Software for us poor folks

[P. Thomas]

I am going to be putting a laptop in my vehicle and am looking into software or internet sites where I can get a current update that is large enough to fill my screen. NWS just doesn't cut it. I can't afford the $1000 setup and $100/mo one. I have heard of WeatherTap and I am considering that for the monsoon months when I have my butt out in the field.

But does anyone know of or use any free or relatively inexpensive sites?

Thanks for looking

 

[John Diel]

I'm going to venture out on a limb here. GRLevel3 would be a very good answer. $80 one time for the software. The default data streams are from the NWS public servers. The only charge you will incur after that will be your data feed for the laptop (Cell, aircard, whatever you go with).

There are other software solutions out there as well. Some have more bells and whistles and eye candy, but roughly the same price range. However, as far as a monthly charge, there isn't one for the NWS Feeds they use.

The drawback to using the NWS servers is they tend to get bogged down during highly publicized events. They are getting better, but still subject to short period outages or lags during the event. Still can't beat it for the price though.

 

[Terry Tyler]

like john suggested, i would highly reccomend level3 with your laptop...you can customize the maps, color palates and add in shapefiles and whatnot...i also hear you can incorporate GPS in the program too so if your going down that route thats also a big help...

and if your graphics card can handle it...you can even smooth the data, which looks pretty cool...

the only thing i have against the weather tap program is how slow it runs...i dont know how it works with others computers, but i have a hard time running weatherlab HD on my PC, and i couldent imagine trying to play with it on a laptop if i was in a really scary situation out here...

i would go with the level3...its the most cost-effective, and straightforwardest program ive used...

 

[Scott Guidry]

I'll go ahead and add my 2 cents for GRLevel3. I've been using this software for at least 5 or 6 years...before it was publicly released. I've tried them all, and for my use, GRLevel3 beats everything out there for the price. You can also use GRLevel2, but you need to have access to level 2 data...either from Allisonhouse.com or another source. If you decide you want a little more than what GRLevel3 has to offer, you can get a subscription to Allisonhouse.com for $10/month which will give you dynamic placefiles to use with GR3...such as warnings by counties, lightning strikes, etc.

If fullscreen is a must, you can use Fanix Fullscreen. It works great with GRLevel3 and will expand your radar screen to a real full screen.

Fanix's site: http://www.fanix.com/fullscreen.html

 

[Michael P. Morris]

I have been using WeatherScope on chases for over three years now and I love it. You have all the radar capabilities of GRLevel3, but you can also add in contouring of surface variables and station plots. Here is an example:
http://res.mesonet.org/~mmorris/200405300053.png

You can extend the functionality by downloading additional config files from the OCS server as well, adding satellite and upper air mapping capability.

It's also free. You can download it at http://climate.ok.gov/software/

 

[David Drummond]

I'll throw another chip in the hat for GRLevel3 and datafeeds from Allisonhouse.com which are CHEAP!

 

[Danny Neal]

I'll throw another chip in the hat for GRLevel3 and datafeeds from Allisonhouse.com which are CHEAP!

Add another vote on my behalf for these products.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I agree with all the above posts. As far as radar software is concerned, Grlevel3 wins hands down!

 

[James Siler]

I miss my laptop. I hope the people who stole it broke it open and get mercury poisining. stupid theives. GRLevel3 is really good on laptops. and is descently pricd for people on a budget.

 

[Bob Hartig]

Another thumbs-up for GRL3 with the Allisonhouse data feed. I love it! Fabulous product, low cost. And I like GRL2 as well. It doesn't offer the bells and whistles of GRL3, but it has a finer resolution, shows all the tilt levels, and thus reveals things GRL3 may miss. The level two data feed is free from Iowa State University.

 

[Forrest lambert]

whats the website for GRL3?

 

[Danny Neal]

whats the website for GRL3?

Grlevelx.com is the radar link.
allisonhouse.com is the datafeeds

 

[David Drummond]

http://www.grlevelx.com/grlevel3/

It was the very first one that came up when you type GRLevel3 in to Google.

 

[Brandon Sullivan]

Im for GR 3 too!

Jeff Snyder has a sweet web page that has shapefiles for GR level 3.
Using his Shapefiles I have incorporated the following into GR 3.

Watches with SPC probabilities.
Current Surface Obs.
Spotter Reports
SPC Day 1 Outlook.
Ham Radio Repeaters
MD's

All of these can update automatically... I just love the program!
Always led me to the best part of the storm! Indicators (TVS, HAIL etc. ) are pretty accurate!

 

[Mike Krzywonski]

Jeff Snyder has a sweet web page that has shapefiles for GR level 3.

Does anyone know the link to this page?