Topic: WS-5000 vs WS-2000 Ambient Weather Stations

[WeatherEnthusiastNZ]

Anyone notice the gigantic price hike of the WS-5000 from Ambient?

It's $429 now, when just last year it was $299.

Wowza.

You are right. You can see from this wayback archive of the product page that as at 2 Dec 2020, it was $299
http://web.archive.org/web/20201202062735/https://ambientweather.com/amws5000.html

But as at 19 July 2021 it's now $429, that's a massive price increase!
http://web.archive.org/web/20210719130140/https://ambientweather.com/amws5000.html

Good spotting!
20 July 2021
1:05am NZST

[Rover1822]

That is just silly, I mean the HP2553 is essentially the same from EcoWitt from $339. OK, you don't get to upload to ambientweather.net, but can to ecowitt.net, and you don't get the sensor selection restrictions that you do with the Ambient. Not worth the price difference IMHO.

Note, I didn't work out shipping $ differences, but still.

[galfert]

As much as I prefer the Ecowitt consoles, unfortunately in the US you cannot buy the HP2553 because of trade agreement between Ambient and Fine Offset. The limitation is the ultrasonic anemometer. You can buy the HP2551, or the GW1002 and then add the HP2551-C console. You just can't order anything with the WS80. If you are heart set for the WS80 and the Ecowitt console then you could get whatever other Ecowitt station and then separately add the WS80 from Ambient (if it's in stock). Pricey solution, but at least possible.

[Rover1822]

Might also explain the price increase. Thanks Galfert

Never doubted you but had to validate


This product is not sold in this area
HP2553 - TFT Large Display Wi-Fi Weather Station with Ultrasonic Anemometer Sensor Package and Rain Gauge Sensor
Frequency: 915M

[chaugen1]

Looking at Ambient's custom station builder, it seems that it's the rain gauge that is out of stock.

[Gyvate]

I think it is the new WS80 - it underwent some hardware upgrade - and in Europe the WS80 (ultrasonic 6-in-1) is only announced for calendar week 30/31 e.g. by Froggit (rebrander).
That doesn't exclude a WH40 (rain gauge) shortage at the Ambient end.

And for those living in the U.S. and having some delivery possibility into Canada or Mexico and can organize the transport into the U.S. afterwards,
they could get the WS80 from Ecowitt. There are many possibilities to make that happen and they have been discussed earlier in the forum.
It's not Ecowitt specific, it could be goods of any type which are not sold into the U.S. but into Canada or Mexico.
E.g. you live in Seattle and friends in Vancouver ....

[WA4OPQ]

Although the rain gauge is on back order, using the "Build your own Weather Station" on Ambient Weather's site results in a cost of about $385.

[WeatherEnthusiastNZ]

I just got an email at 5:30am NZST that the WS-5000 is back in stock! Great to see!

"BACK IN STOCK!
We are happy to announce that the WS-5000 is back in stock.
Get yours before the sell out again!

WS-5000 Weather Station
An Ambientweather.com exclusive bundle, The Ambient Weather WS-5000 Smart Weather Station, now includes one WH31E Wireless Temperature and Humidity Sensor that supports up to 8 channels to integrate with your Ambient Weather Station. The WS-5000 represents our most sophisticated offering yet. It is designed with no moving parts and the latest technology innovations, such as a revolutionary sonic anemometer to capture wind readings faster and a larger rain cup to ensure rainfall accuracy. The color LCD console offers an easy to read display that can accommodate your WH31E sensor and up to seven additional sensors.

Shop the WS-5000
Ambient Exclusive"

Their website says:
https://ambientweather.com/amws5000.html?utm_source=drip&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BACK+IN+STOCK+%7C+Ambient+Weather+WS-5000+is+back%21
"Ambient Weather WS-5000 Ultrasonic Professional Smart Weather Station & Thermo Hygrometer
     257 Reviews
The Ambient Weather WS-5000 Ultrasonic Smart Weather Station is the most sophisticated home and light industrial weather station we have ever created. Our smart wind meter has no moving parts to wear out and includes a revolutionary ultrasonic anemometer that is more sensitive to changes in wind speed and direction and transmits faster than traditional wind cup designs.

