Recommend a weather station

Snowbie · 03-01-2008 1:05am

Yes thats true about the datalogger MM,but if you have the weather dispaly or ambient weather and have the console on 24hr,there is no need for a datalogger.BUT i recommend a datalogger in any case,the safer option i suppose in the end in the event of power failure.

Danno · 03-01-2008 1:07am

My understanding with this equipment: http://www.provantage.com/davis-instruments-6152c~7DAVS043.htm is that I run a cable from the site at the end of the garden to my PC over the in-house network

So what is this gear that I am linking to going to do for me then? Sorry if I am coming across as a total flute! - but I am a total beginner here.

Thanks to everyone for their patience so far!

Danno · 03-01-2008 1:12am

Here is my list of what I have so far!

- greenfield site (end of garden - up to 30m from house!)
- in house PC
- in house network cable running to part of house that is closest to the site
- Digiweb homewave plus (1mb down 256kb up internet broadband)

Mothman · 03-01-2008 1:12am

Snowbie wrote: »

Yes thats true about the datalogger MM,but if you have the weather dispaly or ambient weather and have the console on 24hr,there is no need for a datalogger.BUT i recommend a datalogger in any case,the safer option i suppose in the end in the event of power failure.

I wasn't aware, that one could run it without datalogger, but in the event of a power cut, one would be scupperred regarding getting data to computer?

EDIT, I see you answered the last 6 words to answer Q

Danno · 03-01-2008 1:14am

Mothman wrote: »

I wasn't aware, that one could run it without datalogger, but in the event of a power cut, one would be scupperred regarding getting data to computer?

EDIT, I see you answered the last 6 words to answer Q

Is that a serious problem or would I just loose data for as long as the ESB was down?

ESB is fairly reliable here - just one 10sec outage so far in 2008! LOL!

Mothman · 03-01-2008 1:18am

Danno wrote: »

Is that a serious problem or would I just loose data for as long as the ESB was down?

ESB is fairly reliable here - just one 10sec outage so far in 2008! LOL!

Once in a lifetime event, a huge storm, power outage and you've no data for it on your computer....

The console would have basic data though, such as daily max and a very sinple graph function, so not all would be lost

Danno · 03-01-2008 1:24am

Sure I could live with that or I could invest in a small UPS!

Is that product I linked to enough to get me started then?

Mothman · 03-01-2008 1:26am

Danno wrote: »

Is that product I linked to enough to get me started then?

Give me a chance,

I'm doing Moth identifications at the moment as well,

and I'm not even keeping an eye on weather....

Danno · 03-01-2008 1:29am

Fair play Mothman! Just you know yourself - the excitement of getting all this stuff! (A big kid at heart here

LOL!)

Snowbie · 03-01-2008 1:39am

Lol Danno,were just bigger kids as we have it already.
Seriously Danno why dont you do a bit more research and read up on the sites before buying anything for the minute.

We are here to give you advice and all but have a look at what you might need before splashing.
It is all very expensive as you can see.Give it a day or two untill your accustomed and then see where you are.

Mothman · 03-01-2008 1:43am

Danno wrote: »

My understanding with this equipment: http://www.provantage.com/davis-instruments-6152c~7DAVS043.htm is that I run a cable from the site at the end of the garden to my PC over the in-house network

So what is this gear that I am linking to going to do for me then? Sorry if I am coming across as a total flute! - but I am a total beginner here.

This will do wind, rain, temp, humidity. Will not do solar.
Without datalogger, if you want the data on the computer, you'll need to get Weather Display or Ambient Weather and have computer running 24/7. (Software needs a whole new thread!!)

Forget about the in house network, this will not integrate into that AFAIK. You may have to acquire extra cable for the 30m run, but its probably same as telephone cable.

BTW, sound advice from Snowbie just posted. Don't let it be an impulse purchase. Exchange rate not changing in a hurry.

Danno · 03-01-2008 1:47am

Too true Snowbie! Alot of the problem is I don't know what I need and I don't understand alot of the terminology of it!

I guess I just want a simple to use, good branded weather station. that can be added to later on down the road.

I think a nights sleep on it would be a good thing!

Snowbie · 03-01-2008 1:55am

Agreed,again just reply to this thread whenever to get more info.Myself and mothman have and being using this equipment for a long time.MM has the pro set up while i have also the lightning detection equipment (if you go down these routes later)and we be able to lend a hand.

Danno · 12-01-2008 12:58am

Bump! - Just PM you Snowbie!

