FSU_Wxgirl Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 Hey guys! So my hubby wants to buy me an at home weather station for our 12 year wedding anniversary (how romantic!!! 🥰). I'm actually out of the loop on the latest brands and technology so looking for thoughts from you guys. I remember Davis Instruments being one of the top companies during my college years. Found this bundle on Amazon that I'm thinking is in our price range. https://www.amazon.com/Davis-Instruments-Vantage-Weather-Station/dp/B07ZJS3PXB/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=davis+bundle&qid=1595695769&sr=8-1 Really just looking for something to fill my meteorology needs since I'm not actively forecasting as a career anymore. Thanks all! Kim 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombo82685 Posted July 25, 2020 Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 18 minutes ago, FSU_Wxgirl said: Hey guys! So my hubby wants to buy me an at home weather station for our 12 year wedding anniversary (how romantic!!! 🥰). I'm actually out of the loop on the latest brands and technology so looking for thoughts from you guys. I remember Davis Instruments being one of the top companies during my college years. Found this bundle on Amazon that I'm thinking is in our price range. https://www.amazon.com/Davis-Instruments-Vantage-Weather-Station/dp/B07ZJS3PXB/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=davis+bundle&qid=1595695769&sr=8-1 Really just looking for something to fill my meteorology needs since I'm not actively forecasting as a career anymore. Thanks all! Kim vue or vantage pro2 by davis are the best in my opinion. You can get the view about 100$ cheaper than the amazon price there 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted July 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2020 Thanks Tom, I really like the Vue. I'm leaning towards the bundle with the station + console (for hubby because he isn't techy like me) + weatherlink. Davis has it listed on their site for $595. A quick Google search popped up Boaters Emporium selling it for about $420. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombo82685 Posted July 26, 2020 Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 4 hours ago, FSU_Wxgirl said: Thanks Tom, I really like the Vue. I'm leaning towards the bundle with the station + console (for hubby because he isn't techy like me) + weatherlink. Davis has it listed on their site for $595. A quick Google search popped up Boaters Emporium selling it for about $420. https://www.scientificsales.com/Bundle-Deal-Model-6250-Vantage-Vue-and-6510USB-p/6250-6510usb.htm you're welcome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted July 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2020 Just sent the link to the hubby!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Hey @tombo82685! My weather station is arriving today! (Super fast as I finally got around to ordering it yesterday!!) Next item that I'd like opinions on. I'm attaching images of my property from Google Earth as well as a few pictures that I took this morning from ground level. I have a lot of tall trees, especially in the back yard. So I'm thinking the back yard is out for installation. I have a few options in the front yard: Option A: There is a strip of grass between my driveway and my neighbors. This is probably the most open part of my property without obstructions. I would need to try and find property markers because I'm not 100% where the dividing line is. I'm also concerned with it being an "eye sore" although I think weather stations are pretty darn cool. I also don't want it to be a pain in the butt for cutting grass. My husband and the neighbor take turns cutting this strip of grass. Option B: My husband suggested installing it on our sand mound on the opposite side of our driveway. This is a little closer to the tree line but probably the second most open space on the property. I like this idea because I feel like it would be less of an "eye sore" from the road and with neighbors. My only concern is it being on a "hill". My thought was we could have the station posted about 4-5 ft as opposed to 6 ft. Does anything else stand out to you from my pictures? Would love to hear any other thoughts as I am probably going to make hubby install it while it's raining outside haha. (Also ignore the branch hanging from the tree. It's residual damage from the derecho!) Thanks all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chescowx Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Winds will likely not be measured accurately with the tree line it appears you have....my property is similar. I tried my best to adjust by mounting the anemometer with a remote transmitter on my roof. While this improved wind speed recording and wind direction it never records accurate wind gusts...the only solution is to get the anemometer over the tree line...which my wife was uh not onboard with! LOL! Good luck with the station!! Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 14 minutes ago, chescopawxman said: Winds will likely not be measured accurately with the tree line it appears you have....my property is similar. I tried my best to adjust by mounting the anemometer with a remote transmitter on my roof. While this improved wind speed recording and wind direction it never records accurate wind gusts...the only solution is to get the anemometer over the tree line...which my wife was uh not onboard with! LOL! Good luck with the station!! Paul Thanks Paul! Yeah I'm really concerned about these trees. They are not making this process easy!!! And they are so tall I don't even think installing on the roof is going to help get us above the tree line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbelke Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 1 hour ago, FSU_Wxgirl said: Thanks Paul! Yeah I'm really concerned about these trees. They are not making this process easy!!! And they are so tall I don't even think installing on the roof is going to help get us above the tree line. I gave up trying to get my anemometer higher than my roof line. I have the same issues, being in a bit of a valley and surrounded by 80 foot tall tree lines. The airport nearby would also frown on my setting up a tower for the anemometer to get above the treeline. So, its on my roof, and trees do affect the directions and gust measurements. Although when you hit 50+ mph in a semi-protected treelined area, its pretty impressive. I would probably tell you that your roof is going to be the best bet for height on your property or get an external mounting pole (like an irrigation pipe or pipes) or tripod mount and you can get additional sections to raise it up higher. Just can't go too high or it becomes unstable. https://www.scientificsales.com/7716A-Mounting-Tripod-and-Mast-p/7716a.htm and https://www.scientificsales.com/7717-Mounting-Pole-Kit-p/7717.htm If you are really serious, an external ham radio antenna tower can run you a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, if you want that eye sore on your property. Not too mention, local ordinances you have to take in to consideration. Did you get a USB or IP Weatherlink to go with it? I went with the VP2 IP weatherlink since I can move it anywhere in the house I have an ethernet port available. The USB has to be connected to your computer and running all the time. The Weatherlink website is pretty easy to setup as well. Happy to help if you have any questions. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 4 minutes ago, cbelke said: I gave up trying to get my anemometer higher than my roof line. I have the same issues, being in a bit of a valley and surrounded by 80 foot tall tree lines. The airport nearby would also frown on my setting up a tower for the anemometer to get above the treeline. So, its on my roof, and trees do affect the directions and gust measurements. Although when you hit 50+ mph in a semi-protected treelined area, its pretty impressive. I would probably tell you that your roof is going to be the best bet for height on your property or get an external mounting pole (like an irrigation pipe or pipes) or tripod mount and you can get additional sections to raise it up higher. Just can't go too high or it becomes unstable. https://www.scientificsales.com/7716A-Mounting-Tripod-and-Mast-p/7716a.htm and https://www.scientificsales.com/7717-Mounting-Pole-Kit-p/7717.htm If you are really serious, an external ham radio antenna tower can run you a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, if you want that eye sore on your property. Not too mention, local ordinances you have to take in to consideration. Did you get a USB or IP Weatherlink to go with it? I went with the VP2 IP weatherlink since I can move it anywhere in the house I have an ethernet port available. The USB has to be connected to your computer and running all the time. The Weatherlink website is pretty easy to setup as well. Happy to help if you have any questions. Chris Thanks Chris, I ordered the bundle that included WeatherLink. https://www.scientificsales.com/Bundle-Deal-Model-6250-Vantage-Vue-and-6510USB-p/6250-6510usb.htm Yeah I don't think the roof is an option at this time. Maybe later on down the road if I get more serious. I'm mostly trying to satisfy my meteorology geekiness as I'm no longer actively forcasting for the company I work for and have moved into more of an analytical type role. Thankfully I have a super supportive husband that allows me to find other ways of getting my weather fix! The guys at Mount Holly tweeted me today and recommended Option A for placement. I'm leaning towards that for now. Just waiting on the UPS truck to get here at this point! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 It's here!!!! 