Topic: Ecowitt HP2553

[Boomerang]

Ecowitt HP2553 Large Display Wi-Fi Weather Station with Ultrasonic Anemometer Sensor Package and Self-Emptying Rain Gauge Sensor

Curious if any one has this Ecowitt Weather Station and what are your impressions? 

Ecowitt place their products on Amazon.ca in Canada with FREE SHIPPING and fulfillment by Amazon Canada. 

They have:

HP 2553 - $399.99 Canadian Dollars - Amazon   -    US$319.99 - Direct from Ecowitt
HP 2551 - $284.99 Canadian Dollars - Amazon     -  US$279.99 - Direct from Ecowitt
HP 3500B - $229.99 Canadian Dollars - Amazon  -   US$199.99 - Direct from Ecowitt
WH 2320E - $169.99 Canadian Dollars - Amazon
GW 1002 - $179.99 Canadian Dollars - Amazon  -   US$199.99 - Direct from Ecowitt  (The GW 1002 has no large TFT Color Display)

Ambient WS2902-A $362.44 Canadian Dollars

I am debating between the HP2553, HP 2551 and GW 1002 if I could get a 7 Inch TFT Color Display.

Thanks,

Bob

[galfert]

The HP2553 is a relatively new offering only in name. Because all the parts have been available for a while. The HP2553 is basically a HP2551-C display console with separate components including the ultrasonic anemometer.  The only thing that really makes it different is the anemometer. The ultrasonic anemometer is part WS80. You can go over to the Ambient/Ecowitt board on this forum and read up on what others are saying about the WS80.

The GW1002 is basically separate components with the regular anemometer. There is no display as the console is the GW1000. But you can add a display ...the HP2551-C.

The GW1003 would be a GW1000 with identical sensors to the HP2553.

You can basically mix and match to get what you want.

[Mandrake]

I in effect have a variation of the HP2553/GW1003 simply because of the various components I have in place.
See my sig

The beauty of the Ecowitt ecosystem is that you buy what you like to start and add to it and they complement each other.
For instance my HP2550/1 display console is using the TriWing sensor array for rain but using the WS80 for wind and solar and external temp/Hygro currently.
I have one GW1000 using the tri-wing sensor fully (ignoring the ws80) and another looking at the WS80 Ultrasonic array but using the Tri-wing for rain also.
You really are spoilt for choice.
Any questions, happy to answer!

[Hockeyjr8]

I am also looking at an Ecowitt HP2553, I have an ambient weather w2902 right now but it’s getting old and I would like to upgrade to something better. Would you say this station is an upgrade and is it as good quality as the ambient stations? They have a couple nice new ones as well but they are not offered in Canada. Thanks!

[Mandrake]

I am slightly biased as I help test the latest Ecowitt kit, but I am truly impressed as each new model of sensor is released.
The HP2553 is more or less the same model as the AmbientWeather WS5000. Ambient rebadge the Ecowitt/Fineoffset weather stations.
As for whether its an upgrade over your current station, then yes its very much an upgrade. The hp2553 is the very latest kit from Ecowitt so you wont go wrong in that regards.

[Boomerang]

I think the big difference is that the Ecowitt HP2553 comes with the built in heater power cord whereas the Ambient Weather WS-5000 heater is not available.  Interesting however is that the full colour TFT is the same as offered with the HP2553.

It is Fine OffSet and they tend to switch everything around between Ecowitt, Ambient, Misol and Froggit. 

[Mandrake]

As per the AmbientWeather WS5000, I am not certain that they are not coming with the heater option. I know that the initial production batch did not have the heater cable installed (mine is one of these but from Ecowitt). However I would expect that when Ambient start selling these in anger it would likely have the heater cable installed as default.

As per your understanding of Fine Offset. Let me clarify.
Fine Offset is the Manufacturer
Ecowitt appears to be the Master brand and engineering hub. ie they develop the products and firmware that FO manufacture.

All other brands are simply rebadged with the exception of AmbientWeather who customise the product with a different firmware.

[mdtoro]

I'm looking for a new system and the 2553 is a candidate along with the HP3501.

Amazon has the HP3501 for 239.99 + another 5% off coupon.

