Vantage Vue and computer connectivity

[Eric]

Since I am just coming into this as a first-time weather station owner, I wonder if one of you might explain things to me in plain English.

I am going to get a Vue. I'd love a Pro2, but we have a baby on the way, and you know how that is. Must cut corners somewhere, you know.

What I want to be able to do (in addition to reading the weather) is publish current weather to my own web site. I have a domain that I'm doing absolutely nothing with, so this is a perfect thing for it.

Back when I was considering a Zephyr PWS-1000TD weather station, one thing that interested me was the Weather-Display software it came with. According to the company that writes Weather-Display, it's also compatible with the Vue, and there is a software module available for it that would publish to the web. And that package costs a whole lot less than the software Davis seems to want me to buy.

And what's this "data-logger" business? Some kind of hardware interface? Can I not plug USB or ethernet directly from the Vue to the computer?

If someone could make me a specific grocery list of what I need, and/or describe how the pieces fit together, I'll be very grateful. Thank you in advance, and happy new year!

Eric
Albany, OR

[Weather Display]

you need to purchase the weather link data logger to get data to a PC with the VP2 or Vue
the Davis stations are much better quality than the zephur/WH1081, but the later is a good starting station

[Eric]

OK. I will check Scientific Sales to see if they also carry the WeatherLink data logger. (I was going to get the Vue on eBay, but I saw another reference here to Scientific Sales. This is such a useful place!)

I know the Zephyr would be a great starting point, but now that I've seen how much more the Vue has for not a whole lot more money, I don't feel like settling for less.

[drew1021]

You might have better luck ordering through http://www.ambientweather.com
They seem to carry a better supply of Davis products.

[DaculaWeather]

Eric, my Vue is my second weather station and I love it. I would recommend the serial datalogger and I too would recommend getting it from Ambient. The data logger serves two purposes, one is to store data when there is no communications between the console and a computer, and two, handle communications between those two devices. There are three versions, USB, serial, and IP. Most people use the serial version. All three come with Weatherlink software.

I started with Virtual Weather Station (VWS) and created my first site from that and love it.

[Lite]

Eric, my Vue is my second weather station and I love it. I would recommend the serial datalogger and I too would recommend getting it from Ambient. The data logger serves two purposes, one is to store data when there is no communications between the console and a computer, and two, handle communications between those two devices. There are three versions, USB, serial, and IP. Most people use the serial version. All three come with Weatherlink software.

I started with Virtual Weather Station (VWS) and created my first site from that and love it.

Doesn't the console have to be connected all the time if you have the data going to a website?
I went through ScientificSales and I can't say enough about them. I upgraded my equipment twice before it shipped (due to advice here) and had no problems doing it. I believe they do not have any Vues in stock.

[mmorris]

Doesn't the console have to be connected all the time if you have the data going to a website?
I went through ScientificSales and I can't say enough about them. I upgraded my equipment twice before it shipped (due to advice here) and had no problems doing it. I believe they do not have any Vues in stock.

Yes if you computer is going to send data to your web site it has to be connected to the data it going to send.. That been said if your IP logger is not connected to your network it can't send data to the web site. ( Wonder what year Davis will come out with wireless IP logger?  ).

[tomcj2]

Doesn't the console have to be connected all the time if you have the data going to a website?.......

Yes, a console, or Envoy must be connected to your computer to update your data, and therefore the data on your web site.  
I have my console mounted on my kitchen wall and connected to my computer with about 60 feet of Cat5 cable.  Others have purchased an additional console or Envoy (part # 6316) to connect to their computer.  They can then can walk around with the original console.  

Now my question:
 Could I use the Vue Console (Part #6351) as an alternative to the Envoy.  It is slightly less expensive and I would have the advantage of seeing my data when the computer monitor is off

[johnd]

Now my question:
 Could I use the Vue Console (Part #6351) as an alternative to the Envoy.

Yes, but remember that the Vue console cannot pick up any supplementary VP2 transmitters (with the sole exception of the anemometer Tx, should you have one fitted). But it can pick up solar/UV data from a VP2 Plus ISS.

[tomcj2]

Yes, but remember that the Vue console cannot pick up any supplementary VP2 transmitters (with the sole exception of the anemometer Tx, should you have one fitted). But it can pick up solar/UV data from a VP2 Plus ISS.

I know that it will not display the data from the supplementary VP2 transmitters, but will it capture the data and pass it on to my weather programs?

[PaulMy]

Eric,
From others here the Vue would be a very good choice, but you must add in the cost of the Davis data logger.  I got the Envoy for connection to my PC so that the console can be upstairs to view current weather date, and show off to visitors, but if I was to do it again I would get a second console (VP2 or Vue if that would work fully) to connect to PC instead of Envoy.  WeatherLink software is free with the data logger and I think it has templates for quick web site.  Another no cost option for website is Cumulus and these are good starters until you decide whether to purchase VWS, WD or other program.  And by the way, if you want more than one program to run from the datalogger at a time you must get VirtualVP from Softwx.com.  See how much I've learned from the folks here.

  Paul.

[Eric]

You might have better luck ordering through http://www.ambientweather.com
They seem to carry a better supply of Davis products.

Yeah, but it's $75 cheaper at Scientific Sales. And yeah, they're currently back-ordered, but for that kind of savings, I'll be happy to wait.

