WXforum.net
Weather Station Hardware => Davis Instruments Weather Stations => Topic started by: Dennis Rogers on October 13, 2010, 02:02:38 PM
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I allready have a cheap Weather Station, that has a USB port and run Cumulus, but since I will be getting a Vantage Vue, seems hooking up to a computer is expensive.
So do they only have a serial port on the Vue? If its a serial port, can you not just buy a serial to USB converter, then run your Software through it?
Why do you have to buy the Davis Data logger? Is it basically just a Serial to USB converter? You can get these much cheaper then what Davis offers and running Cumulus, which is basically free is good software.
Or are you stuck with having to use Davis only logger?
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I was wondering the same thing before I bought my Vue. Couldn't find any place that sold just the data logger adapter (USB or Serial), seems it is always packaged with WeatherLink software. I broke down and got it anyway, even though I'm currently using Weather Display on linux. It was tough to cough up $130 for an adapter cable. Since I was considering using linux on some old hardware, I went with the serial adapter.
Here are the cables. The blue piece is the serial port, the black piece is the data logger. The are connected with the black cable that looks like a phone cord.
(http://voigtnet.com/weather/WxStation/images/100_1810.jpg)
Here is the data logger plugged into the back of my Vue, as you can see it is neither USB or serial, some proprietary interface I'm guessing:
(http://voigtnet.com/weather/WxStation/images/100_1821.jpg)
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The Data Logger is more than just a way to connect the console or Envoy to a computer. It also has memory to store up to 6 months of readings. It is not just a serial or usb interface. I do want to let you know that you reached the first level of " Davis-ness".....is it $130 for the Datalogger with free Weatherlink or $130 for Weatherlink with a free Datalogger? (chicken or the egg LOL !)
Yes it is a proprietary device but some of the less expensive weather stations out there while having a built in serial port do not store data and if your computer is off do not provide a way to recoup the missed data. Also WeatherLink is a great place to get started to learn about monitoring weather, providing data to a service like WeatherUnderground, or your own website and it is easy to set up. After that you can download and try before you buy software like WeatherDisplay or Virtual Weather Station. Both have some really neat add-ons (like realtime weather http://www.weatherbuzz.net/wd/wdlmain.html (http://www.weatherbuzz.net/wd/wdlmain.html) ). Oh while Cumulus looks like it is "free" it is actually "Donation-ware". If you plan on using it and like it, you can donate to their cause (or drop them some dough so they can afford coffee and donuts) to help them keep improving the software.
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M cheapo La Crosse weather station allread does this. Stores the info in the Weather Station for a few months, and when I run it on the computer sends all the data to my computer and is stored in Cumulus, so the data logger does nothing my cheap Weather Station does not already do.
I really think it is Davis's way to get extra money out of people. The Advantage Vue and Pro 2 alleady store data internally, so there is no reason they could not have added a USB port and then the data could have been transfered to the computer no trouble.
The only reason Davis does this, as I said is to make you pay even more money, which I find somewhat disapointing when my cheap Weather Station allready does data logging and uses standard USB port and transfers the Data to Cumulus which keeps track of all my data.
When I connect to my computer what data is in my Weather Station is downloaded to Cumulus, so it's allready data logging without any special interface.
Davis wants you to keep forking out money, which is why the data logger and software is so expensive.
I am allready running m Weather station in the undergroundweather website, so whatis Davis's dtaa logger going to do that my Weather Station is not allready doing?
Is Davis the only company theat forces people to need there data logger? Seems many are now using USB, or the cheaper ones are now? But all the same am looking forward to getting my new Davis Weather Station.
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Huh?
M cheapo La Crosse weather station allread does this. Stores the info in the Weather Station for a few months, and when I run it on the computer sends all the data to my computer and is stored in Cumulus, so the data logger does nothing my cheap Weather Station does not already do.
I really think it is Davis's way to get extra money out of people. The Advantage Vue and Pro 2 alleady store data internally, so there is no reason they could not have added a USB port and then the data could have been transfered to the computer no trouble.
The only reason Davis does this, as I said is to make you pay even more money, which I find somewhat disapointing when my cheap Weather Station allready does data logging and uses standard USB port and transfers the Data to Cumulus which keeps track of all my data.