Trotter · 14-01-2008 10:53pm

I got the Oregon one from Argos. I'm very impressed so far.

Outside temp at the moment here in Waterford city is 9.6c and humidity is 98%.

Its very wet and windy out, does that account for the high humidity rating??

It says the inside temp is 21c and humidity of 48%.

Macha · 31-01-2008 11:11pm

Sorry for dragging this up from the depths of last week but I'm looking for some help buying a weather station.

My dad is big into shipping & really interested in the weather as a consequence. I'm looking for something in the €100-€150 range - or lower if no need to pay so much.

I suppose the main features would have to be:
-easy to read (getting near his 60s)
-indoor temperature
-outdoor temperature
-humidity
-forecast
-time

I can't seem to find any Irish stockists & so much info on the web is geared towards pro stations

Any help would be much appreciated!

Taco

Danno · 01-02-2008 1:00am

Best bet would be to raise this thread after this weekend when the snow threat has gone. Some of the lads here can give really good advice - especially when they are not pre-occupied with the current weather!

Danno · 26-03-2008 2:45pm

Rightio - needing more advice again! Which one to choose!!!

Snowbie · 26-03-2008 3:05pm

Danno wrote: »

Rightio - needing more advice again! Which one to choose!!!

lol, i thought you got one in the end.

Mothman · 26-03-2008 3:51pm

Snowbie wrote: »

lol, i thought you got one in the end.

Me too

Danno · 27-03-2008 9:27pm

Nope, not yet. Still am unsure about what one to get!!!

TskTsk · 06-07-2010 9:31am

I'm looking at buying a Davis Vantage Vue and have a couple of questions that I'd appreciate answers to:

1. Where is the best place to buy one from? The prices from Irish vendors are ridiculous, so it will probably be a UK online store.

2. Can I log the data to a PC in realtime without buying WeatherLinkUSB or WeatherLinkIP?

3. Does the basic unit come with any software suitable for data collection to a PC and upload to a website?

Thanks folks.

Villain · 06-07-2010 11:39am

TskTsk wrote: »

I'm looking at buying a Davis Vantage Vue and have a couple of questions that I'd appreciate answers to:

1. Where is the best place to buy one from? The prices from Irish vendors are ridiculous, so it will probably be a UK online store.

US can be even cheaper again but make sure you allow for Customs. and there is a small issue with Radio frequency. e.g. http://www.weathervue.com/servlet/the-11/6250-Davis-Vantage-Vue/Detail after you enter discount on checkout its about $260 I think

TskTsk wrote: »

2. Can I log the data to a PC in realtime without buying WeatherLinkUSB or WeatherLinkIP?

I don't believe so, the USB option is much cheaper.

TskTsk wrote: »

3. Does the basic unit come with any software suitable for data collection to a PC and upload to a website?

Thanks folks.

You need the Data logger to be able to collect data and you get Davis Weatherlink software with the logger.

TskTsk · 06-07-2010 1:39pm

Villain wrote: »

http://www.weathervue.com/servlet/the-11/6250-Davis-Vantage-Vue/Detail after you enter discount on checkout its about $260 I think

$170 for delivery, the robbers

gbee · 09-07-2010 10:20am

taconnol wrote: »

I can't seem to find any Irish stockists & so much info on the web is geared towards pro stations
Taco

Hurry, right NOW. Maplin have their annual summer stock only of weather stations.

A bit pricey compared Germany, €190 for the WH1081 against Wimo's price of €103 but plus shipping.

They have a few right now, and a good one was €160 but I went for the other one.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223254

this should show the one I bought for €200 in Maplin, Cork plus a bag of ready mix cement and a scaffold pole to mount it on.

OOOOps only realised the date of posting now. MY post accurate only for July 2010 ****

gbee · 09-07-2010 10:23am

TskTsk wrote: »

$170 for delivery, the robbers

The US has gone BANANAS for shipping.

Look up Wimo in Germany. http://www.wimo.de/

10-07-2010 4:27pm

gbee wrote: »

Hurry, right NOW. Maplin have their annual summer stock only of weather stations.

A bit pricey compared Germany, €190 for the WH1081 against Wimo's price of €103 but plus shipping.

They have a few right now, and a good one was €160 but I went for the other one.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223254

this should show the one I bought for €200 in Maplin, Cork plus a bag of ready mix cement and a scaffold pole to mount it on.

