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Weather Station Hardware => Boltek/NexStorm Lightning Detectors => Topic started by: Dragoon on January 08, 2010, 07:28:37 AM

Title: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 08, 2010, 07:28:37 AM
Hi guys, new member, first post, yada...

Just thought I'd tell you about my experiences with the brand spankin' new Boltek StormTracker PCI which Santa delivered to me early. It's gonna be a long one, so if you're not interested, feel free to ignore me.


My buddy Dale has had a lightning detector for a while and he's been nagging me to get one for almost as long. Gotta admit, I like my weather stuff, and I even have a wee AWS of my very own. It's an Oregon Scientific WM-918, had it for years! So long, I can't even recall when or even how I got it. But that little thing just keeps right on truckin' so I can't complain.

Anyhoo, coz we're headin' out way earlier than usual this year, the missus must have asked Dale what she could surprise me with this Christmas. Instead of telling her to buy me an outboard motor (and a boat to go with it), he of course said I was desperate for a lightning detector. What a guy, huh?

Yeah well anyway, I got me a Boltek now. What are ya gonna do, huh?

But dang, if this thing hasn't grown on me! It sure doesn't look look like a whole lot. An ol' PCI card with a couple of chips, and a funny little black box hangin' offen the end of a network patch cable. Don't the simplest things sometimes bring the most pleasure?

So it's installed. I had a spare mini-ITX board sitting around doing nothing. Luckily it's an older model with a PCI slot, so it does the trick real good. Then I hung that ol' antenna whatsit up nice and high off a attic rafter, and got it facing northwards.

Now what?

Ya know, that's when I figured out these things don't go doing a hang of a lot on their own!  :lol:

Dale came by to inspect his new early Christmas present to himself, and to find out why it wasn't online yet. So I told him.

"You mean your wife didn't buy NexStorm like I told her to?"

Seeing as how neither she nor I knew what that is, the answer could only be, "No Dale, she didn't".

Off we went to cyberspace and to Astrogenic's website in particular, while he sung the songs of praise for NexStorm. And I must say it looked real good. Very slick and professional. Seeing those other lightning detectors online was kind of interesting, maybe even exciting, in a weather fetishist kind of way. Not that I'm a weather fetishist, mind. No, I reserve my precious fetishes for other things, thanks all the same.

But I digress.

The thing of it is though, as slick and shiny as NexStorm is, I couldn't see a whole lot of info about the stuff my new lightning detector was detecting. Well, woulda bin detecting had there been any to detect. I'm talking about real, actual, honest-to-goodness lightning, okay? No fetishes here.

Ol' Dale snorted (I'm not kidding...he sounded like a horse with a cold!), and dismissed my concerns, then began singing a hymn of worship about NexStorm. (Or maybe he was saying a prayer to the God of lightning, you can never tell with Dale.)

"Dale", says I, "What other software is there for this thing?"...Coz I foolishly assumed there must be a booming cottage industry of homebrew lightning detection software out there. Well who wouldn't, right?

"There's only NexStorm, so gimme your credit card and I'll buy it right now!".

Heh. Yeah, right. Not even my missus gets my credit card. Why don't I give her my golf clubs while we're at it? Just ain't gonna happen, nosirree, Bob. So I tell Dale I need to think about it some more, which only causes ol' Dale to make more horsey noises. It was only a matter of time before he began tossing his mane and stomping his hooves.

But I was saved by the cellphone. His cellphone, and his missus, calling to tell him he can't play no more and has to go home for supper. And he did, after ordering me to buy NexStorm. Which I didn't. Not until after supper, anyway.

Google time! I ask the Oracle of Google "Boltek +lightning detector +software", and lo, the Oracle did foretoldeth something which confuseth me even more: "Lightning/2000"...

Say what?

And then Dale called, wantin' to know iffen I'd bought NexStorm yet. So I said I hadn't, and listened to a horse spitting at me. When he finished, kind of, I asked him about "Lightning/2000", which just caused him to spit a whole lot more.

"It's crap! Don't waste your time! Buy NexStorm!"...So of course I didn't.

What I did do was click the link and went to the An-in-o-qui-si (HUH?!) site, and I looked at what I found there, and when I saw the screenshots I went "Whoa, it's 1996 again and I'm looking at my first Geocities webpage!"...Yeah, I laughed some, what are ya gonna do, huh? The colors, man...those funky ol' colors!

But I kept looking and reading and it began to dawn on me that even though it kind of looked like it was coded on a ColecoVision by an LSD-addict, Lightning/2000 had the goods! In spades. Buckets of spades, even. Thing is, even though at first glance Lightning/2000 looked cheap, it wasn't. It cost more than the fancy-pants NexStorm. What to do, what to do...I went to bed.

But now it was time to go visit the inlaws out of state. No time left to worry about the Boltek, I got much bigger concerns now. Pre-Christmas time. At the inlaws place. Oh, how the time just flew by. Not. Ah well, ya gotta do these things, right?

On our return, what do I find in my mailbox? It's a copy of NexStorm! From Dale! He bought it for me. Dale has been my best bud since 1975. We saw 'Star Wars' together like 20 times. Our families went on vacation together. He has never bought me anything, ever, period. Not even an icecream. Surprise!

Yeah, I installed it, I configured it, I configured the remote server, and I watched nothing happen. Because there was no lightning, anywhere. Not around here. So I called Dale and gave him the good news, and he whinnied like a palomino who's been hitched to a post while being forced to watch the brood mare take a shower.

"What's the URL?" he demanded excitedly. So I told him. "Nothing happening! Are you sure you set it up right? Maybe you didn't set it up right. I bet you didn't set it up right. I'm coming over!"... Click.

