for an accessory that can be added later. Not everyone would like to take on an early morning, out in the elements, obligation. Now, if you have one of those little houses away from the house where you take the Truman quick step, then it might be a consideration. However, speaking for myself, some of us old fogies wouldn't be interested.
JMO
George

George, I partially agree with you.  Josh, maybe you should see how much work your grandparents want to do observing the wx.
I have a county 17 active observer rain reporting network and most have migrated into CoCoRaHS.  Another 9 people tried it and dropped out.  Of the 14 that report regularily, 9 are seniors (over 65 & retired).  The ones who report most often are people who have a daily routine that allows time for reporting.  They are also interested in rain.  Have been farmers, scientists or people who want to track their precip data.  Young and middle age families want to be involved in the community activity but can't find time to participate.  The membership success rate is low when precip reporting is encouraged to the general population.
Some of us 'old fogies' need a reason for getting out in the fresh air now that the privy is inside. 

[Anthony]

My hopes are to have atleast 1 or 2 more 4" manual guages befor winter sets in. That way if there is precip in the guage. A quick swap is all that will be necessary. And if there is snow. A quick measure on the snow board and a quick core sample and I'll be back in the house befor I have a chance to freeze any thing off.

[offroadjosh]

They like to get up at about 5am and get there day started by 7am so i think it would work for them=) now  i just need wind and temp=)



Josh

[Anthony]

You can purchase seperate wireless wind and temp units. But why not just purchase a complete station. At one time I seen a LaCross station at my local Sams Club. I think it was under $150. But for that price. I don't think it wireless. I'm sure you Grandfather would not want to be bothered with running wires to install a wired startion. Wireless would be much easier. Slap all the sensors on a piece of mast pipe and attach the mast pipe to e fence post of need be. Or beter yet. Get them a tri-pod mount.

[SlowModem]

LaCrosse units start at $79.95 at ambientweather.com

http://www.ambientweather.com/laws1610uit.html

[Bushman]

Does it have to be wireless?

[offroadjosh]

yes wireless would  be nice. im really looking at the os 968 as it looks like a great station(even thou i keep trying to tell them to get a davis like mine lol).


Josh

[George Richardson]

Hey Josh,
Just think, if it wasn't for your grandparents, you wouldn't be here, so you ought to match their 250 and get them that Davis! Just a thought for a man of means!

[SlowModem]

Hey Josh,
Just think, if it wasn't for your grandparents, you wouldn't be here, so you ought to match their 250 and get them that Davis! Just a thought for a man of means!

Very well put!  ROFL