Don,
but their customer support is poor
The support from Davis is excellent. I cannot think I have ever read a post that has complained about it. ( Oregon Scientific is a different matter)
And it also seems that one needs to buy a lot of 'extras' with Davis.
Davis offers more extras than most, if not all other manufactures. They are not mandatory, but simply options to expand your system. The only common, recurring complaint is about having to buy a data logger to hook it up to your computer, and I do not think even that is a valid complaint as some folks only want a stand alone system.
If you decide on a Davis I would suggest that you spend the additional money up front to get a unit with a fan aspirated radiation shield, UV sensor, and Radiation Sensor if you think you will want them in the future; the add-ons are quite a bit more expensive.
Phone Davis and ask for their recommendations
Then try phoning Oregon Scientific. If you are able get through to a real person at OS you will quickly learn the difference between the two.
I cannot write about the other, more expensive stations, as they were out of my budget limits and I did not even research them. I have had my Davis for 19 months and have been very pleased with it. They replaced the console because it was not keeping time, and I am in the process of calibrating the rain gauge because I recently discovered that it is reading 25% low ( I bought a CoCoRaHS 4" rain gauge and joined them 2 months ago. I enjoy doing it). The data from rest of the functions is "bang on".
I spent a long time looking for the best price and although I found a supplier a few dollars cheaper I bought from Ambient because of their service and return policy.
I'd like to host my local weather on a personal website, but that's at an unknown point in time
Do not hesitate, do it today! You can buy a name for less than $10, and I use E-RICE.net as a web host at $10 a year.
You may find , as i have, that this is a great hobby, but be prepared to spend more time and money. A camera will be a "must buy" within a few months. I am even considering a BOLTEK Lightning Detector even though we only get a couple of thunder storms a year.
Welcome to this forum, and enjoy your new hobby.