Topic: Ambient Weather Network Weather Window

[Platokidd]

Interesting and expensive. Anybody know anything about the Ambient Weather Network Weather Window.

https://ambientweather.com/awn-weather-window

[olicat]

Hi!

https://ambientweather.com/awn-weather-window

Very pretty. Thanks for info.

For the metric part of the world:
11.5" W x 8.3125" H x 0.875" D --> 29,21 cm x 21,1 cm x 2,2 cm - that is a comfortable size.
Unfortunately, there are no manual yet - so I still have questions about localisation, units and the type of configuration (WebUI?).

It's a pity that I'm not a web-technical crack - a simple display of local or API-generated data via an ESP32 or even a Raspi Zero W with a display is really not difficult.
Alternatively, you can still use PWT (Personal Weather Tablet) on an Android tablet, even if there doesn't seem to be any further development.
Websites can also be displayed in kiosk mode via CMX, WeeWX or PWSDashboard - I just miss a "fresh" design and easy customisability.
BTW:
I'm still surprised that nobody has yet created an (optimised) version of the HP2551C screen as a web page. That would be a good task for a web designer in training or as a reference. Maybe I should try my hand at it for FOSHKplugin after all ...

For users who can't (or don't want to) programme something like this themselves, the device offered is certainly helpful.

Oliver

[olicat]

Hi!

Ambient Weather advertised the new product in today's newsletter.
On the AWN Weather Window page there is now also a manual and some further technical information.

Oliver

[Rover1822]

This is interesting and may appeal to some, the cost is a bit much for $200  US for a device that just pulls data from the Ambient Weather Net site. I mean that is really all it does. It is not a device console/gateway, but apparently crosses brands as not only F/O devices can post to AW N as Ambient weather sells from multiple manufacturers and I see this as a way to combine all the technologies for display purposes. 

Oliver, I agree with you, about someone creating their own, for personal or distributed use. But, this is unusual as I think they are going cross brands with any of their devices they sell that can post to AWN, perhaps like Kestrel etc.

Edit: I do see a market for people that just want to display the information, even though they may already have the WS2000 / 5000 or other AW  system console/gateway. I have a lot of friends that could not operate or understand a pure tablet (yes, these people do exist, the ones for whom I set up their WIFI as a friend) . So , a device, that all they have to do is follow some rudimentary , and I hope concise instructions, to attach to their network and input their credentials to their AWN site, might be appealing, as this is all they want. Now, if you are like me, you are going, well that is expensive , and  a cheap droid tablet can do all that, remember, we are only part of the market.

[alanb]

I assume the Ambient Weather Window is not a Fine Offset clone product, so I am wondering if this discussion should be taking place in the "Other Weather Station Hardware" forum instead of this one. (Note: I actually posted a thread in that forum when the Weather Window was first advertised, but it only got one reply over there).

Anyway, here are some of my thoughts. I can see that there could be some interest in this product from people who might like a dedicated weather console but can't have an outdoor array mounted (apartment and condo dwellers for example). But because of the relatively high price and limited use, I don't really see this product selling well. You can apparently only display information from your own weather station or one that is publicly published on AWN. I think a lot of Ambient station owners don't even bother to publish their data on AWN. They simply use Weather Underground or just use the console that came with their station. I know in my area, there are many Ambient stations that show up on WU but not on AWN. Since you can display publicly published weather data from WU, AWN and other sources on any internet connected computer browser, tablet or phone, why would you need the Weather Window? Maybe I am missing something and just don't "get it". But I suspect this product will not sell well and will eventually be discounted to unload existing inventory.

[Rover1822]

Nope, I think this is an OK place to discuss this as it does involve Ambient Weather devices , now it may not be solely be fine offset devices in their lineup, but it may appeal to some.

I agree with you , that is may not be a large population that wants a dedicated LCD screen that only reads Ambient Weather Net data, but then I don't do market research. As far as posting to AWN, I do, along with WU, etc. Partly just because I could. Now, I also make an assumption that a lot of people buy AW stuff without reading this forum, and might be delighted with this piece, for which they will get a notification via email.

It is curious, and as a lot of AW users, do read this forum, I find the post appropriate , and worthy of discussion. Of course, just my opinion.

[olicat]

Hi!

A few unique selling points I see:
Look at the size - 10" is a nice size for displaying weather data. Usually consoles always look rather "technical" - this thing would also look nice on the wall in the living room (although that is of course a matter of taste).
Real forecast data is only available on very few consoles so far. Ecowitt (unfortunately) does not currently have any in its programme (weather forecasts are not even available at Ecowitt.net). And - in theory - you don't need a complex weather station with sensors and so on - just this device. Users who actually want their own weather station but shy away from the effort (research, installation, configuration, maintenance) could be seduced.

I also think the device is quite expensive. However, a 10" touchscreen with a Raspi in the back costs about half as much. But then you might also need a "nice" housing and (above all) the appropriate software. In this respect, the price is quite reasonable in my opinion. If anyone has any suggestions for an inexpensive and ready-made 10" TFT Linux device, please let me know. One could at least install ready-made templates such as CMX or PWSDashboard without much effort.

