Radar Software Options

[Dave Marshall]

I'm sure this topic has been discussed at length on this forum in the past, but there are some new software options out there, and I'd like to hear from folks who've tried more than one of them.

With Weather Defender having arrived with a resounding splat last week, I'm weighing my options. In the past I've primarily relied on Weather Underground's website based information, but it has a lot of disadvantages. I have SwiftWX, and really like its street level mapping capability and GPS integration (which I don't think GRLevelX has?) but its a bit demanding on my netbook. It's tolerable though, and if thats the best option I'll hang with it until they stop supporting it.

My Dad uses RadarLab HD from Weathertap. It looks like decent software, but is Level II only and seems to be lacking alot of the nice extras like easy access to velocity mode and mapping.

I'm not dead set on a stand alone application. Websites with good interfaces are also an option, but I keep coming back to street level mapping, even if it doesn't support a GPS.

I know there are other options out there. What are your recommendations, and the features that draw you to your favorite?

 

[Jeff Snyder]

Some previous threads on this subject:
GRLevel3 vs. Weathertap
Roads in GRL3
GRLEVEL3 and GPS: how to
Weathertap Radarlab HD

In the past I've primarily relied on Weather Underground's website based information, but it has a lot of disadvantages. I have SwiftWX, and really like its street level mapping capability and GPS integration (which I don't think GRLevelX has?) but its a bit demanding on my netbook.

GR3 has GPS support and street-level mapping.

I'm not dead set on a stand alone application. Websites with good interfaces are also an option, but I keep coming back to street level mapping, even if it doesn't support a GPS.

I know there are other options out there. What are your recommendations, and the features that draw you to your favorite?

I strongly prefer using a dedicated radar viewing application vs. "web" images. Such applications are typically much more useful (and much quicker!) in terms of being able to zoom in/out, pan easily, add "layers" or additional data (called "placefiles" in GRx), etc. Sure, I use CoD (or NWS's RIDGE) radar imagery occassionally if I just want to get a very quick idea of what's going on around the country, but I happily open GR3 if I think I'll want to take a closer look at anything or watch radar over the course of more than a single volume scan.

I haven't used any of the newer versions of SwiftWX, Weathertap, etc. GR3 suites my needs just fine. However, it seems prudent to check out all options before you settle on one. I just happened to settle on GRx already based on previous editions of competing apps and services, so it probably wouldn't hurt me to survey what's currently available now.

FWIW, Mike (GR developer) has always been amazingly interactive and helpful. I've been using GR applications since the first beta came out years ago, and I've never seen such interaction between the developer and the users of the developer's application(s), at least for the length of time GR has been around. This is not to say that other applications and services don't have very good service and support as well; I can only speak to my experiences with GR.

 

[J Kinkaid]

GRlevel X has street level mapping and GPS integration and uses less resources than swiftwx so I am not sure why you are having trouble with it . Weathertap hd is not just level 2 data. You need to go up to the radar tab and you will see other options. This forum has a search button that will show you where all the past radar software threads are.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

GRLevel3 and StormLab are the best, both support GPS and GRLevel3 can do street level mapping. No web-based radar comes close to GRLevel3 and StormLab, they are truely the best there.

 

[James Wilson]

What do you guys think of Weather Defender?

 

[Joey Ketcham]

What do you guys think of Weather Defender?

I wouldn't recommend it, it is way overpriced and is not worth $20/mo. It looks pretty, but it is very laggy. I installed it and tested it during severe weather, it was pretty much useless. SPC issued an MD and severe t-storm watch on the day I tested it, I never saw the MD or the watch display on Weather Defender when in both GRLevel3 and StormLab they were displayed within a minute or so of being issued. The layers were enabled and turned on and it was connecting to download the updates. Radar is worthless in my opinion, it is way too smoothed and you lose details which can make it harder to find hook echo's on tornado warned storms. Everything you get in Weather Defender you can get in GRLevel3 and StormLab at a much cheaper cost, they are both far more superior than Weather Defender.

Unless the price came down tremendously, I wouldn't use it. You can read similar reviews of it on another thread we had a few weeks back... http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19691

 

[James Wilson]

WOW, interesting, Thanks.

Is GRLevel3 a one time payment of $80 or is it $80 a year?

 

[Dave Marshall]

Does anyone here have any screen shots of GR3 with overlays during actual severe weather, or possibly with some map underlays?

The few screenshots I've found online are in clear air and don't really show what the interface will look like displaying the stuff I really want to see such as Meso and TVS signatures or street mapping.

SwiftWX has a handy feature that actually displays couplet velocity in knots next to the signature, as well as the meso shear speed. Can GR3 do anything like this? That came in handy a couple times.

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

WOW, interesting, Thanks.

Is GRLevel3 a one time payment of $80 or is it $80 a year?

It is a one time payment of $80.

 

[Scott Roberts]

SwiftWX has a handy feature that actually displays couplet velocity in knots next to the signature, as well as the meso shear speed. Can GR3 do anything like this? That came in handy a couple times.

Just hover the mouse on the storm market or meso indicator. The popup tooltip will give you all the information you seek ;-)