And so around 3 attoseconds later I hear the unmistakable sound of hooves at the gallop outside my door.

Dale pounces on my computer and starts fooling around with it, which is kind of scary because he's about as computer literate as an anvil.

One time, he opened up his computer's case and found the unplugged wake-on-LAN cable which was attached to his network card. It wasn't plugged in on account of the fact that his motherboard didn't have WoL functionality, but that didn't deter him for a second: here's a loose cable and it's supposed to be connected to something, and he's gonna connect it, by golly, even if he has no idea what it is. So do you know what he did? He plugged the cable into the first empty socket he could find. The plug on the cable didn't fit real well (the cable had two wires, the socket had three pins), so he forced it in, ever so gently. Network cards, motherboards, and network switches don't take kindly to having 12 volts pumped into them, which is what happens when you connect a WoL cable to a fan header. True story.

I'm digressing again.

Anyhoo, Dale played around and then agreed that it's all hunky-dory, accept for the lack of lightning. He sat back and beamed with delight. He loves NexStorm, he really does. But as much as I admire it, there was still some stuff missing, aside from lightning. Just gimme the facts, man.

Then I made a mistake. I mentioned Lightning/2000. Suffice it to say that Dale doesn't love Lightning/2000. For one thing, people won't flock to my website to view my Boltek and NexStorm in all their glory, the way they do his.

The thing is, I host Dale's website. That's kind of what I do for a living among other stuff. Naturally I don't charge Dale for the privilege, and now that he bought me a copy of NexStorm, I probably owe him money. Yeah, but here's the thing: Dale's site gets around 4000 hits per day, and at least 3990 of those are Dale checking in to see how many hits his site has received. It's not exactly Wikipedia, ya know? And I told him so. "WHINNY! WHINNY WHINNY WHINNY WHINNY!"

We drank some brews, shot some pool, then he cantered home. Trotted. Staggered maybe.

Beer is great with peanuts and chips, but ladies leave your credit cards at home. Trouble is, I was home, and so was my credit card. I bought Lightning/2000. It felt great, and I slept well that night, but my wife was on the couch when I woke up in the morning. Isn't beer just the awesomest?

So now I have Lightning/2000. But where's the Java applet? How do I display my lightning prowess online to the admiring hordes? The answer is that you can, but it's not quite as elegant as it is with NexStorm. Truth be told, that functionality feels a little bit like a kludge. Maybe an afterthought. If your main concern is with displaying live strikes online, you're probably better off with NexStorm.

However, if you want to know everything about those strikes, then in my opinion Lightning/2000 is for you. Well, me anyway. And it's dead-on accurate: I compared the data with those broadcast and published by professional weatherology dudes near and far, and Lightning/2000 did itself proud. NexStorm not so much.

My take? When it comes to shiny, to polished, to "Oh wow, that looks awesome!", NexStorm is almost over the horizon. You don't buy Lightning/2000 to get glitz. Thing is, I'm a guy who likes numbers, and raw bits-n-bytes. That's what you get from L2K. Definitely a little raw, for sure. Certainly software for fetishists, I reckon.

Oh, I almost forgot...A night or three ago, when we was drinking some more, Dale reminded me that he generously bought that copy of NexStorm, and I'm so darn lucky, not to mention ungrateful for not using it and worshiping it, and stuff. And I had to admit he was right. It was real good of him. So after he left, I whipped out the ol' credit card again. There's a copy of Lightning/2000 headed for his mailbox.

Did I mention we was drinking..?


Hope you enjoyed the story, and if you didn't, well, why did you keep on reading it this far?  ;)
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: SlowModem on January 08, 2010, 07:44:10 AM
That is a great story.  True or not, I chuckled throughout.  You are a good writer.   =D>
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: DanS on January 08, 2010, 08:53:37 AM
Welcome Dragoon. Hope you get some lightning soon to try out your new system.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 08, 2010, 09:53:46 AM
Great write up. I love a good fiction story!  ;)



Bob
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: W3DRM on January 08, 2010, 11:26:53 AM

Interesting - I bet he (she?) could write a novel on changing a light-bulb too  :shock:

Wonder where his weather website is along with the L2K displays  :roll:

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Downlinerz2 on January 08, 2010, 12:51:55 PM
   Welcome Dragoon from Oregon, Ohio!!  I wish Santa had brought me a Boltek! ](*,) :-(.  Well, have a good time with yours.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 08, 2010, 02:58:31 PM

Interesting - I bet he (she?) could write a novel on changing a light-bulb too  :shock:

Wonder where his weather website is along with the L2K displays  :roll:

Oz maybe?????

 ;)

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: dalecoy on January 08, 2010, 03:02:36 PM

Interesting - I bet he (she?) could write a novel on changing a light-bulb too  :shock:

Wonder where his weather website is along with the L2K displays  :roll:

Oz maybe?????

 ;)



Left field.

If he/she were serious, there would have been that information in the first post.

I believe the posting is a troll, a bit amusing but not honest, and wasting a lot of time.  But I'm willing to be proved wrong.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Weather Display on January 08, 2010, 03:20:42 PM
great post that
lots of good information about the 2 packages , pros and cons
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: SLOweather on January 08, 2010, 03:26:15 PM
Come to think of it, don't Bolteks come with Nexstorm Lite these days??
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on January 08, 2010, 03:34:42 PM
I liked the write-up.

Not fiction though. I have both.

Ranging is superior. Especially close (<100mi) range.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 08, 2010, 05:24:36 PM
Heh, well good golly gosh. Dale, is that you?  :lol:

Folks, no need to take offense just coz I use Lightning/2000 and not NexStorm. Rest assured that if the Intarwebz side of things was most important to me, NexStorm would be my weapon of choice. Like I said, it is slick and looks like somethin' NORAD would use.

