[kilogulf59]

My apologies if I placed this in the wrong board...
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A few years back one or all of my kids got me/us a La Crosse Technology Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon & IN/OUT Temp for Christmas and we love it.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/4932/zzz99.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/zzz99.jpg/)

• IN / OUT Temp
• 12 Moon Phases
• Time Alarm with Snooze
• 4 Languages: English, French, German and Spanish

Dimensions:
Receiver: 8" x 12.2" x 1.18"
Sensor: 5.05 " x 1.5" x .83"

All Features:
• Wireless outdoor temperature (°F or °C)
• Monitors indoor temperature (°F or °C)
• 12 Moon phases
• Atomic time and date with manual setting
• Automatically updates for Daylight Saving Time (on/off option)
• 12/24 hour time display
• Perpetual calendar
• Time zone setting
• Time alarm with snooze
• 4 languages to choose from: English, French, German, Spanish
• Wall hanging or free standing
• Low Battery Icon for Both Units

Specifications:
• Wireless outdoor temperature range: -39.8°F to 139.8 °F (-39.8°C to 59.8 °C)
• Indoor Temperature Range: 14.1 °F to 100 °F (-9.9°C to 37.8 °C)
• Moon phase: 12 phases
• Transmission range: Up to 330 Feet
• Transmission frequency: 915 MHz
• Power Requirements:
• Clock: 2 "AA" Alkaline batteries
• Wireless sensor: 2 "AA" Alkaline batteries
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What we really would like is a more extensive unit, on with the weather alarm and such. Now these can get quite expensive and I would like a reliable one as we are in somewhat of a severe T-storm/tornado area…

Any suggestion from users?

BTW, I think everyone should have one of these, especially us country folk…incase our weather beetle dies…

[KathleenElsie]

I agree we should all have one. Problem is we have purchased three and not one has worked as promised.

[Urzandowski]

I want one of those! :up: I have always had to rely on my Indian weather rock. http://www.windycreek.com/weatherrock.html :D

[kilogulf59]

I agree we should all have one. Problem is we have purchased three and not one has worked as promised.

I hear ya Kathleen and that's why I'm doing the research. What good is it if it doesn't work...my post below may help you.
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I like the weather rock idea...:D
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I’m posting an exchange with a gentleman named Steve who, apparently, is quite knowledgeable on the subject, assisted me greatly, and saved me from blowing $150 on junk…
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Hi Ken

We've had models similar to that over the years, as well as wireless rain gauges and wireless outdoor thermometers. We wanted to go to the next step and get something that kept track of what the weather was right now right here, so we bought a full-fledges weather station.

After looking at inexpensive models, super expensive models, and everything in between, we decided to get a Davis Vantage Pro 2 with 24 hour FARS (fan aspirated radiation shield) (http://www.davisnet.com/weather/products/vantage-pro-professional-weather-stations.asp). I mounted the anemometer on a Radio Shack tripod and 10-foot mast on my second floor roof, and the rest of the system on a galvanized post next to my garden. Both use solar panels to charge Li-Ion batteries to transmit their signal to the console on the wall in my kitchen. I also have it connected to my computer, so I can keep track of all my readings, trends over time, rain this August vs last August, etc. I like charts :)

Aside from the computer connection, it is all self-powered other than occasionally replacing batteries (which I have in abundance), so it should work in most SHTF situations.

Like yours, Our weather station only tells us what is happening now (or in the past) here in my yard, and I can set alarms for any parameter, such as freezing, high wind, etc., and it does only rudimentary forecasting (in other words, completely disregard the forecast...) I rely on my First Alert WX-150 for potential hazardous weather, and the local TV web page for the forecast for the next few days.

Steve

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5966/0631201.th.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/0631201.jpg/)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8872/davisvp2.th.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/davisvp2.jpg/)


That's quite a unit, what is the cost Steve?

I was thinking of one of these... https://www.lacrossetechnology.com/1612ch/index.php


That's quite a unit, what is the cost Steve?

