Davis, Ambient, Tempest, etc.

[gilbertdh]

With new weather stations coming out, my Davis is looking kind of 20th century. I know that Tempest has it's own software, and I assume Weathercat isn't even needed, but does anyone have anything to say about it, or the new Ambient Weather Ultrasonic? I'd really like to have a lightening detector. Is there another forum somewhere I could read about these stations?

Thanks,
David

[elagache]

Dear David and WeatherCat early adopters,

With new weather stations coming out, my Davis is looking kind of 20th century.

I certainly agree with your observation.  I'm not sure why but Davis definitely was resting on its laurels for a good long time.  I am sorry about it.

I know that Tempest has it's own software, and I assume Weathercat isn't even needed, but does anyone have anything to say about it

Okay for the rest of us that aren't weather station shopping here is a click to the manufacturer description:

https://weatherflow.com/tempest-weather-system/

It definitely looks nice and takes advantage of the newer sensor technology.  However, it doesn't seem to have software for the Mac.  They only support iOS and Android.  If you are a WeatherCat fan, this might be too limiting.

or the new Ambient Weather Ultrasonic?

Okay, here is the link to the Ambient Weather station:

https://ambientweather.com/amws5000.html

They have been an active player in the weather station business for a long time and this station is definitely giving Davis a run for its money.  However, Ambient Weather has made the same move as Davis in creating a cloud-based data archive.  It is definitely an option, but some of us prefer to keep our data on our own computers.

I'd really like to have a lightening detector.

This is a desirable feature especially where extreme weather is common.  You can get independent lightning detectors, but Davis doesn't support it nor does WeatherCat.  I don't know how many WeatherCat users would be anxious for this sort of support especially since stations that have lightning detection are still somewhat rare.

Another option is to replace your Davis sensors with more modern ones.  Davis has now introduced an ultrasonic wind sensor:

https://www.davisinstruments.com/products/sonic-anemometer

I believe there are other 3rd party sensors either available or in the pipeline.  That's a compromise that allows you to keep your basic setup while modernizing some components.

Is there another forum somewhere I could read about these stations?

Some WeatherCatters swear by this forum:

http://www.wxforum.net/

It is the largest independent Weather related forum.  That's good and bad.  It has a very large following and therefore a lot of posts.  If you have the time though, there is a lot of useful information to be gleaned from there.

I hope that's some help.  I don't want to sound too discouraging, but unfortunately our fearless leader Stu (Stuart Ball, WeatherCat developer) appears to still be overwhelmed by his day job.  So to keep using WeatherCat, we need to stick to the stations that WeatherCat already supports.

Do share with us any interesting discoveries you might make while weather station "window shopping."

Cheers, Edouard 

[xairbusdriver]

Your need for a lightening detector might be supplied with the instructions found in the Forums at blitzortung.org live lightening map. Here is a direct link to their forum.

[Weatheraardvark]

I think a person needs to find out what others hate about their weather station,   That should help decide on part of why go with what brand they do.

Ihave Davis, I hate it that their console is the same vintage since 1993.  No color, no led, nada,  yes, they have quality sensors that are easy to fix (VP2).   If I had my druthers, I would go with something I could see across the room in the dark.  But that is fixed using my iphone app for weatherlink and paying them a bundle every year to be able to use that app.  I have toyed with the idea of a second station ,,but the wife would not be a happy camper.

I guess the next thing you need to ask yourself, do your really need it, and to what purpose.  Davis VP2 allows for other sensors . Is that something you want.

Good hunting. 

[McQ]

I received a shiny new Tempest wx station for Christmas and it does have its own software for mobile devices and is accessible on any browser. 
However. . .  I have used WxCat for about 10 years with my previous Davis Vantage Vue and prefer that display.  I would really like to be able to pipe my data to WxCat rather than using a browser tab on my Mac.  As far as I can tell so far, that isn't an option. 

[xairbusdriver]

WC is intended to collect raw data directly from several different hardware brands. It seems most "modern" brands are more interested in the business of providing a generic web site for their "own" data. Those of us who want our own sites and to share our data with other organizations that collect wx info are a niche "market" and probably never even thought of by these new brands. I'm not even sure how long Davis will continue to make it's raw data easily accessed.

WC is one of the most amazing software I've ever used. FileMaker is the only one I would rank above it. But, no matter how much the developer improves it, if/when the hardware makers increase the the locking of the data, the day of CWOP, PWS, WU, etc. will become but a memory.

[JosBaz]

The Weatherflow Tempest certainly looks nice and accuracy https://help.weatherflow.com/hc/en-us/articles/210646428-WEATHERmeter-Reading-Accuracy seems good too, but the lacking possibilities for capturing and processing my own data puts me off.
Hopefully the trend to put all data in the Cloud (as the only option) will come to an end at some point.

I started using Davis in 2001 and a few days ago, I purchased my 3rd system (again a Vantage Pro2) which will hopefully serve me until the early 2030's if needed. While I briefly considered the Tempest, I decided that Davis PWS' proven technology, being easy to service, and 'works with ' were important attributes for me. 

Jos

[xairbusdriver]

A Davis Vantage Pro 2 hardware spotted at the SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica, TX. (~8:30)
Unfortunately, it is on a GSE tank that is being scrapped. Perhaps SpaceX will move the ISS to another location. Otherwise, check eBay for slightly used hardware. If you happen to have a landing pad, they might be able to include free delivery!

[Steve]

Send it up on the next delivery to the International Space Station. Then there will be an ISS on the ISS.

 

[xairbusdriver]

Steve, please do NOT quit your day job!

[Steve]

 

Too late...