When I connect to my computer what data is in my Weather Station is downloaded to Cumulus, so it's allready data logging without any special interface.
Davis wants you to keep forking out money, which is why the data logger and software is so expensive.
I am allready running m Weather station in the undergroundweather website, so whatis Davis's dtaa logger going to do that my Weather Station is not allready doing?
Is Davis the only company theat forces people to need there data logger? Seems many are now using USB, or the cheaper ones are now? But all the same am looking forward to getting my new Davis Weather Station.
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M cheapo La Crosse weather station allread does this. Stores the info in the Weather Station for a few months, and when I run it on the computer sends all the data to my computer and is stored in Cumulus, so the data logger does nothing my cheap Weather Station does not already do.
I really think it is Davis's way to get extra money out of people. The Advantage Vue and Pro 2 alleady store data internally, so there is no reason they could not have added a USB port and then the data could have been transfered to the computer no trouble.
The only reason Davis does this, as I said is to make you pay even more money, which I find somewhat disapointing when my cheap Weather Station allready does data logging and uses standard USB port and transfers the Data to Cumulus which keeps track of all my data.
When I connect to my computer what data is in my Weather Station is downloaded to Cumulus, so it's allready data logging without any special interface.
Davis wants you to keep forking out money, which is why the data logger and software is so expensive.
I am allready running m Weather station in the undergroundweather website, so whatis Davis's dtaa logger going to do that my Weather Station is not allready doing?
Is Davis the only company theat forces people to need there data logger? Seems many are now using USB, or the cheaper ones are now? But all the same am looking forward to getting my new Davis Weather Station.
I think you have some misunderstanding about how the Davis console/Envoy works.
Firstly, the Vantage Vue and Davis Pro 2 stations (the sensor array) does NOT store data.. it merely sends it along to a VP Console or Envoy. The VP console does contain some memory in order to produce the built-in graphing for various weather data from the sensors, but that built-in memory is not available externally.
That's where the Logger comes in. This add-on product stores data and provides interface (Serial or USB) to software programs. You pay for the Logger.. WeatherLink software just comes along with it.
You can choose to stay with your current weather station hardware, but there's no need to rail against Davis due to your misunderstanding of how the Vantage Vue, Vantage Pro, Console and Envoy really work.
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denodan, my advice to you would be to stick with your "cheapo" weather station and forget the Davis station. You are obviously unable to grasp the concept of running Davis equipment.
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denodan, my advice to you would be to stick with your "cheapo" weather station and forget the Davis station. You are obviously unable to grasp the concept of running Davis equipment.
Actually, he has a point. It is a price gouge. The data logger should be an option, not a requirement. I would have been happier if there had been a way to just hook a cable to console and to the computer without the data logger. But Davis has you by the pocketbook if you want to hook the console to the computer.
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denodan, my advice to you would be to stick with your "cheapo" weather station and forget the Davis station. You are obviously unable to grasp the concept of running Davis equipment.
tomg
I am not getting at Davis, but my cheap station has internal memory, as has the Davis, but with my presen station, that internal memor can be transfered to computer, so working as a data logger. Davis could have easliy done the same, with data being about to be transfer data from console to computer.
I am getting a Davis due to being a far morre rebust unit, as my cheap weather station's rain gaudge does not work properly and want a better Weather Station anyway, but do see how it works, when you want to hook your weather station to computer, Davis arre forcing me to pay big money, 1/4 the price again to be about to download data to a logger then the computer,when they could have easily have the internal data trasnferable to PC.
I will use my Davis to record data to PC, but just a little annoyed they are forcing me to pay big money, when it should have been a simple matter without the big cost. So where do you get the idea I don't understand the concept when my cheap station is doing everything my avis will, but at a cost of only a USB cable. It is a hook Davis uses there own interface and is non standard. I know using a PC to store and look at data really adds a great deal to your weather station, so will use the data logger and software, but Davis could have made it alot cheaper and easier. Anyway does not La Cosse make things simple by using standard USB and being able to transerfer weather console memory to computer? Afterall your Daivs allready keeps data in the console.