I was thinking of one of these... https://www.lacrossetechnology.com/1612ch/index.php

Well, if ya gotta ask...

Nah, but quite a bit more than the Lacrosse that you've linked. Anywhere from $263 for the one-piece Vantage Vue to $800 for the top of the line Vantage Pro2 Plus w/24 hr FARS. Accessories cost more, such as the bits to connect it to your computer if you want that option. Not the cheapest route, but extremely accurate and long lasting. It is a BIG unit! That main piece is probably 18" tall and about 8" diameter. Here's a link to one o f the best priced sources.
http://www.archertradingpost.com/atp/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_6_7&zenid=it5b1u7etilr0664c9gkadkik6

I read the specs, and read reviews, and decided, like many things, I'd rather spend more and get a really good one now instead of wishing I had later. People have had the previous version running for a decade or more. Reviews of the most popular inexpensive unit from Ambient Weather have they needing parts replace inside a year. But the accuracy is what really swayed me. The anemometer sends wind speed and direction to the console every 2.5 seconds. Most other models are from 20 seconds to 3 minutes. Imagine having a strong wind gust blowing, and you won't know how fast it was because your anemometer won't send out the next reading for another 40 seconds or so.

And if I'm gonna spend this much to get a good unit, I want it accurate. Here's a spec sheet comparing several models:
http://ambientweather.wikispaces.com/Weather+Station+Comparison+Guide

Probably more than you wanted to know. This was my wife and my birthday/anniversary gift to ourselves for last year.
Steve

Steve,

Thanks man you're great...that info was a huge assist.

I am so glad I didn't waste my $$$ on a La Crosse. I will have to wait a bit to purchase but I have decided upon the Davis 6250 Vantage Vue http://www.archertradingpost.com/atp/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6_7&products_id=77&zenid=it5b1u7etilr0664c9gkadkik6

The Vantage Vue got an overall rating of excellent and no category rating below good.http://ambientweather.wikispaces.com/Weather+Station+Comparison+Guide?f=print

Thanks a million...

Ken

[jim_slagle]

I'll also recommend Davis. No troubles with mine at all.

I also did the LaCrosse thing but I switched to Davis when the second LaCrosse quit.

Jim

[Tim Sullivan]

Definitely Davis. I use this one:

http://www.ambientweather.com/61dawivaprow1.html

(not an endorsement of the site, although their prices are pretty competitive)...

Due to my location here in the desert, the "fan aspirated" shield is absolutely necessary for accurate summertime temperature readings.

Incidentally, the chief meteorologist at the Albuquerque weather service recommended this unit.

[hogcowboy]

We also have had a Davis for well over 10 years. The people at that company are excellent to deal with. When we first set it up we was having trouble with signal loss. It wasn't long after talking to them, they thought the problem was the fact we had a metal roof. Although it cost us more they suggested we purchase their repeater and sure enough we didn't have any more problems until last year. The unit quit working all together. The unit was old enough that a new design had superseded ours but they still had a few parts that they thought might get it working again. They were right on the money and it's been working just like a new one ever since. They did say though when, not if, it fails again we will have to purchase the latest version because they just don't have any more parts. I think that it pretty good that they were able to keep us going and not force us to have to purchase the new style in the first place. I highly recommend them.

[kilogulf59]

Thanks, the Davis is the way to go for me...now I need the $$$

[Seamaster]

Been looking at getting a weather station set-up for years, most online reviews are pretty negative on the box store sets. Davis sets sure sound nice, but are alot more than I would care to spend on a system at this time.

[Tim Sullivan]

Yep, the "semi-pro" models aren't cheap. By the time you buy the unit, the installation hardware and the software, you can be in for $800 or more. But, at least you'll have good info, and they'll last for years.

Also, I just heard from one of the TV weather guys in Albuquerque--he has a Davis at home, and they use one at the station, too.