BTW:
Ecowitt told me that a similar item is under their development.

Oliver

[Rover1822]

I still think this an effort to tie in all the AW products they sell, to a singular display. For instance if you have a Kestrel device sending to AWN (as I don't have a kestrel device this is an assumption), you are part of the AW ecosystem, as well as those with AW branded F/O products.  So create a display that makes everyone happy with the features of AWN.

Then again, I have no idea idea on market research, but I have to assume , that there was a reason for this development.

[wxfan]

Why would I want this instead of an Android tablet that I could also use for other stuff and put on a stand when I don't use it?

[Rocketman]

I'm still surprised that nobody has yet created an (optimised) version of the HP2551C screen as a web page. That would be a good task for a web designer in training or as a reference. Maybe I should try my hand at it for FOSHKplugin after all ...

Oliver

Certainly would be good

[kheller2]

Why would I want this instead of an Android tablet that I could also use for other stuff and put on a stand when I don't use it?

Why do people buy digital picture frames?  I can see my mother using this device.  She has had a few weather forecasting displays, some that even speak current stats and advisories. But they are all LCD ugly things so I can see this appealing to folks that wants stats and forecasts. 

[fdrtech]

Interesting and expensive. Anybody know anything about the Ambient Weather Network Weather Window.

https://ambientweather.com/awn-weather-window

One problem later on I guess is that when the server/service is taken down then you have a device that is probably useless?

[aa6vh]

I can certainly see the market for something like this (but perhaps a little cheaper). Right now I pull down the data from Ambient weather into my Home Automation system (Homeseer), and the weather information is displayed on my wall mounted tablets that are setup for HA (along with the status of my lights, doors, etc). Along with the current weather conditions, I fetch the forecast from the NWS, and display that as well.

[Rover1822]

I can certainly see the market for something like this (but perhaps a little cheaper)

Well, anything from AW, is typically more expensive, also why some have moved to Ecowitt devices (that are the same). But for AW, this is a unique device. I'm not going to rush out and buy one, but as I have said, and you have agreed with, there is a market segment that will.

[kheller2]

It will be reverse engineered the first time a firmware update is published.

[hiljo]

I'm still surprised that nobody has yet created an (optimised) version of the HP2551C screen as a web page. That would be a good task for a web designer in training or as a reference. Maybe I should try my hand at it for FOSHKplugin after all ...

Creating a web page that looks similar to the HP2551C is not that difficult imo. The question is merely where do you get (store) the data from?
For me this is not an issue. My website has a database of weather records every 5 minutes. So creating the webpage itself is a few hours of work?
But personally I don't like the console layout that much. Therefore I created my website which is accessible from everywhere and is responsive (viewable on my phone, tablet and PC)  .

For the metric part of the world:
11.5" W x 8.3125" H x 0.875" D --> 29,21 cm x 21,1 cm x 2,2 cm - that is a comfortable size.

So it is A4 size (easier comparison reference)

[olicat]

Hi!

Creating a web page that looks similar to the HP2551C is not that difficult imo.

That's what I mean, too. That's why I'm surprised that nobody has made one yet and presented it here.

Most users are only interested in the current measured values for the display - perhaps also the min/max values for the day. Graphs would certainly be very nice - but the HP2551C doesn't have them on the main screen either. In this respect, a database connection is not absolutely necessary. On could just use the custom server function.

The only important thing would be a slightly larger display and, if necessary, the option of making adjustments yourself.
PWT on the tablet was a really good solution for this. But unfortunately limited to Android and not open - which means that no further development will take place now that the author has disappeared. I'm really sad about that.

But that's not really the topic here - I'll open a new thread for that.

Oliver

[andrewSteFoy]

Six months later: still no resolution on the night time sleeping, and any firmware upgrade (of which there are very few indeed) results in the system hanging so you come down mornings to a black screen. The sunrise time seems to ONLY update when the system is booted, then stays fixed so my base Ambient 2000 station now shows the sunset 15 minutes later (correctly) than the Window does. As before, no emails to support at Ambient are ever acknowledged. If a competitor had a decent option to switch to, I'd change in a hot minute.

I got this a few days ago, but the focus is definitely on American users. My preferences are metric in my AWN setup which is where the Window pulls the settings from. Despite rain appearing in mm for the day and event, the system uses inches for the week's total. Despite the setting for the 24 hour clock, and although the time does show as the 24 hour format on the weather page, if you try to configure the nightly switch off/morning switch on that has to be done in am/pm format. But you do get pressure in hectopascals and winds in kph. But on my system, the system shuts down at night but never comes up in the morning, requiring a power restart.

I have reported the issue with the week's rain in inches, and the programmed time restart in the morning not working..they were acknowledged but no more than that.