I am not trasing Davis as one reply suggests I am only getting at Davis due to the extra expense needed for a simple operation. M cheap system is doing everything a Davis does for nothing and Cumlus is keeping all my data and my station transers it's inteernal memory info to computer .
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denodan, my advice to you would be to stick with your "cheapo" weather station and forget the Davis station. You are obviously unable to grasp the concept of running Davis equipment.
Actually, he has a point. It is a price gouge. The data logger should be an option, not a requirement. I would have been happier if there had been a way to just hook a cable to console and to the computer without the data logger. But Davis has you by the pocketbook if you want to hook the console to the computer.
Thanks, Slow Modem, Well put, seems I hit a nerve and was not intended and do see it as price gouging. And do understand the concept of running a Davis. Don't want another La Cosse as reading into it further, want a much better weather Station, and for my budget the Vue was the best choice for me.
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The point I was making is, life is about choice. There are alternative weather stations with data loggers, for example the OS WMR-200.
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I thought the same thing when I was looking at upgrading from my OS station. It connected to my pc with just a $10 serial cable.
However its all about choices. Some may choose to not connect to a pc. For instance a boat owner using the Vue while sailing may not care about connecting to a pc. If it was all bundled together Davis would set the Vue price at $560 (instead of $395) So why should they have to pay an extra $165 for a usb-serial logger built in, then there is the IP version which is $295 (retail prices quoted).
Here's an analogy. I think every car should have bluetooth handsfree built in. But some people dont have phones, so do you build several hundred dollars into the price of the car, or offer it as an option? There are some very cheap cars that have it free, some expensive cars dont, and every variation in between.
But there is no wrong opinion, gouge or not, as long as you have the facts.
But there
Andrew
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The first paragraph of the OP did say that he/she was getting a Vue..." but since I will be getting a Vantage Vue". That is the reason I made the comment. Why buy a Vue to connect to a computer without getting the data logger and cable, it can't be done? So the answer is to look at other makes.
Personally, I wouldn't buy Davis equipment again, but that is another story.
Alan
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M cheapo La Crosse weather station allread does this. Stores the info in the Weather Station for a few months, and when I run it on the computer sends all the data to my computer and is stored in Cumulus, so the data logger does nothing my cheap Weather Station does not already do.
I really think it is Davis's way to get extra money out of people. The Advantage Vue and Pro 2 alleady store data internally, so there is no reason they could not have added a USB port and then the data could have been transfered to the computer no trouble.
The only reason Davis does this, as I said is to make you pay even more money, which I find somewhat disapointing when my cheap Weather Station allready does data logging and uses standard USB port and transfers the Data to Cumulus which keeps track of all my data.
When I connect to my computer what data is in my Weather Station is downloaded to Cumulus, so it's allready data logging without any special interface.
Davis wants you to keep forking out money, which is why the data logger and software is so expensive.
I am allready running m Weather station in the undergroundweather website, so whatis Davis's dtaa logger going to do that my Weather Station is not allready doing?
Is Davis the only company theat forces people to need there data logger? Seems many are now using USB, or the cheaper ones are now? But all the same am looking forward to getting my new Davis Weather Station.
What would you like us to do about your problem?
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I am actually a bit surprised no one has reverse engineered a logger alternative. If I was going to do it, I would vampirre onto the data output that the logger uses and send it via Bluetooth to a PC. A BT-based chip module would cost a couple bucks (literally) to manufacture. For the record I was not thrilled having to fork out the extra cash for the logger, but I do think it works very well since my operation is not 24/7 so the archive is great; that would cost a bit to embed in the base device. I'm happy I spent the money on my davis VP2
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You're still wrong, the data is stored in the data-logger.
How else would you propose to Davis that they create an interface. You want USB, someone else wants serial, someone else wants IP. Should they build all three into the console and make the price go higher? It's MUCH more economical for them to build one console that has different external interfaces than one console that does it all. I'm not sure why that doesn't make sense??? On top of that, they give you software so you don't have to purchase anything else.
Do you know how much it cost them to make a console or a data-logger? Of course not. So how can you sit here and call it gouging when you don't have any of the facts? Davis stations cost more because generally they are better and more reliable than most of the other weather stations, that's why the majority of the people here are running a Davis. You pay for that accuracy and reliability.
