Weather Station Purchase

irishmotorist

I've always had a bit of a keen interest in geography (without knowing too much) and the weather and when things like the recent snow kick up, my interest grows a bit more. With this in mind and lucky coincidence, I saw this in the Maplin catalog the other day:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=228825

Christmas is coming so I'm thinking of suggesting it for a pressie for me. I just wanted to see if anybody had any opinions on this. I saw some previous posts about a similar one and I gather that the opinion was that it's not the best ever, but good enough to get started out. If any alternatives could be suggested, I'd prefer for a purchase in Ireland - now that the country is in the shits etc.

I live in a semi-d house in Lucan so was thinking of positioning it on a pole beside the back garden shed, giving it access to wind (albeit probably a bit sheltered by other houses in the estate) and making it accessible to me.

Any thoughts/feedback appreciated.

Villain

There are quite a few versions of this station available but that's probably the best value around.

I had one of them as my first station and I found quite good, the only two problems are the temp sensor shield isn't great so in the Sun it heats up quite a bit and over states the heat. The second is the wind sensor mounted at low heights won't be that accurate unless it's an open site.

I would highly recommend it though and if you want to get it more accurate you can make a better temp sensor. You get great stats on the computer showing the changes overnight.

ednwireland

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056104351

irishmotorist

ednwireland wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056104351

Looks similar to the fella I'm looking at. I've put in the request, so I'm hoping to find a big surprise box under the tree on Christmas morning

ednwireland

irishmotorist wrote: »

Looks similar to the fella I'm looking at. I've put in the request, so I'm hoping to find a big surprise box under the tree on Christmas morning

+1 me too !

irishmotorist

I understand that Santa may have difficulty getting the Maplin weather station due to stock (or elves being on strike or something). I've been doing a little bit of browsing and have seen this one. It obviously costs more, but would anybody have an opinion on it as a comparison?

http://www.oregonscientific.co.uk/cat-Weather-sub-Professional-prod-Full-Weather-Station-with-USB.html#

From what I can see, it has the same outdoor bits (wind, temperature, pressure, rainfall) and will let me connect it to a PC and do fun stuff with it then.

MadDogGreener

Maplin went of the stock of that model very quickly. So ended up ordering on ebay from this seller. Shipping was quick enough considering the weather - took just over week. Works out at €95 inc delivery.

101sean

I splashed out on an Irox Pro X2 about 4 years ago from http://www.weathershop.co.uk/shop/electronic.html?cat=44&gclid=CJ-ckI2r6qUCFQJO4Qodvz-sow&manufacturer=18

Was passing there and went in not meaning to spend much but being a sucker for gadgets spent more than intended, I suspect there are a lot cheaper options! (that Oregon unit loks like it does all the same stuff) :rolleyes:

Been reliable and is often a talking point especially after a wet or cold few days and you go over the history. I think the wind speed sensor always under-reads as I can't get it higher than about 20' and there's loads of trees in the garden.

mac80

I am currently looking to buy an Oregon Scientific 1090 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290425029223&category=48624&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

irishmotorist

The ebay ones in particular look pretty good - similar price range to the Maplin jobbie. I might have a look at these.

mac80

Just bought a Oregan WMR88 from Pixmania via Ebay
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=wmr88&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Should be here for Xmas !