Weather station recomendations

Archive of NZ Weather & Climate
Forum rules
These topics are a read-only archive and may be subject to out-of-date information.

For today's weather discussion head to: New Zealand Weather & Climate
Locked
kaimaikid
Posts: 233
Joined: Fri 25/03/2005 19:57
Location: Tauranga
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Weather station recomendations

Unread post by kaimaikid »

Weather station recomendations

I am considering replacing my current weather station as its less than accurate esp. for what I want.

My limitations...
  • NZ New (warranty etc)
  • Under $2000NZ
  • Extremely accurate
  • Big data storage
  • Short update intevals - 3 sec or less
  • Cabled
  • PC interface via serial
  • Does temps, rain, humidity, pressure, rain, wind
  • Very reliable
I would give my left testicle for a Columbia Orion but least dreams are free, chances are that I will go for a cable vantage pro 2 but am open to other suggestions - maybe I should con EBOP into placing one up the back of my place with unlimited access to the data from it... :mrgreen:
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

I would look at the Davis VP :)
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
User avatar
Tornado Tim
Moderator
Posts: 4920
Joined: Sun 19/10/2008 17:17
Location: Raglan, Waikato / Hillcrest, Hamilton
Has thanked: 102 times
Been thanked: 202 times
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Didnt you have a VP2 Plus?
look at this: http://weatherforum.org.nz/phpBB3/viewt ... 0&start=25
i wouldn't mount it on a pole above a roof as, the roof would would be radiating heat and pushing your temps up.
NZAPStrike.net - NZ Aus Pacific Strike Network
kaimaikid
Posts: 233
Joined: Fri 25/03/2005 19:57
Location: Tauranga
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by kaimaikid »

Yup but wanted something else at the time so sold it - now want accuracy again - temps aren't a problem - its rain...
kaimaikid
Posts: 233
Joined: Fri 25/03/2005 19:57
Location: Tauranga
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by kaimaikid »

Do NZ new Davis stations come with metric rain tippers and big or small wind cups?

sorry can't remember off the top...
User avatar
Willoughby
Site Admin
Posts: 4433
Joined: Sat 14/06/2003 16:18
Location: Darwin, Australia: Storm city
Has thanked: 264 times
Been thanked: 288 times
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Willoughby »

IIRC you need to add a weight onto the tipping mechanism to convert from imperial to metric. From then you can adjust for accuracy via the screws. Large wind cups.
User avatar
Tornado Tim
Moderator
Posts: 4920
Joined: Sun 19/10/2008 17:17
Location: Raglan, Waikato / Hillcrest, Hamilton
Has thanked: 102 times
Been thanked: 202 times
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

When I got mine early this year, you get given both.
I was told not to touch the screws because it can make the thing less accurate.
NZAPStrike.net - NZ Aus Pacific Strike Network
Shepherds Valley WX
Posts: 233
Joined: Wed 22/09/2004 11:05
Location: Carterton RD1, Wairarapa.
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Shepherds Valley WX »

Hi Guys,

I am also considering a upgrade from my present 1-Wire system to a Davis VP2 Plus. I have a couple of questions for existing Davis WX Station owners:

1. Exactly what hardware and software is needed to connect the station to a PC for Weather Display software analysis?

2. Do you need to have the station console? I see there is a VP2 version available that connects directly to a PC and is supplied without the console display. Can this be directly connected to the PC and will WD then work?

3. What is needed to upload data to the internet? I see a version s available that will upload data direct from the Davis Station to a website, however, I assume this uses proprietary Davis software?

4. Where is the best place to purchase from?

Any advice or comments would be much appreciated. TIA. :smile:
Four Oaks Farm - West Taratahi AWS
RD1 Carterton (Wairarapa), Amateur Weather Observation Station
Davis VP2+ with Solar, UV and 24hr FARS and complete 1-Wire WX System
http://www.cartertonweather.org.nz
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

with the existing VP2, you need to get the data logger (slots into the console)
(serial recommended (and then use a usb to serial convertor)
I am not sure about how the new version (which is not available yet) connects to a new pc
for 3, thats the IP data logger: I do not recommend it
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
Shepherds Valley WX
Posts: 233
Joined: Wed 22/09/2004 11:05
Location: Carterton RD1, Wairarapa.
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Shepherds Valley WX »

Hi Brian,

Thanks fo the input. I am looking at the cabled VP2 Plus with console and data logger. Do I need to have the Davis Software as well or can WD talk directly to the Data Logger?

