WXforum.net
Weather Station Hardware => Davis Instruments Weather Stations => Topic started by: Beebabin on January 14, 2019, 10:05:33 PM
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Looks like the replacement for the WeatherLinkIP will be available soon. I noticed in the Davis 2019 catalog they no longer offer the WeatherLinkIP replacing it with the WeatherLink Live.
I just ordered a Davis Pro2 and was trying to decide which hardware to get online with. Narrowed it down to WLinkIP or Meteobridge NanoSD. Now with this announcement would this be a better way to go?
Thanks
Steve
https://www.davisinstruments.com/weatherlink-live-coming-soon/
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With the proposed EOL of the WLIP this WLL provides nothing over the WLIP apart from playing in Davis's business model and locking you into what will be an even worse closed and dictating system
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@Beebabin: If you look, you'll see this new product has also been discussed reasonably extensively over the past 2 weeks or so in the recent VP3 thread here. But please remember that WLL is not shipping yet, and may not do so for another 2-3 months'. A colleague from the Prodata team is at Davis this week for a briefing - so there should be more info available next week.
@Mattk: That's a very downbeat and frankly inaccurate summary. WLL will offer features not available at all in WLIP, like WiFi connectivity, Envoy8X-type functionality, a local API and (I think) a local tablet/smartphone interface. It's also possible - though not confirmed as yet - that WLL may well have a WLIP emulation mode and be cheaper into the bargain. What's not to like about that?
Might be better to hold off slamming it too hard until further details are available.
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JohnD, That comment is simply based on hindsight, well over 20 years of hindsight so I am a little relucent to concede Davis will change in that regard with anything new and based on WL2.0 they are ever so slowly tightening the screws and one does not require hindsight to see that.
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I'm curious about the new Weather Link Live.
The brochure seems to indicate that the WLL can read data from sensors other than the main sensor suite. Does this mean a Vantage Vue owner with no native expandability will now be able to add additional sensors to their web uploads, such as solar and UV? I wouldn't expect it to display on the Vue console but if it could upload to Weather Underground or other that would be a distinct advantage.
Oh, and first post.
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The brochure seems to indicate that the WLL can read data from sensors other than the main sensor suite.
Yes, that's correct and is what's meant by the functionality being similar to an Envoy8X
Does this mean a Vantage Vue owner with no native expandability will now be able to add additional sensors to their web uploads, such as solar and UV? I wouldn't expect it to display on the Vue console but if it could upload to Weather Underground or other that would be a distinct advantage.
You have to be careful: The WLL unit will provide the functionality to receive data from eg multiple ISS transmitters and to make that data available to other software and Internet platforms. But the software & platforms must be able to accept data in the new data format that is going to be necessary - to take a trivial example, most software or platforms don't currently cater for data from two anemometers. Right now the Davis weatherlink.com platform is the only one I'm aware of that is able to do so. But in principle yes WLL be able to upload to eg web platforms, but the platform must be able to support those uploads, which isn't the case for now at least for eg WU.
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I'd do something else for now, and wait to see how this shakes out.
Sometimes, when you are on the bleeding edge, the blood is your own. Also, in the past, Davis has put something in the catalog, only to delay it's actual availability for a long time. (Like Vantage Connect, I think?)
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I understand Mattk point about being locked into the Davis business model which limits my options to only reporting/exporting thru WL2.0
And the WLL benefits johnd of local API & smartphone/tablet interface, but then I'm still locked into WL2.0 for exporting to external sites such as WU.
I really try to avoid the bleeding edge of technology as SLOweather said the blood is usually your own but... I have a Pro2 on the way and need to pull the trigger on an interface at some point.
What should I do at this point, should I wait and see what happens with WLL?
Here is where my recent research has brought me.
Meteobridge NanoSD from Ambient Weather $280, Seems simple to configure and sd card for backup
Wifilogger from Ryan at Scaled Instruments $139, price is right and Ryan has a good reputation
WeatherlinkIP from Davis $210ish but depends on WL for exporting to WU and ties my console to ethernet hard wire.
