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dtcatTX
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« on: October 29, 2009, 03:39:21 PM » |
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Hello. I have a simple question. I've got my Davis Vantage Pro2 and I just bought a computer (it will be dedicated for weather) and now I'm wanting to buy software to display my readings and a web site on the internet (Wunderground, etc). I believe VWS is the software for me and I'm looking at Ambient Weather to purchase the software. However, Ambient Weather's site says that I need to purchase WeatherLink with datalogger as well.. Is this true?
Thanks, Debbie
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lddaly
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« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2009, 03:49:25 PM » |
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Correct. WeatherLink includes the datalogger, which is the only way to connect your VP2 to the computer.
Welcome to the forum!!! What part of Central Texas?
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racenet
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« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2009, 03:53:13 PM » |
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Yes, that is correct. In order to interface your Davis station with your computer, you will need a datalogger, which come w/ free weatherlink software. Without the datalogger, you will not be able to get any of your station data into the computer for any software to process.
Now, the next question you are going to ask is, which one, serial or USB.
In short, get the serial version and add a serial card to your computer if needed. The USB version has had issues for many people. It either works well or doesn't work. Which side you will be one is an unknown. Save yourself the possible problems and just go serial. It works without fail.
Bob
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dtcatTX
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« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2009, 04:33:41 PM » |
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Wow! Great. Thanks for the information. Okay, I'll purchase WeatherLink with the datalogger and then purchase VWS. Thanks for the clarification on the datalogger part of that... Oh, and I'm not sure my new computer has a serial port... Just did a quick search, I guess I could purchase a PCI card that has serial ports... Thanks for the tip on that one. I'd like to be as trouble-free as possible.  Oh, I live in Lockhart, Texas. That is where my station will be. I don't see anyother stations in Lockhart on Wunderground or CWOP. |
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« Last Edit: October 29, 2009, 04:35:28 PM by dtcatTX »
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tomwxman
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« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2009, 05:13:16 PM » |
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Okay, I'll purchase WeatherLink with the datalogger and then purchase VWS. But "WeatherLink with datalogger" is wildly expensive e.g. $165 on davisnet. I have seen the datalogger sold separately for much, much less. Does the datalogger hardware plug-in REQUIRE WeatherLink software to work, or will it work with VWS only? |
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Weather Display
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« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2009, 05:15:45 PM » |
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you can still use a good quality usb to serial adaptor with the serial data logger
for the last question, for the serial data logger, you do not need to even install weather link to let other software work with the data logger
but for the usb data logger you do, to get the needed drivers installed
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tomwxman
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« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2009, 05:20:13 PM » |
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...for the serial data logger, you do not need to even install weather link to let other software work with the data logger
but for the usb data logger you do, to get the needed drivers installed Thanks for that, I get it... I may have been mistaken about being able to buy the data logger separately--I guess I was looking at an "extra license" not the logger hardware (provantage.com 6510x).  |
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dtcatTX
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« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2009, 05:36:19 PM » |
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you can still use a good quality usb to serial adaptor with the serial data logger
for the last question, for the serial data logger, you do not need to even install weather link to let other software work with the data logger
but for the usb data logger you do, to get the needed drivers installed
Oh, that makes it even better... I'll just purchase the data logger and the VWS software. Cool! Thanks for that.  |
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d_l
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« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2009, 05:44:14 PM » |
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Seeing as the WeatherLink software is "free" with all datalogger purchases, it makes sense to at least install that software even if you don't use it regularly. It has the ability to change and control configuration settings on the VP2 and Vue consoles and on the Envoy that other weather softwares may not have. On the consoles, most of these configuration settings can be set by button pushes, but there is no other way than the WL software to set them on the Envoy.
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--Dave--Wireless VP2 w/ solar, 24hr FARS, Heater, (Envoy-WLIP)*2-Meteohub, WL 6.0.0, WU & W4U= KNVRENO37 NetcamXLPeople always talk about the weather, but they never do anything about it. Not me. I'm gonna measure it. www.tceweather.com
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Downlinerz2
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« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2009, 05:45:04 PM » |
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Debbie, Welcome from Oregon, Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie. You will enjoy the VP2. I just installed mine a few weeks ago and love it. Have fun  |
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DaculaWeather
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« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2009, 06:15:23 PM » |
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I use both but I like VWS better. It seems a little easier to setup and has a more user friendly interface. I haven't had WL for long so I'm just starting to see what I can do with it.
I got the serial datalogger from Ambient and purchased a PCI serial card since my Dell didn't have a serial port. I have to say, everything has been VERY stable with no lockups or reboots required and I truly believe the serial logger is the way to go.
Keep in mind, you can't run both pieces of software at the same time unless you purchase additional software like Virtual VP. There is an option in VWS to periodically have VWS load WL, do an update, and then return to VWS so that might be the way to go for now. There are also options in VWS to do some of the console settings in your Vantage.
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Steve Davis Vue, VWS, WDisplay, VVP, StartWatch CWOP   |
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dtcatTX
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« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2009, 06:32:59 PM » |
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Keep in mind, you can't run both pieces of software at the same time unless you purchase additional software like Virtual VP. There is an option in VWS to periodically have VWS load WL, do an update, and then return to VWS so that might be the way to go for now. There are also options in VWS to do some of the console settings in your Vantage.
Thanks, Steve and everyone! I now see that I can't just buy a data logger (or at least I can't find one on the internet...) So, getting WeatherLink (with the data logger) would have advantages to adjust settings on the console. Thanks, y'all for clearing up my confusion on this and the tip to get a serial data logger. Debbie |
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SLOweather
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« Reply #13 on: October 29, 2009, 06:42:25 PM » |
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The get Virtual VP, and you can run VWS and WL at the same time. (See how it starts??  ) And, get Ambient's discount price on the WeatherLink, and it's only $118. |
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JOE
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« Reply #14 on: October 29, 2009, 08:42:40 PM » |
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you do not need to even install weather link to let other software work with the data logger
but for the usb data logger you do, to get the needed drivers installed
I did not load anything from weather link to use USB. Mine works fine. |
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Anthony
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« Reply #15 on: October 30, 2009, 08:10:03 AM » |
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Hi Debbie,
Congratulations on your new station. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Oh, & welcome to the forum.
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 Thanks, Anthony WB8YUE |
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