Why do you want a Davis?
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At the risk of being argumentative, I would submit that the price for the logger is extreme. By comparison, you can get a Dataq serial logger for under $25 bucks including cable and software! I know that the cable costs a few dozen cents to make. The logger itself, produced in China can be had for about 4 bucks. So Dataq, by comparison, adds value with its acq sw and then makes a tidy profit. I think the cost model for Davis should be about the same.
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I am actually a bit surprised no one has reverse engineered a logger alternative. If I was going to do it, I would vampirre onto the data output that the logger uses and send it via Bluetooth to a PC.
Just curious:
1. How would you handle console firmware updates?
2. Assuming (reasonably) that Davis has included undocumented-and-currently-unused features, how would you handle that?
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I guess my concern too would be the fact that Davis would probably not support you if you had a problem. Plus, how would other software play with a non-Davis logger?
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Just curious:
1. How would you handle console firmware updates?
2. Assuming (reasonably) that Davis has included undocumented-and-currently-unused features, how would you handle that?
1. BlueANT or any other BT protocol. It is after all just another comm path.
2. Firmware update via BT. See #1 above. :)
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I guess my concern too would be the fact that Davis would probably not support you if you had a problem. Plus, how would other software play with a non-Davis logger?
The data stream is well documented to allow SW developers to read it (VWS, Cumulus, etc.) No diff here. But you are correct that you would not get Davis support for a non-Davis device. I am still toying with the idea of making my own 900 SS sensors. They would cost about a third of Davis' current devices. And be the size of a small wall wart.
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I am sure an enterprising person could sniff the console output. I bet it is a simple serial stream like the stream from the logger to the PC.
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I think the bottom line here is that the novice user looking to get a decent weather station generally doesn't have the skill/knowledge/desire to start off by piecing a system together.
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One of the things that no one has mentioned is that Davis's pricing model also supports an excellent US based Tech Support and parts department. You can call in, and speak with a person who speaks American English, is well versed in the stations and parts and troubleshooting. There is never, to my knowledge, a charge for phone support, and parts have always been in stock when I need them. And I've needed some strange stuff... (VP2 rain cone, console back, tipper assemblies, temp/hum sensors, anny heads, etc.)
Parts pricing has been more than fair as far as I'm concerned. And, they have an exchange policy that knocks a few bucks off the price if you send old parts back.
Their serial communications protocols are pretty well documented, as are most of the formulas and equations for their calculated variables.
They also have NIST traceable sensors if you need that reference.
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It seems clear to me that no one in this discussion has any experience in real-world design, engineering and programming for a retail product. Sure, the parts only cost a few bucks, but all of the R and D needs to be amortized over the life of the product. And, Davis does continue to make unannounced improvements and design changes. I just replaced a salt-air damaged temp/hum sensor, and compared the old and new ones. The new one is 2 rev letters newer than the 2 or 3 year old one.
Bushman, I doubt that it's a simple serial protocol between the console and logger. Most or all of those expansion connector pins are connected directly to the CPU. You'll need a bus analyzer to see what's going on. Might be easier to un-pot a WeatherLink and see what components are included there.
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While I don't have the retail experience, I can tell you that it is expensive to develop any product. I was a project manager for a web based maintenance management software system, and you're right, there are all kinds of hidden expenses that most people don't even think about. Even things like insurance benefits, office supply expenses, tons of R&D, thousands of hours of programming, warranty expenses, the list goes on and on.
I personally think we got a hell of a deal. :-)
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I think the bottom line here is that the novice user looking to get a decent weather station generally doesn't have the skill/knowledge/desire to start off by piecing a system together.
I agree. Which is why I ordered the logger with Weatherlink from the get-go. I did however, look into what it would take to interface it w/o the logger.
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Sorry guys - go look over at the 2.4 gHz stuff being devised for radio control aircraft/helis. The big vendors are being undercut by orders of magnitude by the Chinese. And for the record, I have been involved in commercial HW/SW development so I do know its costs.
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Sorry guys - go look over at the 2.4 gHz stuff being devised for radio control aircraft/helis. The big vendors are being undercut by orders of magnitude by the Chinese. And for the record, I have been involved in commercial HW/SW development so I do know its costs.
