VP2 Or Not?

[philbertp2]

Hi Davis Experts,

I have a Oregon Scientific WMA100A system, but I have real concerns about the un-aspirated temperature system.

I am looking seriously at the Davis systems. I want an aspirated temperature sensor and 0.01" precipitation resolution.
I want to go "all-in" and probably will select the 6163 system.
http://www.weathershack.com/static/davi ... chart.html

So, any thoughts you may offer would be appreciated with respect to system accuracy, stability, and upkeep (e.g. do you need to clean the aspiration system on a regular basis). The VP2 reviews are very favorable on the vendor webpages.

Unfortunately, the CUMULUS software has ignited my interest in weather observations and meteorology, something that started with a "U" mercury max/min thermometer and NWS SRG. Thanks Steve and the CUMULUS team!!!

Phil

[MackerelSky]

Hey Phil,

Not a Davis expert, but have had the 6163 in service since Feb. 13, 2011 and have nothing but good things to say about the setup.

It transmits about 125' thru a wall in my situation and I have had no issues with the system. When the 'weather breaks' this spring I plan on lowering my mast and checking the anemometer for any problems and making sure my pole is still level when I put it back up.



Besides, when it arrived that cold winter day it was fun to assemble and install. It fired up right away on my kitchen counter and I haven't looked back yet.



You'll be getting one of the best systems available for backyard weather enthusiasts, the 6163 and Cumulus...

FYI, was born and raised near Pendleton Ore., a little town called Echo

All the best

Brad

[philbertp2]

Brad,

Thanks for the guidance!! That is a pretty neat install. Looks like you have plenty of land.

Reminds me of the NRCS SCAN sites that have been placed all over the U.S.
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nwcc/site? ... 2&state=ut

I am a bit more confined, but can mount the system up about 8 feet to get reasonable wind information. See photo. I won't put up a tower as high as yours. How is your winter precipitation catch? I thought I saw a heated gauge option?

When I worked for NOAA Hydrology, I put in the Heppner Flash Flood Warning software back in the early 1980s, so I know the area. Gets really cold out there! Warm in the summer too!

Phil

[MackerelSky]

Thanks for the guidance!! That is a pretty neat install. Looks like you have plenty of land.

A treated 4x4 holding the unit and a treated 4x6 holding up the 21' steel pipe. Both posts planted 4' deep in the ground along with concrete.

We have 2.5 acres all cleared except for the trees on our property line. The property behind us in the photo isn't ours but we are free to roam and use as we please, and don't have to pay taxes on it.!

You can see a satellite photo on the Gladstone Site

I am a bit more confined, but can mount the system up about 8 feet to get reasonable wind information. See photo. I won't put up a tower as high as yours. How is your winter precipitation catch? I thought I saw a heated gauge option?

That looks like a pretty sturdy post you have planted. All I did was clamp the steel pipe to a post to get about 22' agl and no need for wires to the ground. Looks like you could get a little higher than 8' off of that post. You'll have 40' of wire from the vane to the unit so push you're envelope a bit to get the best reading you can.

I didn't get the heater for my application because it would have involved a 'power source' as it wouldn't run off of the solar, so I just let the frozen precip build up and then melt when the sun hits the black plastic of the unit. Not scientific by no means, but we've had a pretty cold winter so far, so not a lot of melting and very little rain.

When I worked for NOAA Hydrology, I put in the Heppner Flash Flood Warning software back in the early 1980s, so I know the area. Gets really cold out there! Warm in the summer too!

Whew, Heppner, always kicked our hiney's in football, never beat them thru Junior or Senior High. Big ole rancher kids..

All the best

Brad

[Jack10562]

Make sure to shop around for your station hardware. Several vendors have a hidden low-price quote that you have to ask for.

Weathershack that listed the comparison chart has low price quotes on some items but I didn't see one offered on the 6163.

You should be able to get the 6163 in the low eight hundred $$ range. Keep in mind you will also need a data logger to communicate with the console via your computer, those can be had at below list price too.

[philbertp2]

Jack,

Thanks for the tip! I did request, and WeatherShack did send, the "hidden prices."

Now I need some alignment. It was my impression that a data logger was only needed if you shut down your computer at night. CUMULUS would read the data logger memory when you booted up.

So does the data logger post data to the Internet independent of CUMULUS through your router to websites like the Weather Underground? I think I read that somewhere. This dialog has been very helpful.

Are you ready for some warmer weather? Trade for some drought? We have plenty out here with the "Freddie Kruger Ridge!"

Phil

[PaulMy]

Hi Phil,
You are correct that the weather software such as Weatherlink, Cumulus, etc. will read the stored data from the data logger from whenever the computer was shut down, but also for ongoing receiving data communication from the station. Therefore the Weatherlink USB or serial data logger IS necessary to connect the console or Envoy to a computer, or if connecting directly to a router then the Weatherlink IP data logger is required. The data logger is an (optional) additional cost extra for Davis stations, and without it you can only see your weather on your console, so not really optional if you want to share your data with any one else.

The Weatherlink IP data logger version can be used without a computer and send data to Weatherlink.com and also send to Weather Underground and CWOP. When using the serial or USB data logger version your computer and software can send the data to Weather Underground, CWOP and any of the other weather sites and your own website if you wish.

Paul

[philbertp2]

Paul,

This is really interesting. My WMR100A console is connected to my computer with a USB plug and CUMULUS immediately recognized the WMR console and began logging the data.

So, the VP2 requires a data logger between the VP2 console and the computer? Seems that a weather system like VP2 would support a USB direct link between the VP2 console and a computer running CUMULUS, just like the WMR100A.

I will continue my reading. I might be missing something obvious.

Thanks again for all your help. I want to get this right before I hit the "buy button."

Phil

[MackerelSky]

Phil, if there's one complaint the owners of Davis have it's that a data logger is required. You can find on the web that other folks have 'rolled their own' with some success but when I bought mine I didn't want to have to deal with it.

I chose the IP logger because my console would be located about 6' from my wireless router, which it plugs directly into. Myself and my lady each have a laptop with wireless and I have a laptop in my basement office that runs Cumulus and my webcam software that is also plugged directly into the router and it runs 24/7. Cumulus has no trouble finding the logger through the router.

You'll just have to decide for your situation what's best before the buy button is clicked

Brad

[prodata]

The architecture of the Davis stations has always been that the data logger + onward data interface (eg USB) is separate from the console unit. This allows the station/console type (Vue, VP2 console or Envoy, Envoy8X etc) to be intermixed with (currently) seven different types of logger/interface (serial, USB, Ethernet and then the various streaming loggers).

It's obviously not the simplest imaginable approach but does give considerable flexibility in matching the configuration required to an individual user's requirements. This is arguably overkill for the the community of hobbyists represented here, where a simple USB interface might suffice much of the time (though, that said, several thousand WeatherlinkIP loggers have been sold to private users), but remember that many Davis stations are sold for specialist and professional applications where the extra logger types are often used.