[Eric]

Eric,
From others here the Vue would be a very good choice, but you must add in the cost of the Davis data logger.  I got the Envoy for connection to my PC so that the console can be upstairs to view current weather date, and show off to visitors, but if I was to do it again I would get a second console (VP2 or Vue if that would work fully) to connect to PC instead of Envoy. 

I haven't heard of this Envoy device -- but my plan was to leave the console next to a dedicated Windows machine, so both the Vue console and the Windows machine will be always on, always connected to each other, and always online so that any time I (or someone) were to visit my site, current data will always be displayed.

I never thought about running more than one program from the data-logger, and I'm not sure what that means. Why would a person need to do such a thing? My intent was to just feed data out of the console and into the computer for upload to my site..............

Good to know that the data logger comes with weather web site software. I won't rush out and buy Weather-Display right away.

[92merc]

Sometimes we're just not happy with all the features of a particular weather package.  So if you start with Weatherlink from Davis, but decide a couple of years down the road you want the features of WeatherDisplay or VWS, but don't want to "change everything" for the new software, you can use a product like Virtual VP to "Split" the signal from the console.

I have a VP2 and run Virtual VP.  Right now I'm just using VPLive to submit my data to CWOP, but using VWS as my main software.  I plan on adding Weatherlink, eventually.  But with Virtual VP, I can do that.  But I waited 3 years to buy it.  I ran VWS solely during that time.

[Eric]

I have a VP2 and run Virtual VP.  Right now I'm just using VPLive to submit my data to CWOP, but using VWS as my main software.  I plan on adding Weatherlink, eventually.  But with Virtual VP, I can do that.  But I waited 3 years to buy it.  I ran VWS solely during that time.

Ah, good, this brings up another question -- I want to submit my weather data to CWOP and NOAA and Weather Underground and all those other great places -- Would I need Virtual VP to do that in addition to updating my own web site? I had thought the software to submit weather data would reside on the Windows machine, and not on the Vue console itself.

(By the way, are you from North Dakota? I have a lot of roots there.)

[PaulMy]

Eric,
That can be done from WL.

  Paul

[Eric]

I see Davis has discontinued the Envoy, but it really doesn't seem like such a bad product.... are used Envoys available anywhere?

[d_l]

I'm not sure what you have confused the Envoy with, but Envoys have NOT been discontinued.

[Eric]

I'm not sure what you have confused the Envoy with, but Envoys have NOT been discontinued.

Please see this:

http://www.davisnet.com/WEATHER/products/weather_product.asp?pnum=06314

[racenet]

I'm not sure what you have confused the Envoy with, but Envoys have NOT been discontinued.

Please see this:

http://www.davisnet.com/WEATHER/products/weather_product.asp?pnum=06314

That was used with the old style Vantage Pro, not the Vantage Pro2 that is currently being produced.



Bob

[Eric]

That was used with the old style Vantage Pro, not the Vantage Pro2 that is currently being produced.

Ah.... I see now. Google has (sort of) failed me! Thanks.

[d_l]

The switch from VP to VP2 can catch people new to Davis equipment unawares.  This often happens when someone buys secondhand equipment on eBay at a great price and doesn't realize that what they are buying uses the older VP radio.

[gfmucci]

I suspect that all dealers are out of stock with the Vantage Vue as of January 1.  They are all in the same boat, at least the ones that have discounted prices.  About three weeks is the timeline given as to when they are likely to ship.  So, might as well go with the best price from a reliable company, and Scientific Sales seems to be it.

Happy New Year!

[jkinzel]

Eric,
Congratulations on your soon to be addition to the family.  The baby, not the weather station.

I ordered my Vue and Weather Link package through "RainMan Weather" and was quite pleased with the service and price, although, they are currently out of stock.

I have since ordered a wireless Envoy and hope to get it next week.

Rainman has several ordering options for the Vue that might suite your needs.  I don't know that they are any better than other vendors, I'm just going on personal experience.

http://www.rainmanweather.com/site/catalog/Weather-Stations/Davis-Instruments

http://www.rainmanweather.com/site/catalog/Weather-Stations/Davis-Instruments/Davis-Software-and-Accessories

Just Found This:     Vantage Vue Availability Notice!
 
RainmanWeather has resumed taking orders for Vantage Vue at this time. Shipping will commence during the last week of January.
You may lock in our pricing at this time, orders will ship via regular UPS Ground service in the order that they are received.

[Eric]

Hi John, and thank you! I just came over here to cross-post what I just mentioned in my introduction thread:

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I had a very nice chat on the phone with Tomcj2 last night - he explained an awful lot of things to me, and gave me a lot to chew on. And he did his best to talk me into buying a VP2.  While I certainly see the merits to that better system, today I did go ahead and order a Vue and a Weather Link serial connection kit.

We're an all-Mac household, but there is a two-year-old Gateway laptop (running Vista) in the closet that isn't being used for anything, so for the time being, I'll make that the dedicated weather data uploader.

I have rounded up enough surplus stuff in the garage to sell off that will fund most (if not all) of this investment. If you or anyone you know could use a couple bags of golf clubs, or a pair of artificial ficus trees, just let me know!

In the meantime, I will hold off updating my signature line here until the equipment is actually here and functioning.

Another component of all of this that I didn't mention is that I'm just about to fulfill a lifelong dream of getting my private pilot certificate, and that's directly related to my interest in charting the weather, although what's going on at 10,000' AGL is obviously different than what's going on at 300' AGL in my backyard.

And before I forget, happy new year to all of us! And if my wife throws me out because of this weather investment, I may be needing your couch.