Wondering which station will stand up better to the Texas heat

[p2p2p]

Greetings,
I presently on a Zephyr PWS-1000TD. Great station until this last summer. Temperatures in the 100's everyday. Seems to have had an effect on my outdoor sensors. The wind speed and direction sensors stopped operating(spinning). I couldn't see any bugs or dirt causing them not to operate. They just seemed to have warped a bit. So, I'm looking to upgrade. I was thinking about the Vantage Vue. Then, I thought that since it's a one piece instrument, extreme temperatures might have an effect on it's structure. Also, it's white in color. I noticed on my Zephyr that some of the components appear to be getting a little brittle. So, then how about the VP2? Help me out here guys. Tell me that the Vantage Vue and Pro 2 will easily survive the Texas hot summers.
Pete

[Weather Display]

sounds like an extreme evironment, and so yes you will need plastic with UV resistance
the Davis stations are proven to be relatively robust in extreme conditions

[arrowspace90]

I am in North Central Texas and my vantage vue went up in Oct.  Of course it has had no problems with conditions so far and it seems to be doing a very accurate job.

After the stunning heat last summer, I know everyone is a bit on edge.  I personally think the Davis instruments would come through fine.  It is a tough unit and was built for harsh conditions.
But hopefully we will not have another summer as blistering as the past one.  While the current mild winter (very mild!) might cause some unease, last summer was unlike anything the area has experienced since 1980.  If there was a repeat of last summer's heat, folks around here would be VERY concerned.
I am not able to split up my instrument package at my location so the vue is perfect for me.  If you have room to get the wind up high and the temp/rain down low, then the VP 2 would be the ultimate for you.

Specifically, the VP 2 has the "fan aspirated radiation shield" that my Vue lacks.  I believe my Vue is doing a great job with winter temps, but I might have paid extra for this feature if it had been available for the Vue.

[DougW]

I live in Southern Oklahoma. As you can see it was plenty hot here last year. 2011 stats I purchased a cabled VP2 in 2006 which has performed flawlessly.All the original components are still in place. A yearly cleaning has been performed each fall.  The station that I use with my web site is a wireless VP2+ complete with an anemometer transmitter kit. It has also performed flawlessly since I purchased it 2 years ago. I too hope we don't see a repeat of last years heat as it was extreme, but if we do I feel that my Davis stations will continue to report accurately.

YMMV, Doug.

[Skywatch]

I too live in Texas.

The Vantage Pro2 seems to do well. I now regrett not getting the one with 24 Hr FARS. Heat annomalies can throw the temperature off. More so if you were to site it over concrete or wooden structures or anything to re-radiate the heat.

One thing I do find of neighboring VP2's is the plastic starts to oxidize after a while. I've not seen this on my VP2 though after a years of service.

My VP2 seems to like the Texas weather.



One thing that gets me about Texas is there are alot of weather enthusiests and alot of extreme weather here but no real weather station specialist besides Wal*mart or Lowes or Home Depot or the internet. We need something like Ambient weather, Weather Shack, Weather Buffs. Hope one of these days we get something. Got that out of my mind.

[Bushman]

You never heard of these Dallas-based guys?  http://www.txwx.com/

[Skywatch]

You never heard of these Dallas-based guys?  http://www.txwx.com/

They're a manufacture. They aren't a store. To my knowledge they don't carry Davis, Oregon Scientific, Lacrosse, Rainwize or any of those other stations. I'd imagine you can't walk in and but a station.

[weatherforyou]

You never heard of these Dallas-based guys?  http://www.txwx.com/

They're a manufacture. They aren't a store. To my knowledge they don't carry Davis, Oregon Scientific, Lacrosse, Rainwize or any of those other stations. I'd imagine you can't walk in and but a station.

Their equipment is available from Ambient or you can purchase directly from them.

I've been very pleased with my Rainwise MK-III.  While I haven't had the heat you did we do have about a week of 100+ temps each year and it's never had any problems.