$429.99
Availability: In stock
SKU WS-5000
Add a Bird Spike Kit (#WS-5000-RAINSPIKE)?
Yes +$16.50
Add SD Card?
Yes +$9.00 (197)
Add Optional UK or Australian AC Adapter?
UK/Ireland +$10.00
Australia +$10.00
Are you interested in additional sensors?

-- Please Select --
1
 
 Add to CartAdd to Compare

 FREE US SHIPPING"

[chaugen1]

"now includes one WH31E Wireless Temperature and Humidity Sensor that supports up to 8 channels to integrate with your Ambient Weather Station"

Interesting.

[WeatherEnthusiastNZ]

WS-5000 vs WS-2000 Ambient Weather Stations

WS-2000 costs $252.99 USD

WS-5000 costs $299.99 USD

As at 2 Jan 2020 the costs for the 2 stations were
WS-2000 $252.99 USD
WS-5000 $299.99 USD

Now as at 30 Dec 2021, about 2 years later, there is quite a big difference. (https://web.archive.org/web/20211230051122/https://ambientweather.com/all-weather-stations)
WS-2000 $299.99 USD (228 reviews on https://ambientweather.com/amws2000.html)
WS-5000 $$439.99 USD (406 reviews on https://ambientweather.com/amws5000.html)

Currently they are both in stock. Honestly give such a huge price difference and given how similar WS-2000 and WS-5000 are, I would recommend recommend buying the WS-2000.
I wonder how much the lockdowns have affected prices vs Ambient just putting them up.

It's so neat that this post has got 11,586 views within 2 years that's crazy. I looked at the Ambient Weather website today and noticed that the legacy stations which within last 2 years they were still selling, they no longer sell, and instead focus on WS-2000, WS-5000 and WS-2902C, their newer models.

It's been cool seeing the Ambient journey develop.

[Platokidd]

Do like AW net better than ecowitt net. However, with AW's inflated pricing and being locked into aw sensors, Ecowitt makes more sense for me.

Last week on Ecowitts store had free shipping. I purchased HP2551c for $119. https://ecowittweather.com/

Now they have discount codes soon to run out. You can buy an hp2551 pws $189 plus shipping
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[kheller2]

The WH31E replaces the WH31B.

I'm at odds with this statement that the WH31E replaces the WH31B. Technically speaking it really shouldn't. Just because Ambient says so doesn't mean it was right decision. The manufacture (FO) still makes both versions. Neither one replaces the other. They serve two different purposes. What Ambient calls WH31E has an RCC that is needed for some temperature consoles like the WS-3000. This is because the WS-3000 doesn't connect to the Internet and the system needs a time sync source. The WS-2000/5000 connect to the internet so they ignore the RCC sync from the WH31E. Technically speaking the WH31B that doesn't have the RCC is what the WS-2000/5000 should be using. Ambient just decided that the added cost of the RCC chip was negligible and they decided to only stock one part to ease confusion of customers so that they wouldn't buy the WH31B when they had the WS-3000 console. This decision comes at a detriment to the WS-2000/5000 customers. I forget why. It will come back to me. Bottom line is that it is unfortunate that Ambient decided to discontinue the WH31B....because the manufacture Fine Offset didn't!

Bumping an old thread here but...
The WS3000 can use WH31B sensors.  Mine does, however it also has a few WH31Es.  Can I assume that the WH3000 will work just fine if at least one sensor is a 31E (RCC) vs the 31B(no RCC) ?

[davidefa]

Bumping an old thread here but...
The WS3000 can use WH31B sensors.  Mine does, however it also has a few WH31Es.  Can I assume that the WH3000 will work just fine if at least one sensor is a 31E (RCC) vs the 31B(no RCC) ?

I'd say yes.
I have a sensor that has a time receiver ( european DCF ). It reports his time only at 2:00 in the morning ( don't remember exact timing, I posted in the forum some time ago ) so that the console is synchronized only once a day, and not with every sensor transmission.
So I think there is no problem in adding wh31b, as long, as you say, there is at least a wh31e

[kheller2]

Ok then.

And as previously stated, using a 31E on a 2000/5000 is bad if you can't get at time signal to the 31E