Any insight would be appreciated
Thanks
Steve
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Beebabin here's a vote for the Wifilogger.
The developer is right here on this forum. Has outstanding support and is open to suggestions about future improvements.
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Beebabin, the WeatherLinkIP can also be used with 3rd party software, like Weather Display, to upload to WU and many other locations. This does, however, require a PC running full time. I've been using a WeatherLink IP for many years, but with Davis discontinuing it, I wouldn't buy one today.
-Chris
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
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And the WLL benefits johnd of local API & smartphone/tablet interface, but then I'm still locked into WL2.0 for exporting to external sites such as WU.
You see, I'm not sure this is true. I understand that WLL will have a local API. Assuming so, then third-party software will be able to access data from the WLL and perform uploads to weather networks like WU etc. Right now there isn't enough information available to understand how this might work but let me suggest two scenarios:
1. If WLL has an IP logger emulation mode then any software that works with the IP logger should also work with WLL.
2. If [1] is not the case then new software will need to be released that is compatible with WLL's new API. It might not be too difficult for eg CumulusMX or WD to be modified to accept data similar to the IP logger, though compatibility with the full WLL capabilities (eg multiple ISS units) might require a more radical redesign.
Basically, the information just isn't available from Davis as yet, but hopefully soon (maybe in 2-3 weeks) the situation will become clearer.
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correct me if im wrong John but reading the brief info available but this is a bit more to this than just the original logger with a few new additions , a LAN port in the photos if way to go supports direct sensor listening .. curious of other supported common protocols UDP ? if so meteobridge users will be happy ..think there is more to this new device than meets the eye at the moment ..guess time will tell ..brian
Add any combination of up to 8 of the following:
Vantage Vue Sensor Suites
Vantage Pro2 Sensor Suites
Sensor Transmitters with up to 5 sensors
Wireless Leaf & Soil Moisture/Temperature Stations
Welcome to the smart home
Ask Amazons Alexa about your weather.
Connect your data to smart irrigation systems or other IoT/smart home devices.
Securely share your data
Contribute your weather data to the global WeatherLink community.
Share data with friends, family, or co-workers via the WeatherLink website and mobile applications.
Upload to a growing list of third-party sites like Weather Underground or CWOP.
Build your own weather tools with our powerful suite of API products.
Enjoy real-time data
Experience the fastest reporting weather data on the market with any personal device.
Never lose data
Safeguard recorded data with WeatherLink Lives internal auxiliary memory.
Protect against data loss with redundant battery backup.
Effortless setup
Simple Bluetooth setup using the WeatherLink app.
No Wi-Fi? No problem. Easily connect to Ethernet with the included cable.
Long-range wireless data
Depend on Daviss industry-leading, proprietary, frequency-hopping, spread spectrum radio to transmit data up to 1,000 ft. (300 m).
Comes Wi-Fi ready, with a 6.5 ft. (2 m) power cable and a 5 ft. (1,5 m) Ethernet cable.
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correct me if im wrong John but reading the brief info available but this is a bit more to this than just the original logger with a few new additions
Yes, I'm sure that's true - not least in the Envoy8X multi-ISS features that are apparently on offer. But much of the rest of the description is a little ambiguous at present. eg what counts as 'real-time'? For many users, per-minute uploads to weatherlink.com (ie as per the IP logger) would fit the bill. But those used to 2.5-sec local wind updates would not agree. The key part that's not clear as yet is the extent of features available locally vs those serviced via weatherlink.com. The local API has been confirmed, but the nature and extent of that API hasn't been spelled out yet.
TBH I don't think it's worth speculating too much - all should become clearer in the near future - days to a few weeks.
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TBH I don't think it's worth speculating too much - all should become clearer in the near future - days to a few weeks.
patience is a virtue :-) all will come good to those that wait...so glad they didnt go with the cheapo low cost chinese console designs ..
please check your spam box sometime next month ill be in the UK in march so save the hassles of shipment and whatever other bureaucracy they can dream up...take care..brian
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Decided to order the WifiLogger to get me going and wait to see if the WLL turns out to be better in the long run. My Pro 2 will be delivered today!!!