As it is, I'm most interested in the wheres and the whats and the how muchs of lightning, which is where Lightning/2000 seems to excel. So my choice is Lightning/2000.

And ya know, if I really want to share my Boltek with my fellow citizens, if I feel I just gotta do it, the built in screenshot-via-ftp functionality will do. Pretty as NexStorm? Oh Lord, no. Not even close! But when I want pretty, I go look at my wife and daughters.  ;)

Say, did I ever tell you guys about the time I changed a light bulb? Well it was a dark and stormy night, just before Thanksgiving, and my buddy Dale and I...

Just kidding.

 :lol:


Dragoon: Lightening up.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 08, 2010, 05:27:15 PM
Reads like fiction to me!  (I have both also)    ;)

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 08, 2010, 05:27:42 PM
Come to think of it, don't Bolteks come with Nexstorm Lite these days??

Yep, sure do.

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 08, 2010, 05:32:36 PM
Hey again...I forgot to add that my Boltek came down the chimney sans software. And as per my story, I don't have a lightning webpage, because I like to keep the data all to myself, being as I'm greedy as a weasel and all.  :lol:
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on January 08, 2010, 05:54:15 PM
No worry Dragoon, I'm with ya.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: George Richardson on January 09, 2010, 01:39:54 PM
One thing this thread has caused me to notice; this is suppose to be a hardware/software neutral forum. Perhaps the sub-forum should be retitled "Boltek - NexStorm - Lightning/2000 Lightning Detectors". It seems only fair to give the only American made lightning product some exposure.

I would take issue with one of Dragoon's points. If a person were to buy a package consisting of PCI Boltek, software, and maps with Nexstorm from Ambient versus the package with Lightning/2000 from Aninoquisi, The Lightning/2000 package is (at least was, 06/15/09) slightly cheaper.

FWIW

George
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: dalecoy on January 09, 2010, 02:15:46 PM
Heh, well good golly gosh. Dale, is that you?  :lol:


Not any Dale you've been drinking with.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: port1 on January 09, 2010, 04:01:25 PM
 :-)  It was funny, which kept me reading along, and near the end I realized this was a troll, and the whole purpose is to keep you occupied!
Funny story, though. =D&gt;
Oh well...on to something meaningful, like cleaning out the gutters. #-o
 :lol:

Henry

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 13, 2010, 02:26:45 AM
Whoa!

So some of you fellas reckon that expressing a preference for one application over another is "trolling"?

Tough crowd!

 :lol:
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: AZmonsooncats on January 13, 2010, 03:03:19 AM
Gotta love all this L2k bashing  :lol: :lol:

While you don't have a nifty java applet to display your data with l2k, the storm analysis is excellent and detailed, and with a little ftp and html  :roll: you can even display it on the web  ;)  I been using it for years, it may not look as pretty as nexstorm but it is still a good product.

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: spweather on January 16, 2010, 11:23:37 AM
Hi Guys,

I ordered the Boltek Stormtracker and Nexstorm (eta middle of next week).

My interest is both of the things mentioned in this thread, Website prettiness and strike details.

Can Nexstorm & L2K run (and talk to the Stormtracker) concurrently?

Dennis
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 16, 2010, 12:40:42 PM
Hi Guys,

I ordered the Boltek Stormtracker and Nexstorm (eta middle of next week).

My interest is both of the things mentioned in this thread, Website prettiness and strike details.

Can Nexstorm & L2K run (and talk to the Stormtracker) concurrently?

Dennis

No


Bob
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: George Richardson on January 16, 2010, 12:48:53 PM
Dennis,
Lee at http://www.knology.net/~blackjack52/index.php Uses, or has used both programs together. You might drop by his site and ask him.
FWIW
George
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on January 16, 2010, 02:55:32 PM
Thanks George for referal. I'm all L2K now.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 16, 2010, 03:37:50 PM
Dennis,
Lee at http://www.knology.net/~blackjack52/index.php Uses, or has used both programs together. You might drop by his site and ask him.
FWIW
George

Yes, but not concurrently.  ;)

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 16, 2010, 10:08:21 PM
Hi Guys,

I ordered the Boltek Stormtracker and Nexstorm (eta middle of next week).

My interest is both of the things mentioned in this thread, Website prettiness and strike details.

Can Nexstorm & L2K run (and talk to the Stormtracker) concurrently?

Dennis

If you are most interested in website prettiness, you can't beat NexStorm. It looks uber cool, ain't no doubtin' it. Not a data geek's first choice like Lightning/2000, but definitely the goods for webheads.

For hard core strike data, then L/2K is top dog. It ain't pretty like NexStorm, and it can't compete with NexStorm in teh Intarwebz dept, but for accurate and comprehensive data reporting it's "all that and more".
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 16, 2010, 11:19:39 PM
If you are most interested in website prettiness, you can't beat NexStorm. It looks uber cool, ain't no doubtin' it. Not a data geek's first choice like Lightning/2000, but definitely the goods for webheads.

For hard core strike data, then L/2K is top dog. It ain't pretty like NexStorm, and it can't compete with NexStorm in teh Intarwebz dept, but for accurate and comprehensive data reporting it's "all that and more".

In your opinion.....

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on January 17, 2010, 12:25:06 AM
I think it's his experiences he's talking of; like the title.

I concur w/ his experiences; as I've experienced the same.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 17, 2010, 12:46:29 AM
If you are most interested in website prettiness, you can't beat NexStorm. It looks uber cool, ain't no doubtin' it. Not a data geek's first choice like Lightning/2000, but definitely the goods for webheads.

