For $209 i thought it would of worked better!

[mackay]

So I recently paid $209 AUD for the data logger/weatherlink for my Vue.
I'm very disappointed in how terribly it works for that price.

The data logger keeps falling out of place, no matter how firmly it is pressed in, it just simply keeps falling out.

I recently managed to get it to stay in place and working. Didn't touch the weather station or anything. It was logging data at 1 minute intervals and sending to weather link upon Download.

Now I've left it for nearly 2 days and am trying to download the data and it says "Transferred 265 of 265 records" in Weatherlink, then says "finished downloading", then if you open the charts or the browse records window, none of the new data is displayed. Turns out the data logger has very slightly fallen out of place again. What a piece of f**ing shit! 

[Garth Bock]

You should talk to Davis about this. I have to use a pair of pliers to pull both of mine out. The metal wire handle thingy came off one and the other was from eBay and didn't have one. They both fit snug in the Envoy's and have never been a problem. Since you are using WeatherLink that eliminates you from using the low cost DataLink talked about here unless you want to switch software. This could be a problem that Davis needs to hear about. They probably will send a replacement. They are good on making sure things work, even outside of warranty.

[north of 60]

Davis weather is consumer junk,  I've recently invested in a Campbell Scientific weather station,  temperature,  humidity,  wind and precipitation.   there's a huge difference in quality and craftmanship compared to the davis junk i've tried using for years.  for a serious weather observer davis is junk just like all the other cheap stations,  if you're serious go with industrial grade equipment like campbell scientific.

[Garth Bock]

I paid a visit to the Campbell website and the equipment is impressive. I would consider it mid to high end scientific grade rather than consumer grade which the Davis is. You could compare a Tesla against my Chevy and yeah it would look like junk. However, it gets me to work and back and around the area and was what I could afford. Do you have stats showing how the Campbell outperforms the Davis like logging rates, measurement accuracy, etc. ? That would help put it in better prospective. However, calling it junk, well I am sure there are many here that would disagree.......challenging at times.....but not junk. IMHO. YMMV. IYGTBBI (If Ya Got The Bucks Buy IT !)

[dalecoy]

So I recently paid $209 AUD for the data logger/weatherlink for my Vue.
I'm very disappointed in how terribly it works for that price.

The data logger keeps falling out of place, no matter how firmly it is pressed in, it just simply keeps falling out.

....
Now I've left it for nearly 2 days and am trying to download the data and it says "Transferred 265 of 265 records" in Weatherlink, then says "finished downloading", then if you open the charts or the browse records window, none of the new data is displayed. Turns out the data logger has very slightly fallen out of place again. What a piece of objectionable language.

Are you asking for assistance?  If so...

1.  A small piece of foam under the cover will assist in keeping it from falling out.  

2.  When it falls/fell out, did you follow the instructions in the manual for installing the logger?  The instructions that say to remove all power (mains and battery) before inserting it?  

[stevebrtx]

This is not encouraging, until you've poured a few hundred $$$'s down the drain with OS, you don't have any conception of "junk". So, I've been looking forward to this Fall and spending upwards of $900 for a Davis (pretty much my entire years toy budget) to get everything I want - and now I'm hearing my dream is a nightmare in the making? No es bueno as we say down here.

[Garth Bock]

Steve, don't let one posting scare ya. If you got the bucks, then by all means, buy a Rainwise or a Campbell. Also if you plan to put your station on Mars or your remote cabin at the top of Hurricane Ridge...OR you need highly precise data to put in your home Cray computer to churn out a 100% accurate weather prediction for the next 5 years...yes both of those stations will be perfect. ...However, if you want a good precise home unit that well built and durable, then the Pro2 is the one. Need to shave a few bucks (and give up some perks), then the Vue is good too ! Yes there are some challenges at times but that is what we are all here for...to help each other. Like anything technological there are some things to be aware of:
1) Capacitor on the transmitter board can go bad. Replacement is cheap and easy. DIY.
2) You need a datalogger at an extra price to connect to your computer. There is a low cost alternative mentioned on another part of this board.
3) Lithium battery on the transmitter board needs replacement every 3 or so years.
4) Birds love to roost on the rain bucket and.....easy fix
5) The debris screen is stupid and disappears easily....easy replacement from your local grocery or hardware
6) You get software with the logger...some love it, same think it is bland. There is a wide range and prices of software out there. You can run any one of them (or all ... like some of us crazy people do..lol).