[Bushman]

You never heard of these Dallas-based guys?  http://www.txwx.com/

They're a manufacture. They aren't a store. To my knowledge they don't carry Davis, Oregon Scientific, Lacrosse, Rainwize or any of those other stations. I'd imagine you can't walk in and but a station.

Nor can you at the some of the places you mention.  For example, on its website, "*Ambient Weather is a shipping warehouse only. Please, no walk up orders."  FOTM is there is simply no bricks and mortar market large enough to support standalone stores.  The same hold true for GPS untis; there are only a handful of full product B&M stores and even those do most of their business via the Net.   If there were such stores they would be constantly be fighting the Net only dealers via price matching.  There is no margin in running a weather shop.

[Skywatch]

You never heard of these Dallas-based guys?  http://www.txwx.com/

They're a manufacture. They aren't a store. To my knowledge they don't carry Davis, Oregon Scientific, Lacrosse, Rainwize or any of those other stations. I'd imagine you can't walk in and but a station.

Nor can you at the some of the places you mention.  For example, on its website, "*Ambient Weather is a shipping warehouse only. Please, no walk up orders."  FOTM is there is simply no bricks and mortar market large enough to support standalone stores.  The same hold true for GPS untis; there are only a handful of full product B&M stores and even those do most of their business via the Net.   If there were such stores they would be constantly be fighting the Net only dealers via price matching.  There is no margin in running a weather shop.

Well if not Ambient someplace like Weather Connect. I've been in their store in Cannon Beach Oregon. Problem with buying on the internet is having to fight shipping.

Anyway p2p2p Davis Vantage stations are the best. The Vue is good for a simple yet accurate unit at a more affordable price. The Pro2 is expandable like if you want to add solar radiation or UV sensors. Additional temperature/humidity stations or leaf/soil stations. And want a more customisable sensor unit.

[Bushman]

Yeah, that tiny little place. Cannon beach is a bit of a tourist trap.  If someone wanted to set up a store closer to you, say Dallas - you would still have to drive.  Frankly, it is cheaper to ship than drive.  And almost faster.  For instance I ordered some  mountain bike parts from California.  Deleivered into Canada in less than 24 hrs!  I can't get to the local bike shop that fast!  And they would not have the stock Jenson has and of course, the LBS' prices are two to three times that of a US store.

And yes, the Davis units are great (except for that pesky supercap issue on the solar/wireless VP2)

[VaJim]

...you can't go wrong with a Rainwise.  Strong, sturdy and accurate.  I'm sure it can stand all the Texas heat you can throw at it.

 

http://www.rainwise.com/

[Skywatch]

...you can't go wrong with a Rainwise.  Strong, sturdy and accurate.  I'm sure it can stand all the Texas heat you can throw at it.

 

http://www.rainwise.com/

Again I think we should ask what's the budget? People purchase the Vantage Vue for low price if they can't afford the Pro2 and the Pro2's sit at half the price of those RainWize stations.

[Skywatch]

Yeah, that tiny little place. Cannon beach is a bit of a tourist trap.  If someone wanted to set up a store closer to you, say Dallas - you would still have to drive.  Frankly, it is cheaper to ship than drive.  And almost faster.  For instance I ordered some  mountain bike parts from California.  Deleivered into Canada in less than 24 hrs!  I can't get to the local bike shop that fast!  And they would not have the stock Jenson has and of course, the LBS' prices are two to three times that of a US store.

And yes, the Davis units are great (except for that pesky supercap issue on the solar/wireless VP2)

Weather Connection got me what I needed. I'm happy.

[VaJim]

...you can't go wrong with a Rainwise.  Strong, sturdy and accurate.  I'm sure it can stand all the Texas heat you can throw at it.

