Davis Vantage Pro2 with Fan Aspirated Radiation Shield Vs Vantage Vue

[luisfrps]

I have been a weather geek for more than 20 years now, always measuring the temperature outside my house in the most diverse ways.
I have learnt a lot with it. I can tell you for sure.

The most accurate weather station from Davis is the Vantage Pro2 with fan aspirated radiation shield. I have 2 of those and I am completely satisfied with the accuracy. I have tried the Vantage Vue and I can tell you it is very wrong as far as temperature is concerned because it does not have the fan inside the radiation shield.
It registers up to 4C more than it really is during hot summer afternoons. That's disappointing after paying some hundreds for a weather station.

If you want to get accurate high temperatures in hot weather consider a Davis station with fan aspirated radiation shield. The fan aspirated radiation shield is a must. A Davis station without fan is not good enough. Believe me.

[north of 60]

My Davis station is always within a couple tenths of a degree compared to the official max min thermometers in stevenson screen the weather service installed with no aspiration of any kind.   Not sure why aspiration would be needed,   the volunteer mmts shield and stevenson screens aren't aspirated,  the temps from these stations are official.

[tweatherman]

Good air flow though the shield is essential. I found that out after playing around with them for several years. Look at the difference between the shields between the two weather stations.

Tim

[archae86]

Good air flow though the shield is essential.

But surely some locations supply more air flow naturally than others.  Similarly, some locations suffer much more solar insult than others.

If one lives where it is nearly always windy (I think of a lighthouse station along the Pacific coast), or nearly always in the shade (whether from cloud or mountain), one could be exempt from the "aspiration for all" rule with little loss of accuracy.

[utahweatherbear]

My vue temps are fine. but, it's on the roof and usually has at least a slight breeze. in fact I have noticed the highs run a degree or 2 (F) on the cool side compared to my surface mounted station during breezy days. however, I could see how the vue could have issues in a stagnant area, with some sort of solar radiation contamination from another source like a building or fence on a hot sunny day.

[dalecoy]

My Davis station is always within a couple tenths of a degree compared to the official max min thermometers in stevenson screen the weather service installed with no aspiration of any kind.   Not sure why aspiration would be needed,   the volunteer mmts shield and stevenson screens aren't aspirated,  the temps from these stations are official.

Don't you have a VP2?  [Not a Vue?]

[KY-SC-1]

Have a question, I am wanting to start with a Davis passive radiation shield for a HOBO data logger, and then have the ability to add the aspirated Fan if needed in the location I am installing, not going to use with a Davis, now I see a lone radiation shield which is for the older stations, which is square, and the FARS add on is round, and I don't see that they sell just the round passive with a mount to a wood post...???  do they?

[dalecoy]

Have a question, I am wanting to start with a Davis passive radiation shield for a HOBO data logger, and then have the ability to add the aspirated Fan if needed in the location I am installing, not going to use with a Davis, now I see a lone radiation shield which is for the older stations, which is square, and the FARS add on is round, and I don't see that they sell just the round passive with a mount to a wood post...???  do they?

No.

[sjg1976]

I would go for the Pro if money can stretch to it.

I always regret going for the cheaper option 6 months down the line.

[kaymann]

I would go for the Pro if money can stretch to it.

I always regret going for the cheaper option 6 months down the line.

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