What I am trying to say is the Davis is a very good unit, pricey but worth what you get. Yes there are challenges but you are lucky, we have already been there, done that, kicked ourselves, and celebrated when we found the problem. You have questions about buying a Pro2 or Vue....drop them here, we can help....some alot more than me because they are alot farther down the valley and up the road a piece than me....

[moehoward4]

mackay   check around in this part of the forum, wmcatty had a problem real similar to yours where his data logger or expansion port had a SMALL piece of plastic interfering with a complete, full insertion. If I remember, it was a pretty involved discussion.    Jack

[SlowModem]

Steve, don't let one posting scare ya.

Very well put!   

[stevebrtx]

I'm in MX, so shipping much of anything in is impossible. I live in deathly fear when I go home to TX and bring something down - like the first 200, if it doesn't work, I'm screwed. Just to make sure I was an idiot I bought a second 200 (actually for some good reasons) but only to tide me over until the fall. SSI does not provide much latitude for expensive equipment, so it's important to get the right stuff that will work.

I don't charge for ads on my website, but today got a good inquiry, a company is introducing Real Gusto premium tequila and want to run an ad, I told them I don't charge, but I do accept "non-monetary offsets". When it rains here this time of year it's big news, got nearly 5,900 hits on the site yesterday.

[dalecoy]

The data logger keeps falling out of place, no matter how firmly it is pressed in, it just simply keeps falling out.

That does seem a bit unusual, although the design of the Vue does tend to let it "fall out".  But normally that would take a bit of pulling on the cord.

mackay   check around in this part of the forum, wmcatty had a problem real similar to yours where his data logger or expansion port had a SMALL piece of plastic interfering with a complete, full insertion. If I remember, it was a pretty involved discussion.    Jack

Good catch.  

I'd suggest examining (with a strong light) the Vue end of the connection, and then measuring to make sure that you're able to get full engagement of the connector.  There may be something getting in the way.

Also, make sure there aren't any bent pins, etc.

[croseiv]

Sorry to hear of your issue with the data logger. I have to say that I couldn't be happier with my peice of "consumer junk". I recently acquired a Vantage Vue with the datalogger and Weatherlink. Mine has worked flawlessly really. It sounds like you didn't properly connect yours to me. Mine fit very snuggly. although I had to be very careful when I initially connected it since it goes into a smaller compartment and I have large fingers. I highly recommend the Vantage Vue, and frankly don't consider to be junk at all. I have been quite impressed with its accuracy.

[Old Tele man]

FYI -- Campbell Scientific is the "high-end/industrial" establishment with systems starting at $3K and up; their "home/hobby" little-brother (they're both made in the same building) is Weather-Hawk...I just called and spoke with a salesman.

The Campbell systems use Vaisala sensors.

[wmcatty]

Mackay, as indicated, I had a similar problem last August.  Davis was great about sending me a new WLIP, but the problem persisted.  I finally got a fairly strong magnifying glass and took the console outside in the sunlight (after powering down the unit per Davis protocol) and saw a small piece of black plastic about the size of a pencil lead lying between two of the pins.  Since the WLIP slot is black plastic, this little bit of extra black plastic was virtually invisible to the naked eye. This was left over material from the injection process I assumed.  Anyway, Davis sent me a new console the next week and everything has been working well since then. It might be worth taking a look at.  Best regards

[Skywatch]

This is not encouraging, until you've poured a few hundred $$$'s down the drain with OS, you don't have any conception of "junk". So, I've been looking forward to this Fall and spending upwards of $900 for a Davis (pretty much my entire years toy budget) to get everything I want - and now I'm hearing my dream is a nightmare in the making? No es bueno as we say down here.

I know how you feel. Seems like no matter how much you spend on the "best" there's always something better. I feel the same way. I started out with an old Acu-rite 00594W. Moved up to a WMR100 and thought that was the best thing on earth. Learned how great Davis is, finally saved up and got the Vantage Pro2 and after I finally got it to hear the negative stuff. Well like Garth said. Don't let one bad comment discourage you. There will always haters. It doesn't matter who one is or what something is there will always be haters. I'm sure there are some out there who hate Rainwise and Campbell Scientific. Just follow the majority you can't go wrong.

[C5250]

Just follow the majority you can't go wrong.

If one did that, they would probably end up with a Lacross or OS... The number of times I've seen someone ask what they should buy, and then limit it to spending no more than $200, pretty much insures that.

Anyone that can budget more, will be much happier. That includes going beyond what a Davis system would cost.

[Skywatch]

Just follow the majority you can't go wrong.

If one did that, they would probably end up with a Lacross or OS... The number of times I've seen someone ask what they should buy, and then limit it to spending no more than $200, pretty much insures that.