OOOOps only realised the date of posting now. MY post accurate only for July 2010 ****

I recently bought the WH1090* (newer version) for €90 in Dublin from this crowd.

*A bit cheap and nasty, but it does the job! Just be sure to fit the temperature sensor into a proper shelter - mine reads high when the sun is out.

nanotriffid · 20-07-2010 9:46am

Deleted User wrote: »

I recently bought the WH1090* (newer version) for €90 in Dublin from this crowd.

*A bit cheap and nasty, but it does the job! Just be sure to fit the temperature sensor into a proper shelter - mine reads high when the sun is out.

Happen to know the guys that run this company (PJ Boner Insturmentation and Calibrations) and they do aim to please. Worthwhile having a chat with them.

eskimocat · 19-09-2010 2:17pm

So excited, my hubby just bought me one of the weather stations from Maplin!! Now I'll have something to keep me occupied for the winter and won't be suffering from station envy...

hurry up postman!!

:D

Lumi · 20-09-2010 8:32am

eskimocat wrote: »

So excited, my hubby just bought me one of the weather stations from Maplin!! Now I'll have something to keep me occupied for the winter and won't be suffering from station envy... hurry up postman!! :D

Congrats!!
It's a decent enough station and reasonably easy to set up. I've been running the same one for a while now so if you have any probs let me know because the manual isn't great.

These might be of some use in positioning the sensors especially page 30-1 of the second attachment.
Good luck & enjoy

eskimocat · 23-09-2010 11:14pm

Fionagus wrote: »

Congrats!!
It's a decent enough station and reasonably easy to set up. I've been running the same one for a while now so if you have any probs let me know because the manual isn't great.

These might be of some use in positioning the sensors especially page 30-1 of the second attachment.
Good luck & enjoy

Thanks a million, thats great. that was my only worry, as not the greatest technical genius!!! So excited, it will
hopefully save on the midnight dashes to the side of the shed to peer at thermometer with a torch!!!!:D

eskimocat · 24-09-2010 12:12am

By the way, still waiting on the postman! will be waiting like ninja at front door tomorrow!:D Thanks again, this thread was great help. I'll let you know how things progress when the most precious of all the boxes arrives!

24-09-2010 2:49am

eskimocat wrote: »

So excited, my hubby just bought me one of the weather stations from Maplin!! Now I'll have something to keep me occupied for the winter and won't be suffering from station envy... hurry up postman!! :D

Best of luck with it and enjoy

eskimocat · 24-09-2010 8:33pm

IT (My weather station

) ARRIVED --- oh the joy of it. Now need to get some batteries, and a compass. Having a conflab with neighbour about the ideal location for the setup. He's concerned about stray footballs from his side of the fence!

Interesting day ahead tomorrow, my hubband helping! lol;)

gbee · 24-09-2010 11:59pm

eskimocat wrote: »

Interesting day ahead tomorrow, my hubband helping! lol;)

Oh! Don't let him help, he'll only take over .... at least that's what my wife says and is the reason she won't ask me to help anymore!

Get him to dig the hole for the pole, mix the ready mix and plant it.

eskimocat · 25-09-2010 5:30pm

Well the new station is up and running!!! all i need now is a good dose of weather, lol Everything very calm here at present.

The station is quite easy to set up and I love the computerised program for recording all the stuff! I really don't live in the ideal location for having a station but one does what one can...

Thanks for all who posted here, it was a real help in choosing my very first weather station!!! and thanks to Fionangus for the links, they were very helpful.

Lumi · 25-09-2010 11:05pm

eskimocat wrote: »

Well the new station is up and running!!!

Excellent news!!
Here's hoping you get some 'fierce weather' to christen it very soon

gbee · 26-09-2010 9:09am

Fionagus wrote: »

Excellent news!!
Here's hoping you get some 'fierce weather' to christen it very soon

Yup, she should wash her hair, at least every-time my wife does it rains ...

Mid week may be interesting.

IMC042 · 26-09-2010 2:44pm

Hello, am just wondering which weather station you guys would recommend for building a weather website around?

I guess it would need to be quite accurate and also update itself frequently. Would also obviously need an interface for the PC and some sort of logger and monitoring software. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Lumi · 27-09-2010 1:08pm

IMC042 wrote: »

Hello, am just wondering which weather station you guys would recommend for building a weather website around?

