Wireless Weather Stations - How Good are They?

[Joey Ketcham]

I'm looking to get a weather station, but I'm debating whether to get a wireless weather station or a wired weather station. Does anyone here have any experience with the wireless weather stations? How good are they? Are they accurate? Any problems with interference from other wireless devices (wifi network, etc..)?

I was looking at the Oregon Scientific WMR100, http://www.ambientweather.com/orwmr100.html but not gonna do anything until I get feedback on how good wireless are.

Thanks,

Joey

 

[B Ozanne]

You get what you pay for with those Oregon Scientifics...not very much. The contruction quality is not very good and the update interval is even worse.

I'd save up for a Davis Vantage Pro. Brand new packages can be found on Ebay for less than $400.

 

[Mikey Gribble]

I would go with Davis if you want something that is going to last a while. I had to get an Oregon Scientific because I got a computer recalled from Best Buy and had a monster gift card to use up there. Oregon Scientific was the best that they had so I decided to use that until it breaks. The wireless works fine. No problems there. The main problem I had was how flimsy the humidity/pressuer sensor device was. I thought the cups would break too, but they've actually held up pretty well so far and I have put them through some serious abuse this season (driving 105mph in moderate winds). If that didn't break them, I don't think anything short of a cat 4-5 hurricane is going to break them. Anyways, the other part of the unit that houses the thermometer and other sensors feels like the discs that slant down around it could break in strong winds. Luckily I work at a metal fabrication shop so I built a metal shield to block the wind and welded it to the roof rack I mounted the weather station to. So far, the weather station seems to be working well. I know it is pretty accurate (when stopped of course). I have only had it for a month or two though, so we'll see how it holds up.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Thanks for the feedback, glad I checked around before jumping the gun and buying one. $400 is a little more than what I want to pay, though I now what you mean by you get what you pay for.

How about the Davis 7425 Weather Wizard II? Found one on ebay for $160, though it's wired.. but I could do with that.

 

[B Ozanne]

You could risk it and just get the Oregon Scientific. Its not as bombproof as the Davis, but chances are it will hold up.

That's quite a package you get for $139, and it includes data logging software. For $139 you could go through 3 OS stations before you start to get to the price of a Davis (and that's without data logging). In reality, full retail for Davis is near $700, not including software.

There is nothing wrong with the Davis Weather Monitor II, its kind of old. I think you'd have more fun with all the features on the Oregon Scientific though.

 

[John Diel]

Joey,

I don't believe the Weather Wizard II has the updated Dewpoint and Wind Chill measurements. They are old and I do't think Davis Supports them any more (though you can still get the anemometer cups).

You will need to buy or build a radiation shield for the Temp/Humidity sensor brick.

Mounting the sensors can be an interesting challenge and don't bother with the rain bucket if your planning on a mobile solution.

Otherwise, the instruments are accurate and can be calibrated if needed. I ran one for 2 years and it performed very well. You will also need to go over to RS (Radio Shack) and get a DC power connection for a lighter and rig that to power the console. Also available is a wireless link system for a remote monitor, and rs232 to serial port connector so you can load the information into a computer.

Look back through the archives and search for 'mobile mesonet'. That might give you some ideas if your planning a mobile configuration. The WMII gives you the basic information you might want out on a chase. I found it good for finding the dryline and being able to follow it. I used the anemometer the most though in reporting wind speeds and doing so accurately.

I might have the interface cable around someplace and some of the extra stuff I had if you decide to go with WMII. I'd be more than happy to part with it. I think I've even got an extra monitor laying around somewhere. I know I have bits and pieces, so if you go that route, I've got some stuff available that you could use.

 

[David Drummond]

I've had just the opposite experience as you guys. I had an Oregon Scientfic station (wired) mounted for years on a chase vehicle and never had a single problem with it.

On the other hand, since I moved to a Davis, I have replaced the cups I can't even remember how many times, the vane once and one time the black plastic that covers the rain meter and collects the rain came loose from it's base and blew off. Luckily it didn't break though and I was able to retrieve it.

It works good when it's all in one piece, but it's been my experience the Davis doesn't hold up as well to the mobile abuse as the Oregon Scientific one did.