Topic: Serial or USB?

[Mryank9]

So after about 2.5 years, finally going to upgrade my Ambient WS-2080 to a new Davis VP2! I'm really excited to get started but wasn't sure which Weatherlink to purchase, the serial or USB. I am using an older desktop that has both ports, wasn't sure if one was more stable or it didn't really matter. If I ever upgrade to a newer PC, it probably won't have a serial port so that's also something to consider. Any opinions on this?

[BigOkie]

The newer hardware in my opinion, the USB works just as good as the serial as long as you remember to install the com port emulator and keep in mind that the only software that can use USB direct (which bypasses the comport emulator) is WeatherLink.  I've been running my USB VP2 for over a year now with no issues.

[Mryank9]

So can I not use say, Cumulus or Weather Display with the USB?

[dalecoy]

How far will it be between your console and your computer?

See the following topic for lots of discussion.  Some of it on-topic.

http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=22932.0

[Mryank9]

Console and PC are on the same desk..no more than 2-3 feet apart

[dalecoy]

Console and PC are on the same desk..no more than 2-3 feet apart

So, assuming your PC is running 24/7, go with the USB logger.  Just be sure to follow the directions when you first set it up (using WeatherLink), and you will then be able to use other weather programs like Cumulus and Weather Display, etc. 

[SlowModem]

More to think about:  when your serial port peters out, you can always get a serial/usb connector.

You can use other third party software with a usb WL, but during setup, you have to tell it it's a serial adapter.

[PaulMy]

I am a 6 year Davis with USB datalogger user, without any issue in these 6 years.  All (afaik) third party weather programs must have the Davis station running in serial mode, so all that is needed upon initial WL station set up is to select "Serial" mode.
Enjoy,
 
Paul

[Daffypuck]

I'm I understanding correctly that on initial setup with the logger to my PC, I MUST use WL software to establish the connection between the station and my PC before switching to say, Cumulus or any 3rd party software? If so, can I delete WL once I switch over to Cumulus?

[BigOkie]

I'm I understanding correctly that on initial setup with the logger to my PC, I MUST use WL software to establish the connection between the station and my PC before switching to say, Cumulus or any 3rd party software? If so, can I delete WL once I switch over to Cumulus?

Correct

[dalecoy]

If so, can I delete WL once I switch over to Cumulus?

Out of curiosity, why would you want to delete WL?

[Daffypuck]

Maybe Im misunderstanding what WL does. I thought WL is just like Cumulus in that it links your station via the logger to your PC, saving data, showing you your stations reports  and giving you the ability to connect online to WU or whatever. So if I preferred Cumulus over WL, why would I need two programs on my PC if Im only using one?

[johnd]

So if I preferred Cumulus over WL, why would I need two programs on my PC if Im only using one?

Because occasionally you might need to run WL (eg if you needed to change any settings on the console/logger that Cumulus doesn't support). No-one is suggesting that you routinely run both Cumulus and WL (not that that would work anyway), simply asking why you would delete WL if you might occasionally need it - it won't be doing any harm just sitting unused on the hard disk  and the amount of space taken up on a modern HDD is minimal.

I wouldn't disagree with the principle of not cluttering up your HDD and desktop with loads of applications that you may eg have looked at once but never taken up. But WL is a program that - even just occasionally, eg to change an archive interval or to easily update transmitter settings on the console - you might find useful to have available.

[Daffypuck]

Ok, I understand. I just thought, at first, that the logger was like any other device that your computer would recognize. I thought you could make changes with other 3rd party software just like in WL. Thanks for the clarification.

[SlowModem]

I do all my uploading with WUHU software.  However, I stop it once/month and launch WL and download the datalogger info for a back.  I email it to my yahoo email account so the data is saved in the cloud somewhere.  Then I stop WL and restart WUHU.

You can also make adjustments to your davis station using WL.

[Daffypuck]

For clRification, I just got my logger and WL today. I'm assuming I take the batteries out of my station, insert the logger, replace batteries, connect to PC, open WL and set my interval and other settings and then what?

[George Richardson]

Daffypuck,

"I'm assuming I unplug the ac wallwart, take the batteries out of my station, insert the logger, replace batteries, plug the wallwart back in, connect to PC, open WL" go to Setup => Walkthrough then after that, enjoy.

Note that under Setup you can adjust individual items but if the Bulletin or Strip charts are up, you can't. Only "walkthrough" is not grayed out.

FWIW

George

[LFWX]

I not familiar with Cumulus, but I know Virtual Weather Station has the option of launching WL each night to archive the data from the data-logger.

I have mine doing this each night at 11:55 PM.

VWS disconnects, launches WL (which then retrieves the data from the data-logger, creates my NOAA reports and then disconnects), and then VWS reconnects with the weather station.


Additional advantages WL:

A: Ability to change the archive interval on your station (mine is set to 1 minute, but I change it 5 minute if I'm going to be out of town - so I don't loose any data if I encounter a computer problem while I'm away).
B: WL has some GREAT graphing abilities. From one year down to one hour, with the ability to display multiple years/days of data overlaid. I just posted an example recently: https://www.facebook.com/LFWeatherCenter?sk=wall&filter=1#!/LFWeatherCenter/photos/a.170251423060600.44979.169769506442125/652793084806429/?type=1