VP2 - Wired vs. Wireless

[GlynH]

Hi there,

Thinking seriously of going for the VP2 but was wondering (apart from the obvious cabling) what, if any other differences were between the wired & wireless versions of the VP2?

A huge advantage for me would be not to have to get up on the roof to change batteries but I wondered if there were any other advantages/disadvantages going for one over the other?

Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

[PaulMy]

Ideally the ISS w/ rain bucket, the unit with the battery in wireless models, should not be mounted on the roof and be closer to the ground. The anenometer unit is attached to the ISS with a 40 ft cable so it can be mounted separatly up higher. I changed my ISS battery just before its 4th winter, just in case, but was still working fine. The wireless models have much greater flexibility in siting, and the reception is very good.

The wired models are less cost.

Paul

[gemini06720]

There is 'technically' no difference between the wired and the wireless Vantage Pro2 weather stations - except, in a cabled system, the Vantage Pro2 Console cannot receive data from any station except a cabled ISS (Integrated Sensor Suite) or cabled ISS Plus. It also appears the 24-hour fan aspirated radiation shield is not available for the cabled weather station.

I bought my wireless Vantage Pro2 Plus with 24-hour fan aspirated radiation shield more than 4 years ago. I first setup the weather station (and all its sensors) at ground level so I could check/test its operation. After a few weeks at ground level, the weather station was finally installed on the roof of the house - as there was no level or exposed land at ground level, the house being located on the slope of mount Tzouhalem (approximately 525 meters).

The battery inside the ISS has not been replaced since its original installation (4+ years ago) - I guess I was one of the lucky one with a reliable 'superCAP' inside the ISS and a good solar panel. Neither have I replaced (yet) the rechargeable batteries inside the fan aspirated radiation shield (they were tested earlier this spring).

I usually inspect the station twice a year, in late spring or early summer and then sometimes in the fall - the survey includes the check of the ISS (inside-out), the cleaning of the rain collector, the components of the radiation shield, the solar panels as well as the solar and UV sensors.

Although I purchased the wireless station, last fall I installed the rain collector heater which, unfortunately, must be be plugged into an electrical outlet (some 15 meters from the station).

The Davis Instruments weather stations are, indeed, more expensive that the Fine Offset types, but they are very reliable and well supported by Davis Instruments (at least within North America) - one does get what one's pays for, quality and reliability.

[scramblers]

I have the cabled version and for me the main reason was the cost and the purchase options.

With the wireless version, the frequencies have to be compatible for the country that you are going to operate in, the cabled version can be used in any country. In essence this means you can purchase the cabled version straight from an American retailer ( not direct from Davis, they will simply refer you to your country´s main agent ). I used Archer Trading Post, an excellent retailer who offers a superb service and makes the purchase very easy.

With regard to the 24 hour FARS, this is only essential in extremely hot climes. For the UK, a daytime FARS is perfectly adequate. I purchased mine as part of the order from Archer.

If you are purchasing a Davis weather station you will also have to buy a data logger to enable you to connect the weather station to your computer, again I purchased mine from Archer as part of the order.

The savings for all three items amounted to several hundred pounds.

[gemini06720]

Indeed, John, Archer Trading Post is probably the best place in the world (and not just in North America) to purchase a Davis Instruments weather station - Ryan, the owner, has always been quite helpful, knowledgeable and resourceful (well, he does have a Vantage Pro2 setup at his office's location).

I do agree (to a certain point), non north american residents should purchase the wired weather station (at almost half the price of the wireless weather station) - the only inconvenience being the cable between the external (outside) ISS (integrated sensor suite which includes the rain collector, the temperature and humidity sensors, the anemometer and the wind direction sensor) and the internal (inside) console - the standard cable being 100 feet (or approximately 30 meters) - the length of the cable can be extended to 1000 feet (or approximately 300 meters).

One good starting point would be the Davis Instruments 2012 Precision Weather Instruments catalog...

[belfryboy]

Whilst Archer trading post is cheap, I believe that Scientific Sales are cheaper (by around $100 if you check their offer prices). I had great service from them earlier this year (delivery to the UK in under a fortnight with minimal trouble at customs). I still use Archer for spares though, seeing as their range is very comprhensive.

[yv1hx]

Dear GlynH,

Beginning this year at work we purchased 4 Davis stations (2 wired and 2 wireless), but only the wireless units arrived equipped with the solar & UV sensors. We purchased the units from http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/produ ... ntage+Pro2 because Scientific Sales doesn't accept international orders from my country :oops:

If you decide to upgrade any VP2 to Solar & UV sensors, you have to purchase the Sensor Mounting Shelf http://www.davisnet.com/weather/product ... pnum=06673, the Solar Radiation Sensor http://www.davisnet.com/weather/product ... pnum=06450 and the UV Sensor http://www.davisnet.com/weather/product ... pnum=06490

[Grumpy Moose]

While I understand the attractiveness of the initial price savings, I believe you would be seriously selling yourself short with the cabled version. If you look at the Davis catalog, you'll notice the myriad of available accessories - additional sensors, repeaters, transmitters, etc - all for use with a wireless setup. With the cabled version, your are limited to just the one console that comes with the unit (AFAIK). You may save a few bucks up front, but may pay for it later if you decide you want to add to/upgrade your system.

[gemini06720]

You may save a few bucks up front, but may pay for it later if you decide you want to add to/upgrade your system.

Indeed!

The 'top-of-the-line' Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 weather stations are a 'once-in-a-lifetime' investment - in North America, most (unfortunately not all) Vantage weather stations have a 'lifetime' of about 10 years (some in the mid-west U.S.A. are even older then that).

As you indicated, the wireless Vantage Pro2 weather station offers so many more possibilities than its wired equivalent as (almost) all accessories are designed to be used with the wireless weather station.

Looking at the Archer Trading Post page for the Davis 6152 - Wireless Vantage Pro2 with Standard Radiation Shield, the starting price for that basic unit is $393.00 US (or £285.76) (without the shipping costs and import duties) - definitively and obviously a lot more expensive than the basic low-priced (and in most cases, quite unreliable) weather stations ... but in my view, a worthwhile long-term investment.

[mcrossley]

Looking at the Archer Trading Post page for the Davis 6152 - Wireless Vantage Pro2 with Standard Radiation Shield, the starting price for that basic unit is $393.00 US (or £285.76) (without the shipping costs and import duties)

Oh, if only in the UK!

[viewerau]

Does anyone know if the inside console of these units is compatible with any other outdoor standard weather stations?

[ConligWX]

Does anyone know if the inside console of these units is compatible with any other outdoor standard weather stations?

"any other weather station" so the vPro2 console working with say an "Ecowitt" station? no it doesnt. each manufacturer uses different protocols to communicate between station and consoles.

[viewerau]

Thanks for that information.

The reason I asked was that a local seller has 8 brand new indoor screen components and was selling them all for $200Au total.....if they had of used for other units, then I was thinking they could be good 2nd screens.

In my case here, I have a Holman and a Digitech, and both screens are receiving from the one outdoor unit, using the 917mhz. The user guide for the Davis says they use , 918 - 926 MHz FHSS, <8mW in Australia