Any preferred NZ Suppliers?

Thanks again,
Andrew
Four Oaks Farm - West Taratahi AWS
RD1 Carterton (Wairarapa), Amateur Weather Observation Station
Davis VP2+ with Solar, UV and 24hr FARS and complete 1-Wire WX System
http://www.cartertonweather.org.nz
User avatar
Tornado Tim
Moderator
Posts: 4920
Joined: Sun 19/10/2008 17:17
Location: Raglan, Waikato / Hillcrest, Hamilton
Has thanked: 102 times
Been thanked: 202 times
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

If you dont want the console i think you can get the weather envoy which just receives the data and sends it to the computer provided you have a datalogger.
http://www.davisnet.co.nz is the NZ distributor which has a base in Tauranga and Hamilton not sure about anywhere else.
If you are thinking about going cabled think about getting it from the US:
The place i got my station from the US is http://www.scientificsales.com, quite cheap compared to NZ prices for the stations anyway.
BTW, WD can communicate with the datalogger without the software, provided it is serial and not usb.
If you get a USB data logger you need to install a driver from what i got told. (the driver is supplied by davis)
I think the USB data loggers have insulation issues, people have been reporting problems anyway.
When you get the data logger you will get the weatherlink software, which you wouldnt use if you were using Brians WD.
Have a look at this thread too, I made it when i got my Davis: http://www.weatherforum.org.nz/phpBB3/v ... f=2&t=3367
NZAPStrike.net - NZ Aus Pacific Strike Network
User avatar
tgsnoopy
Posts: 3653
Joined: Fri 25/03/2005 21:17
Location: Tauranga, NZ (Curse you COVID-19 :-( )
Has thanked: 816 times
Been thanked: 283 times

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by tgsnoopy »

Davis in Tauranga? I know they are in Hamilton but have never heard of them over here.

I just scored a Oregon Scientific WMR928NX on Trade Me for $220.00 so I guess I may bite the bullet and put one up myself, despite my location being far from ideal. I'm pretty pleased as I saw one on sale at present for about 400 pound stirling.

Anyone else considering buying a station, check out this auction, the WM-918 has been a well thought of reliable unit, in fact you may find some existing owners here compete with you after I posted this.
User avatar
Tornado Tim
Moderator
Posts: 4920
Joined: Sun 19/10/2008 17:17
Location: Raglan, Waikato / Hillcrest, Hamilton
Has thanked: 102 times
Been thanked: 202 times
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Yea Davis in the BOP,
Matua
Bay Of Plenty, New Zealand
(07) 576 4830‎
Care of Google :)
I am not sure if i am supposed to leave the number in here or not, mods can fix it if there is a issue.
NZAPStrike.net - NZ Aus Pacific Strike Network
Manukau heads obs
Posts: 12305
Joined: Mon 10/03/2003 16:30
Location: West Coast Road, Manukau Peninsula, North Island
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

the WMR968 station from OS is a good starting out station :)
Image
Brian Hamilton, weather enthusiast. My weather dataEmail: [email protected]
Shepherds Valley WX
Posts: 233
Joined: Wed 22/09/2004 11:05
Location: Carterton RD1, Wairarapa.
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0
Contact:

Re: Weather station recomendations

Unread post by Shepherds Valley WX »

Thanks for the responses so far guys. I have so far gone through 2 x Lacrosse 2310's and now have a full 1-wire WX Station setup. However, I have always wanted a Davis VP as they seem to be the benchmark in consumer WX Stations. I don't need a console, as my home automation server (which runs Brians WD) is on 24/7 and handles the Weather data, so the solutions that support this concept are of the most interest.

I have researched all NZ suppliers, but am interested to hear of any who provide superior pre and after sales service, and will also look into the US based suppliers, as I am happy to install a cabled setup.

Thanks again,
Andrew
Four Oaks Farm - West Taratahi AWS
RD1 Carterton (Wairarapa), Amateur Weather Observation Station
Davis VP2+ with Solar, UV and 24hr FARS and complete 1-Wire WX System
http://www.cartertonweather.org.nz
Locked