[Mandrake]

The HP2553 is much better than the HP3501
You will find the screen much smaller on the HP3501

They are very different products really.
The HP2553 is the current top of crop in terms of sensors and console which is why its so much more expensive.
See Galferts link in the sticky section of the Ambientweather/Fine Offset section

[Jai Soone]

It seems that the ecowitt HP2553's Ultrasonic Anemometer Sensor Package comes with a heat plate built-in. To use it they suggest one contact support for extension cord information. In so doing they note "... if the lowest temperature at your place is below -3°C, or 26.6°F, …" Ambient weather now has Item #  WS-5000-HEATER-AC listed as being out of stock currently. This "65' Heater for WS-5000 Ultrasonic Sensor Array" seems to include a heating element, an AC to DC power brick, and a 65 foot outdoor AC power cable. This implies that their WS-5000 does not come with a pre-installed heat plate. Interestingly ambient states that their heater solution cycles on and off at 50 °F. This kind of implies that ambient's implementation needs heating at some what higher temperatures than the ecowitt solution. Does anyone have an understanding about what's really going on here?

[Mandrake]

Firstly, lets be clear here...

The Ambient WS-5000 is the same hardware as the Ecowitt. No physical difference other than perhaps a coded tag so that the Ambient consoles recognise it as against the open market Ecowitt sensors.
Both the Ambient WS-5000 ultrasonic rain sensor and the Ecowitt WS80 have the heat plate built in....its part of the design.
All that is missing is the optional cable and PSU which you connect to either.
I have not needed one yet, as we had a mild if wet winter here in the UK last year.
Ecowitt should be able to sell you the heater for your device if you want or need one.
If memory serves me correctly they were offering two options with regards to length though could have changed now.

Drop Lucy a e-mail at support@ecowitt.com if you want a quote for shipping to your locale.

[Jai Soone]

Firstly, lets be clear here...

The Ambient WS-5000 is the same hardware as the Ecowitt. No physical difference other than perhaps a coded tag so that the Ambient consoles recognise it as against the open market Ecowitt sensors.
Both the Ambient WS-5000 ultrasonic rain sensor and the Ecowitt WS80 have the heat plate built in....its part of the design.
All that is missing is the optional cable and PSU which you connect to either.
I have not needed one yet, as we had a mild if wet winter here in the UK last year.
Ecowitt should be able to sell you the heater for your device if you want or need one.
If memory serves me correctly they were offering two options with regards to length though could have changed now.

Drop Lucy a e-mail at support@ecowitt.com if you want a quote for shipping to your locale.

I got confused by ambient's description of selling a heater. I also didn't look at their display of it very closely. What they are selling is a short AC power cord, a Rico 5 V, 2000 mA, 10 W power supply, and a 65' outdoor DC power cord. I wonder how much power will actually get to the heater. So, you think ambient's description of a 50° F set point is erroneous?

[Mandrake]

Not sure about the automatic power switching at 50F
I don't believe that there is linkage between the Weather sensor array and the PSU, so not sure how this works, unless the latest WS80 array has this built in now.

I will try and find out for you.

[Mandrake]

I did check on this and the WS80 does not control the heater plate at all, its either on or off as managed by the PSU to the heater plate.
It looks like the AW PSU and long lead incorporates a temperature controlled switch to trigger the power to the heater plate.

I am trying to confirm if this PSU is AW specific or if the Ecowitt supplied version is the same.
A future version of the WS80 will be automatic in its temp control of the heater plate.

[Jai Soone]

OK, the implication of this of course is the power brick has to go outside to have any chance at sensing a temperature similar to what the sensor is experiencing.

[Mandrake]

Indeed the PSU brick (which is small) does need to be external.
I can confirm that the AW PSU brick is the same part as the Ecowitt one as currently provided from June 2020.
That is the PSU contains a temperature switch to allow for safe use of the heater plate during cold periods.
Hope that helps...

[thelanenest]

Quick question... just starting to investigate what station I'd like to get.  The Ecowitt HP2553 or Ambient WS-5000 looks good as I like the idea of not having moving parts for wind (we live in a VERY windy location!).  But I've read somewhere that the Ecowitt HP2553 is NOT sold into the USA?  Is this correct?  If so, I guess I can scratch Ecowitt and only focus on Ambient.  Thanks for clarifying.