I guess it would need to be quite accurate and also update itself frequently. Would also obviously need an interface for the PC and some sort of logger and monitoring software. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

I'm using a Fine Offset WH1080 from Maplin and running Cumulus software. It's a relatively cheap and cheerful option with a number of known issues, specifically an inadequate solar shield and a temperamental wind vane. However, with a bit of patience these can be overcome - eventually :rolleyes:.
Some of the others on the forum are running much more salubrious equipment and maybe they can give you some advice on those.

Whether or which, there's lots of really useful information on setting up your own weather website here and the forum is also a mine of information regarding chosing and running a weather station.
Good luck!!

IMC042 · 27-09-2010 10:07pm

Fionagus wrote: »

I'm using a Fine Offset WH1080 from Maplin and running Cumulus software. It's a relatively cheap and cheerful option with a number of known issues, specifically an inadequate solar shield and a temperamental wind vane. However, with a bit of patience these can be overcome - eventually :rolleyes:.
Some of the others on the forum are running much more salubrious equipment and maybe they can give you some advice on those.

Whether or which, there's lots of really useful information on setting up your own weather website here and the forum is also a mine of information regarding chosing and running a weather station.
Good luck!!

Thanks Fionagus, I'm considering buying the Davis Vantage Vue now. Bit pricey though!

NIALL D · 07-09-2011 10:35am

hi.
which of these would be best anyone know ?
jus something basic for starters like ..
i might buy one with rain gauge and wind direction at a later date , but could someone tell me if one of these would be fairly good/accurate for temp and pressure..??

all are cheap enough really but someone might know the best make/model to go for ..

presume the first one the oregon one for 79.99 would be the best ?? if so id go for that !!

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10152&catalogId=13352&langId=111&searchTerms=weather&authToken=

cheers

TskTsk · 07-09-2011 1:21pm

Not sure how convenient it is for you, but Maplin in Blanchardstown had this on special offer at the weekend....

http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-wireless-weather-forecaster-223254

I've been using it for about a year now and it's perfect for beginners.

gbee · 07-09-2011 1:44pm

http://www.wimo.de/framesetp_e.html

Assuming post is equal to importing from the UK ~ apporx €50 cheaper for the same station.

EDIT: one has to find weather station in the products section, it won't link directly

whitesands · 07-09-2011 1:58pm

I got one of them maplin usb wireless ones last year & thought it was good.

I have a question about weather stations in general, can anyone help.

At the moment I'm living in an apt so my weather station is more or less useless, or is it.

Can I take the temp guage off & stick it on my balcony & still get pressure & dewpoint readings from it? I'm assuming it gets these readings from the temp guage? Anyone know?

TskTsk · 07-09-2011 2:16pm

whitesands wrote: »

I have a question about weather stations in general, can anyone help.

At the moment I'm living in an apt so my weather station is more or less useless, or is it.

Can I take the temp guage off & stick it on my balcony & still get pressure & dewpoint readings from it? I'm assuming it gets these readings from the temp guage? Anyone know?

The accuracy of the temperature measurements will be affected by its proximity to the building, but yeah, you'll get a roughly accurate reading all right.

NIALL D · 07-09-2011 2:28pm

TskTsk wrote: »

Not sure how convenient it is for you, but Maplin in Blanchardstown had this on special offer at the weekend....

http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-wireless-weather-forecaster-223254

I've been using it for about a year now and it's perfect for beginners.

gbee wrote: »

http://www.wimo.de/framesetp_e.html

Assuming post is equal to importing from the UK ~ apporx €50 cheaper for the same station.

EDIT: one has to find weather station in the products section, it won't link directly

the 2 above are the exact same model are they ???

NIALL D · 07-09-2011 2:57pm

this looks to be the same one again on ebay..
cheaper than both of the above..

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200649202851&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

if this is a good one ill buy it....

gbee · 07-09-2011 2:59pm

NIALL D wrote: »

the 2 above are the exact same model are they ???

Depends on stock age TBH. This WS is marketed with several different names but the stations are identical.

There have been improvements to newer runs but nothing that a picture would show. Mine was a Maplin sold as a Maplin WS but it is a WH1081 and it's the older model.

If you open the software link in the Maplin it identifies the station as a WH1080 ~ whilst this is NOT a reliable indicator, it refers to an even older model.

There are many comments about this station in this thread, but the newer units are more accurate and have a better screen overlay on the monitor unit.

gbee · 07-09-2011 3:03pm

http://www.foshk.com/ Fine Offset is the manufacture or main distributor of the WS in the above post

Recommend a weather station

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