Author Topic: Best station choice with just 3 requirements  (Read 1897 times)

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Offline davidmc36

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Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« on: February 10, 2019, 07:38:46 AM »
I need a new station.

Upwards of $500 is within budget, even a bit more.

I need fast wind updates.
I need direct to WU, moving away from PC’s.
I need down to -40 C temperature ( would like up to 150mph wind but not deal breaker)

If anybody knows good on-line place to buy in Canada it would be appreciated. Most sellers online want to add some outrageous “Pre-Import” fees, as if they are doing you some favour.

Thanks for any help. I have been browsing for hours and my eyes are going crossed.

Offline Maumelle Weather

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2019, 09:02:56 AM »
I need a new station.

Upwards of $500 is within budget, even a bit more.

I need fast wind updates.
I need direct to WU, moving away from PC’s.
I need down to -40 C temperature ( would like up to 150mph wind but not deal breaker)

If anybody knows good on-line place to buy in Canada it would be appreciated. Most sellers online want to add some outrageous “Pre-Import” fees, as if they are doing you some favour.

Thanks for any help. I have been browsing for hours and my eyes are going crossed.

Check out a Davis VP2 Pro or the Pro+

Wind updates every 2.5 seconds
There was an IP logger you could buy that connected directly to the net, but I'm not sure on that now.
Temp rating is to -40° C/F and the max wind speed is 200mph. Check the Davis website for a story on a 199mph gust from Hurricane Maria that a Davis VP2 Pro+ caught, the station survived and is still operating.

John
GR2AE, GR3, Cumulus

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2019, 09:44:10 AM »
Sounds pretty close.

I think I see the Logger still available but that puts it up another like $250-300 CAD. Getting a bit over budget.

Any second choice off the top of your head?

The most likely thing I could do without would be fast updates. Some of the 16 second ones that actually record and push the highest wind gust in that period would be fine. Some of them only average the gusts and report at the set interval.

Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2019, 09:49:42 AM »
Ditto with John on the Davis VP2.  Shop wisely.  Try www.scaledinstruments.com for one place.  Ryan, who owns the site is an excellent person to deal with.  I'd recommend going ahead and getting the VP2+...the solar and UV sensor will never be cheaper than what you will pay when you buy the station (VP2+) that includes the sensors. 

On a side note, should you not order the "+" model and decide to order sensors later:  The UV sensor is the more expensive sensor by a large margin, and in my opinion is the least useful.  It basically lets you know the sun is blistering or not...or you can step outside and tell that by the sting on your skin.   The solar sensor is good for monitoring of solar-power installations and evapotranspiration for irrigations systems, etc.,.  FWIW. ;)


Davis VP2, v3.12
Cumulus v1.9.4  Build 1079
Today's weather beats no weather at all!
www.beeweather.com
www.beausandbonnets.com

Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2019, 09:58:35 AM »
I also noticed on Ryan's site that the Davis units got hit with the 25% increase from the Chinese tariff increase...FWIW.

The logger...a necessary evil for the Davis units.

Don't go by the prices on the Davis website...shop around.

Davis VP2, v3.12
Cumulus v1.9.4  Build 1079
Today's weather beats no weather at all!
www.beeweather.com
www.beausandbonnets.com

Offline Maumelle Weather

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2019, 10:14:37 AM »
Thanks for the kind words, Ed.

There are a few VP2's in Alaska that have recorded down to -40 reliably for many years, though I do not know if any are members here. 2 other short stories.

A VP2 Pro+ survived being submerged in a tidal swamp in New Jersey during and after Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy. I think that story maybe on the forum.

Another VP2 Pro+ survived Hurricane Harvey outside of the Houston are. It recorded 90mph+ winds and had a wind run of over 49,000 miles on it. That story is on the forum.

I believe both units are still operating to this day.

It may cost more, but its reliability is proven. My unit is approaching 7 years old and the only thing I have had to do is change the battery 2 times,  clean the unit, and clean out the rain gauge of debris every 3-4months. The unit is sitting 80 meters from where I'm typing this and has no issues transmitting through 2 walls and the roof to the console.


John
GR2AE, GR3, Cumulus

Offline PaulMy

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2019, 12:28:58 PM »
Hi David,I am in Canada and very satisfied with my original VP2 bought 11 years ago, and replaced with a VP2 Plus ISS this past summer because I wanted UV and solar.  Not now a good-price option to buy in Canada so I have bought from Scaled Instruments.  Paid what Ryan invoiced in US$ and no extra tax or duty when Canada Post delivered it.

I originally bought the Davis USB logger but had a good buy on a Vue console last year and then got the WiFiLogger for it, which is somewhat the same as WeatherlinkIP but can do much more.  WiFiLogger is available from Scaled Instruments.

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
 
Enjoy,
Paul

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2019, 07:27:25 PM »
Thanks for the info all. I purchased the 6152C and WiFi Logger this afternoon from Scaled. Will be a nice upgrade from the LaCrosse. The first Un-Networked one was reliable. The current one was less so and has been completely down since breaking a cup.

Maybe in a few weeks if some reasonable days come about.

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IONOTTAW14

Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2019, 08:21:54 AM »
Congratulations!  It will serve you well.

Ed

Davis VP2, v3.12
Cumulus v1.9.4  Build 1079
Today's weather beats no weather at all!
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Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2019, 08:11:57 AM »
Shux, why rush things?  And besides, who likes frostbite anyhow???  :shock:

What you *can* do is break it out of the box and get the tinkertoy assembled and connected.  Test things to insure the ISS is talking with the console and the console>logger>(data destination).  Good time to get things configured, up, and running...I mean, you're not going to tilling your garden or setting out your tomato transplants over the next few days...  ;)   Then when the time arrives all you have to do is install the ISS and away you go!!!!!!!!   \:D/

Davis VP2, v3.12
Cumulus v1.9.4  Build 1079
Today's weather beats no weather at all!
www.beeweather.com
www.beausandbonnets.com

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2019, 10:17:43 PM »
Web description don't do it justice. This is a serious piece of kit. Time for a mock up to see all is working.

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #12 on: February 27, 2019, 11:15:27 AM »
All working. Just uploaded a blip of test Data. Now for some decent weather.

Offline PaulMy

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #13 on: February 27, 2019, 01:06:09 PM »
Quote
Web description don't do it justice. This is a serious piece of kit.
Glad you like it \:D/
Quote
Now for some decent weather.
But I wouldn't complain about 18°C ;)
We are getting a snow storm at the moment...

Enjoy,
Paul

p.s. our son-in-law is from Moose Creek

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Best station choice with just 3 requirements
« Reply #14 on: February 27, 2019, 07:15:38 PM »
Was only minus 10 or so and Jo wind so put it on a pole. Smooth set up.

 

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