English is the only available language; you can change the labels for the tiles as you want, but nothing I tried got the acute accents where they were needed for French.

Some people, particularly on Amazon, have complained how slow it is to load...it's not lightning fast for sure, but it's only a few seconds to poll between the current status and the forecast page (which you do by touching in the lower right corner). A touch in the lower left corner brings up settings (the broken display time on/time off, e.g.) and system info (MAC address e.g.).  There have been complaints it only uses the 2.4G WiFi, but then so does my dishwasher, oven and fridge. Big deal.

There are only a limited set of tiles to choose to display and only a limited way they can be displayed. However, for a web unit that takes the data from our WS-2000 back garden unit, it works fine.  I don't have the time nor interest anymore to build my own unit up from an android base.

But as with many things, I do wish the programmers would be less American centric and more thorough..if you are offering metric and 24 hour settings, then that should be carefully implemented all over.

[markrubin]

I have two new Weather Windows tied to a WS5000.
I want to use them with or to replace a Rainwise  433 Mhz system which at end of life: also have the Rainwise IP module: it is registered as a public weather station through WU, and the Weather Window sees it, but says 'not reporting' even though it is.

The Window is 2.4Ghz wifi only, but if you have a dual band WAP with same SSID, the Window gets confused and often loses/regains a connection: turning off band steering may help, or change one band SSID name.

Other issue is response time: the WS5000 display refreshes every few seconds (as does the Rainwise) but the Window only updates once/minute, so some displays, like wind rose and speed, are very slow

So far I like the Window: it has potential to be much better too

[andrewSteFoy]

As to my earlier posting, last night (3/19) Ambient sent out an update: 1.6.5.0. The Window now does not crash overnight but comes alive at the time set in the config. Yeah! Also, the weekly total of rain is now showing in millimeters per my profile settings for metric. Double Yeah!

As to the other post, the problem with a dual band WAP using the same SSID is not limited to the Window. This happens to all systems which are only 2.4G when a user has both bands using the same SSID. The intent of the dual band/same SSID was theoretically good but there are hundreds of devices out there, legacy and new, which only use 2.4G and can't handle it. The standard solution, as you refer to,  is not to have both bands use the SSID, or, depending on your WAP, add a new 2.4G network with a unique name, then configure the Window to use that.

Yes, a lot of potential with this device...but definitely more functionality in not having the re-power it every morning to get it back online.

[andrewSteFoy]

Have to update this....there was another firmware version sent out...now at 1.6.5.1.

And sorry to add that we come down each morning and the Window is dead...or rather a low glow to it but no firmware running (perhaps Android alive but AWD firmware isn't?). I'm wondering if the two times we saw it awake in the morning were the two nights they sent out an upgrade and that caused it to be awake still the next morning.  Otherewise we are still back to unplugging/repowering each morning.

And the metric issue? We had 62mm of rain late yesterday and last night....the WS-2000 shows that correctly as 62.0mm. The Window shows it as 2.44 (no units).

Also, the unit is located 2.13m/7 feet below and to the left of our over the burners microwave.  When this GE microwave runs, the Window says "no network found". When the GE microwave stops, the network access comes back (usually, sometimes not). Of course they use the same 2.4G network space, but the Window seems not to tolerate any time-outs if it's checking for a network. The Alexa unit about three inches further away, also on the 2.4G network, doesn't ever signal a loss of connexion.

Thus no forwarder at all...I'll call back in tomorrow to update them.

[kheller2]

you don't happen to have the link to the firmware do you?  I'm assuming you do it all through the console and the end user is none the wiser.

[andrewSteFoy]

Yes...it to-date has updated itself...I can only check versions by looking at the system info accessible by the tap on the main screen's bottom left icon.

[andrewSteFoy]

I came down this morning 4 April to find the Weather Window dark even tho' no Night Time sleep was configured. I unplugged/repowered and saw it had been upgraded to 1.7.0 firmware. Attached is the picture this morning after our rain/sleet/snow "event".
Three issues now:

1) As I suspected before but definitely confirm now, when the system auto-detects an upgrade and installs it, it does the intall, then attempts to reboot but fails, showing a black screen, and needs repowering the next morning.
2) If a Night Time sleep period is configured for the screen to switch off and then back on the morning, the window crashes and needs repowering in the morning.
3) The user's preferences are not followed for all measurements: check the rain area mid-left on the attached photo--the rate is 1.8, the day total is 20.4 but then the event and week are 1.65. Two metric measurements followed by two English/Imperial units which make for an odd display of 20.4 day becoming 1.65 for an event. (Notice unlke the WS2000 base or web page units are not always displayed on the Weather Window.

I did finally get an email from Support saying they were sorry about the lack of communication to-date and resolved to do better but I've had no information/update since then, no do I find any change log to document which might even be fixed in this rev.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[Robert Korfhage]

Have you heard anything else from Ambient Weather about the black out issue.  I just bought one and it is blacking out and I have to unplug and replug every morning to get it to work.  I'm looking for a solution.