wireless weather stations

[Gillie]

Been looking at these for some time. I had a La Crosse rain guage but it is too unreliable though interesting to see how much rain we have had from the comfort of in doors.

The choice would be a Davis weather station but they are a bit pricey. The next would be a la crosse weather station something like a WS-2308

Anyone got one? Had one? I would be interested in anyones experience with them.
Cheers
Gillie

[Jamo]

We have a La Cosse.

The temp gauge is accurate until the temp goes over 40deg then it can't send until it drops below again.

The rain gauge varies, If the rains too heavy it won't record.

The wind thing is good!

Mind you, we have it all on battery power with wireless comms. Maybe it would work better if I hardwired it all.

[Tote]

We have an Oregon Scientific DECT phone with a wireless weather gadget built in. It has been running for about 5 years with no problem except that I can't put a backup battery in it as it kills the reception from the remote sensors. It is also preventing me buying anything better until it dies:mad:

Regards,
Tote

[Tombie]

Weather Stations, Weather Station Sales, Davis, LaCrosse Buy online & save (http://weatherstations.net.au) and start reading :cool:

[Landy Smurf]

i have been looking at getting one for a while but just dont have the money maybe in about 5 or 6 years i will get one

[George130]

We have an oregon. Software is not compatible with my computer security so I have to shut down security to download the data. Otherwise it's good. Will have to get the rain and wind guage next.

[slug_burner]

I have an oregon scientific, wireless range on the rain guage has been sensitive to placement, need a pretty good unobscured path. Software to run on the pc is average, amateurish and under developed.

[CowsGoMoo]

I bought some cheapie thing on special at Jaycar. The software was useless so I started looking into getting something more reliable. From my reading the Davis jobbies although expensive seem to be the go. There is better 3rd software support too.

Wireless stations mean batteries. Look for good battery life. They can also mean slower data updates to the base station/computer. On the plus side they are electrically isolated and you don't have your gear (or yourself) zapped by lightning.

[Gillie]

I bought some cheapie thing on special at Jaycar. The software was useless so I started looking into getting something more reliable. From my reading the Davis jobbies although expensive seem to be the go. There is better 3rd software support too.


Besides the software issues how was the Jaycar cheapie. They have two models.

[CowsGoMoo]

Besides the software issues how was the Jaycar cheapie. They have two models.

They don't appear to sell the unit I've got. Must be why it was on special. Mine is BIOS Weather Station.

The batteries don't last all that long and it can be a real pain to sync up with the base unit. The update rate is pretty slow too.

The software was very limited in logging and I was not compatible with some of the better 3rd party software which I found later. Some of this software has much better filters and all for wind direction and speed.

Not related to this unit in particular, but the wind vane thing must be made out of nice plastic as the cockatoos started to eat it..... :mad:

It also has made a great perch for a tawny frogmouth. He doesn't seem to eat it though.

Related to this, I got my dad a digital temperature display with indoor/outdoor temperature, pressure, sun & moon rise/set etc. Turns out you have to set your location in the world (makes sense for sunrise/set etc) but the unit didn't have any Australian locations in the software. I've now become a bit carefull of some of these cheap devices from places like Jaycar. Guess it depends on what you want to do with it.

Other problems I've read include spiders making homes in the sensors which require cleaning out and of course water ingress.

Have a look thorugh some of the weather forums. Good info there on what's reliable and works well.