Maplins USB Weather Forecaster (Fine Offset) - £69.99

[iandrews]

Just a heads up in case someone is looking for one, another one, or one for parts. Maplins have reduced the price of their USB Weather Forecaster (Order Code: N96FY) to £69.99. This is a Fine Offset (model WH1081 I think).

Ian.

[Synewave]

That's a bargain, free UK delivery too!

[nking]

In fact if you register with their newsletter you can get it for £66.99, I'm tempted for spares

Code: N96FY
£69.99
(with voucher £66.99)
was £119.99 Save £50.00

[Synewave]

In fact if you register with their newsletter you can get it for £66.99, I'm tempted for spares

Me too, i have two systems, one in Brighton, one in France. A seagull has broken one of the cups on the anenometer in Brighton already.

[videoman]

Hi guys
First time on the forum and new to all this weather watching and just wondered what everyone thought of this weather station and whether it is worth purchasing for a newbie.

I actually looked at one yesterday in my local Maplins but not knowing much about weather stations made it difficult to make an informed decision.

Look forward to your answers.

Thanks

[Gina]

Very interesting! As long as they are the exact same model, I could run 2 consoles off one outdoor unit and have one for my main system and the other for testing new software - either development of my own or testing Cumulus 2 (which I'd like to do).

[pns1953]

Just to confirm - the station that Maplins have on offer is the WH1081 (ie no DCF clock sync) and not the WH1080 (which has the clock sync).
I bought one the other day after getting an assurance from the Maplins support line that the model was in fact the WH1080 but when I got it home I found it was the 1081 (the model number is clearly marked on the back of the receiver).
They were very apologetic but did subsequently confirm that F.O. had changed what they sold to Maplin without letting them know.
I did particularly want the 1080 so am going to get one from another source.
Phil

[nking]

I wouldn't be too quick to discount the 1081 as some owners have had issues with the 1080 clock facility and I have personally found the 1081 clock to keep very good time

[Gina]

Several people have found the DCF clock more trouble than it's worth - trying to receive the clock signal and stopping transmission while it did it. NO I want the one WITHOUT the radio clock, thank you! I'm glad to have that confirmed

[mcrossley]

My original transmitter no longer works if it does get a DCF lock (it goes through the startup OK, but nothing after the 5 flashes, eventually the LED comes on permanently until I take the batteries out) - but does if it doesn't get a lock! Hopefully it will be replaced under warranty.

[pns1953]

Yes I did wonder about that issue - but hopefully it will be OK, the likely position of the console is going to be propped up against a south-facing window. I guess it's too much to hope you can optionally disable the sync feature in the 1080!

If anyone is thinking of going for the Maplins offer and is near a store I'd suggest actually checking what's in the box before you walk away - I guess if they are selling off old stock there's always a possibility of some actually being the 1080 as was originally claimed.

I've found another supplier selling the 1080 as a Watson W8681 who is not far off my daily drag to work - I'm thinking that there might be a fair chance of something going wrong with this within the warranty period and it would be easier if I could take it back somewhere ... maybe I'm being too pessimistic!!

[mcrossley]

maybe I'm being too pessimistic!!

Realisitic perhaps They are very definitely made to a price and the quality seems variable.

[Gina]

Just ordered my second station from Maplins Console for running on another PC with different software - rest can be for spares

[Kent Weather]

Good day to you all - 1st post on here so no flaming the newbie please

I purchased this particular weather station from Maplin's Wednesday (WH1081) & tbh.. if you want a pretty basic but decent enough station that does all you need to it to - with the help of cumulus of course... and for £70? you cannot really complain.

The wind vane does seem a little light and appears to spin a little more then I would have thought it should but m'eh - I really am happy with my purchase.

Construction was simple enough and its now mounted on 2x 5ft poles - with the station mast itself its sitting pretty at 10ft high in my back garden. (even after sinking it into postcement 1-1.5ft deep)

I'm thinking the station MAY be picking up the temp to be warmer then it is but again - i can hardly complain or grumble.

[Gina]

Welcome to the forum and the Fine Offset brigade Read these forums and you'll find numerous pieces of advise on sighting the sensors and things you can do to improve accuracy and reliability. Many of the mods are posted in the Homebuilt forum. Good luck and enjoy your new kit