Most reasonable hardware w/dual temp abilities.

[PrivatePilot]

Greets everybody;

I'm currently using an AccuRight all-in-one system in conjunction with another Windows-based weather software package.   As a Mac user, It's an uncomfortable (and often unreliable) kludge running Windows inside OSX just to run a weather software that is compatible with the AcuRite hardware.   I did make a request for Accurite support in WeatherCat some time ago and was told its not forthcoming....so new hardware it is. 

I'm specifically looking for hardware that will support multiple temperature sensors, with the second one being used to monitor our pool temperature so I can monitor solar system effectiveness, nightly heat loss, etc ? accordingly the second temp sensor needs to either be a floating type thermometer, or (more simply) a regular transmitter but with a remote probe option.

Can anybody recommend a hardware package that works with WeatherCat, supports dual temperature probes, and isn't going to break the bank?   I know a WMR200 would be the ideal setup along with the purpose-designed floating pool probe for the second reading, but I'm guessing that there may be some less expensive yet still adequate other options I haven't stumbled into yet. 

Thanks!
Mark

[WCDev]

Hi Mark,
Welcome to the forum!

As far as I know you're the only person that has requested Accurite support - it just wouldn't be worth our time without more requests, sorry.

As far as other stations that would do the job, the WMR200 would probably do it but you need to check the sensor reception. In my experience it is sensitive to positioning of the console with regards to picking up all the sensors. Now it may just be the one we have here but the anemometer in particular seems to drop off-line periodically - this may be some interference at our end (having four or five wireless stations all running at the same time might have something to do with it).

The other choice is a Davis Vantage with extra temp sensors - that would easily do the job. Good prices can be had if you look around  - we always use Archer ( http://www.archertradingpost.com ) for our Davis stuff (no affiliation, just happy with their prices and service).

Hope this helps,
Stu.

[PrivatePilot]

Thanks.  I can't believe that there's not more support for the AcuRite hardware, I guess it's not as popular as it seems, and the OSX user base is apparently even smaller.   Regardless, it doesn't support the second temp sensor regardless so if I want to accomplish all my goals (and ditch Windows emulation just for my weather software) I'm moving to new hardware nonetheless.

I have gone back and forth between Davis and Oregon hardware, but settled on Oregon after discovering that a secondary temperature sensor for the Davis hardware is nearly $200 (!!!?!), and isn't even purpose built for pool sensing, but it looks like it would work.   Oregon, on the flipside, has a purpose built floating pool sensor with local readout as well as wireless transmission - for about $50.