Old vs New Leaf Soil station

[dfw_pilot]

I have a Leaf/Soil station. When we lived in Texas, I had 8 probes, four moisture and four temp, that were buried. They were well spread out in the lawn with ~ 100' of 18 gauge wire. When we moved, I cut the cables at the base of the station and took it, as I wasn't going to find and dig up all the sensors.

Now I have a station that needs sensors. If I buy 8 more temp and moisture probes, it's $25 less than getting an entire new station with probes. Am I missing something? Should I just buy a new one that comes with probes and keep the old one as a spare? The probe prices are nuts.

[xairbusdriver]

I suggest you jump-seat back down to Dallas! You already know the address of the house... You might want too rent a metal detector.

[dfw_pilot]

Indeed

[Steve]

I'd opt for the new setup.

I've had mine for several years now, and the solar panel is checked and oxidized. And in Ohio's humid conditions, no matter how well I try to seal around that bundle of wires, I still get mildew and tiny critters inside. That can't be good for the electronics. My transmitter is near the ground, though.

I'd found aftermarket sensors several years ago that we much cheaper than from Davis. I just looked, and I can't find where I got them, though. Sorry...

[dfw_pilot]

That’s a good point, Steve. After four+ years, mine looks like it’s been ridden hard and put up wet. Conditions were dryer in Dallas but I may mount the transmitter higher off the ground next time either way, to help with insect and moisture intake.