I appreciate all the feedback!
Now back to reading the "What's wrong with Davis consoles" thread! Lol
73's
Steve
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I find it curious, the WeatherBridgePro has been out of stock for quite some time on the AmbientWeather site, and the Weatherlink Live appears to cover a lot of its features, coincidence?
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I find it curious, the WeatherBridgePro has been out of stock for quite some time on the AmbientWeather site, and the Weatherlink Live appears to cover a lot of its features, coincidence?
I'm not sure what connection you might make between the two things. What might be more significant is the recent launch of Nano.
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I find it curious, the WeatherBridgePro has been out of stock for quite some time on the AmbientWeather site, and the Weatherlink Live appears to cover a lot of its features, coincidence?
There is no connection between the two and somehow I doubt WLL even comes close to full capabilities of WeatherBridgepro
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I find it curious, the WeatherBridgePro has been out of stock for quite some time on the AmbientWeather site, and the Weatherlink Live appears to cover a lot of its features, coincidence?
I'm not sure what connection you might make between the two things. What might be more significant is the recent launch of Nano.
I was worried that the PRO being unavailable was associated with the announcement of the WLL, either by purchased rights, or some other business agreement. I'm hoping to get a PRO if/when they become available again.
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@Beebabin: If you look, you'll see this new product has also been discussed reasonably extensively over the past 2 weeks or so in the recent VP3 thread here. But please remember that WLL is not shipping yet, and may not do so for another 2-3 months'. A colleague from the Prodata team is at Davis this week for a briefing - so there should be more info available next week.
@Mattk: That's a very downbeat and frankly inaccurate summary. WLL will offer features not available at all in WLIP, like WiFi connectivity, Envoy8X-type functionality, a local API and (I think) a local tablet/smartphone interface. It's also possible - though not confirmed as yet - that WLL may well have a WLIP emulation mode and be cheaper into the bargain. What's not to like about that?
Might be better to hold off slamming it too hard until further details are available.
JohnD -- When you're able to talk about it, *I* would like to hear about that Envoy8X functionality...with two 8X's running now, I want to know more.
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I was worried that the PRO being unavailable was associated with the announcement of the WLL, either by purchased rights, or some other business agreement.
Well I can't speak for docbee but I'd have guessed almost certainly not.
I'm hoping to get a PRO if/when they become available again.
That's down to Ambient as to whether/when they choose to order in a new batch for resale. I'm not aware of any lack of availability in Europe for instance. If Ambient decide not to supply any more Reds then maybe some other reseller will take it up?
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JohnD -- When you're able to talk about it, *I* would like to hear about that Envoy8X functionality...with two 8X's running now, I want to know more.
I don't really know anything at this stage beyond what's publicly disclosed so far. Late-stage development is still proceeding AIUI and beta-test units are not yet available. But I don't think it's difficult to guess what the functionality will be, ie:
The receive capability will be as per Envoy8X, ie any arbitrary combination of up to eight VP2 transmitters (even 8 x ISS units if you chose to do so).
The main upload function will be to weatherlink.com, which will be expected to be the principle way in which data will be viewed, processed and made available for further download. Download formats from wl.com I would expect to be similar/identical to Enviromonitor, which can obviously also accommodate many disparate sensors.
Local data will be available but only in defined ways, eg:
- smartphone app
- A new local API (if I had to guess, similar/identical to the wl.com API). I'm not aware that local software to use this API is a priority for Davis themselves (BICBW) - I suspect that it will be more down to third-party developers to use, but this is the bit that's most vague at present.
