weather station recommendations

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trickytiger
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weather station recommendations

Unread post by trickytiger »

Not sure if this is the right area to post this, please move it if it isn't.

Just after some recommendations of good weather station equipment as i'm moving up to culverden on the 27th this month for a job up there and will be looking at setting up an online weather station in a month or two.
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by mattyj46 »

Depending on your price range I highly recommend Davis Vantage Pro 2

http://www.davisnet.co.nz/6/vantage_pro ... _stations/
trickytiger
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by trickytiger »

looks good, don't really mind how much I pay for one will probably go for a wireless one anyway. What is the software like for the Davis Vantage Pro 2?
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

the davis station comes with software (weather link) if you get the separate weather link data logger (needed to get data to the PC)
all 3rd paty software works with the Davis VP (or Davis vue)
I also recommend the Davis VP (or vue)...I use one myself...
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trickytiger
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by trickytiger »

is there any advantages for the Davis Vantage Pro2 over the Davis Vantage Vue? I notice the Vue is quite a bit cheaper.
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David
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by David »

You can't seperate anemometer from thermometer on the Vue. So you can lose some accuracy of either windspeed or temperature by getting a Vue, depending on how one sets it up
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by tgsnoopy »

Please be aware that Wireless models imported from overseas may not be legal here. The NZ versions have special firmware & modified hardware to suit the local radio frequency spectrum. This is particularly important with the 922 MHz / Spread Spectrum models.
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

also if a station is imported,and its the wrong frequency, and it needs repairing, then neither the local agent or Davis themselves (USA) will be interested in helping you...unless you pay to get the frequency changed...people have learnt this the hard way...
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by tgsnoopy »

True, I hadn't considered warranty issues.
trickytiger
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by trickytiger »

ok thanks for heads up guys. I think i'll stick to buying the station in NZ and will post a link when it's online.
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by Richard »

Fantastic :D another forum member in my area,if you like hot summers you are coming to the right area.

Sorry my post has nothing to do with weather stations does it :?
trickytiger
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by trickytiger »

Lol yes it was nice and warm when I was there last Friday for my interview.

Do you know of any weather stations near Culverden that are online Richard? I haven't found any up there.
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by trickytiger »

what do you guys think of this weather station: http://dicksmith.co.nz/product/Q5173/la ... pro-ws2355

i'm thinking about getting a cheap station until i can afford a davis.
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by snowstormwatcher »

trickytiger wrote:what do you guys think of this weather station: http://dicksmith.co.nz/product/Q5173/la ... pro-ws2355

i'm thinking about getting a cheap station until i can afford a davis.
I have A la crosse ws1516it which is basicly the same station just without the weather softwere, I brought mine second hand, though it was only 9 months old when I brought it, I have had problems with the rain guage not working plus the buttons on the console jamming both of which I have fixed but not 100% Id say if you brought new you should be ok but dont expect it to last anymore that a couple of years. If you could afford it I would just save up and buy a davis station from what ive heard they are very good.

The rain gauge on the la crosse only tips every 0.5mm which can lead to quite innacurate rain readings espcaily in drizzly or showerly conditions. Davis tips every 0.2mm.

You will also need to build some sort of Sevenson screen or raidation sheild for the thermometer as the factory casing doesnt protect against sunlight or reflected heat. When I first set mine up the temperature was reading 5-6 degrees to warm. I built a shield out of white plastic bowls and it reads accurate now. Davis stations have a built in raidation sheild and some have a fan system which pushes air over the sheild.
trickytiger
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Re: weather station recommendations

Unread post by trickytiger »

Thanks for that info snowstormwatcher, I had a look around and there seems to be quite a few ways to make the temperature more accurate. It's also possible to increase the accuracy of the rain gauge.

Just having a think about the options at the moment, if it works out that it won't take long to save up for a davis station i'll go straight for that option.
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