Anyone that can budget more, will be much happier. That includes going beyond what a Davis system would cost.

Well I think it's a matter of taking baby steps. I'm sure many Oregon Scientifc or Lacrosse owners don't imagine them selves taking a big leap to something like Rainwise without taking it slowly. 200$ maybe the set price the owner wants to save up to before pulling the plug. At least that's my theory.

[stevebrtx]

I started with a 100 which is still the best receiver OS made. The newer instruments from the 200 are improved, but I need data logging due to power outages, otherwise the 100 would be fine. So, as this is the year for Davis, I've started watching you folks.

[xykotik]

I had this problem a lot and also got quite frustrated.  I used a chunk of open-cell foam under the cover to put some pressure on the logger and it has not come unseated since.  That's a lot cheaper than if they had to design some sort of locking mechanism to overcome this fault.  If the pigtail were just one centimeter longer, the USB connector wouldn't put pressure against the console housing and leverage it out of place.  That's my only remaining mechanical complaint.  I recently replaced the logger (warranty exchange) for increasing drop-out issues that were not related to it coming unseated.  Davis support was great about it.

[Skywatch]

I'd always make sure to put the console in setup mode per manual instructions before opening the cover.

[Gretnawx]

So there is a lot of "consumer junk" out there.  Of the 8840 locations sharing weather data with the world via the Citizen Weather Observer Program (CWOP) at least 4,700 of them use Davis Vantage Pro, Vantage Pro 2, or Vantage Vue weather stations.  I found 12 that use Campbell/WeatherHawk systems.  Data obtained from: http://weather.gladstonefamily.net/cgi-bin/wxequip.pl  I have been a proud owner of Davis "consumer junk" for more than 10 years and would whole heartedly recommend this junk to anyone interested in quality weather data at an affordable cost.

[nickdeck]

I would suggest that anyone concerned about Davis equipment being "consumer junk" go to some independent sites that review this stuff. I know that's how I ended up owning a Vue, and it's been great so far. Between independent sites and customers reviews on Amazon, it became evident that Davis was a cut above the rest of the consumer-level units.

I can't speak to the operation of the data logger, because mine hasn't arrived yet.

[dalecoy]

So I recently paid $209 AUD for the data logger/weatherlink for my Vue.
I'm very disappointed in how terribly it works for that price.

The data logger keeps falling out of place, no matter how firmly it is pressed in, it just simply keeps falling out.

I recently managed to get it to stay in place and working. Didn't touch the weather station or anything. It was logging data at 1 minute intervals and sending to weather link upon Download.

(...etc....)

So, to perhaps get back to the original topic, which might have been a request for advice/assistance....

The "problem" seems to be entirely related to the logger falling out.  [And what to do after it falls out].

Are there any results to report?

[gordonf]

Thought I'd throw in my "two cents" on Davis Weather Stations.  I have had my Vantage Pro 2 with FARS and solar sensor for about 18 months.  I have not had any trouble with it whatsoever.  As for accuracy, I am about 5 miles from a NWS reporting station (Hooks Memorial Airport - KDWH) located outside Houston.  The VP2 data is always extremely close to the NWS.  Example: (at the time I am typing this).

NWS Temp: 58F          VP2: 58.8
NWS RH: 90%            VP2: 90%
NWS Bar: 1014.6 mb   VP2: 1015.0 mb

I can't say enough good about my VP2.  I doubt you can get much better accuracy for the $650 I paid for the VP2 or for several thousand dollars in the case of Campbell, etc.

[croseiv]

Thought I'd throw in my "two cents" on Davis Weather Stations.  I have had my Vantage Pro 2 with FARS and solar sensor for about 18 months.  I have not had any trouble with it whatsoever.  As for accuracy, I am about 5 miles from a NWS reporting station (Hooks Memorial Airport - KDWH) located outside Houston.  The VP2 data is always extremely close to the NWS.  Example: (at the time I am typing this).

NWS Temp: 58F          VP2: 58.8
NWS RH: 90%            VP2: 90%
NWS Bar: 1014.6 mb   VP2: 1015.0 mb

I can't say enough good about my VP2.  I doubt you can get much better accuracy for the $650 I paid for the VP2 or for several thousand dollars in the case of Campbell, etc.

I have to agree with you here! I have been very impressed with my Vue so far. It would be an interesting experiment to co-locate a Campbell and Davis instrument on a site and compare data for a while. I think they would be very close. I don't think Davis produces consumer junk at all. It has surprised me at how accurate they seem to be for the price.