[SOLVED] Vantage Pro

[WeatherMan]

Anyone own a Davis Vantage Pro? Heard they were a good station and was thinking obf buying one. Let me know your thoughts. Was deterred from Oregon Scientific's stations immediately after I saw what a friend went throught...3 stations and none worked. Not Good.

[StormAlertAdmin]

Matt,

Go with the Vantage. OS makes the absolute worst weather station out there in terms of accuracy, resolution, and reliability. It disgusts me to watch so many people get conned each day with these stations on Ebay, for a price that's barely better than a Davis.

If you want a well-priced station that's reliable and accurate, comes from a company that's been in the business for decades, and has a really slick looking console, go with that Vantage Pro. You may also want to look at getting the WeatherLink adapter so you can post your data on the web and store it on your PC. It comes with it's own software, but I strongly recommend Virtual Weather Station (or WeatherView32 is your budget is loose). VWS can be found at www.weatherconnect.com

Evan

[Mike Ulrich]

Originally posted by WeatherMan
Anyone own a Davis Vantage Pro?

I have had a wireless Vantage Pro for over a year and recommend it.

I had a problem with the humidity sensor reading 100% everyday and a problem with the anemometer's reed switch sticking and both were replaced without question by Davis. They sent replacement units and all they asked was that the defective items were returned within 30 days. Davis is very responsive to replacing defective units.

Some people have had issues with reception problems with the wireless units, but mine has never given me problems. I have approximately 75' between the station and the console.

I had an earlier model Davis station for years that I was more than satisfied with. They produce good quality stations for the price you pay.

Travel over to the Vantage Pro message board at http://www.weatherarchive.net/bbs/vantageproboard/ to see what the owners have to say.

Mike

[RobertBuell]

I'll second Evan's weather station comments as I own a Vantage Pro. The only way I'll ever give that thing up is the day somebody rips it from my cold, dead fingers.

As for software, I have both Virtual Weather Station and WeatherView 32. Either will serve you very well.

--RB

[avsloncourt]

I have one as well and it works very well. I've had it for about 7 months and can't comment on how well it works in the long run but so far so good.

[nesvrwx]

:rolleyes:

Yeah, I've got an OS. I tell ya what... An OS is good for people who *aren't* perfectionists! (I am, so I'm sorry I got an OS). I'd rather have a Davis. Maybe this year or next I'll have one.

*sigh*

[avsloncourt]

I had an OS before I got the Davis. The Oregon Scientific was a horrible piece of equipment.

[DNNTODAY10]

Evan's Right. Vantage Pro Is Simply The Best In Weather Stations. I L-o-v-e Mine. It's So Good.

Nathan

[MonsonWX]

The Vantage Pro's are great and i lvoe mine as well. the best one to get is model 6151 Wireless VP w/ fan aspirated radiation shield, but if you want a lil' extra you can get the one with the Solar Radiation and UV sensors, VP plus

[DNNTODAY10]

I Have A Fan-Aspirated Model Too. I Need To Clean Mine, But Yes, I Love It.

[DNNTODAY10]

Also, If Purchasing A Vantage Pro, I Recommend Keeping With The Classic Model It's Really A Shame Their Replacing The Old Models With Newer Ones. In Comparison To What I've Seen, I Personally Would Rather Pick The Old One Over The New One.

[weatherduck]

Why would you stick with the VP instead of the new VP2, the VP2 is the exact same station except with a few major improvements that were found with the old one, for one the rain gauge, it's laser calibrated now making it virtualy rainfall errors impossible. A new frequency, it no longer causes issues with coardless phones and many other wireless products. Also the transmision range has been increased way up to 1000 feet, it's even worked on some instilations up to 2000 feet, much better than the previous 300-400 feet. How is it a same making something better?

[DNNTODAY10]

I Actually Design Weather Stations & I'm Working On Quite An Impressive One...