OK, so if you did develop a logger, compatible with the Davis interface:
A. How many would you expect to sell per year?
B. At what retail selling price?
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See - that's the thing. I personally feel there is little upside in a competing logger. :) There is simply too small a market and it is far too specialized. What makes a whole lot more sense to me is to sell aftermarket sensors. The spec and protocol is published and the RF devices are extremely cheap - about $20 bucks if you use Maxstream and a whole lot less if you use some other foreign brand. Use simple 1-Wire sensors and it is very cheap. I think you could make your own remote temp device and sell them very, very profitably for about half of what Davis charges.
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For anyone interested is seeing how simple it is to make a wireless temp sensor see this example from Cypress (using 2.4 gHz, but 900 SS is about the same complexity). http://cypress.rfm.com/products/apnotes/an80201.pdf
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How else would you propose to Davis that they create an interface. You want USB, someone else wants serial, someone else wants IP. Should they build all three into the console and make the price go higher?
They could make a console with the option of a serial or a usb cable connection. The purchaser could, if desired, purchase a data logger to plug into that and then into the computer. The purchaser could, if desired, not purchase a data logger, and connect the console to the computer.
If that were the case, I would have purchased a serial cable console, and connected it to the computer without the data logger, and been many dollars ahead.
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But the logger is a very important piece. If your computer locks up or quits for whatever reason, you lose data, maybe quite a bit of data. To me the data logger is simply a data backup for those times when the computer is not working, the power is off, or various other reasons the console (or computer) can't talk to the ISS.
Greg, there has to be some type of communications "port" to the console, whether you used a logger or not. What Davis didn't want to do was design a specific type of communications to make that connection, the console was designed to not be protocol specific (well OK, Davis specific) so they didn't have to make different consoles for different connections. I think their concept is great and probably reduces the overall cost of their products in the long run.
I do think they could make it clearer for people that are buying a new station though. This question pops up all the time with people purchasing a new Davis.
As far as piecing together a station... I know a lot of you like to tinker which is great, I just don't have the time (or patience at my advanced age! :-)) to go that route. I wanted something that would work flawlessly right out of the box, so I was willing to pay the price for that. I'm am absolutely sure that there are people here that would probably do that and not bat an eye though.
But to say Davis is gouging people is a little harsh.
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They could add SD card support to the console to log data for a couple of bucks. 2 gig SD cards are like 5 bucks now. How many zillion years of weather data is that?? Logger? I don't need no proprietary logger. :)
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See - that's the thing. I personally feel there is little upside in a competing logger. :) There is simply too small a market and it is far too specialized.
Yep. So, it's not really productive to complain about how much the Davis loggers cost. I'm guessing that combined sales are less than 10,000 per year (for instance, there are currently only about 4,125 active WLIP stations). And Davis clearly has a large marketing advantage, etc. So, sales of a competing product - even at perhaps a rock-bottom price of $30, would probably not be more than 1,000 units. At that sales price, the margin would probably be $15 or less per unit.
Pick your own numbers, of course.
And then there's the software...
Why does the Davis logger cost so much? Because nobody else could profitably make and sell a competing unit.
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I just added a 16GB micro SD to my webcam for about $30 I think. So yes, they are cheap! :-)
I'm not saying they couldn't do something different or better. But I do think they did a good job with what they did do. Plus, the datalogger does more than log data, it's also the communications controller between the PC and the console.
Like I said, I just don't think it's fair to say they are gouging people. It's simply the design route they chose, for whatever reason (and I'm sure it was a well thought out reason that we're not privy to). They didn't ask us when they designed it! :-) AND... I'd be willing to bet they already have more designs on the drawing board.
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And then there's the software...
And we can see how Davis has abdicated that space to WD, Cumulus etc. But I'm really happy with WL so I can't complain.
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See - that's the thing. I personally feel there is little upside in a competing logger. :) There is simply too small a market and it is far too specialized. What makes a whole lot more sense to me is to sell aftermarket sensors. The spec and protocol is published and the RF devices are extremely cheap - about $20 bucks if you use Maxstream and a whole lot less if you use some other foreign brand. Use simple 1-Wire sensors and it is very cheap. I think you could make your own remote temp device and sell them very, very profitably for about half of what Davis charges.