For hard core strike data, then L/2K is top dog. It ain't pretty like NexStorm, and it can't compete with NexStorm in teh Intarwebz dept, but for accurate and comprehensive data reporting it's "all that and more".

In your opinion.....



Yup, sure 'tis.

The difference between you 'n' me seems to be that I ain't sellin' anything.

My preference for one over 'tother comes solely from my own personal experiences with both applications. If I was interested in presenting "live" strike data quickly and easily and nicely for other folk to look at, I'd be usin' NexStorm. But my interest is in the numbers, and Lightning/2000 does that better. Coz I have no vested interest in either other than bein' and end user, I don't need to shill.

 :lol:
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 17, 2010, 11:40:48 AM
If you are most interested in website prettiness, you can't beat NexStorm. It looks uber cool, ain't no doubtin' it. Not a data geek's first choice like Lightning/2000, but definitely the goods for webheads.

For hard core strike data, then L/2K is top dog. It ain't pretty like NexStorm, and it can't compete with NexStorm in teh Intarwebz dept, but for accurate and comprehensive data reporting it's "all that and more".

In your opinion.....



Yup, sure 'tis.

The difference between you 'n' me seems to be that I ain't sellin' anything.

My preference for one over 'tother comes solely from my own personal experiences with both applications. If I was interested in presenting "live" strike data quickly and easily and nicely for other folk to look at, I'd be usin' NexStorm. But my interest is in the numbers, and Lightning/2000 does that better. Coz I have no vested interest in either other than bein' and end user, I don't need to shill.

 :lol:

AH, spoken like a true troll. Congrats!  =D&gt;


Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 18, 2010, 01:40:53 AM
AH, spoken like a true troll. Congrats!  =D&gt;

Well, you sure ain't helpin' your cause none.

Here's me repeatedly said that I actually prefer NexStorm over Lightning/2000 in some ways, and how it has real strengths and advantages over L/2K in a few areas. Only, seein' as how I'm not much one for Intarwebbin' my weather info, I'm stickin' with L/2K and its - IMHO - superior data quality.

Yet you claim that makes me a "troll"...but sonny, 'taint me who's lookin' unreasonable here.

So you go right on sellin' NexStorm like you own the company, no problem, it's a big enough world for all our interests, but how's about you stop brandin' folk just coz they don't share your interests and opinions, huh?
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: dalecoy on January 18, 2010, 10:00:18 AM
AH, spoken like a true troll. Congrats!  =D&gt;

Well, you sure ain't helpin' your cause none.

.... but how's about you stop brandin' folk just coz they don't share your interests and opinions, huh?

I believe that some of us would listen more closely, if you would write as you were taught in school, rather than in a forced dialect.  If you did that, I would find it easier to have confidence in your technical opinions and your seriousness.

Just my opinion, of course.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 18, 2010, 11:10:45 AM
(http://www.nhweatherdata.com/files/troll-1.jpg)
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: George Richardson on January 18, 2010, 12:48:27 PM
Bob,
If you were an owner of lightning/2000, I think you would have gotten an email from Mark that would indicate he has had too much going on to troll this board. Frankly, you are an asset to this board helping folks with software you own/approve of. I personally think you are out of line bad mouthing competition to your favorite products. While relaying bad experiences with software/hardware is beneficial to potential buyers, I think 1 negative post is enough.
Sincerely,
George Richardson
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: dalecoy on January 18, 2010, 01:27:15 PM
I'm not Bob, of course (and I'm not 'that Dale'), and please note that I have not "badmouthed" either of the products.  And I don't know Mark.

And I make no assertions about Dragoon's motivations.

I do, however, find Dragoon's posting style to be annoying, and typical of the posting style used by "Trolls".  That's my personal opinion, and will probably have no effect on Dragoon - who need not care about my opinion, of course.


Bob,
If you were an owner of lightning/2000, I think you would have gotten an email from Mark that would indicate he has had too much going on to troll this board. Frankly, you are an asset to this board helping folks with software you own/approve of. I personally think you are out of line bad mouthing competition to your favorite products. While relaying bad experiences with software/hardware is beneficial to potential buyers, I think 1 negative post is enough.
Sincerely,
George Richardson

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 18, 2010, 04:04:10 PM
I'm not Bob, of course (and I'm not 'that Dale'), and please note that I have not "badmouthed" either of the products.  And I don't know Mark.

And I make no assertions about Dragoon's motivations.

I do, however, find Dragoon's posting style to be annoying, and typical of the posting style used by "Trolls".  That's my personal opinion, and will probably have no effect on Dragoon - who need not care about my opinion, of course.


Bob,
If you were an owner of lightning/2000, I think you would have gotten an email from Mark that would indicate he has had too much going on to troll this board. Frankly, you are an asset to this board helping folks with software you own/approve of. I personally think you are out of line bad mouthing competition to your favorite products. While relaying bad experiences with software/hardware is beneficial to potential buyers, I think 1 negative post is enough.
Sincerely,
George Richardson


George,

Nor have I "badmouthed" L2K even once in this thread.

This is whole issue is directed directly at the troll posting about L2k in this thread. That is in no way badmouthing L2K.

As I said before:

(http://www.nhweatherdata.com/files/troll-1.jpg)


Bob
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 19, 2010, 02:40:05 AM
I evaluated Aninoquisi's Lightning/2000 application and Astrogenic's NexStorm application.

My previously stated conclusion was that they are both most excellent, for different reasons.

The data from Lightning/2000 is, to my mind, more accurate than that from NexStorm, but Lightning/2000's interface is not as polished as NexStorm's, and it lacks the super cool web functionality of the latter.

