cedwards
EF5
One item that I find comes in handy is shower caps. The are nice ways to protect the camera when out filming in light rain.
Hello, this is what I'm bringing to the table...
- Thread starter Brian Davidson
- Start date
If you're going to put the money into getting weather instruments put on your car, don't buy those cheap crappy ass LaCrosse instruments. Those weren't designed for scientific measurement. If you're not using it for accurate, scientific measurement to analyze after the fact, then I question why you're bothering to even put such things on your vehicle.
Wes Carter
EF5
Tyler Allison
EF5
no lightbar? that's what hooks the ladies
Bart_Comstock
EF5
Josh VandenTop
EF2
Brian Davidson
EF2
Lightbars?! I thought lights where a major taboo.
Also, what other weather equipment should I get if the ones I have are not for "scientific measurements" ?
I already had these so it was just easy to use them.
I'm also sorta broke and don't want to spend $1,000 on something.
Thanks for the help guys...
Also, what other weather equipment should I get if the ones I have are not for "scientific measurements" ?
I already had these so it was just easy to use them.
I'm also sorta broke and don't want to spend $1,000 on something.
Thanks for the help guys...
David Goines
*Sigh*...
The situation at hand isn't if the instruments cost thousands of dollars or if they were a few hundred. The question is, "why are they there?"
If they're there just just "look cool" (I'm still wondering if your earlier statement was serious or not) then they're a waste of time and money and also will end up bringing you unwanted attention (Billy Bob at the local gas station with less than enough teeth that has seen 25 tornadoes in his life and wants to tell you the stories of every one of them).
There's nothing wrong with an anemometer to measure wind speeds to report to the NWS if that's what your intention is but other than that or some sort of scientific research, it's rather dumb that anyone would have them. (not to be mean or anything.)
As Jeff Duda said on page two, if you're wanting to do any type of scientific research, anything other than a Young anemometer or something along those lines is a waste of time because of the accuracy.
But I also think that if someone is just wanting to read wind speeds without exiting their vehicle for the purpose of reporting it to the NWS, then a lower end anemometer would work. (eg. Inspeed)
Just my two cents...
The situation at hand isn't if the instruments cost thousands of dollars or if they were a few hundred. The question is, "why are they there?"
If they're there just just "look cool" (I'm still wondering if your earlier statement was serious or not) then they're a waste of time and money and also will end up bringing you unwanted attention (Billy Bob at the local gas station with less than enough teeth that has seen 25 tornadoes in his life and wants to tell you the stories of every one of them).
There's nothing wrong with an anemometer to measure wind speeds to report to the NWS if that's what your intention is but other than that or some sort of scientific research, it's rather dumb that anyone would have them. (not to be mean or anything.)
As Jeff Duda said on page two, if you're wanting to do any type of scientific research, anything other than a Young anemometer or something along those lines is a waste of time because of the accuracy.
But I also think that if someone is just wanting to read wind speeds without exiting their vehicle for the purpose of reporting it to the NWS, then a lower end anemometer would work. (eg. Inspeed)
Just my two cents...
Brian Davidson
EF2
Yea, I mainly want to use it to report to the local NWS office without getting out and using a hand-held. The mast is 2feet which gives me good clearance for nearby cars/trucks.
I hope next year I will have more accurate instruments.
John Erwin
EF5
Take a look at the Vortex 2 vehicles to see what is required for accuracy. I think eventually you'll come to the realization that having all that stuff "up there" is of limited value for the average chaser.
Best to save your cash for things like vehicle maintenance/upgrades, savings for chasing related costs and other equipment such as laptop, data, camera/video etc.
Paul Knightley
EF5
Just adding my 2 cents worth! I don't know what you're met. knowledge, etc is like, so this may not be of use! However, personally I think putting at least some money into getting meteorological books, chase DVDs, etc, can help one get a better understanding of storm structure, etc etc.
I don't know why people like having their cars festooned with weather gizmos...I can understand it if you're taking scientific measurements, and I get the fact that people like to report actual wind speeds rather than giving estimations. However, I'm not sure everyone fits into this, and think that at least a few people just do it because they perceive it as looking 'cool'! As I say, just my take on it.
I don't know why people like having their cars festooned with weather gizmos...I can understand it if you're taking scientific measurements, and I get the fact that people like to report actual wind speeds rather than giving estimations. However, I'm not sure everyone fits into this, and think that at least a few people just do it because they perceive it as looking 'cool'! As I say, just my take on it.
Brian Davidson
EF2
Its mostly so I can give somewhat accurate weather to NWS. I would be reporting wind speed. The other 10% is because I do think it looks cool. But the other 90% is so I can just stay dry and record the wind. I already had the weather station because I use it a scout camp and the bracket i made.
Graham Butler
EF3
A. find someone to chase with who has before. Jumping out cold turkey, even though you may appear to have a clue, may just get you in trouble. Not to mention if you jump out there and have zero or limited success you will likely burn out.
B. Never outfit a vehicle with the intention of attracting the ladies. The ladies leaping at you will be few and far between. Besides the fact that the storm chasing community is not exactly known for its sane female chasers......actually not many in the community are sane at all. Now before I insult anyone I am not saying ALL female chasers are nuts. Just the ones that make the most noise.
C. If you are saying you are broke maybe you need to reconsider things. Your vehicle will need fuel and lots of it. And the way crude prices are heading the only direction prices are going is up.
D. Before anyone decides to call me out. Yes, I know I have a gas guzzling chase vehicle which sticks out like a great danes gonads, but I worked up to it and know the consequences. And no, it has never gotten me any ladies.
Good luck and I highly encourage you to get with some local chasers who are willing to car pool.
Graham
Kyle Gerstner
Enthusiast
I would go with a more powerful DC to AC converter for your laptop. If you have your vehicle turned off with the laptop still on much I have had the breaker trip a lot once the computer battery charger kicks along with trying to run the laptop also. Of course it depends on how much juice your laptop needs. When I upgraded my laptop it was too much for the old converter I had been using which of course I found out about in the middle of a long chase day.
Good luck.
Good luck.
fplowman
lol,
I had some girls stop to talk to me once. I was too busy videotaping the storm. They were kind of hotties too as I remember back. After they got bored with my in-attention to them they left. It was about an hour later I thought hey I think those gals were interested in me, I should of grabbed a phone #.
hehehehe
I think you are getting alot of good advice in here. If you are new to chasing try to find someone to show you the ropes. Be willing to learn and not be a know it all.
Its more impressive to established chasers to see people chase with less gear successfully than to chase with more gear un-successfully if that makes sense.
Good luck. Maybe you will get a couple of good chases in here before the season is over.
Oh and upgrade that inverter.
I had some girls stop to talk to me once. I was too busy videotaping the storm. They were kind of hotties too as I remember back. After they got bored with my in-attention to them they left. It was about an hour later I thought hey I think those gals were interested in me, I should of grabbed a phone #.
heheheheI think you are getting alot of good advice in here. If you are new to chasing try to find someone to show you the ropes. Be willing to learn and not be a know it all.
Its more impressive to established chasers to see people chase with less gear successfully than to chase with more gear un-successfully if that makes sense.
Good luck. Maybe you will get a couple of good chases in here before the season is over.
Oh and upgrade that inverter.