Then do it. I want to see the final product. You've been teasing us with how easy this is for months.
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And then there's the software...
And we can see how Davis has abdicated that space to WD, Cumulus etc. But I'm really happy with WL so I can't complain.
Yes. My point was that - if someone else manufactured a competing data logger - they would also have to consider the software issue, as part of the sales strategy.
Of course, they could package in a CD with one of the "free" software packages, with consequent issues (ethics, donations, etc.). Or just tell people where they could get software, or .....
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The free software thing is done all the time with radio control flight sims. The HW is bundled with "freeware".
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See - that's the thing. I personally feel there is little upside in a competing logger. :) There is simply too small a market and it is far too specialized. What makes a whole lot more sense to me is to sell aftermarket sensors. The spec and protocol is published and the RF devices are extremely cheap - about $20 bucks if you use Maxstream and a whole lot less if you use some other foreign brand. Use simple 1-Wire sensors and it is very cheap. I think you could make your own remote temp device and sell them very, very profitably for about half of what Davis charges.
Then do it. I want to see the final product. You've been teasing us with how easy this is for months.
I'm looking at this right now. Can't decide if I want to do it domestically or go offshore. I will likely get a dev kit for about $200 and get it going for myself. You are aware of course that Davis actually approves of such things, right??
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You are aware of course that Davis actually approves of such things, right??
I can't quite make out whether this is meant to be a statement or a question. I think the situation is that Davis are happy (courtesy of their 'Empowered by Davis' programme) with third-party products that extend the capabilities/feature-set and hence appeal of the stations, but draw the line at hardware products that might compete head-on with any of their own existing products.
Remember what happened a few years back and the last time that someone tried to release a clone of the VP/VP2 logger - Davis made it quite clear that they didn't approve of the product. And, while I'm not privy to exactly what might have gone on behind the scenes in tems of legal action and otherwise, the practical upshot was that it didn't last long in the marletplace. Admittedly this was a clone logger (but with doubled memory IIRC) rather than an independently reverse-engineered product but I'd suggest that the Davis view on this category of product was fairly clear-cut.
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I was not aware of the previous clone. WIll have to try to find out more.
As for "Empowered by Davis", that is what I was getting at. Davis has HUGE holes in its product line that a third party (like maybe moi!) could fill. I have no interest in a rain bucket for instance, but I know there is a market for small indoor sensors, pool/hot tub sensors etc. Maybe even an intrinsically safe (Class 1 - Div 1) sensor.
And I really doubt they'd have a leg to stand on if you released a compatible sensor - so long as you did not illegally reverse engineer a sensor.
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I was not aware of the previous clone. WIll have to try to find out more.
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And I really doubt they'd have a leg to stand on if you released a compatible sensor - so long as you did not illegally reverse engineer a sensor.
Try doing a search for BlueWave in conjunction with some relevant logger term. And I agree, I'm not sure that the legal situation is clearcut. But the sort of thing that happens is that often the best way of marketing this sort of product is with the aid of an established Davis dealer, but who are then potentially vulnerable in theory to being leant on. I'm not suggesting for a second that this would necessarily happen, merely that in practice the process of actually commercializing a product can expose weaknesses in the marketing operation.
Personally I'd have thought it might be best to steer clear of head-on competitive products - there's plenty of scope for other products that genuinely do add value to the Davis range. For instance one of the things that we often get enquiries for is the ability to interface non-Davis sensors of all sorts (eg water level gauges, flow meters and eg voltage and current sensors more generally) into a Davis wireless system. I might be looking for instance how easy it might be to interface a 12/24v signal to a 6345 transmitter - maybe replacing a soil moisture sensor - so that 12/24v battery condition (powering a remote installation for instance) could be monitored.
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Bushman,
If you build it, they will come.
I will order up 3 indoor friendly thermo/hygros. Pools already covered.
Size matters
(http://www.mackweather.com/pix/6372vsthc238.jpg)
Less than for price, but a combo of both would be cool.
Andrew
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I would be very interested in an inexpensive, compatible, indoor temperature and humidity sensors that run off a couple of lithium AA batteries.