OTOH, NexStorm, while uber slick and all, seems to be lacking when it comes to overall quality of data, at least when compared with Lightning/2000.

Since I have no particular interest in sharing my lightning fun with others, and because I am interested in the intricate nuts 'n' bolts of lightning, I prefer Lightning/2000 to NexStorm. If my aim was to provide live lightning data online, I'd be usin' NexStorm.

Both programs are really great at the things they do best. Some guys have different priorities, mine bein' a data obsession, which is why I chose Lightning/2000, but folk who are big on things Internet know that NexStorm is a better choice for them.

And I have ZERO affiliation with either Aninoquisi or Astrogenic, although they both got cash outta me, directly or indirectly!  :lol:

See, that's what I said and am sayin': One is good for this, the other is good for that. Neither suck. No more, no less. Yet some of you fellas have been howling like boiled monkeys all coz I dared to go with "the enemy" application, instead of promoting NexStorm, and you brand me a troll.

So what does that make you? I know what I am: I'm honest.  \:D/
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: mackbig on January 19, 2010, 06:55:50 AM
I agree with George. This is a hardware sub.  Either add l2k to title, remove nexstorm, make another sub below this for each, or move the "lightning software" to the software section, or leave it alone (all work fine for me ...)

I can see why it was setup like this, as lightning detectors and software are not as common as pws's, so to make 3 separate topics would dilute the potential postings.... and like many of the other hardware sections, software posts/questions/specific issues related to the software will sneak in, and probably be more in context here anyway.

Andrew
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 19, 2010, 07:57:52 AM
(http://www.nhweatherdata.com/files/troll-1.jpg)
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: lorick on January 19, 2010, 09:22:16 AM
What I find amazing about this post is that "Dragon" was able to determine which software worked better for his needs in less than a month during the winter???  We have had some very severe lightning storms in the US in the last month but I guess my NexStorm just has not picked them up.  I am sure L2K has seen much more.

Rick Jungerberg
Eau Claire,WI
Lorick Weather Live
StrikeStarUS
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 19, 2010, 09:37:55 AM
Rick,

Welcome to the forum!

(http://www.nhweatherdata.com/files/troll-1.jpg)


LOL
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on January 19, 2010, 01:59:19 PM
What I find amazing about this post is that "Dragon" was able to determine which software worked better for his needs in less than a month during the winter???  We have had some very severe lightning storms in the US in the last month but I guess my NexStorm just has not picked them up.  I am sure L2K has seen much more.

Rick Jungerberg
Eau Claire,WI
Lorick Weather Live
StrikeStarUS

You sure do make a lot of assumptions.

For one thing, I have had this beastie for more than a month. Not a LOT more than a month, but still more than one month. Christmas came EARLY for me.

Now, comparing outputs from both applications, I was able to determine that L2K was more accurate and in-depth, while NexStorm is significantly better from the pov of web functionality. So a fella or gal interested in geeky data may best take a gander at Lightning/2000, but if what they want to do is keep the world enlightened (Heh!) with regard to their local lightning activity, they oughta consider NexStorm.

BOTH applications are mighty fine at the things they do best.

Now I coulda sworn I said that already. Like, a whole bunch of times. Guess that makes me a "troll", huh? You know, for not promoting NexStorm only?  :lol:

"WXForum.net: The Independent Weather Enthusiast's Forum"
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: dalecoy on January 19, 2010, 02:45:23 PM
That seems reasonable to me.  Sorry you seem to have gotten off on the wrong perception in this forum.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on January 19, 2010, 10:18:28 PM
Bob,
If you were an owner of lightning/2000, I think you would have gotten an email from Mark that would indicate he has had too much going on to troll this board. Frankly, you are an asset to this board helping folks with software you own/approve of. I personally think you are out of line bad mouthing competition to your favorite products. While relaying bad experiences with software/hardware is beneficial to potential buyers, I think 1 negative post is enough.
Sincerely,
George Richardson

Ditto.

Bob,
Stating that a favorable post about a product is 'fiction' constitutes what?
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on January 20, 2010, 12:12:23 AM
Bob,
If you were an owner of lightning/2000, I think you would have gotten an email from Mark that would indicate he has had too much going on to troll this board. Frankly, you are an asset to this board helping folks with software you own/approve of. I personally think you are out of line bad mouthing competition to your favorite products. While relaying bad experiences with software/hardware is beneficial to potential buyers, I think 1 negative post is enough.
Sincerely,
George Richardson

Ditto.

Bob,
Stating that a favorable post about a product is 'fiction' constitutes what?

Don't know. I guess we'll have to ask "Dale"  :roll:

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Cienega32 on January 20, 2010, 04:42:23 AM
Now, comparing outputs from both applications, I was able to determine that L2K was more accurate and in-depth, while NexStorm is significantly better from the pov of web functionality. So a fella or gal interested in geeky data may best take a gander at Lightning/2000, but if what they want to do is keep the world enlightened (Heh!) with regard to their local lightning activity, they oughta consider NexStorm.

BOTH applications are mighty fine at the things they do best.

