Trade-off for Davis USB versus IP data loggers?

[Bull Winkus]

Congratulations JT! May all of your decisions lead to happiness and prosperity!

[JT]

Cheers gentlemen!

Catch up on my return! I am sure my wife will be very understanding.......?? Paris tomorrow - happy days!

Best regards,

JT

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat Davis equipment experts,

Okay, I did what I promised and put up the Wiki page comparing the USB and IP data loggers and also comparing the USB+Envoy setup to the IP data logger.  The page is here:

http://wiki.trixology.com/index.php/A_comparison_of_the_Davis_USB_and_IP_data_loggers_for_the_Vantage-2/Vue_line_of_weather_stations

and it is linked to the Davis hardware page:

http://wiki.trixology.com/index.php/Davis

Any comments, corrections, questions would be most welcome!

Also, if you spot any typos, feel free to get yourself on the Wiki and correct it yourself.  Instructions on how to use the wiki are here:

http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=1283.0

Cheers, Edouard 

[Blicj11]

Edouard:

Thanks for posting the wiki article comparing the USB and IP data loggers.  The only thing that I think is missing from your post is the option to use an Apple Express to provide a flexible wireless access point for your Davis console.

[WCDev]

Nice work Edouard 

[Edit: I run both here - one advantage of the IP based logger is it is not susceptible to electrical noise]

[elagache]

Dear Blick, Stu, and WeatherCat hardware tinkerers,

The only thing that I think is missing from your post is the option to use an Apple Express to provide a flexible wireless access point for your Davis console.

I had mentioned Ethernet to Wi-Fi adapters in the generic because there are multiple manufacturers out there and I assume Apple isn't the least expensive.  However, I went ahead and added an explicit mention of the Apple Express.

[Edit: I run both here - one advantage of the IP based logger is it is not susceptible to electrical noise]

Yes, I remembered that as well yesterday but didn't include it.  Oh well, it is a relevant point even if ferrite clamps usually solve the problem so I also added that as well.

Hopefully, we are now in business! 

Cheers, Edouard 

[Blicj11]

Thanks for adding those tweaks. I think the article is a great addition to the Wiki. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

I had mentioned Ethernet to Wi-Fi adapters in the generic because there are multiple manufacturers out there and I assume Apple isn't the least expensive.  However, I went ahead and added an explicit mention of the Apple Express.

I agree with you on the adapters, but an Apple Express is less expensive than purchasing a Davis Envoy.

[elagache]

Hi Blick and WeatherCat hardware tinkers,

I agree with you on the adapters, but an Apple Express is less expensive than purchasing a Davis Envoy.

Yes that's true, but the USB datalogger is much less expensive than the IP logger.  At Scaled Instruments the USB data logger and Weather Envoy are about $150 each, so total cost is $300.

Again at Scaled Instruments the IP data logger is $265.  I couldn't find a new Airport Express for less than $100.  Even if you get a used one at around $40, you are still looking at a $300 investment.  There are other Ethernet to Wi-Fi adapters out there.  If you do some savvy shopping, you might save yourself $20 over the USB logger and Weather Envoy combo, but that's a fair amount of effort for less than you can fill up your car with.

It seems to me that you simply want to separate your console from your computer, you'd better make up your mind based on something other than cost.

Cheers, Edouard 

[Blicj11]

It seems to me that you simply want to separate your console from your computer, you'd better make up your mind based on something other than cost.

You hit the nail on the head mate. It is not a cost driven decision; it is based on the need to have the console somewhere other than next to the computer.

[JT]

Hi Guys,

Back from a great honeymoon in Paris, France. Weather was really great, 26c on average with a couple of heavy thunder storms mainly late evening. Now back in 'blighty' (UK) and Scotland staying in the the UK I can now focus on purchasing of my VP2/ logger!!

Catch up soon!

Cheers!

JT

[elagache]

Dear JT and WeatherCatters, . . . . . 

  . . . . Hmm, I wonder how hard it would be to have that word added the Oxford dictionary!! . . . 

Back from a great honeymoon in Paris, France.

Glad you had a great time!

Now back in 'blighty' (UK) and Scotland staying in the the UK I can now focus on purchasing of my VP2/ logger!!

Should you have any new questions don't hesitate to ask!

Cheers, Edouard 

[JosBaz]

Hi all,

I'm still using the old datalogger with the RS-232 serial port, but would like to have my VP2 Console connected to the AP Express in the living room.

As a new IP data logger is 260 EUROS (? US$330), I was wondering if I could use a RS232-to-Ethernet converter for about a fifth of the price (we Dutch always try to save money..  ) . Anyone tried this? Should this work and would WC consider this an IP connection?
Here's an example of such a device: http://www.hexin-technology.com/RS-232_To_Ethernet_TCP_IP_Serial_Device_Server-Product-252.html

Thanks,

Jos

[elagache]

Dear Jos and WeatherCat hardware tinkerers,

As a new IP data logger is 260 EUROS (? US$330), I was wondering if I could use a RS232-to-Ethernet converter for about a fifth of the price (we Dutch always try to save money..  ) . Anyone tried this?

I have no idea if this could be made to work.  I can tell you I had a horrible experience with USB over Ethernet adapters, but I don't know if that experience is at all related.

Should this work and would WC consider this an IP connection?
Here's an example of such a device: http://www.hexin-technology.com/RS-232_To_Ethernet_TCP_IP_Serial_Device_Server-Product-252.html

There is no way WeatherCat could recognize the RS232-to-Ethernet converter.  The WeatherLink IP data logger is a tiny web server device, and that's how WeatherCat communicates with it.  If you want to go with the RS232-to-Ethernet converter, I think you would need two of them so that your computer is hooked back up to a serial converter that WeatherCat can recognize.

If you try this, definitely buy your components from someplace where you can return the items if this doesn't work out.  It looks a like a long shot to me.

Good luck with it though.

Cheers, Edouard 

P.S. Have you looked into getting a Weather Envoy instead?  That would allow you to move your existing data logger next to your computer and free your console to be located elsewhere.  It might be a bit more expensive, but should be much more straightforward and dependable.

[JosBaz]

Hi Edouard,

Many thanks for your response. "The WeatherLink IP data logger is a tiny web server device" probably means this is some kind of proprietary solution so the converter is indeed very unlikely to work.
I have looked at the Envoy, but read somewhere that my current datalogger needs to be the right version/firmware for this to work - marked by a green dot on the packaging (which I threw away 13 years(!) ago).   

Regards,

Jos

[LesCimes]

It is a bit after the fact but the following is relevant to this discussion thread. I just helped a fellow Vantage Pro 2 user set up his connection from the Vantage Pro 2 to the Internet using the Ambient Weather "AirBridge." The device receives from the Vantage Pro sensor suite directly and then transmits the data via the homeowners wifi directly to whatever weather reporting site one uses, including WeatherUnderground. The website details some of the features and lack of features pretty well. He got tired of having to keep his computer running all the time and its tendency to lock up, especially when he was out of town. With this setup the console becomes extraneous (as does his home computer) and can be placed anywhere that one desires to view the data from the sensor suite. This setup could be an alternative to having a dedicated computer to operate as a weather server and a less expensive.

http://www.ambientweather.com/airbridge.html