OK Down To Business:

Vantage Pro 2:
1000 ft Distance:
About 1 In A Trillion Vantage Pros Would Be Used That Far, So Why Sacrifice Adding The Larger Antenna (That Everyone Wanted To Get Rid Of In 2003) For That. Although It Will Minimize Interference, I Never Had Problems With Mine.

New Button Colors:
I Simply Like The Old Colors Better. They're "Prettier".

Rain Collector:
Lazer Calibration May Somewhat Help, But Anyway You Look At It Tipping Bucket Rain Collectors Are Pure Inaccurate. The Best Are The "Professional" Kind That Use Gold Plated Sensor Rods & Drop Forming Tubes. Thay Can Mesure Thousandths Of An Inch (Like 1.005). Aluminum Is Great, Because It Resists Corrosion, But, It's Main Flaw Is, It Bends Easily. This Could Cause Problems.

The New Bases To Mount The System Aren't Too Sturdy. They Wobble To Easily.

The New USB Weatherlink Is Impossible To Connect To A Standard PC Tower. Many People Would Have To Use A Laptop To Actually Connect It.

I Just Recommend Keeeping With The Classics, Because They Are Actually Better Quality. I Don't Hate The New Ones, Just Don't Recommend Them.

Nathan Parker
Happy Weather Station Owner

PS. I Take All Of The Credit From This Message, Not The Moderators. If You Have Any Questions, Submit Them To:
mobilecast@msn.com. I Take Full Responsibility For The Content Of This Message. I Simply Am Stating My Like For The Classic Models, But Don't In Any Way Intend To Hurt The Feelings Of Davis, Inc. Or Anyone Else. I'm Just Trying To Help Make The Products Better, & I Don't In Anyway Want To Be Mean.

[sa-txweather]

Definatly go with the Davis Vantage Pro. I have a wired Vantage Pro and I works like a charm even after 3 years!!! I also have a OS wireless weather station, it always has incorrect temp. data and frequently looses the signal. I also have a website which uses the information from my vantage Pro www.sa-txweather.com -- It's for San Antonio, Texas

[AFama]

Just a heads up. There is a Davis Vantage Pro II availabl now. Rumor has it, the Vantage Pro is being phased out. Also the sensors are not compatible with eachother. So if it were me I would deffinately purchase the Pro II.

[wxman35]

The Vantage Pro line isn't being phased out. Davis simply made an improved model and will no longer be making the origional version any longer. All of the sensors will work with either model. The only things that aren't usable between the new and old models are things that deal with wireless, like repeaters and such. UV and rad sensors work on both models. The wind cups work on both models. Leaf and soil sensors work on both models.

[sa-txweather]

...Good Point

[weatherduck]

Actualy from what I was told by davis nothing from the old stations can be used on the new ones, IE UV, Leaf Wetness and what not.....maybe I got someone who was confused though...

[wxman35]

Originally posted by weatherduck
Actualy from what I was told by davis nothing from the old stations can be used on the new ones, IE UV, Leaf Wetness and what not.....maybe I got someone who was confused though...

Not according to their web site. It shows these sensors working for both models.

[SA_Scott]

I guess my only beef with the Vantage Pro is the integration of the sensor suite. I love the quality of the data, the display unit, etc...but there's a reason why your anemometer should be at roof top, and temperature down at ground level.

If you put everything on your roof you have the following problems:

Temps too cold at night, too warm during day (depending on roofing material).
Precip guage and other equipment impossible to clean (remove snow/ice).
Anemometer interference with precipitation catches.

If you put everything on the ground you end up with winds much too low and or obstructed given the typical house/yard.

I guess you can separate the anemometer but there goes an extra huge chunk of change for a separate transmitter.

Maybe I need to check out what the VP II has to offer and give them a shout. I'm really picky about my data and I'm sure Davis has had others address WMO siting concerns.

[Mike Ulrich]

Originally posted by SA_Scott
I guess my only beef with the Vantage Pro is the integration of the sensor suite.

Are you aware there is 40' of cable from the sensor suite to the anemometer so you can seperate the two? My sensor suite is mounted about 6' off the ground and the anemometer is at the 35' level.

Mike