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombo82685 Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 22 hours ago, FSU_Wxgirl said: Hey @tombo82685! My weather station is arriving today! (Super fast as I finally got around to ordering it yesterday!!) Next item that I'd like opinions on. I'm attaching images of my property from Google Earth as well as a few pictures that I took this morning from ground level. I have a lot of tall trees, especially in the back yard. So I'm thinking the back yard is out for installation. I have a few options in the front yard: Option A: There is a strip of grass between my driveway and my neighbors. This is probably the most open part of my property without obstructions. I would need to try and find property markers because I'm not 100% where the dividing line is. I'm also concerned with it being an "eye sore" although I think weather stations are pretty darn cool. I also don't want it to be a pain in the butt for cutting grass. My husband and the neighbor take turns cutting this strip of grass. Option B: My husband suggested installing it on our sand mound on the opposite side of our driveway. This is a little closer to the tree line but probably the second most open space on the property. I like this idea because I feel like it would be less of an "eye sore" from the road and with neighbors. My only concern is it being on a "hill". My thought was we could have the station posted about 4-5 ft as opposed to 6 ft. Does anything else stand out to you from my pictures? Would love to hear any other thoughts as I am probably going to make hubby install it while it's raining outside haha. (Also ignore the branch hanging from the tree. It's residual damage from the derecho!) Thanks all! Kim, why not just mount the system right where you septic tank area is. I see you have four poles marking the dimensions of it. So why not put it on one of those corners. Ypou already have to weed wack around those poles as is. Also looks like a good enough clearing to not effect rainfall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Just now, tombo82685 said: Kim, why not just mount the system right where you septic tank area is. I see you have four poles marking the dimensions of it. So why not put it on one of those corners. Ypou already have to weed wack around those poles as is. Also looks like a good enough clearing to not effect rainfall Awesome! I think that would make my husband happy. I'm not super concerned with wind measurements but more so interested in temp and rainfall. Wind will be cool to capture but not my top priority. Hoping to get out today to start digging!! I downloaded weatherlink to my desktop yesterday so just have to finish getting everything set up! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 So we ended up compromising between all of the recommendation and went in between the spots outlined! We decided not to go on the hill but didn't want it on the opposite side of the driveway. It was a family affair of installing the pole today! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Wxgirl Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 I am all set up and online!!! Thansk for all the help in getting this together. Best anniversary ever!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SalemCountyNJ Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 So, my Davis Vantage Pro weather station is finally starting to fail. Does anyone know of any place that still sells parts for the 1st model ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombo82685 Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 1 hour ago, SalemCountyNJ said: So, my Davis Vantage Pro weather station is finally starting to fail. Does anyone know of any place that still sells parts for the 1st model ? Try going right to davis the company that makes them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbelke Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 5 hours ago, SalemCountyNJ said: So, my Davis Vantage Pro weather station is finally starting to fail. Does anyone know of any place that still sells parts for the 1st model ? What's failing? Tom gave me this company to go to and I bought mine from there. They do have replacement parts for some things, but if you need a circuit board or something like that, then Davis Instruments may be the only place to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SalemCountyNJ Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 1 hour ago, cbelke said: What's failing? Tom gave me this company to go to and I bought mine from there. They do have replacement parts for some things, but if you need a circuit board or something like that, then Davis Instruments may be the only place to go. The rain display is constantly reading zero. So I'm assuming this is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SalemCountyNJ Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 5 hours ago, tombo82685 said: Try going right to davis the company that makes them I looked on the website, nothing really for 1st generation only for the 2nd. Maybe I'll have better luck actually talking to someone. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbelke Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 8 minutes ago, SalemCountyNJ said: The rain display is constantly reading zero. So I'm assuming this is bad. When is the last time you changed the battery in the weather station? Also, I think there is a reed switch under the tilt bucket, you should be able to hear it click when you move the bucket back and forth, or if you have an ohm meter you can check continuity of the switch to make sure it is working. The reed switch is one of the more common failures since it is a mechanical switch and the contacts can have some issues over time. If your not an experienced troubleshooter on electronic circuits, you may need to get a new station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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