Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 with 24-Hr Fan Radiation Shield with WeatherLink Console - Recommend?

highdef

As per the title, does anyone here have one of these and if so, would you recommend? This is the model with the new WeatherLink console. I'm reading generally good things about the WeatherLink console but was told that there are also reports of reliability issues with it (cheers for the heads up @pad199207 ) - it does look very good though, and useful too.

https://www.meteo-shopping.com/en/wireless-weather-station/642-wireless-vantage-pro2-plus-with-24-hr-fan-aspirated-radiation-shield.html

Probably no need for me to ask about the rest of the Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 kit as it's proven to be great/the best to have for hobbyists.

I intend to sign up to the WOW network and if deemed suitable, possibly become a climatological station but unsure if the Vantage Pro2 meets Met Eireann's criteria for such use however the red X on the map below is approximately where it would be located and it's clear to see that it's quite a bit away from the next nearest climatological station.

joujoujou

Looks like Weatherlink console users are in fact betatesters. And Davis themselves are really slow in their reactions to variety of problems reported. Even though in vast majority those problems do not render entire thing inoperable, it still can be a PITA. It looks like they designed it and released in a hurry, as they're struggling to have a supply of oldschool custom made LCD screens for VUE and VP2 at reasonable prices.

Personally, I like its look and that's it. There's one thing that made me to permanently take it off my wishlist - it's impossible (at least not without some advanced hacking perhaps) to locally collect data from it - it all goes online and you eventually can download it somehow. But it's me. Sorry that's not exactly the answer you expected, as I mentioned, I don't have the set you're interested in and more than likely never will.

highdef

Thanks for that, very helpful and useful information. So if it's off your wishlist, what's on it?

Supercell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122734014#Comment_122734014

Is there no data logger/usb interface on the new console?, seems a bit mad.

joujoujou

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122735888#Comment_122735888

Currently trying to keep my 11 years old VUE console alive (atmospheric pressure sensor died just last week, trying to source replacement PCB). On my wishlist is VP2 console and a few more sensors to extend abilities of VP2 bog standard ISS I am using now. Personally I prefer out-of-the-box solutions with standalone weather display, and that rules out third party alternatives like Meteobridge/Meteostick, unfortunately (for me).

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122736007#Comment_122736007

It indeed is not, regrettably. In fact, Weatherlink console is just poorly made Android tablet with some hardware mods to wirelessly fetch data from ISS.

Supercell

Just reading up about this on wxforum.net, seems that the new console is basically an android tablet with no external connectivity other than wifi.

For use with Weewx you can use rtldavis and a wifi dongle to directly receive the data though. Looks like a bit of a faff, but not impossibly difficult. When my current station dies, which it likely will soon as its over 12 years old, i'll probably have to go down this route.

https://www.instructables.com/Davis-Van-ISS-Weather-Station-With-Raspbe/