- No interface planned to mimic existing loggers or WDTU
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Can anyone explain what exactly this weatherlink live for $ 250 is and what it does ??? I have several davis weather stations for almost 30 years -- One of my vantage pro is getting to the stage where it needs replacing.. Does this eliminate having to have the computer on 24 hours -- please explain
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Yes it eliminates needing to run a computer. It is a console (with no display) that receives data from your ISS (or several ISS) and other sensors. Then it connects to your network via WiFi or Ethernet cable (your choice). Then it uploads the data to Weatherlink.com. You manage it (configuration) with a mobile app.
https://www.weatherstations.co.uk/weatherlink-live.htm
But if you were looking to just eliminate the computer that is something that has been possible for a long time with other 3rd party loggers or other devices. This is just the first one from Davis to do this. Previously you could have had a Meteobridge Pro or Meteobridge standard. Or you could connect a Raspberry Pi which technically is a computer but so tiny and small and consuming such little power that it feels more like a little network device. Within the past year you now can also add a WiFiLogger or a Meteobridge Nano that install onto your console. All of these solutions eliminate the computer. The WeatherLink Live is different though because it sort of replace the Envoy8x as it can receive from multiple ISS and sensors...so in that way it is unique. It all depends on what your needs are or what you prefer for features as these are all good solutions with their own advantages.
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JohnD, That comment is simply based on hindsight, well over 20 years of hindsight so I am a little relucent to concede Davis will change in that regard with anything new and based on WL2.0 they are ever so slowly tightening the screws and one does not require hindsight to see that.
So why not add IMO proceeding your comments rather inferring facts not in evidence?
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So, if I don't have a 'smart' cellphone, it's not gonna work for me?!?
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So, if I don't have a 'smart' cellphone, it's not gonna work for me?!?
You don't need a smartphone to run WLL. You won't be able to see live (local data refreshes on what looks like a 2.5 second frequency on the WL app) updates on the local network, but that's the main limitation.
HOWEVER: The standard setup method uses a Bluetooth connection from a smartphone or tablet so you may not be able to get a new unit going unless you can beg/borrow/steal a smartphone for the initial set-up. (There is also a cabled network interface but not clear yet whether there's any way of doing the set-up this way - I haven't seen a manual yet but hopefully sometime this week.)
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This smartphone/Bluetooth setup requirement has been proven a nightmare and failure with other technologies in recent times, rather a dumb idea this type of setup methology
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This smartphone/Bluetooth setup requirement has been proven a nightmare and failure with other technologies in recent times, rather a dumb idea this type of setup methology
Yep! Reminds me of my ISP asking "why?" I only gave them one STAR (there was no NO STAR box to check) for their VOIP take-over/transfer of my previous 'copper-wire based" landline telephone number; to which, my response was: "How do I call you (ISP) to report a computer or TV-media problem when the phone can't get THRU your 'failed' computer/media interface?" There was a L-O-N-G delay before the ISP caller responded.
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Update for the WL Android app came out today. Few new improvements but it did say it supports WLL.
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This smartphone/Bluetooth setup requirement has been proven a nightmare and failure with other technologies in recent times, rather a dumb idea this type of setup methology
My experience with configuring the WeatherFlow Hub via Bluetooth using a smartphone was the furthest thing from a nightmare, so I would not call configuring the WLL using the same methodology a dumb idea in the 21st century.
Does anyone know if Davis has published even a draft copy of the WLL local API yet? Just curious to see how much work will be required to develop a new station driver.....
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This smartphone/Bluetooth setup requirement has been proven a nightmare and failure with other technologies in recent times, rather a dumb idea this type of setup methology
Does anyone know if Davis has published even a draft copy of the WLL local API yet? Just curious to see how much work will be required to develop a new station driver.....
No word on API yet. No ETA.
But here is an idea. Use APK Extractor to get the APK file to your computer. Then use some tools like Android SDK and dex2jar and JD-GUI Android Eclipse or Studio and a lot of know how and you can basically decompile the app. A decompiled app means you get to see the source code. With the source code you can see how to talk to the WLL, basically revealing the API. Now you use the API and build your own Python script or WeeWx driver or whatever you program in to pull data. You can go through all that work or wait. What's the rush anyway, it's not like anyone has a WLL...yet. Hopefully the API will be out at the same time as the WLL.