What would be really cool is to somehow transmit room presence using infrared sensors as well. This could lead to all kinds of other markets like energy management.
This sounds like a good nitch market compared to reverse engineering the loggers.
Let alone the legal issues, as soon as someone has a failed console, you can bet your bottom dollar they will assume it was the logger that caused the problem even if that is not the case.
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Size matters
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LOL ;)
I am thinking that the sensors would be 2"x2" by 3/4 thick. Is that too small?
BTW,. humidity sensors would be much more expensive than temp or IR (motion) sensors. The one I'm looking at runs about 20 bucks for the sensor alone! that is many times the cost of the RF unit.
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You could find an inexpensive temp and humidity IC.
Here is one:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8227
I am sure there are cheaper ones out there.
Perhaps you could offer a basic temperature unit then have the ability to add on humidity and infrared using jumpers?
This could be pretty cool as I have shopped around for a long time to find something decent. Inovonics sells some interesting 900Mhz products but with the ease of use of the Davis units, along with the capability to have plug and play repeaters, this solution would be ideal.
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Thanks but at 30 bucks per piece the cost goes up exponentially. I think a temp only unit makes the best starting point since the console records indoor humidity.
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Thanks but at 30 bucks per piece the cost goes up exponentially. I think a temp only unit makes the best starting point since the console records indoor humidity.
Depending on the market, people are willing to pay an extra $60 if it provides them with the data they need.
We can discuss a potential market off the list if you want.
wuhu_software at yahoo.com
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Hygro is pretty important, even indoors. Escpecially since I would put one 2nd level, main level, and basement. Basement is really where I would want to track humidity more closely. Might even have one in the garage.
No such thing as too small. What are your thoughts on LCD display, I know that complicates things, but that is one advantage of the OS sesnor. For example my pool one, I (or the wife/kids) can just have a glance and know what the temp is. Rather than going inside and looking on WD or my site. Same for room ones....
Andrew
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They could add SD card support to the console to log data for a couple of bucks. 2 gig SD cards are like 5 bucks now. How many zillion years of weather data is that?? Logger? I don't need no proprietary logger. :)
While an SD card would be a good idea, they are not a totally reliable storage medium. I have had, for some unkown reason lost data on an SD card. Mind you, a static charge will wipe them.
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Thanks but at 30 bucks per piece the cost goes up exponentially. I think a temp only unit makes the best starting point since the console records indoor humidity.
How much does FCC Part 15 certification cost these days for the RF section?
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Thanks but at 30 bucks per piece the cost goes up exponentially. I think a temp only unit makes the best starting point since the console records indoor humidity.
How much does FCC Part 15 certification cost these days for the RF section?
Well strictly speaking Part 15 requires no certification. But to get an FCC ID you are looking at 5-10K for each of US and Canada: not sure about UK etc. Which is why I'm looking at pre-certified modules. They run a few bucks more, but then you can possibly piggyback on the mfgs. cert.
I will likely start a new thread since we seem to have drifted a bit and the OP is gone. :)
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Well everyone, I have a serial card coming in the mail. Now I have the find the Davis serial data logger. Anyone know where I can find that really cheaply priced??? Also, what are all of the items that I need to connect it to my serial port on my computer? I already have the newest version of WeatherLink, along with VWS, VVP, VP Live and Cumulus.
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Well everyone, I have a serial card coming in the mail. Now I have the find the Davis serial data logger. Anyone know where I can find that really cheaply priced??? Also, what are all of the items that I need to connect it to my serial port on my computer? I already have the newest version of WeatherLink, along with VWS, VVP, VP Live and Cumulus.
The serial logger usually comes with the correct cable, plug, etc. And it looks like somebody offered a trade in the other topic you posted today with the same question.
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Anybody who has an interest in this thread will want to look here for a DIY interface to the console without having to buy the Davis Weatherlink software and datalogger.
http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=10315.0
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Not to minimize your accomplishments, DeKay - because you are doing a great job.
.... without having to buy the Davis Weatherlink software and datalogger.
...but with having to build some hardware from parts, provide a way to archive continual data, and write software to function instead of WeatherLink (or other software).
Some people will want to do that, because it's easy or fun.