Lacrosse Technology Professional Weather Station
Model: WS-2812 MSRP: $279.95
Characteristics (from Lacrosse Technology)
* Included PC Interface
* Wind Chill, Direction and Speed
* Solar Powered Wind Sensor
* Rain Data
* Forecast w/ Tendency
* IN/OUT Temp
* IN/OUT Humidity
* Weather Alarms w/ Storm Warning
Dimensions:
Receiver: 7.5" x 1.46" x 7.5"
Thermo-hygro:3.13" x 3.54" x 7.45"
Rain Sensor: 5.18" dia. x 7.19"
Wind Sensor:9.84" x 5.74" x 11.11"
All Features:
* Time display in 12/24 hour time format
* Automatic time and date (PC time) update from USB transceiver if connected
* Calendar display (date, month, year)
* Weather forecast with 3 weather icons (sunny, cloudy, and rainy) with weather tendency indicator
* Temperature display in °F/°C: from-39.8°F to 139.8°F
* Humidity display in RH%: from 1% to 99%
* Dew point display in °F/°C: from-39.8°F to 139.8°F
* Wind chill display in °F / °C: down to -39.8°F
* MIN/MAX values of indoor/outdoor temperature, indoor/outdoor humidity, dew point display with time and date of recording
* Relative air pressure reading in inHg/hPa: preset range 27.10 to 31.90 inHg
* 24h/72h history graph selectable
* Wind speed displayed in mph, km/h, m/s, knots, and Beaufort scale: 0 to 111.8 mph
* Wind speed & direction with LCD compass display (16 steps/ 22.5 degree)
* MAX records for wind gust with time & date of recording
* Rainfall display in inch/mm: from 0” to 393.6”
* Rainfall data for total rain, last hour, last 24h, last week, last month
* Weather alarm modes: temperature, humidity, wind gust, wind direction, air pressure, 24h rain and storm warning
* Buzzer on/off select
* LCD contrast setting
* Storage of 1750 sets of weather records with user selectable recording interval from 1 minute to 24 hours
Weather history PC software:
* Stores collected weather data, creates graphs, synchronizes time/date, updates user settings and sets weather alarms
* Works with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7
Wireless USB transceiver:
* USB transceiver plugs into your PC to transfer and share the collected weather data from your weather display with your PC
Wireless rain sensor:
* Self-emptying bucket
* Transmission range: 200 feet (Open field, free of obstructions)
Wireless solar-powered wind sensor
* 100% solar-powered with built-in rechargeable alkaline power cell
* High-efficient solar panels maintain operation throughout all seasons
* Transmission range: 200 feet (Open field, free of obstructions)
Wireless thermo-hygro sensor:
* Transmission of temperature and humidity data
* Transmission range: 200 feet (Open field, free of obstructions)
Specifications:
* Indoor temperature range : -40°F to +139.8°F
* Outdoor temperature range : -40°F to +139.8°F
* Indoor humidity range: 1% to 99%
* Outdoor humidity range: 1% to 99%
* Wind speed / gust: 0 to 111.8 mph
* Wind chill: -40°F to +139.8°F
* Rainfall: 0" to 393.7"
* Transmittion range:
o Wireless: 330 feet
* Power requirements:
o Receiver: 3 "C" Alkaline Batteries
o Thermo-hygro sensor: 2 "C" Alkaline Batteries
o Rain sensor: 2 "AA" Alkaline Batteries
o Wind sensor: Solar powered
Review
Despite its suggested retail price of $279.99, the Lacrosse Technology Professional Weather Station can be purchased for $79.00 with membership at Costco.
Setting up the weather station was rather simple; the main challenge was activating the solar-powered wind sensors as it was evening when set-up took place. Artificial light from a source of 60 watts or greater was sufficient in charging the solar batteries on the wind sensor. Set-up can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less. However, as with all weather instruments, one must take care in sighting in the the wind sensor to ensure it is properly oriented; it should be mounted approximately 10 meters above the ground for best accuracy. The rain gauge should be in an open area, free of obstructions and outside the drip rings of any trees which may result in inaccurate precipitation measurements. The temperature sensor should be placed in an open, preferably shaded area away from concrete or asphalt surfaces and structures for best accuracy.
Wireless data transmission enables the computer, sensors, and display console to be placed anywhere within range of the radio signals (330 feet/100 meters). Since the station was set up on December 16th, data has flowed continuously and without interruptions between the outdoor sensors, the display console, and the computer where data is being logged.
The data logging software provides a detailed display of current weather conditions as observed by the outdoor sensors, and logs all available weather parameters up to one-minute intervals for detailed recording of rapidly-changing conditions. The software also allows the user to store data into different history files for future retrieval and analysis. The main limitation of the data logging software is its inability to automatically upload real-time weather data to a web-based display. The work-around for this would require a script or macro that takes a screenshot of the current weather display window and uploads the image via FTP to the web host for display on a webpage.
UPDATE (12/25/10): One off-the-shelf data-logging program, Virtual Weather Station, enables the real-time logging of data from the WS-2812. Used in conjunction with Lacrosse's Heavy Weather logging software, Virtual Weather Station enables the user to plot graphs of critical weather parameters at up to one-minute intervals, generate METAR observations, monthly and annual climate reports in NOAA format, and upload weather data to the Web in near real-time.
Rating
Ease of Set-up: 8
Software: 6
Data Link Reliability: 10
Price: 9
Overall Rating: 8.25