Clear and concise and if that's the "nuts&bolts" of the two then it answers a lot for me.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: meteolarissa on February 08, 2010, 07:07:57 PM
pplz hello from Greece in Europe.. :-P :-P :-P :grin: :grin:
I read all interesting you describe about...
Im a future buyer of boltek (i dnt no if i can manage cheaper tracker or i will  get ld250).
I think that the most important thing is the accurancy  and then <face and luxury>.
So i guess that more accurate in close and meddium distance is l2000.Am i right?
Please anyone have a look to accurancy could spend little time explain me that...
I need accurancy in close and meddium<200km range....What hardware(tracker or ld250) and software i need...??? for best result....
View and applets and luxury are not for me......I need accurancy even i paint the map and show it to my site\:D/ \:D/ :grin: :grin: :grin: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 08, 2010, 09:22:40 PM
I recommend the pci card w/ L2K for your requirements.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on February 08, 2010, 10:27:27 PM
Or, try them both (software) and you decide.  =D&gt;

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: meteolarissa on February 09, 2010, 05:25:12 AM
MADAL thank you ,we had talked before some months and you suggested me the same....
Racenet if i had money to spend i would <play for all combinations>,R u strupids?NO , some of you have experience to advice me about so i asked you...
we WEATHER  enthousiastics help each other :grin: :grin: :grin:
So i have one more question.....MadAL -Racenet or other person could i use ld250 with l2000 or tracker is better???
I have usb connection to laptop and its best for me the ld250..Could i use ld250 or the advantages of tracker must make me decide tracker totally??

thank u guys help me... :-) :-) :-) =D&gt; =D&gt;
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: mackbig on February 09, 2010, 06:40:05 AM
meteolarissa
If you only have a laptop I think you are stuck with the ld250.  Unless you get a pc, or an expensive and rare external pci dock there is no way for you to use a stormtracker.

As for which is better. Stormtracker also detects type of lightning, ld250 just does strikes and its $240 more, but its "mobile".  Have to weigh all the variables and how they apply to you.

As for software, pretty sure both have a trial version.

Andrew

reason for edit: dumb pre latte typo.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on February 09, 2010, 09:55:20 AM
Yes, as Andrew stated, both have trial versions, so you can try each one, before you make a purchase.


Bob
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: meteolarissa on February 09, 2010, 12:31:59 PM
Τhank you guys(Bob and Andrew) for so much democrasy :lol: :lol: :lol: :grin: :grin:
I will think which i will buy and then work the 2 software trials and then decide.... #-o #-o
I wish i could depend on your experiances , but i must do all homework alone :lol: :lol:
Anyway thank you all guys....
Any other suggestions cuz experiance are welcome....
Andrew i know the diferencies between 2 bolteks....I dnt know if have accurancy diference..!!!???
I have no problem pay more for ld250 if i have no other choice...
But is the same in quality and accurancy???
If yes u help me....if not i have to work to my desktop pc and move all my stuff to laptop..., so use pcl to pc.... #-o #-o


Vassilis , \:D/ \:D/
 Larisa city Greece
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: Dragoon on February 13, 2010, 01:04:06 AM
Howdy Vassilis!

Your choice won't be too hard once you know what it is you want from your lightning detector and software!

If your plan is a slick website with snazzy live-updated graphics, then the war is over: use NexStorm.

On the other hand, if you ain't too worried about the online side of things and are more interested in the wheres and how muchs of lightning activity, the path is clear: Lightning/2000.

As I said in earlier posts, BOTH applications do a downright fantastic job of the things they do best.

Have fun evaluating... I know I sure did!
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: meteolarissa on February 13, 2010, 08:21:16 PM
Dragon you talk right but i see all alwayz never answer to questions but just leave you with no answers....
There are many pplz here work with the boltek and these 2 softwares....
All or most of them say the same answer...
I checked older threats about comparison software or the 2 boltek hardware and there is the same answer....I ask about <white shirt> and all answer about <all shirts> in shop.
Finaly after 1 year i check 5-6 nexstorm sites in greece n only 1 light2000 is that for detail and close activity l2000 is much much better.The nexstorm is good enough for 200-600km but not even good to close than 100km..
So i need accurancy n not on line luxury so its ok i decide L2000....
Lets go to hardware now...
The same story too...Most pplz work bolteks answer about tracker advantage to strike determonation. I know it. My question is about final result diferrencies...Is the same accurancy in analysis and final map???
Have these 2 bolteks diferencies to result on map??
I know about determination....I just ask if i cant buy tracker and buy finaly ld250 i will have same ACCURANCY in incoming data and analysis on map or not???
These are my questions and no answer till now from most knowing both hardware and software.... ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)
Anywy thank you for your time answer my questions.
I hope soon and after i have worked with my boltek n 1 software ,to know some things and i will open treat to describe  to the future buyers my experiance in detail :grin: :grin: =D&gt; =D&gt; \:D/ \:D/
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 16, 2010, 01:36:22 PM
This is the difference b/w pci and LD250:

Until version 4.6 of Lightning/2000, the range of lightning was always determined by examining groups of flashes and performing complex statistical analyses.  Though this technique has been greatly refined over the years, there was always the possibility that mother nature could throw us a curve ball and cause us to come up with a less-than-accurate range.

Now for the first time, we can say with certainty that some individual flashes of lightning have occurred nearby, without resorting to an analysis that can sometimes be prone to inaccuracies.  This is a major breakthrough in technology, and (to the best of our knowledge) is a technology not present in any other personal lightning detection system.

The older statistical technique for determining when a storm is nearby has been retained for the time being when using the LD-250.  This is because the new "nearby flash" technique works better the when more strokes are detected.  Since the LD-250 inherently will detect fewer strokes than the StormTracker card, the new technique is a bit more uncertain when using the LD-250.  When using the StormTracker card, we now depend solely on the new technique to determine when a storm is nearby.

I know this, using the ld250, when I zoom into 50mi or less, strikes are accurately plotted. That doesn't happen w/ Nexstorm.

