Author Topic: Ecowitt/FOSHK in South Africa?  (Read 209 times)

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Offline athansor

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Ecowitt/FOSHK in South Africa?
« on: December 24, 2021, 04:12:49 PM »
I'm new and starting down the road to get my own little weather station set up.

In an ideal world I'd be looking at the Davis Vantage 2 Pro - but I just cannot justify the cost for what is currently a hobby interest when there are cheaper, almost-as-good options available.

So I'm looking to purchase discrete Fine Offset products to put together my station, with Ecowitt currently being intended prime supplier.

However, being in South Africa places me far away from established markets, and with our (vague) import costs and dismal postal delivery I'm hoping there's a fellow Saffer here that has gone this route and can provide some feedback and guidance.

Are there local/SA suppliers for Ecowitt products?
Alternatively, are there local suppliers for otherwise-branded Fine Offset products?
What sort of import duties could I be looking at?

And, rather importantly, which frequency should be used for SA-based wireless weather stations, 433 MHz, 868 MHz, or 915 MHz?

Any other comments and suggestions welcomed!

Offline Gyvate

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Re: Ecowitt/FOSHK in South Africa?
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2021, 08:37:44 AM »
It looks as if Misol are selling Ecowitt / FOSHK clones in SA (e.g. https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/538790750/Color_Display_Wireless_Weather_Station_WiFi_Connection_Solar_Charging_Weather_Station_with_Wireless.html)
they transmit at 433 MHz.
They sell GW1000, the WS2320E console, the HP2551 console all together with the WH65/WS69 outdoor array.
If you want to go into other (extra) sensors or want to have temperature, wind and rain measured at different places, you'd have to get them shipped from Ecowitt from China. You could use FedEx etc. for an additional fee and secure delivery.
WS2350 1.6.7, GW1000(3) 1.7.7,WH2650 WiFi (2) 1.7.7 (test/backup), GW1100 2.3.1, GW2000(3) 3.1.1, HP2551 1.9.5,5.1.5;HP3500 1.7.2,WS3800 1.2.8, WN1910 1.2.3,WN1980 1.2.3;
Ecowitt WS90(2)1.3.5/1.4.0, WS80(2)1.2.5, WS68, WS69, WH40, WH31, WH31-EP, WN30, WN34L, WN35, WH32, WH32-EP, WH32B, WH57 [Lightning], WH41 [PM2.5], WH51, WH45, WH55
MeteobridgePro(2)[test,prod] 5.8 Mar 01 2024, 15185 - Blake-Larsen Sun Recorder - RPi4/weewx 4.8.0/4.10.2/CumulusMX 3283/Meteobridge RPi4B-2GB(3169)
Barani Meteoshield Pro, MetSpec Rad02 - Ecowitt 5763,34418;WU ISAARB3(WH4000SE),ISAARB22(HP2553), http://meshka.eu

Offline Gyvate

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Re: Ecowitt/FOSHK in South Africa?
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2021, 02:07:42 PM »
regarding your "taxes" - duties, VAT etc. for importing from China
have a look at
https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/duties-and-taxes/duties-and-taxes-for-importers/
and
https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/duties-and-taxes/
and related documents.
They may not be so easy to read, but that's the Nature of the Beast  :roll:
« Last Edit: December 25, 2021, 02:09:57 PM by Gyvate »
WS2350 1.6.7, GW1000(3) 1.7.7,WH2650 WiFi (2) 1.7.7 (test/backup), GW1100 2.3.1, GW2000(3) 3.1.1, HP2551 1.9.5,5.1.5;HP3500 1.7.2,WS3800 1.2.8, WN1910 1.2.3,WN1980 1.2.3;
Ecowitt WS90(2)1.3.5/1.4.0, WS80(2)1.2.5, WS68, WS69, WH40, WH31, WH31-EP, WN30, WN34L, WN35, WH32, WH32-EP, WH32B, WH57 [Lightning], WH41 [PM2.5], WH51, WH45, WH55
MeteobridgePro(2)[test,prod] 5.8 Mar 01 2024, 15185 - Blake-Larsen Sun Recorder - RPi4/weewx 4.8.0/4.10.2/CumulusMX 3283/Meteobridge RPi4B-2GB(3169)
Barani Meteoshield Pro, MetSpec Rad02 - Ecowitt 5763,34418;WU ISAARB3(WH4000SE),ISAARB22(HP2553), http://meshka.eu

Offline athansor

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Re: Ecowitt/FOSHK in South Africa?
« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2021, 01:11:47 PM »
Much appreciated @Gyvate!! Especially for the SARS import documents, I should have though of looking at their website myself...

I'm fairly committed to ordering from Ecowitt direct at this stage, will be placing an order in the new year.