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Hopefully the API will be out at the same time as the WLL.
Probably not, I'm afraid, unless there's some change of plan at Davis. I'm expecting WLL to be available maybe in the next 2-3 weeks but API is scheduled for 'summer'. Plans can change of course ;)
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What's the rush anyway, it's not like anyone has a WLL...yet. Hopefully the API will be out at the same time as the WLL.
It seems that I have become the de-facto WeeWX UDP station driver developer. If they are throwing out UDP broadcasts of station data on the local subnet, I need to budget to buy a WLL and set aside plenty of time to write another fork of my existing drivers to support it.....
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What's the rush anyway, it's not like anyone has a WLL...yet. Hopefully the API will be out at the same time as the WLL.
It seems that I have become the de-facto WeeWX UDP station driver developer. If they are throwing out UDP broadcasts of station or on the local subnet, I need to budget to buy a WLL and set aside plenty of time to write another fork of my existing drivers to support it.....
You should set up a Patreon or gofundme or PayPal for contributions. You shouldn't need to buy the hardware. Let people show you their appreciation by everyone chipping in a bit.
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You should set up a Patreon or gofundme or PayPal for contributions. You shouldn't need to buy the hardware. Let people show you their appreciation by everyone chipping in a bit.
My philosophy is that 'tis better to give than to receive. Quoting the boilerplate last paragraph of every readme file that I've ever shared on GitHub:
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Finally:
This is the part where I am supposed to put in a PayPal link and ask for
donations if you find this code useful. Since I am financially solvent (and
would starve to death if I had to make a living as a programmer), :-) I would
like to encourage anyone reading this to make a small donation to a local
not-for-profit school, hospital, animal shelter, or other charity of your
choice who appreciates philanthropic support.
Honestly, I'm just hoping that if Davis is actually doing UDP broadcasts from the WLL (which is still not known) that they do it "right" using proper native JSON...and not some of the current vendor-specific things that others are using in their stations.....
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You should set up a Patreon or gofundme or PayPal for contributions. You shouldn't need to buy the hardware. Let people show you their appreciation by everyone chipping in a bit.
My philosophy is that 'tis better to give than to receive. Quoting the boilerplate last paragraph of every readme file that I've ever shared on GitHub:
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Finally:
This is the part where I am supposed to put in a PayPal link and ask for
donations if you find this code useful. Since I am financially solvent (and
would starve to death if I had to make a living as a programmer), :-) I would
like to encourage anyone reading this to make a small donation to a local
not-for-profit school, hospital, animal shelter, or other charity of your
choice who appreciates philanthropic support.
Honestly, I'm just hoping that if Davis is actually doing UDP broadcasts from the WLL (which is still not known) that they do it "right" using proper native JSON...and not some of the current vendor-specific things that others are using in their stations.....
Hats off to you kind sir.
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Does anyone have any info on Davis Mobilize App -- cant get it to work -- was working partially -- now not working help
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Does anyone have any info on Davis Mobilize App -- cant get it to work -- was working partially -- now not working help
app works fine for me on iOS. iphone/ipad.
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Does anyone have any info on Davis Mobilize App -- cant get it to work -- was working partially -- now not working help
Do you definitely have a Pro upgrade on the station?
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I have the 30 day trail - before they charge me -- does that make a difference ???? it was partially working -- now its not working at all
help
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Actually I have a suspicion that Mobilize is primarily relevant to Enviromonitor stations, see eg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=J6Fk95eU1pE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=J6Fk95eU1pE)
TBH the available documentation doesn't make it 100% clear but Mobilize always seem to be talked about only in relation to EM stations and so probably doesn't work properly with eg WLL stations, at least for the time being.
Edit: Actually, looking a little more closely I'm wondering if you need an EM station first in order to create a Mobilize view within an account. And then once you have the view, it can then be applied to other - including non-EM - stations. But you still need a Pro station to be able to see Mobilize views.
