The Weather Outlook

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TheJudge
01 July 2025 08:01:23
Hi, was not sure where to post this. If it is the wrong topic please move to where it should be.

I am looking to purchase a home weather station in the next couple of months. Anyone have any suggestions ? Personal experience or pros and cons? I know cost is a factor and the more you spend the more you get.

Probably looking up to maybe £150 - £200 to spend.

Thanks in advance 


Barby 551 ft above sea level
MRazzell
01 July 2025 08:10:49

Hi, was not sure where to post this. If it is the wrong topic please move to where it should be.

I am looking to purchase a home weather station in the next couple of months. Anyone have any suggestions ? Personal experience or pros and cons? I know cost is a factor and the more you spend the more you get.

Probably looking up to maybe £150 - £200 to spend.

Thanks in advance 

Originally Posted by: TheJudge 

Good post Judge, tagging on to this as i'm in a similar situation and would like to get a station up and running, and online. 


Far north of East Sussex. +150m asl.
TheJudge
01 July 2025 08:14:30

Good post Judge, tagging on to this as i'm in a similar situation and would like to get a station up and running, and online. 

Originally Posted by: MRazzell 

There may be another subject about it. I am being lazy not searching 😂

however, technology moves on quickly so want to know experiences with the latest products. Although new is not always best.


Barby 551 ft above sea level
Brian Gaze
05 July 2025 16:59:02
I can move this to the weather forum if you would like? It may get more replies.

FWIW I've still got a Davis VP2 but I don't know much about the current state of the market in the price range you are considering.


Brian Gaze

Berkhamsted

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"I'm not socialist, I know that. I don't believe in sharing my money." - Gary Numan

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  • Advanced Member
05 July 2025 20:35:09

I have a friend with a WX station obsession he has about 20 scattered across North Yorkshire from 'that farm' at Ravenseat in the Pennines to frost hollows like Rievaulx.

He mostly installs these they are a bit over £100 but a good feature is how they can easily be set to upload to Wunderground from the dataplug so you don't need a computer running just a wifi connection.

It is a common scenario that where they are installed the site owner is not very tech savvy but if they can't be coaxed to apply simple fix like turn it off and on again he can often get them going over wifi from his phone standing outside.

 

He has had problems with them not lasting long at extreme locations like Tan Hill and Lion Inn Blakey there is a Davis vantage vue at Blakey now.

In my opinion they read about 25% too high on rainfall I guess off set could be applied.

There are a lot of very similar ones about some cheaper some a bit more they look much the same if not direct copies.

https://uk.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg04173/solar-powered-wifi-weather-station/dp/3479187 

https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/3698377.pdf 

I'd also recommend davis if you are interested in long term recording mine has been running well over 15 years but I did have a cheapie for 1st year.

Davis is not ultra reliable exactly something or other fails and needs replacing every 3 or 4 years at least.

And parts are not cheap but fairly easy to DIY swap out.


Chunky Pea
05 July 2025 21:19:18
I have a Davis also and I find that the rainfall gauge under performs. That said, it is still sound with the added bonus of seeing rain rates etc. Temp/Humidity sensor, in my experience at least, only lasts about 2 to 3 years, and they are quite expensive to replace. As BG said, there may well be more efficient and less expensive 'smart'  weather stations on the market now. 
Patrick,

East Galway, Ireland.

TheJudge
17 July 2025 07:02:46

I can move this to the weather forum if you would like? It may get more replies.

FWIW I've still got a Davis VP2 but I don't know much about the current state of the market in the price range you are considering.

Originally Posted by: Brian Gaze 

So sorry, I had put notify me for replies and never received any emails. So apologies for not responding to anyone who has helped.

Yes if you feel it would create more discussion in a more appropriate place then please do.

I will research the options suggested. Thank you for the replies so far.


Barby 551 ft above sea level
warrenb
17 July 2025 10:31:10

I also have a davis and have had it for 10 years. I have had to replace the rain bucket, the wind rose and that is it, but I do have my eye on a Tempest, as it is much smaller footprint and by all accounts is very close to the Davis with readings.

https://shop.tempest.earth/products/tempest-uk?country=GB&hsCtaTracking=7d01cfb9-2d25-4603-9437-0608dc291be5%7Cc9d26d56-c0aa-4b09-97d6-a94b9c4181ee&srsltid=AfmBOopD7Qy4UTtz8-a6n8QfQ89h0iEOiptaG_sksaabFQYqVd17BMjG 


TheJudge
17 July 2025 11:50:20

I also have a davis and have had it for 10 years. I have had to replace the rain bucket, the wind rose and that is it, but I do have my eye on a Tempest, as it is much smaller footprint and by all accounts is very close to the Davis with readings.

https://shop.tempest.earth/products/tempest-uk?country=GB&hsCtaTracking=7d01cfb9-2d25-4603-9437-0608dc291be5%7Cc9d26d56-c0aa-4b09-97d6-a94b9c4181ee&srsltid=AfmBOopD7Qy4UTtz8-a6n8QfQ89h0iEOiptaG_sksaabFQYqVd17BMjG 

Originally Posted by: warrenb 

The Tempest seems a nice bit of kit.

The only complaint in the reviews seems to be not having a home display.

However, a solution appears to be and old iPad or tablet constantly plugged in can be a work around.


Barby 551 ft above sea level
warrenb
17 July 2025 12:17:06

The Tempest seems a nice bit of kit.

The only complaint in the reviews seems to be not having a home display.

However, a solution appears to be and old iPad or tablet constantly plugged in can be a work around.

Originally Posted by: TheJudge 

Or link to Weather Underground, then use the app or webpage. I do have a display for the Davis but it tucked in a back bedroom and I never look at it


Tim A
17 July 2025 13:33:31
https://weatherspares.co.uk/products/ventus-w830-weather-station-wifi-internet-colour-forecast 

I have this as a fairly budget option. I got it as Lee from Highland and Islands weather said he used them for his Highland network. 

It work well, it records rainfall well apart from during really torrential episodes.  I don't really bother with the windspeed as it's not in an open enough location. Temperature is good most of the time but what I really want is a fan as the temp can get a bit high during summer when there is low airflow.   Wondered if anyone knew if there was a way to add some kind of solar fan (that would need to be waterproof ) to it?


Tim

NW Leeds

187m asl

 My PWS 

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