Weather Station

[Bryan]

What brand would give accurate readings and a quick to real time refresh rate?

[TWCCraig]

Most weather station brands are good and accurate. I use LaCrosse Technology and it works like a beauty.

But it's your personal preference.

[phw115wvwx]

LaCrosse, Scientific Oregon, and Davis are probably the best options.  If I ever have my own house someday, I'll be getting a Davis as it has the faster update times and is more accurate.  Here's a website to explore all weather stations that exist and buy whatever you wish:  http://www.ambientweather.com/

I'll give you one big piece of advice:  Setup and siting of the instruments is paramount to have a functioning station with quality weather data.  If you don't set everything up correctly and put the sensors where they should be located (thermometer needs good air flow, rain gauge cannot be shadowed by taller objects nearby, anemometer needs to be above all obstructions, etc.), your data will be useless no matter what station you get.

[Bryan]

LaCrosse, Scientific Oregon, and Davis are probably the best options.  If I ever have my own house someday, I'll be getting a Davis as it has the faster update times and is more accurate.  Here's a website to explore all weather stations that exist and buy whatever you wish:  http://www.ambientweather.com/

I'll give you one big piece of advice:  Setup and siting of the instruments is paramount to have a functioning station with quality weather data.  If you don't set everything up correctly and put the sensors where they should be located (thermometer needs good air flow, rain gauge cannot be shadowed by taller objects nearby, anemometer needs to be above all obstructions, etc.), your data will be useless no matter what station you get.

I have a TWC/LaCrosse station and I'm pleased except for the wind reading.  It has never read past 30.   While having 40-50mph winds this past Friday.  LaCrosse is out for me.

[TWCCraig]

Are you sure you have the anemometer in the right place? Make sure it's above all objects like what phw115wvwx said.

[Zach]

Which TWC LaCrosse model do you have? coincidentally, my weather station is a La Crosse with TWC logo on it and its wind anemometer isnt all that great

[WeatherWitness]

I have a LaCrosse model that I really like, but I surprisingly can't find the model on their website.   So it's possible it was discontinued (I only bought it a year or so ago).  It does NOT have an anemometer.

However, the model I have now is my second model.  The first one I had (also LaCrosse) broke for some reason; I think the batteries corroded.  That model has also been discontinued, but it did have an anemometer that was never, ever accurate for winds over 10 mph.  The placement near the house was probably a bad idea, but we didn't really have any place high up to put it.

[Bryan]

Are you sure you have the anemometer in the right place? Make sure it's above all objects like what phw115wvwx said.

It's on a five foot pole on top of the house.   

[Bryan]

Which TWC LaCrosse model do you have? coincidentally, my weather station is a La Crosse with TWC logo on it and its wind anemometer isnt all that great

WS-1611-IT

[TWCCraig]

Which TWC LaCrosse model do you have? coincidentally, my weather station is a La Crosse with TWC logo on it and its wind anemometer isnt all that great

WS-1611-IT

Time to upgrade? 

[TWCToday]

Davis is the best system out there and one of the most trusted in the weather community. I had years ago the Lacrosse and Oregon Scientific and those systems broke within a few months of heavy weather. Davis provides you with the fastest updating sensor readings as well as the most flexibility with your data. Its expensive but worth the initial investment. Mine has been running for nearly 4 years on a salt water river and hasn't hiccuped yet. Even the batteries are still holding. I only had to replace the batteries on the fan aspirated shield once. Search around and you can find some good deals. Typical refresh times on the wind speeds are 2 seconds.

[Mike M]

Which TWC LaCrosse model do you have? coincidentally, my weather station is a La Crosse with TWC logo on it and its wind anemometer isnt all that great

I have a TWC Lacrosse weather station I got back in 2009, but it doesn't work right anymore. The station can't fetch info from the outside instruments, and I've tried replacing all the batteries, using a different cable, cleaning/securing the objects, etc. I have everything on a makeshift telephone pole-like structure I put together in my backyard since I live in a townhome association and as such I can't put anything on the roof (where I would probably put my anemometer and rain gauge at).

[phw115wvwx]

I hope you all realize that any TWC weather station is cheap and will perform poorly.  I've had better luck with simple Radio Shack thermometers than anything from TWC.  The bottom line is that if you really want a good weather station, you'll have to consider spending in the range of $250-$1,000.

[Mike M]

I hope you all realize that any TWC weather station is cheap and will perform poorly.  I've had better luck with simple Radio Shack thermometers than anything from TWC.  The bottom line is that if you really want a good weather station, you'll have to consider spending in the range of $250-$1,000.

Well I realized it now, the hard way. 

[WeatherWitness]

I hope you all realize that any TWC weather station is cheap and will perform poorly.  I've had better luck with simple Radio Shack thermometers than anything from TWC.  The bottom line is that if you really want a good weather station, you'll have to consider spending in the range of $250-$1,000.

Does TWC actually make the weather station?  If so, it's interesting that you can find them on the LaCrosse website.