So far so good: save for a software bug that affected barometric pressure readings that has since been corrected, operation has been flawless. The Vantage Pro2 (or something similar) has been sold for two decades: the 6000 has been on the market for only a year. One potential negative: we don’t have the reliability data that we have with Davis stations. But the inclusion of fan aspiration in the base model and the option to connect to your station via the cellular network make this a top choice for more demanding weather enthusiasts, beating out even the Davis Vantage Pro2. Kestrel omitted UV and solar sensors (which nearly every cheaper Ambient Weather station has) and made it optional, which is one of my few issues with the 6000. Since it is a Neilsen-Kellerman company (as is Ambient Weather), the 6000 uses the Ambient Weather Network for internet and smart home connectivity. Kestrel is better known for its high-quality handheld wind and weather meters, but the brand’s first foray into home weather stations is a home run. Temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, dew point, and rainfall How We Selected These Home Weather Stations If possible, keep it away from HVAC vents and damp spots to avoid skewing the interior temperature and humidity data its sensors collect. For similar reasons, avoid placing a sensor too close to trees, nearby buildings, other structures, or irrigation systems.īe mindful of where you put your indoor console. Check your station’s instructions for the specific size needed.Ī mast in the middle of open space is better than attaching your all-in-one sensor to an eave or elsewhere on your roof, which can temper wind gusts, radiate heat, and create splashes during heavy rainfall. While not uniform across all stations, generally the mast will need to be between 1 inch to 1.5 inches in diameter. This height is the sweet spot for temperature and rain gauges, though it’s well below the recommended 32.8 feet (10 meters) for an anemometer.ĭepending on the model, you will likely need to mount the station on top of a mast, which you must purchase separately. Find an open area on your lawn and secure the sensor suite between 4- and 6-feet above the ground for the best results. Selecting where to install your weather station’s sensor is one of the most important things you can do to ensure accurate data collection. Wind speed and direction data may be useful if you have an obstruction-free area on your property to place your station others offer UV and solar energy data or lightning detection. These are the basics, and some stations can measure much more than just these. I recommend looking for stations that measure the following: Weather stations can monitor many weather conditions, but what they measure varies from model to model. What to Consider When Shopping for a Home Weather Station I also run The Weather Station Experts, a weather gadget reviews blog. My weather station reviews have appeared on TechHive and Digital Trends, and I have personally tested every station I recommend in my reviews. As an adult, I’ve combined my professional life – a technology journalist – with my passion for the weather to review weather stations and gadgets. The Expert: I’ve been a weather enthusiast since I was a child. Best for Weather Enthusiasts: Davis Vantage Vue with WeatherLink Console.Most Expandable: Ambient Weather WS-5000.Read on for our hands-on experience and advice on what to look for and how to set up your station correctly. So what is the best home weather station? That depends on your budget and what you plan to use it for. This may be useful if you’d like to track temperatures in several locations or have a need for UV and solar radiation, soil moisture, or water leak detection monitoring. Higher-end weather stations offer expandability, which allows you to add additional sensors to your home. Smart home support is another benefit, which allows you to control other devices using data from your station You can share your data with the world via services like Weather Underground. While not a requirement, I recommend opting for internet-connected models because they offer much more functionality. Some manufacturers opt for a mobile app or website for access to your data, which require a connection to the Internet. Not all weather stations have consoles, however. Many also include a tablet-sized desktop console display that allows you to view collected information. This will require a sturdy mounting location free of any obstructions. Home weather stations record data several times per minute, providing a much more detailed look into the whims of Mother Nature than your phone or the local news can.Ī typical home weather station includes a shoebox-sized sensor suite (called an ISS - “Integrated Sensor Suite”) placed outside in an open area. Need to know what the weather is? Stop depending on an inaccurate app.
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