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: meteolarissa on February 16, 2010, 06:13:18 PM
Lee this the thing i was asking for....Thank you so much..So its much better even with ld250 to detect nearby strikes now.... \:D/ \:D/
Anyway now its better for me to choose the partner of l2000.....Im loooking to ld250 same like pcl card...
 #-o #-o
Have a nice day and Lee i will check and look your detector some more even i dnt know when thunderstorm activity begin to your region... =D&gt; =D&gt; =D&gt;

Friendly,,,
Vassilis.
Larissa. Greece
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 17, 2010, 10:33:04 AM
No prob Larissa. Next month will start storm season.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: relko on February 17, 2010, 10:53:26 AM
I'm the author of NexStorm. Below are links to screenshots of my own Boltek/NexStorm system for a few different active days in 2008 and 2009, all except one showing storms within 100 km range. The NexStorm lightning data is compared to the Swedish national lightning detection network and doppler radar via the inset images. There was no calibration used other than directional antenna alignment. Only the last image was generated by replaying archived data, all the others were captured in real-time. The last screenshot shows lightning strikes captured very close to my location which eventually forced me to shut down my Boltek system and prevented further tracking. The associated inset image is 10 minutes more recent than the NexStorm screenshot and shows a strike cluster over a location which on the NexStorm map corresponds to the Arlanda Intl. airport symbol. The airport is roughly 3 kilometers away from the antenna location as the crow flies. The last recorded strike in NexStorm was ranged at 3 kilometers, as evident by the reading in the last strike bearing indicator in the upper right corner of the user interface.

http://www.astrogenic.com/images2/comp/20080613_SMHI.png
http://www.astrogenic.com/images2/comp/20080707_SMHI.png
http://www.astrogenic.com/images2/comp/20080712m_SMHI.png
http://www.astrogenic.com/images2/comp/20090703_smhi.png

Now, how about we see some actual DATA comparisons from the L2K proponents? That is, instead of the repeated unsubstantiated claims about L2K being more accurate, or worse, having to read unedited advertisement crap pasted directly from Aninoquisi's web site?

To make it clear, I am not trying to sway anyone into buying my software but hopefully the above will be sufficient to disprove the false claims being spread here that L2K is generally more accurate than NexStorm for close storm ranging. I am not disputing that for some users L2K may be more accurate than NexStorm. But, it is important to realize that the reverse is also true in at least as many other cases. Making generic statements that one software has a clear advantage over the other in terms of accuracy, as some characters have done here repeatedly, is pure nonsense. Sometimes it may simply be down to differences in how a person interprets the on-screen information, in other cases it may be that one software works better than the other in certain types of environments. Nothing strange about that but you won't know for sure until you try both. Contrary to L2K, NexStorm is available as a free and fully working Lite edition which will detect lightning and enable the user to determine the accuracy and even learn how to tweak and calibrate the software all he or she wants, for as long as he or she wants with no commitment towards buying anything from me. Try doing that with L2K which has the core function (e.g. lightning detection) completely disabled in their demo. Extremely mystifying if you ask me, what could there be to hide with such a superior piece of software?

Lastly, neither L2K, nor for that matter NexStorm, can determine flashes with any kind of certainty by analyzing LD-250 data. Unlike the StormTracker PCI card the LD-250 does not provide access to raw signal data which makes it impossible to analyze signal waveforms. Such an analysis is essential for genuine determination of flash events. The only (partial) way around this limitation is to use a pseudo-analysis based on statistics, e.g. classifying multiple strokes as a flash if they occured within N milliseconds in a certain direction. There is simply no other way of doing it with the LD-250. I've been using this very technique, initially named Negative return stroke detection, in NexStorm since 2004. It is documented in public discussions on our old, now defunct (but still available online) support forum, and also in the V1.22 readme (http://astrogenic.com/pub/readme122.txt) file issued on 20 Nov, 2004.

As for the remaining L2K advertisment junk, I won't claim to know exactly what the "nearby flash technology" means but given the overall description it sounds suspiciously like something that utilizes the natural noises produced by thunderstorms to improve ranging of individual strokes/flashes. If true then it is neither a particularly new feature nor a "revolutionary advance" in anything other than feature copying. It might have been revolutionary back in 2004 though, when it was first added as an experimental feature in NexStorm and called Noise assisted ranging.

-Relko
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: meteolarissa on February 17, 2010, 11:53:05 AM
Relko this is a new serius and helpful post....Thank you give me more infos about nexstorm....and pci or ld250 boltek detector....
I will check some detector sites with nextorm and l2000 to be sure about close activity accurancy....
In Greece all use nexstorm and only 1 l2000....I think Greece have many mountains or i dnt now what and i see more accurate the l2000 vs nexstorm in close activity....
The more far the more accurate the nextorm....
Anyway its good i get infos from the <master> and not advertisements etc....,I m thinking too about some of these you writing about so its better look little more before decide...

The only thing i dnt like is that anyone have different opinion than the other , do advertisement..If i use both softwares and decide which is the better i will hide it and stay mute ????
I think we have freedom to say our opinion more even is advertisement.. or anything other....I checked my detectors here in Greece and l2000 is better in close activity....maybe not good calibartion, maybe other reason but this is my result...Im not doing advertisement of course cuz i dnt care do it...Im a future buyer only who try get helpful infos..

Have a nice day Relko and thank you for fast and clear words... =D&gt; =D&gt;
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 17, 2010, 04:14:56 PM
Wo. Seems a nerve was struck. When do we resort to such harsh words as "characters" and stating other software is "crap". Relko, in the US, and many other countries, it's called an opinion and freedom to express it.

I used your software for 2 yrs in tandem w/ L2K. I stopped using Nexstorm because close ranging was not as accurate. I don't have to post proof. It's called, "I tried it and didn't like it." So what.