Why does mobilize still show in the browser app? Good question!
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Tazz316 - What time of weather station do u have ? -- I have weatherlink live -- vantage pro -- The Mobolize App -- It seemed to partially work - now its not working. Bit confused -- Do I have to have a higher grade davis station. Did I do the setup incorrectly. I cant find any instructions -- from start to the finish -- very vague
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Tazz316 - What time of weather station do u have ? -- I have weatherlink live -- vantage pro -- The Mobolize App -- It seemed to partially work - now its not working. Bit confused -- Do I have to have a higher grade davis station. Did I do the setup incorrectly. I cant find any instructions -- from start to the finish -- very vague
I have a VP2.
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Interesting thread on this new hardwire.
I currently have a PC dedicated to the usb connection with the console and run Cumulus for my Davis VP2, primarily to get the data to WeatherUnderground (I like the RapidFire updates).
I assume that if you you the WeatherLink Live hardware the WeatherUnderground push is restricted to the payment plans through Davis, correct? No API yet to support other software, etc?
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No API yet to support other software, etc?
To my understanding only Meteobridge can talk to it. No other software as of yet.
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With just the WLL and reporting to Weatherlink.com yes you are correct, there is no rapidfire to WU.
The WLL API is coming. But some people are already working on figuring it out without official documentation. If you have a Meteobridge you can currently use the API and then publish to just about anywhere including WU Rapidfire. I believe work is being done now with Cumulus MX and I suspect it too will be able to use the WLL API soon. I'm sure Weather-Display and WeeWx are not far off either. It will be a standard pretty soon with just about any weather software solution after the API is released officially I'm sure. Of course those on Cumulus 1 may not be so fortunate.
Meteobridge connectivity is pretty straight forward to set up.
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Based on my experience with Onset's HOBOlink service, I would caution to add that you also have no idea how timely weatherlink.com's servers will (or won't) be in pushing your data along to WU. It may not be immediate, or it could be held for a batch-send, or simply given lower priority to other server tasks.
With HOBOlink, this all happens "behind the curtain" and the user has no way of knowing unless he or she tries to do some detective work. I can say from careful observation of my very long update lags, that on WU the update time shown on the PWS page has changed. I could tell that it used to reflect the time the data push was received by WU, and now it shows the observation timestamp of the data instead. Perhaps someone here has carefully observed the weatherlink.com data against the console data to determine if there is any latency.
Rich K.
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Based on my experience with Onset's HOBOlink service, I would caution to add that you also have no idea how timely weatherlink.com's servers will (or won't) be in pushing your data along to WU. It may not be immediate, or it could be held for a batch-send, or simply given lower priority to other server tasks.
With HOBOlink, this all happens "behind the curtain" and the user has no way of knowing unless he or she tries to do some detective work. I can say from careful observation of my very long update lags, that on WU the update time shown on the PWS page has changed. I could tell that it used to reflect the time the data push was received by WU, and now it shows the observation timestamp of the data instead. Perhaps someone here has carefully observed the weatherlink.com data against the console data to determine if there is any latency.
Rich K.
Didn't know about HOBO.
How do you like the system?
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The WLL API is coming.
but it has already been official released
I'm sure Weather-Display and WeeWx are not far off either.
weather display has had support added for a while now
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The WLL API is coming.
but it has already been official released
But only as a partial preview as yet - there's significant detail missing - what about station metadata, archive data etc?
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still, its been released , contrary to the post above
I think you are splitting hairs
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The WLL API is coming.
but it has already been official released
I'm sure Weather-Display and WeeWx are not far off either.
weather display has had support added for a while now
Thank you for the update. Can you post the link to the WLL API documentation.
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Brian has WLL working with WD here. https://www.weather-watch.com/smf/index.php/topic,67909.msg546448.html#msg546448 (https://www.weather-watch.com/smf/index.php/topic,67909.msg546448.html#msg546448)
Doug
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Can you post the link to the WLL API documentation.
its been posted here on this forum
in another thread about Davis WLL