 

http://www.rainwise.com/

Again I think we should ask what's the budget? People purchase the Vantage Vue for low price if they can't afford the Pro2 and the Pro2's sit at half the price of those RainWize stations.

now now....be nice.....Rainwise may be on the higher end of the price scale, only to find it's quality is unsurpassed.

[Skywatch]

Davis

Vue 315-350$
Simple mounting
More cost effective
The way the anny is sited to the rain gauge makes it somewhat bird repellant.


Pro2 500-1195$
You can add additional sensors.
Flexible mounting options.
Ability to add FARS but recommended you get the 24Hr included in the 6163. The add-on is daytime only.

RainWise 895-4975$
Longer range for transmittion.
Wider temperature measurement range goes down to -66
LED display can be seen from across a room.

If you'd like to do some further comparison here are some links.
http://www.weathershack.com/compare-weather-stations/complete-weather-stations-comparison-chart.html
http://ambientweather.wikispaces.com/Weather+Station+Comparison+Guide

[VaJim]

RainWise 895-4975$

to clarify.....$5K range is for their HAZMAT Weather Station (radiation detector).  Somewhat above the typical backyard user.
 

[smorris]

Rainwise may be on the higher end of the price scale, only to find it's quality is unsurpassed.

Of course there are always exceptions. My $199 Rainwise rain gauge didn't last two summers. Wouldn't receive data even ten feet away. Changed batteries, channels, orientation, etc. The one year warranty was up, so I had a very expensive funnel. I know there are flukes now and then, but based on that experience, I personally probably wouldn't buy one of their products again.

YMMV,
Steve

[Skywatch]

RainWise 895-4975$

to clarify.....$5K range is for their HAZMAT Weather Station (radiation detector).  Somewhat above the typical backyard user.
 

That point is why I wouldn't consider RainWise when budget is an unknown factor. Many try to get the same results for less. The Vantage Vue is a cleaper alternative to the Pro2. And that 200$ difference is the deciding factor for many. I my self probably wouldn't mind a Rainwise if it were more affordable.

 You do know I'm including the whole product line of both Pro2 and Rainwise stations. Just a general wrap up.
http://www.ambientweather.com/hmhawest.html I included a link for general curiosity.

 

[Aardvark]

with the VP2  I definitely would spend the bucks and it it with the 24 hr FARS. 

[arrowspace90]

with the VP2  I definitely would spend the bucks and it it with the 24 hr FARS. 

Yes.
Especially since the guy made a point about getting good temp readings in the extreme Texas heat.

When I become motivated to upgrade/replace my Vue, this is what I will do next time.  A previous poster seems basically correct to suggest that this will cost approx. $250 beyond what the Vue originally cost.  Probably worth the extra money.

[wmcatty]

Pete, I live in central Texas and installed the Pro2 last summer.  It works flawlessly and looks as good today as the day it was unpacked, with the exception of the black plastic rain bucket...I have to wax it every month to keep it looking good or it will oxidize somewhat.  I do not have any experience with other systems, so I cannot comment on them.  For the money, the Pro2 has been exemplary.

[hayskswx]

I recommend getting a vantage vue from archer trading post. I got mine from here. Price is 263, then get a data logger and your all set. Archer is based out of gainsville Florida. Ships on same say you order. Mine shipped 3 hours after I ordered. Owners name is Ryan wilhour
Ps.  Tell him Ryan from hays Kansas sent u

Good luck

[Skywatch]

I recommend getting a vantage vue from archer trading post. I got mine from here. Price is 263, then get a data logger and your all set. Archer is based out of gainsville Florida. Ships on same say you order. Mine shipped 3 hours after I ordered. Owners name is Ryan wilhour
Ps.  Tell him Ryan from hays Kansas sent u

Good luck

I 2nd this. I've bought most my stuff from Ryan and they've been more than helpfull to me. Also Expidited shipping from Archer Trading is about as much as some other guys charge for regular shipping.

Also tell him Matt from Texas sent you as well.