I think bonus points should go to Racenet?
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on February 17, 2010, 04:40:11 PM
Wo. Seems a nerve was struck. When do we resort to such harsh words as "characters" and stating other software is "crap". Relko, in the US, and many other countries, it's called an opinion and freedom to express it.

I used your software for 2 yrs in tandem w/ L2K. I stopped using Nexstorm because close ranging was not as accurate. I don't have to post proof. It's called, "I tried it and didn't like it." So what.

I think bonus points should go to Racenet?

Excuse me????????????????????????????????????


Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 17, 2010, 04:46:15 PM
Just 1 example.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 17, 2010, 04:48:26 PM
Wo. Seems a nerve was struck. When do we resort to such harsh words as "characters" and stating other software is "crap". Relko, in the US, and many other countries, it's called an opinion and freedom to express it.

I used your software for 2 yrs in tandem w/ L2K. I stopped using Nexstorm because close ranging was not as accurate. I don't have to post proof. It's called, "I tried it and didn't like it." So what.

I think bonus points should go to Racenet?

Excuse me????????????????????????????????????




Just asking a question.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 17, 2010, 04:54:14 PM
Just 1 example.

That was w/ an LD-250, not pci like in your pics.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on February 17, 2010, 04:59:25 PM
Wo. Seems a nerve was struck. When do we resort to such harsh words as "characters" and stating other software is "crap". Relko, in the US, and many other countries, it's called an opinion and freedom to express it.

I used your software for 2 yrs in tandem w/ L2K. I stopped using Nexstorm because close ranging was not as accurate. I don't have to post proof. It's called, "I tried it and didn't like it." So what.

I think bonus points should go to Racenet?

Excuse me????????????????????????????????????




Just asking a question.

No, you are just being an asshat.  :roll:

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: relko on February 18, 2010, 06:57:59 AM
Dear Lee,

Thanks for the lecture on US (and many other countries). Whatever your opinions or preferences are, it's all fine with me. This is also exactly what I stated in my previous post. If you re-read it, and please try to do it more carefully this time so you can avoid the embarrassement of ascribing to me opinions I have never expressed, you'll also find that nowhere did I call L2K crap. I don't consider L2K crap and I really have no reason or basis to call it crap.

What by definition is crap, however, is your generalizations on the accuracy of L2K vs. NexStorm. Falling into this category is also your copying of product advertising text straight from Aninoquisi's web site (which in itself may or may not be crap depending on your understanding of what the text says). If you're so concerned about your opinions then perhaps you should try expressing them using your own words next time.

Here's another fine example (http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=6669.msg63364#msg63364) of what I was reacting to: "I have both. Ranging is superior. Especially close (<100mi) range.". This is not an opinion, it is a clear-cut generalization. Ask yourself how you would have reacted if someone were to write something like this about NexStorm.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 18, 2010, 10:26:29 AM
Oh dear me. I think yours was the lecture. Again, just opinions, from using both, that L2K is more accurate.
 I used the "copied" text from Mark's site because it was easier to show Larissa what was asked; posting the link would've been no diff and would have elicited the same childish response; oooh I'm such a "character". I appologize for not using higher standard of explanations for what was asked by Larissa.

If your really threatened by my opinion, that I'm pushing L2K over Nexstorm, I can't help you. Again, I used both, and determined L2K to be more accurate. I don't have to post a detailed analysis of my findings.

You have your forum though!
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 18, 2010, 10:57:59 AM
Wo. Seems a nerve was struck. When do we resort to such harsh words as "characters" and stating other software is "crap". Relko, in the US, and many other countries, it's called an opinion and freedom to express it.

I used your software for 2 yrs in tandem w/ L2K. I stopped using Nexstorm because close ranging was not as accurate. I don't have to post proof. It's called, "I tried it and didn't like it." So what.

I think bonus points should go to Racenet?



Excuse me????????????????????????????????????




Just asking a question.

No, you are just being an asshat.  :roll:



What...what is an asshat? Just curious, aren't you overstepping your boundaries as a system admin? And member? You know, name calling.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: racenet on February 18, 2010, 12:01:46 PM
Wo. Seems a nerve was struck. When do we resort to such harsh words as "characters" and stating other software is "crap". Relko, in the US, and many other countries, it's called an opinion and freedom to express it.

I used your software for 2 yrs in tandem w/ L2K. I stopped using Nexstorm because close ranging was not as accurate. I don't have to post proof. It's called, "I tried it and didn't like it." So what.

I think bonus points should go to Racenet?



Excuse me????????????????????????????????????




Just asking a question.

No, you are just being an asshat.  :roll:



What...what is an asshat? Just curious, aren't you overstepping your boundaries as a system admin? And member? You know, name calling.

Just my opinion.

Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: blackjack52 on February 18, 2010, 12:23:23 PM
That's not an opinion. Oh, I get it. A moderator is above the forum rules.

OK. Now that I know how this place operates.

How does one delete membership?
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: relko on February 18, 2010, 12:43:20 PM
Nice straw man arguments, Lee.

Quote
Again, just opinions, from using both, that L2K is more accurate.

And again, perfectly fine but that is not how you initially presented your "opinion" here, is it?

Quote
I appologize for not using higher standard of explanations for what was asked by Larissa.

So, basically what you are saying you didn't have the required knowledge to formulate an appropriate response? That would explain the copy-pasting and also why 80% of the copied text has no relevance whatsoever to the question being asked. A link would not have provoked a response, not from me at least.

Listen, I really couldn't care less about your opinions and such. But I'm not going to tolerate you or anyone spreading desinformation about my software, simple as that.
Title: Re: My lightning detector experiences...So far...!
Post by: capeweather on February 18, 2010, 01:05:11 PM
Before this gets any deeper, I'm locking the topic. Enough has been said. Sorry guys.