[galfert]

Quick question... just starting to investigate what station I'd like to get.  The Ecowitt HP2553 or Ambient WS-5000 looks good as I like the idea of not having moving parts for wind (we live in a VERY windy location!).  But I've read somewhere that the Ecowitt HP2553 is NOT sold into the USA?  Is this correct?  If so, I guess I can scratch Ecowitt and only focus on Ambient.  Thanks for clarifying.

Correct you can get anything else from Ecowitt but not the HP2553 if you live in the US. It comes down to just the ultrasonic anemometer which Ambient has secured exclusive rights to in the US from Fine Offset. But that said...there is a way around it. It is a bit more costly but if you have your heart set on Ecowitt for other reasons then here is how you do it:

- Buy the Ecowitt GW1002 (sell or keep as backup the WS68)
- Buy the Ecowitt HP2551-C display console
- Buy the WS80 from Ambient as they sell just this part

If you want to have your cake and eat it too and also be able to upload to both Ecowitt.net and Ambientweather.net then also buy the Ambient WeatherBridge (their Meteobridge with Ambientweather.net license).

[thelanenest]

Hmmm... interesting idea.  Can't find the WS80 alone though on Ambient website (which I do find to be confusing and hard to find things).

[galfert]

Hmmm... interesting idea.  Can't find the WS80 alone though on Ambient website (which I do find to be confusing and hard to find things).

They also call WS80 or sometimes WH80 and other times WS-5000-ARRAY... same thing:
https://www.ambientweather.com/amwewsreulan.html

It is out of stock right now ...but you can just use the Ecowitt WS68 that comes with the GW1002 and then swap later. You can then have both anemometers and really decide which is better. The WS68 does have some aspects that are better. I would say that there are pros and cons of both.

[thelanenest]

Thanks for the information!

[Jai Soone]

Hmmm... interesting idea.  Can't find the WS80 alone though on Ambient website (which I do find to be confusing and hard to find things).

They also call WS80 or sometimes WH80 and other times WS-5000-ARRAY... same thing:
https://www.ambientweather.com/amwewsreulan.html

It is out of stock right now ...but you can just use the Ecowitt WS68 that comes with the GW1002 and then swap later. You can then have both anemometers and really decide which is better. The WS68 does have some aspects that are better. I would say that there are pros and cons of both.

FYI

ecowitt HP2553    => ambient WS-5000
ecowitt HP2551-C => ambient WS-5000-CONSOLE
ecowitt   ???    => ambient WH32B
ecowitt WH40    => ambient WS-5000-RAIN
ecowitt WS80    => ambient WS-5000-ARRAY
ecowitt BS0002    => ambient WS-5000-RAINSPIKE

[thelanenest]

Thanks for all the model number conversions between the two.  Lots to try to remember!

[chuckg]

How often do you have to replace the batteries on the different sensors?  I go south in the winter for 3-4 months and would like to be able to see all the data without worrying about replacing batteries.  Thank You!!

Ecowitt GW1000
Ecowitt WH51 (x4) Soil Moisture Sensor
Ecowitt WH41 PM2.5 AQM Sensor
Ecowitt WH31 (x8) Thermo/Hygro Sensor
Ecowitt WS80 Ultrasonic Anemometer
Ecowitt WH57 Lightning Sensor

[Mandrake]

Depends on location I would say but my experience in Southern UK is as follows

WS65 Tri-Wing Sensor array - 2 Lithium AA cells, been in 18 months with no sign of battery drop (Battery backup to Solar power)
WS68 Ultrasonic anemometer - 2 Lithium AA cells, been in 12 months with no sign of battery drop (Battery backup to solar)
WH41 AQM - 2 AA NiCd cells supported by Solar charging. This varies from needing a top up charge evrey 1 month in winter to every 3 months in Summer. You could add a supplementary Solar panel if needs be.
WH31 - 2 AA cells - so far 18 months with no battery degradation
Wh57 - 2 AA cells - so far 7 months with no battery degradation
wh51 - 1 AA cell - These need changing about every 1 year it seems. I have had my sensors for 18 months and thats about fair.

I would suggest changing batteries every 2 years, though I may modify that view as we head into the next Northern hemisphere winter.